The 600 vs 1000 debate is not quite as clear these days as it has been in the past in my opinion. I was a bit put off by the 1000cc bikes that the California Superbike School was using but the BMW S1000RR was quite manageable and great to ride. Power modes and improvements in form factor has changed the game a bit.
:amen: i will move to a 1000 when i am near track record everywhere i go to, until then, i know that ppl have gone a hell of a lot faster on a 600 than i would on a 1000
Last year the CSBK amateur champ won both the 600 and 1000 title on a 600. Just recently news of pascarella on his R6: http://www.roadracingworld.com/news...rmula-pacific-win-lap-record-at-buttonwillow/ People like that really inspire me. Until I reach that level, I'll be on a six. (I'll probably always be on a 600 then.. hah)
This is exactly why I'm more active on this board than many other forums. The fact that mere mortals can't approach the capabilities of a modern 1000cc sportbike (BMW S1000 notwithstanding) seems pretty clear to me. Try suggesting that in other places and you'll get flamed. I'm not saying the power isn't a blast to have connected to your right hand, but it's more fun to have a chance at really using the bike beneath you. That's not even getting into the debate of having 160+rwhp on the street. You lot are my kind of people. It's never about who brings the shiniest, fastest toy.
Its not? Well what the hell did i spend all that time painting for? DAMNIT MAN! You're supposed to tell me these things. :caked:
That is a much better way of explaining it. There are too many exceptions to the "if it has a motor" explanation.
I disagree. The 600 vs 1000 debate holds true today, just like it did 10 years ago. The only exception being if you ride with your 1000 in "Rain" mode all the time, and limit it to the HP of a 600. When i first started riding on the track, I was on a Gixxer 600. I was taken out by somebody (riding in Novice) at Tally and the bike was totaled. Instead of buying another track bike, I just convered my street bike (R1) and started riding it. I found myself saying "there is no way that guy should be passing me on that bike". My progress slowed because I caught myself thinking "I can just pass them on the straight". If that thought ever crosses your mind on the track, then you are hurting yourself as far as rider development goes. So I parked the R1 and bought another 600. I solely rode a 600 for several years. Did many track days, took several schools and started racing. I learned how to utilize corner speed and braking to make passes, I learned how to setup passes to get the drive on people. I found myself passing the 1000's in the straights because I carried more corner speed and got on the gas sooner. Fast forward to 2013 and I got back on a 1000 and it is a different story. Now I can apply the same corner speed, braking techniques and passing strategies to my RSV4. Had I never went back to a 600, I firmly believe I wouldnt have improved as fast as I did and I would be a much lesser rider today. Regardless of how you try to justify it to yourself, if you are riding a 1000 you are hurting yourself as far as rider development goes. There is no way to deny that. With that being said, not everyone is concerned with improving, developing skills, going faster, etc. Some people simply like to ride their bike fast in a controlled environment with friends and away from police. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. To each their own.
We aren't talking about winning track days. We are talking about improving and developing as a rider. And as it applies to that, his comments are valid.
Exactly my friend, my point of all this chatter about being able to learn faster on a 600 over a 1000 is this. "Am I in a race to learn quickly?? NO". I am fine with taking as long as I need to learn everything and no matter how fast I think I am chances are really good someone is faster or will be faster than me. I have already seen the broad spectrum of talent in Intermediate. So I will continue to learn at my pace on the bike I currently have since it is all about the fun without losing my license for me. Someday I may race but at 48 I do not see me reaching that in this lifetime
Everyone learns at their own pace. As long as we are all having fun doing it and enjoying our sport; that's all that matters. The learning curve is steep on the racetrack no matter if you are racing or just doing TD's.
So what I find exciting for me is the difference track riding has had on my riding position. In the first pic is a pic of me after one track weekend last year when I thought I was getting off the bike in the turns and then the second image is of me at Barber on April 5 th. That is 6.5 days on the track and just changing my body position has changed my pace so much.:thumb:
I will always street ride. See no reason to stop and yes I have been hit by a distracted driver. I used to commute a lot on a motorcycle, not much anymore. I pick my times to go ride street, early weekend mornings, trips out of town that kinda stuff. City riding will get you killed but I still tip toe around in that also. As for riding fast, I go as fast as I feel comfortable. Which is I ride within my limits. I ride alone a lot. I find it relaxing. Group rides make me nervous. Track riding made me a more complete and better rider and car driver all in the same day. My biggest fear street riding is not other drivers its wildlife. I hit a deer back in 09 at 60 mph on a Bandit 1250 loaded for a trip to Key West FL. I didn't go down (lucky) but I did some really wild riding to only sustain heavy bike damage. I compare what I went through that morning as two riders going down in front of you on a racetrack and you find yourself trying to avoid a rider and a bike. That morning it was 3 deer that ran in front of me, I missed two but tagged the 3rd one. I managed to not hit him broadside and my years of track riding prepared me for that instinctively I'm almost certain. 600# plus motorcycles don't maneuver to well at speed and under heavy braking. Wildlife really freak me out now because of that. I barely missed a huge black bear on my Super Tenere up in N GA back in 2013. Only thing that saved me that day is bears move slow and my reflexes at speed and under sudden conditions is good. Was I going to fast, why of course but still the fact remains wildlife can be very unpredictable. More so than a distracted driver. I ride street because I really enjoy it.
Dude! I just started this game 4 years ago after stopping for 22 years. At 47 now I will be racing this August. I don't expect to win, it's not that, it's the " now or never " Oh, and I am self-employed and pay for my own medical, and am willing to risk it because of the now or never. BTW, I am 75th Ranger with 44 parachute jumps, been crazy before.
I have a literbike. I believe that riding a 600 will make you a better rider, because you must learn corner speed and exiting. Having said that - I don't care I'm having waaay too much damn fun anyway