Advice appreciated here...

I fancy some track action- trackday to start with and then some circuit stuff- but not on my bike (for obvious reasons).

I've seen a 1991 FZR600 modded for track use and dirt-cheap (£500). Can anyone tell me if this bike can still keep up with the competition (not planning on winning anything, just don't want to be 15 seconds behind at the end of the 1st lap), and if there are any other hidden pitfalls to be wary of

Cheers

As far as I know, on your fisrt couple of trackdays, you're put in a beginner group so you can stay at your own pace. I think thats what my brother did on his 1st. If you're gonna do trackdays, for gods sake, make sure the bike is running perfect. The consequences of your front wheel locking up is grim. Such as with road riding any off over 30mph can be fatal.

(mumbles on for a while)

If the bikes not fast enough first time round, tinker and play until it is!!!!!

Cheers for that. I'm not worried about basic stuff (brakes, wheels & stuff I can spot myself). Its really whether a 15-year old bike can run at current track speeds when ridden by someone competent (ie not me at the moment)

I dont know that much about racing nor do i know anything about the bike in question, but at the level you are going in at the most important thing seems to be the correct line and positioning. The general view i get from those who i have spoken to, who do track days is that even though they may not have the power commanders, the r1 track bike etc they can still go round and over take those who have bikes suped up to the nutts becuase they are better riders. I think there was a post a while back and someone was saying that someone beat a bloke with a high powered bike bike with an aprillia rs125.

hope you have fun , its allways something i have wanted to do

As a track day bike, I think the FZR would be fine. Maybe not for amateur racing though. I suppose if you are wanting to start, it's better off to get something as cheap as possible. You'll be pushing it very close to the edge trying to improve your skills. Some of the 15 year old stuff should be okay. The engine of my bike can hold it's own with modern 600's. It's the suspension and stuff that is letting it down.

There's a couple of folks here who have been involved in some racing. Maybe they'll be able to help.

Thanks for that- yeah, I'm thinking I can rent a trackday bike for 3 days or own this one, and it has a daylight MOT so I could take it to a runway somewhere and get to know it nice like...

Cheers,

Adam

Many thanks- that's exactly the sort of advice I'm after. I am so so tempted to just buy the thing- if I get 3 decent track days out of it I'll have made the money and its street legal (in the daylight ) as well.... suppose track days will show me how good or not it is in terms of handling etc.


Cheers

I know people who have taken Pan Europeans on the track so don't worry about the bike. As long as it is safety wired, isn't leaking any type of fluid onto the track and all body work is secure you will be fine. If I am not mistaken John Kocinski road a FZR600 or was it a YZF600 ? Anyway the bike is fine and don't worry, you will be 15 seconds slower than some people. Don't make the mistake of thinking just cos its a track day the riders will be mediocre cos there are some serious riders do track days. That said, don't be put off co the main thing is to enjoy it.

It'll be fine for the track, don't worry. You go at your own pace and your entry onto the track is staggered, so you won't be left behind the group, you'll have some in front and some behind, some will overtake you and you'll overtake others. The FZR is a little down on horsepower compared to modern 600s but rider ability contributes more to track speed than anything else. I've 70bhp and overtake gixxer thous, blades etc, but then one of the instructors with the company i use a bit rides a CB500 and he's way quicker than me.
As long as the bike is sound, has reasonable suspension and good brakes, it should be a good buy.

The previous advice on learning a correct line and speed for a corner is everything. Once you have that right (and it takes time), and you have added some more profiled track tires to aid cornering, you will be able to mix it with most bikes on the track. Get the weight down as far as you can by shedding anything cosmetic on the bike you don't need.

Main thing is to know your limits. The bike probably won't have too many, but you certainly will. Most track riders get hurt because they made a mistake, not because the bike failed to do what is was made for. Main thing is enjoy it.

i've just sold a 90 FZR600, i'm in no doubt it will fit your need, brakes are great on em, strong engine, loads of power... a good rear shock and upgrade fork springs should sort any handling complaints i had about mine... steel frame and swing arm makes them a bit heavy tho
saying that our lass's FZR400 would run rings round it on short curcuits!
if i had the balls to do track days i'd use the 400 personally you can get them for the same sort of money... exhausts are a bitch to find! a 600 engine fits as well

Ta for advice- just what I wanted to hear. I'm almost tempted to take my GT750 round, but need to do a bit of work on her first (wheel bearings are feeeling a bit odd).

And I'll be easily spotted as the one with the HUGE GRIN on my chops after doing a lap at any speed.... fun is where it is at.

Cheers,

Adam

Many thanks all- you've convinced me that this is the way to go.

Next Step- pay the cash and play with The Toy. I'll let you know what happens next (I can feel a Star Trek log coming on here- Day 6 of the FZR Adventure. Our Hero is trying to work out how not to stand her on her tail)

Thanks all for the advice- all much appreciated. Top forum this- got no work done at all today looking round it.

Right I'm gona pretend I never read this....500 quid for a track bike.. like yeah man if the thing is pukka lets go. I hadn't thought of doing it on the cheap like that...me money is going else where at the moment but was hoping to get on the track next year... keep us posted as to how it goes