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Originally Posted by Wedge
In looking for a track bike. I started doing Track Days and im hooked. Im now on a Hayabusa dont laugh. It actually works well but not on parr with the smaller lighter bikes on turns as we all already know. Im looking at a RC51 and the GSXR750 any thoughts on your 750s likes and dislikes or any problems to be aware of. Thanks 4 any info.
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Well, I have a 2006 GSXR 750 for the track. Bear in mind that my previous bike (before the MV) was a 2003 999. I mention that because I think matters of handling are very much what suits you, what is your taste. And with that in mind, the 750 is very very light and nimble, feels small, and holds a line very well with slicks on. However, to my mind it lacks a fair amount of front end feel; it certainly has nowhere near the same amount of weight on the front end as either of those other two bikes. I haven't done anything to the front end (yet) however, like add Ohlins internals to the forks, other than swap the stock damper for an Ohlins.
Other than that, here are some more scientific likes/dislikes:
- power is anemic below 10,000. I am sure you will feel that coming from the Busa.
- bike overall is incredibly light
- changing things like ride height is a huge PITA for what is supposed to be a race worthy machine
- a lot of stuff on it (transmission, handling, fit and finish, cable clutch) doesn't feel as polished or precise as the Italian bikes.
- brakes are amazing stock, with a Brembo master they are spectacular. The rear brake is a giant useless hunk of cast iron however; somebody has to make something lighter and more elegant.
- power above 10,000 is fantastic, and I think perfect for a track bike for a non-pro racer; enough to feed the hunger, not enough to highside you to oblivion if you mess up
- stock suspension and seating is super soft with no rebound control; again, for a race bike it is stupid, for a street bike it makes sense. With an Ohlins rear, and upping the damping and preload on the front, it is "OK"
- Value for money is great, availability of aftermarket upgrades and/or crash replacements is very good
- The stock slipper is fantastic; better than a Ducati Performance slipper, not as nice as the MV electronic slipper (but some people don't like that either, for whatever reason).
- Throttle is super smooth and very controllable. The turn is a bit too much to full open however, and the need to leave some slack in the cable is irritating.
Overall, I can't say that unless I won a lottery I would have done any different in hindsight. I think it would take $30k on a Duc or $40k on a MV to get to an equivalent package that I got for at least $14k less (all numbers are CDN for those of you asking WTF). That includes track plastics, suspension and brake upgrades, rear sets, clipons, etc. It is a very potent package, at a good price (and could be had cheaper than what I did if you went 1-2 years old and used) that is going to be more than enough for me for years to come.