It's true the VTR takes some work to make it really track-worthy. But for a street/trackday bike for a non-racer, I can't think of a bike I'd rather have. It is lighter, with better midrange power than the RC51. The limitation of my bike, in its current configuration is probably about 12 seconds per lap faster than I go now. I consider myself a strong "B-group" rider. I run 2:14s at Thunderhill. Bob Hayashida was turning 2:04s with a mostly stock bike (stock engine, with suspension mods). After the development work I've done, my bike is fast enough to piss off several people who used to be faster than me

. I think Bob was closer to 2:00 with his full-race VTR. He went 1:58.5 or so with his full-race, very highly developed RC51. He keeps talking me out of getting an RC51, because the VTR is so much better as a streetbike.