Advice on Gixxer

[boyRacer]

Well I took some peoples advice several months ago and went to CC Rider Los Angeles for motorcycle training... i went back for their advanced training and i think its finally time to get me my first real bike. I went to a dealer yesterday where my friend works at since ive had my eye on a GSX-R 750 for awhile now. Here's my question... a brand new 2002 model will cost around $10k... a 2000 model with 8500 miles i could find for $8000... i dont know if 8000 miles on a bike is a good thing but i feel that if i were had $8000 i might as well go with a brand new one. A new 2002 GSX-R 600 on the other hand is $8500. This won't be a daily rider as i feel that there are too many idiots out there in LA... it will most probably just to unwind on weekends... or Willow Springs if i have enough money. What do you guys think?

 

[Fausto]

If you can find a 1996-97 model that hasn't been flogged, that would really be the best deal. You should be able to pick one up for $5-6k that has already been jetted (they were delivered running kinda lean, which made them fussy to start sometimes) and piped. The differences between those bikes and the newest ones aren't significant enough for a new-ish rider such as yourself to justify the price of a brand-new bike. Plus you'll have some loot left over for leathers and such (you'll need them for track days).

Fausto

 

[boyRacer]

Well I already have a crappy bike that ive been getting riding miles on... a 1992 katana...and if i get another old bike... that makes me depressed as i will have to buy a new bike later on. i just wanna know if its even sensible to buy a bike with that many miles or just go for an all new one... hahaha... i wish i was getting it tomorrow... terribly sorry if i made it sound like i will be buying a bike within the next couple of weeks.

 

[Fausto]

It totally depends on the bike. I'm not personally a big fan of ponying up for a new bike because many owners are completely psycho about maintenance of their bike. I know guys who change their oil every 1500 miles and such. If you can find a used one that has really been looked after, I see no reason to go after a new one. 8000 miles on a bike isn't really all that much if the owner hasn't beaten on it. FWIW- Suzukis are pretty reliable bike for the most part....there's a reason they are the bike of choice for endurance races.

Also, I would personally go for a 750 over a 600. The extra HP and torque make street riding much nicer as you don't have to wring the thing's neck to make it go. Today's 600s make a lot more HP than they used to, but you still have to rev the snot out of them to get anywhere quickly.

Fausto

 

[Bulk Beef]

<< there's a reason they are the bike of choice for endurance races. >>

Funny you should say that. These guys are friends of mine.

 

[boyRacer]

Ahhhh... thanks a lot.

 

[Fausto]

<< Funny you should say that. These guys are friends of mine. >>



Hahaha! I ran into them a while back while sauntering through the paddock at Road Atlanta years back. Their website was so funny I had to meet them in person.

Fausto

 

[Bulk Beef]

Yeah, they're good guys. If you're interested, you can read about my tale of woe here. Look under Track Testimonials - Roebling Road.

 

[boyRacer]

Oh that is so farkin cool... i wish i wasnt rolling solo on this.

 

[Fausto]

ahem.



<< but he took to the bike like a horny chihuahua to an idle shin >>



BWWAAAAAAHAAAAAHAAAAAHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

That is funny as hell...good story too. I've never been able to muster up the money commitment to do some racing, so I have to content myself with racing bicycles (crashing at 30 wearing just lycra is almost as much fun as crashing at 60 wearing leathers) and street riding. I'll look for you in the paddock at Road A next WERA date.

Fausto

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Do some research. The Gixxers are known for losing bolts while riding.

I would go with a Kawasaki ZX-7R or a Yamaha R6 or R1. Or you could buy my 2001 bike

Also 600's of today don't require you to "rev the snot out of them" to go. My Kat 600 will get up and go with little throttle twist. Some bikes ight seem that way if the teeth are worn down on the sprokets or the jets aren't set up correctly.

 

[Fausto]

<< Also 600's of today don't require you to "rev the snot out of them" to go. My Kat 600 will get up and go with little throttle twist. Some bikes ight seem that way if the teeth are worn down on the sprokets or the jets aren't set up correctly. >>


No, it's just that a 600 won't make much over 40 ft/lbs unless you're over 10 grand on the tach. Ride something bigger and then go back to your Kat and you'll see what I mean.



<< Do some research. The Gixxers are known for losing bolts while riding. >>


What the hell are you talking about? I've never heard of this....got some linkage to support this? Besides, he'd have to safety-wire everything for track days anyway.

Fausto

 

[Viperoni]

Check with your insurance rate first, that'll help you decide which bike you'll get.
Seriously, you might be in for a BIG surprise.

 

[Bulk Beef]

<< That is funny as hell...good story too. I've never been able to muster up the money commitment to do some racing, so I have to content myself with racing bicycles (crashing at 30 wearing just lycra is almost as much fun as crashing at 60 wearing leathers) and street riding. I'll look for you in the paddock at Road A next WERA date. >>

Believe me, I would be much better off if I had started racing bicycles instead of motorcycles. I would still have ten toes, for one thing (that was at Road Atlanta). And that crash at Savannah happened at about 10,000 rpm in 4th gear which I would guess is around 110 mph. It scared the piss out of me. I had enough air time to consider where I was, how fast I was going, how much it was going to hurt when I landed, my own mortality, etc. It was the scariest, most violent thing I have ever experienced, and it was also the last time I turned a wheel on a racetrack. It just wasn't worth it to me anymore. But it's still a great sport.


BoYRaCeR, you might want to take a look at the AOD bulletin board, and see what you can find out over there.

 

[CTweak]

Hey cool - AOD and NOTB rock - love you guy's write ups in RRW.

Was an awesome Daytona BTW. I might see you guys at a few North-East rounds this year - thinking about moving to the endurance side w/ a GSXR600, just for fun though - don't worry I won't be any compitition Been racing a Ducati 916 in HW Twins for a few years and want to try something else. Probably race my Husky in Clubman/LW Twins too for a bit of super-motard action!

 

[RobSan]

Speaking as one who was actually working for Suzuki when the GSXR series was introduced, and also had a hand in developing the GSXR Cup Series, be careful that the one you are looking at was not "Ridden Only On Sunday". Otherwise, these are great bikes and well maintained, bulletproof. And, they are NOT well know for losing bolts while riding! Dolts?; that's another story.

 

[Bulk Beef]

<< "Ridden Only On Sunday" >>

Why, what could you possibly mean??

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Several people I've ridden with had mid 90's Gixxers and they both lost bolts. I've had one of them shoot out from the rear tire of one of the bikes and bounce off of my wind screen.


If your just looking for a track bitch, buy a used bike and mod it. Put new exhaust, K&N air filter, and rejet it. It's always better to have a bike that is faster that what people expect.

Seriously go with a Yami R6 or R1.

 

[RedRooster]

<< If you can find a 1996-97 model that hasn't been flogged, that would really be the best deal. You should be able to pick one up for $5-6k that has already been jetted (they were delivered running kinda lean, which made them fussy to start sometimes) and piped. The differences between those bikes and the newest ones aren't significant enough for a new-ish rider such as yourself to justify the price of a brand-new bike. Plus you'll have some loot left over for leathers and such (you'll need them for track days).

Fausto >>



Fausto, I'm just curious as to why you'd suggest a bike in the 96-97 range. Was 96 not the last year of the carbeurated model, and 97 was the first year of the fuel injected? Or am I one year behind? I would think a fuel injected bike would be leagues better, regarding tuneability as well as power delivery.

BoyRacer, Suzuki has made so few changes to their bikes since the first fuel injected ones back in 97 or 98 or whenever, even a 98 750 would be a great buy. It'd save you tons too.

 

[The Stigenator]

I would say Triumph 955 or GSXR 750 or the R6 or the Kawasaki ZX6R (in yellow) or the ZX7R (in green).
The R1 i feel is a waste of money, even though its styling is so cool.

My next upgrade will either be one of the bikes above.

By teh way BoyRacer, how did you take the Advanced course at CCriderLosAngeles .. you got to have 3000 miles under your belt before they allow you to take that course. If you got around that issue how did you do so. I want to take the Advanced course. I still have 1800 miles to go to do that. I just crossed 1200 miles today.

Now that I am slowly taking to longer distance rides I think I will cover that 1800 miles by the end of summer. Also now my engine has totally broken in.. so its very smooth and the power distribution is dead on perfect. I love it and cant seem to get off it once I do get on it.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Had to stick my head in here

For what it's worth I would have to give the nod to the 750. '99 was a good year, and might be a good compromise between price and newness. I know a couple of guys who ride these, and they love them. They seem to have the flickability of the 600 class, but in terms of engine, they are more like the litre bikes. Should be a wild ride!

 

[silverpig]

Sweet, a bike thread. I'm lookin at a '99 r6 myself... I've gotta think about it a bit though, as they have a very high resale here in Vancouver at least... You're paying almost as much for a 2000 as you are for an '02.

 

[Fausto]

<< Fausto, I'm just curious as to why you'd suggest a bike in the 96-97 range. Was 96 not the last year of the carbeurated model, and 97 was the first year of the fuel injected? Or am I one year behind? I would think a fuel injected bike would be leagues better, regarding tuneability as well as power delivery. >>



Because they are cheap to own if you can find one that hasn't been beat on, and the first few years of fuel injection (especially the first: 1998) were kinda glitchy. A simple mild jetting of the 96-97's to and you're good to go....the only real diff with the 98-99's is the EFI, so why bother with the extra expense. If money were no object tho, I'd go with one of the latest design....I think most will agree that all three of the newest GSXR 600/750/1000s are farking great bikes across the board. I was mostly just thinking most bang for the buck and largest assortment of aftermarket support.

Oh BTW Lebowski: I'm sorry your friends had flying bolts, but your insistence that Suzi's have loose bolt problems (based solely on your friend's mishaps) across the board is absurd. Don't you think if that were the case, the factory would nip it in the bud right quick after a lawsuit or two. Again, I can't think of anything that would shake bolts loose better than endurance racing, and the GSXR is still the weapon of choice there. Plus the mags would all be screaming about it....god knows they harp on the smallest flaw with every bike.

Fausto

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Flying bolts? Must be a Harley LOL

(expecting flames )

 

[Fausto]

<< Flying bolts? Must be a Harley LOL >>



ouch.

I have to admit tho.....the new V-Rod looks pretty bad-ass. If Eric Buell ever gets his paws on that engine, I would totally buy it.

Fausto