Track bikes for large humans?

[FirstDuc-1098]

ah... the infamous motorcycle blue screen of death

[Chippertheripper]

I don't get it.

[Imbeek]

Nhbubba's pic

[nhbubba]

I don't get it.

Now you know how I feel when you start talking about dirty-biking.. or suspension ju-ju.. or riding fast.

[number9]

I'm 6'3" and the most comfortable fast bike I've ever ridden was an early Aprilia RSV. Seriously! Probably not a cheap track option compared to something Japanese, though.

[Garandman]

Now that my knees are healed up, starting to do track days again.

The SV650SF was a great choice but is now a rarity. Is a GSX-R750 reasonable for an Intermediate rider? The only sport bike I’ve ridden was a CSS S1000RR down at NJMP. Fun but I’ll never use all that power....

[Chippertheripper]

I don't know if you'll see this post or not, but your large and aging frame will likely be more comfortable on something closer to the gladius. A naked 2nd gen sv, or 650r with the stock upright bars is ideal.

[nhbubba]

I agree with chip. Tracking a naked sv with bars and rearsets is huge fun

[Paul_E_D]

There was a really tall dude rocking 2, yes 2 ZX-14s. One set up exclusively for track at Palmer Monday. Nothing less will do for a dude of your size...

[drstimpy]

Duke 690 is built for large Austrian dudes. I’m 6’1” 190lb and it fits with room to spare.


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[Jayspeed]

Now that my knees are healed up, starting to do track days again.

The SV650SF was a great choice but is now a rarity. Is a GSX-R750 reasonable for an Intermediate rider? The only sport bike I’ve ridden was a CSS S1000RR down at NJMP. Fun but I’ll never use all that power....

750 is like a 600. Very tame.

[adouglas]

750 is like a 600. Very tame.

Since the OP was originally asking about physical size, here's $0.02 to throw into the mix.

I'm on the munchkin end of the height spectrum, at 5'7" on a good day with a 30" inseam.

My street bike is a 2011 GSX-R750, and I chose it specifically because it is the only sportbike I could find that is short enough and narrow enough to be really practical for me on real roads and in real traffic. On the street, it helps to be able to get the balls of your feet down; sometimes you need to do it in a hurry on sketchy surfaces. (Alien midget Pedrosa has dropped bikes during promo events when there aren't mechanics there to grab the bike for him.) Reach to the bars is also fairly short. That bike is physically identical to the same-year GSX-R600.

My track bike is an 06 R6, which is so tall even with the seat foam replaced by a superbike pad I'm on absolute tippy-toes and can only get the ball of one foot down if I put the other one on it peg. Not an issue at the track, of course. Despite the height, when riding it feels really compact... smaller than the 750.

Never ridden a literbike, but my impression from sitting on a few is that most are physically larger in every way. You may not need the power, but that's all in your wrist to be honest. And if you're worried about it being too much, pretty much every modern liter bike has some sort of electronics that will tame it. Even my 750 has a "B" engine mode that makes it feel like a 600 (which is surprisingly useful in traffic, actually).

[nhbubba]

I think I’m done with bikes with clipon bars forever. Unless I go racing again. The advantage they yield is too small for a goober like me. And the relaxed ergos bars bring are well worth it. Better mindset on the street too.

Look at what Ken C tracks...

[loudbeard]

I'm all but sold on a 690 Duke. I'm also a big dude, 6'3" 230 pounds. If you're interested in them, shop for the gen 3 bikes, 2008-2011. They have forged Marchesini wheels and Brembo brakes whereas the later (and earlier) models do not.

[Paul_E_D]

The previous gen Duke also had better suspension. The new ones are non adjustable, and not many mod options. The new motor may well be worth the sacrifice though. Thing rips.

[csmutty]

I think I’m done with bikes with clipon bars forever. Unless I go racing again. The advantage they yield is too small for a goober like me. And the relaxed ergos bars bring are well worth it. Better mindset on the street too.

Look at what Ken C tracks...

He's also old as hell..

Welcome to the club...

[Chippertheripper]

He's also old as hell..

Welcome to the club...

I’m a firm endorser of upright bars at any age. Correct BP is correct BP, your hand position needn’t matter, and all the other times, it’s more comfortable.

[nhbubba]

My SV with clipons did give me the reference point with my elbow on the tank. I think that did teach me a lot there. Harder to learn that with the arms ~6" higher, flapping in the breeze. But it is not insurmountable..
And it comes back to the fact that this is track days we're talking about. Are you trying to win? Phuck that. Just have fun man..

[csmutty]

My ex500 has clipons. It's a man's bike.

[Garandman]

My SV with clipons did give me the reference point with my elbow on the tank. I think that did teach me a lot there. Harder to learn that with the arms ~6" higher, flapping in the breeze. But it is not insurmountable..
And it comes back to the fact that this is track days we're talking about. Are you trying to win? Phuck that. Just have fun man..

The bike I keep coming back to is the BMW S1000R and similar naked bikes. It has a slightly detuned S1000RR engine, electronics package, and standard but low handlebars. But they are somewhat rare, used, while GSXR750’s are very common. Then again, not sure buying a modern BMW without a warranty is wise, pushing me towards new.

[number9]

The bike I keep coming back to is the BMW S1000R and similar naked bikes. It has a slightly detuned S1000RR engine, electronics package, and standard but low handlebars. But they are somewhat rare, used, while GSXR750’s are very common. Then again, not sure buying a modern BMW without a warranty is wise, pushing me towards new.

I'm 6'3", 220lbs and the Aprilia Tuono is pretty comfortable. The V4 has 170hp... I'm sure it does ok on the track.

[Paul_E_D]

The upright tuono V4 is a beast. Not very user friendly. Racy tall first gear, and wheelies through all the rest of them... unless that's what your're into.

[curiouser]

Not sure if they're doing it this year, but Aprilia was doing demo rides at NHMS during Bike Week last year. I'll second the V4 Tuono being a relatively comfortable, but sporty ride with ridiculous stomp.

[number9]

The upright tuono V4 is a beast. Not very user friendly. Racy tall first gear, and wheelies through all the rest of them... unless that's what your're into.

Paul, it may* surprise you to know that the V4 Tuono is yet another bike I can't wheelie.

* It won't.

[burnham]

KTM RC 8. Very adjustable and usable power from 3k on up.