Teach me about the r6...

[JettaJayGLS]

So over the winter I am looking to pick up a second track bike for track days next season as it just isn't feasible to run multiple track days on my motard and run a competitive racing program. The plan would be to race this bike for 2014 assuming my budget at the time allows it.

From what I can see, everyone races r6's or gsxrs. I've ridden both on the street, If I do this, I want an r6. I like the feeling sitting "on top of" the bike the r6 gives as compared to sitting "in" the bike the gsxr gives. My mind is made up here, so I really do not want to learn about the gsxr or hear why they are better. We all have opinions, I know that, and this is mine.

In a perfect world, I would buy another d675 as I owned one for 2 years and absolutely loved the bike. If I was buying a track day only bike I would get one in a heart beat, but with potential racing plans I think I have to pass. Even with the new triples fixing the lack of feel in the front end, I'm not sure how competitive they really are in the expert ranks (without boat loads of cash)...plus the triples, along with a slipper (as its the only middle weight that doesn't have one), are huge money that may put it out of my potential budgeting. If I'm wrong, someone fix my opinion here.

Back to the r6....Is there a special year r6 I want? Why? Remember, I'm not a millionaire so I can't afford a brand new bike, so if 2011 is the best year, I'll have to pass on that.

Looking to get as much information as possible, so please feel free to give me the life story of your bike, past bikes, whatever. I'm pretty blind going into this and its winter, so amuse me.

[Paul_E_D]

08 and up is best. 06 up is second best. Do it!

[Pigman]

08 and up........and run Dunlop's takeoff's all thru your NV career

[WinVT]

Yeah 08+ is preferred, but anything 06+ is good. 06+ all share a lot of common parts.

[JettaJayGLS]

What's the big difference between the 06/07 and the 08+?

Again, I'm looking for knowledge here, so don't be shy.

[Pigman]

The 06 up to 08 had crank bearing oil issues and they fixed it in 08.....but also do your home work on the http://forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12 and there is a ton of info there on them also...

[WinVT]

Also, the front end was changed a little bit on the 08+. Apparently the forks were too short on the 06/07. You can get fork cap extenders which I believe smutty uses. I'm running 2011 forks on my 06.

[csmutty]

Here are the differences.

06-07 had problems holding a line so for 08 they made the forks 10mm longer.
For 08 they also made the frame longer to increase stability.
08 they also "fixed" the oiling issue in the crank.
08 they also increased the compression of the pistons from 12:1 to 12.5:1 I think was the ratio.
08 they also created variable velocity stack height in the airbox. Supposedly the 06-07 suffered from a lack of midrange power, so this helped to create more midrange.
06-07 had the problem with the gas tank sticking out too far so when the bike went down the tank broke and the bike was prone to catching on fire. 08 they made the tank slightly more narrow, but you still have to run the guards to race even with the narrower tank.

[The Snowman]

08 and up........and run Dunlop's takeoff's all thru your NV career

Unfortunately, Jay would be thrust right into the heat, since he's already an expert.

[Paul_E_D]

What they didn't change from 06-08 was the ugly...

[csmutty]

What they didn't change from 06-08 was the ugly...

You think the R6 is ugly?

[JettaJayGLS]

Unfortunately, Jay would be thrust right into the heat, since he's already an expert.

Yep, would be going into this Smutty Style.

What they didn't change from 06-08 was the ugly...

Haha, I think they look great! Always been a big fan of the r6 looks, second to the Daytona for the middle weights IMO.

Thanks for all the info dudes...again, I'm willing to hear any and everything you guys have for info. Including necessary mods (besides the normal ones), what you think should be done, what shouldn't be done, etc....I am doing my own research for sure, but I'd like as much advice as possible. Especially coming from racers I know and racers on the same track as me in regards to set ups.

[csmutty]

Look for something that is already set up would be my key word of advice, but you already know that. I have raced an 08 to compare, and didn't notice a difference in power.

[Paul_E_D]

I like everything but the hideous snout.

[WinVT]

What they didn't change from 06-08 was the ugly...

what!?!

[Paul_E_D]

The bodywork/nose is just to busy. What do you need all those folds and creases for? a little smoother, and more subtlety would go a long way.

[GixerJockey]

what!?!

I'm pretty sure he said they looked like a bag of smashed assholes...

Hopefully that makes it a bit clearer for you.

[csmutty]

The bodywork/nose is just to busy. What do you need all those folds and creases for? a little smoother, and more subtlety would go a long way.

It's called modern. Don't let this old guy get you down.

Besides...it would have race bodywork on it anywayssss.

[Paul_E_D]

Besides...it would have race bodywork on it anywayssss.

Thank gawd!

[CBR929RE]

The bodywork/nose is just to busy. What do you need all those folds and creases for? a little smoother, and more subtlety would go a long way.

while I don't think its an ugly bike I do agree there are too many folds/creases. makes it look like a few different people worked on the design and they just through them together. same with the Kawi. The Honda and GSXR both look smoother.

and Jay the Honda still doesn't come with a slipper clutch, even the 2013. Honda keeps missing the ball on that one. Not sure why since the 1000 has had one since 08.

[OneCheekRider]

08 is the bike to get. I hear later years got more emissions controls and lost some power, although I'm not certain. Compared to an 06-07, the midrange is much better and the front end feel is better too. That being said, I've been riding my 06 since new without issue. I have no real compelling reason to bump up to an 08+ as I feel the race bits I added keep it competitive.

[Kenn157]

Anybody thinking about owning multiple bikes sure is crazy!

[Jim]

R6 has more power but dont crash well. i've heard they take a little more to get the suspension set up.
GSX-R crash well and parts are super cheap, but lack the power of the R6

[JettaJayGLS]

08 is the bike to get. I hear later years got more emissions controls and lost some power, although I'm not certain. Compared to an 06-07, the midrange is much better and the front end feel is better too. That being said, I've been riding my 06 since new without issue. I have no real compelling reason to bump up to an 08+ as I feel the race bits I added keep it competitive.

On a side note, a friend in Chicago is selling a track built 08 for ~$5k and I just so happen to be going to Chicago next week to pick up my truck, trailer, and R6 to bring back here. I'd be willing to help out if you wanted, just let me know

Not quite ready to pull the trigger yet but I appreciate the offer and the advice.

The beginning of snowboard season is always quite expensive and my race bike needs to get fully sorted and rebuilt before I buy an additional machine. But down the line, that is probably going to be what I'm looking to spend. That being said, if the right deal comes up, I can pull the trigger now. But it will have to a smoking deal that I can tangibly put my hands on before cash is exchanged.

[csmutty]

R6 has more power but dont crash well. i've heard they take a little more to get the suspension set up.
GSX-R crash well and parts are super cheap, but lack the power of the R6

Did you even read his first post dummy?