[Nutty]

Finally pulled the pin and took delivery of a brand new 2023 ZX-6R KRT (Non-Abs) to turn into a track bike by the time the season begins here in the Mid-Atlantic. I should add that we are getting another Non-Abs ZX-6R in blue for my wife. I'm 5' 10", so I'll definitely need some handlebar risers. I will break down and get the full Akra exhausts,& LighTech rear sets for both bikes, along with Armour Bodies track bodywork and protection for engine cases, etc.

Quick question for those that have turned their bikes into track only bikes: What risers and grips do you recommend? I have had Woodcraft and Vortex clip-ons in the past on other bikes, and prefer the Vortex, but open to suggestions. Also looking for a better seat (of the opinion that all stock seats are pretty useless, compared to aftermarket).

Given we are taking on 2 new bikes, brakes (apart from pads), suspension and other mods will sadly have to wait until next year. Plan on fitting Pirelli Supercorsa tires since they are my favorite.
Many thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Daisy]

 

[RJ2112]

Are you able to hang onto your OEM bodywork, or will you be selling it at some point? In a few years it will be worth more than your entire track bike.....

 

[Nutty]

Are you able to hang onto your OEM bodywork, or will you be selling it at some point? In a few years it will be worth more than your entire track bike.....

Hello,
I was intending to sell it as soon as it gets the the Armour Bodies fitted to create both space and some $$ for upgrades. We have 5 bikes between us without the next ZX-6R showing up in a few weeks, so too impractical to hang onto stock bodywork as we live in a townhouse in DC, but store all bikes away from the city. Crazy traffic where we live with too many idiots behind the wheel..

 

[jd41]

I would suggest working on the ergos. I don't know why but I've struggled getting the right feel for a good riding position on this bike. Feels like the OEM placement is too far forward.

 

[Nutty]

I would suggest working on the ergos. I don't know why but I've struggled getting the right feel for a good riding position on this bike. Feels like the OEM placement is too far forward.

Yep, Looking at risers and controls as top priority given how the weight is all on the wrists and my old hips are pushed up.

 

[RJ2112]

I’m curious to hear how taxes are assessed on a bike which will not operate on public roads. From my west coast perspective, VA has some of the most asinine tax laws— I would expect it falls under personal property, and Kelly Blue Book or similar would determine your burden. A race bike would not accumulate enough mileage to depreciate as fast as a street bike….

How does this work?

 

[Nutty]

I’m curious to hear how taxes are assessed on a bike which will not operate on public roads. From my west coast perspective, VA has some of the most asinine tax laws— I would expect it falls under personal property, and Kelly Blue Book or similar would determine your burden. A race bike would not accumulate enough mileage to depreciate as fast as a street bike….
How does this work?

I'm a DC resident, so not affected by VA taxes. Getting a tag from DMV is the problem here. My KLX300 took months to get a tag... Covid-19 lockdowns didn't help. The DMV was brutal to begin with.
In this case, since it's my 1st inline 4 600cc bike, I decided to put 2,000 road miles on her before turning into a track bike. I had a S1000RR that did track duty for a couple of years, but the 600cc will be very different, so I want to get to know the bike before committing to wholesale ergonomic setup changes and hitting high speeds on the straights before brake & turn in. Also, it's mostly crap weather in our area until Springtime, so some slow road riding on cold, un-grippy roads will pay dividends. Expensive option though as much cheaper to not put the bike on the road and get it put on a Dyno to do beak-in, etc.
Having said that, I'm going to try and get a 1st ride in on her tomorrow as the weather looks unusually mild for January. I'll ride the new ZX-6R and my wife will ride the axe-murderer KTM SuperDuke REVO. Should be fun!

 

[Scumbag]

Here in Tennessee and Nc off road bikes that will never be tagged just fall under normal sells tax. So if you buy in Nc with a Tennessee address or vice verse you technically can get away without paying the taxes. That’s if you just plan to race or ride on private property. To ride on public trails and ohv you have to have a registration sticker on the bike. And to get it they collect taxes

the issue is all off-road stuff comes with tittles and if you plan to resell it you’re gonna need that title. So when you buy it you are just issued a bill of sell. Then you are suppose to take that to your local dmv to register and they then mail you the title and registration. So the only time it really works out financially is to buy in Tennessee with a Nc address and that saves you a little bit on the taxes. Not much but still legal and you get your title

 

[RJ2112]

^^ I've settled on 600cc class street bikes as a good mix of power, weight, handling and features. There's still an opportunity to wring the things neck to good advantage without ending up in a third story window somewhere. It's been my experience that riding a very high HP bike where you can never give it the berries is an exercise in frustration. 'All the way back to it's a lot more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.'

 

[Nutty]

Here in Tennessee and Nc off road bikes that will never be tagged just fall under normal sells tax. So if you buy in Nc with a Tennessee address or vice verse you technically can get away without paying the taxes. That’s if you just plan to race or ride on private property. To ride on public trails and ohv you have to have a registration sticker on the bike. And to get it they collect taxes

the issue is all off-road stuff comes with tittles and if you plan to resell it you’re gonna need that title. So when you buy it you are just issued a bill of sell. Then you are suppose to take that to your local dmv to register and they then mail you the title and registration. So the only time it really works out financially is to buy in Tennessee with a Nc address and that saves you a little bit on the taxes. Not much but still legal and you get your title

Some good riding in NC! We went there a few years ago for a yearly anniversary ride. Our KLX300s are Dual-Sport, so we have to ride on roads to get to the trails.
Pic is from the Tail of the Dragon on our 7th wedding Anniversary. Better half was on a Ducati Monster 696.

 

[bhalleran]

Congrats!! That's awesome. I live over in Alexandria and have a 2011 ZX-6R that I've turned into a track bike. What organization do you do track days with? I've been going with Evolve GT since 2017 and they are great

 

[Nutty]

Congrats!! That's awesome. I live over in Alexandria and have a 2011 ZX-6R that I've turned into a track bike. What organization do you do track days with? I've been going with Evolve GT since 2017 and they are great

Thanks!. We ride with Roger at Motorcycle Xcitement, but have also signed up with both Evolve GT (we did the last day at Summit Main with them in '22), and also N2 for this season as we would like to ride some new tracks this year. I posted a question in the Racers section regarding risers and clip-ons since I need to change the ergos of the bike, but having difficulty finding what will fit. STG said that Woodcraft won't fit.

 

[LiamGTR]

I'm curious why someone would spend so much, only to turn it into a track bike, when you could buy something much cheaper and already fully track-specced?

 

[Nutty]

I'm curious why someone would spend so much, only to turn it into a track bike, when you could buy something much cheaper and already fully track-specced?

Because I've never ridden a 600cc inline 4 motorcycle except back in the eighties. Only bigger bikes with very different geometry, ergonomics, and engine characteristics. Didn't want to put her on the track before riding on the road.

 

[Nutty]

Day 1 of my new project: Remove all existing OEM bodywork.
Lovely way to spend a Sunday! Thought removing the stock plastics would take a couple of hours; wrong! Even with Daisy's help, we spent all afternoon. I take my hat of to the techs that have to work on modern bikes. Loved drilling out the rivets that hold the front fender! What joy.
Pics are of the bike before we started, front fender frustration, and at the end of a long afternoon with all stock bodywork removed.
A very big thank you to Daisy (better half)

for keeping me company, helping with the stress and organizing me!

 

[BumbleBee1]

^^ I've settled on 600cc class street bikes as a good mix of power, weight, handling and features. There's still an opportunity to wring the things neck to good advantage without ending up in a third story window somewhere. It's been my experience that riding a very high HP bike where you can never give it the berries is an exercise in frustration. 'All the way back to it's a lot more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.'

I have to respectfully disagree... I will always take HP for the thrill!! It's very satisfying to look back at someone on a 6 running the crap out of their bike just to keep up! I spent a very large part of my life running 600's, and they are the cutting edge of performance, but now that I am an old FAT guy, I need the HP to cover up mistakes...

 

[RJ2112]

No worries…. Everyone will come up with a different answer. That’s what makes the conversation interesting.

 

[Nutty]

I have to respectfully disagree... I will always take HP for the thrill!! It's very satisfying to look back at someone on a 6 running the crap out of their bike just to keep up! I spent a very large part of my life running 600's, and they are the cutting edge of performance, but now that I am an old FAT guy, I need the HP to cover up mistakes...

I have a 1290 KTM SuperDuke REVO for my HP kicks, I did 20,000 miles on a 2011 BMW S1000RR and sold it to an instructor at the track. My last bike was a very highly modified 2009 Ducati Monster 1100S with 26,000+ miles on her from new. I don't want the high horsepower to cheat on a track or to fork out a ton for rear tires; I just want to become a better rider (at 60, alas).

 

[BumbleBee1]

"Cheat" is such a harsh word, I prefer, "undisclosed competitive advantage'....