2010 ZX6R. The wifes trackbike.

[weeksy]

I'd be all over anything bigish and naked, but in her world it's simply not happening, she doesn't like the riding position in the slightest, so it won't be happening. It's sportsbike or nothing.

I don't know much about track bikes in the last ten years, but my guess is that if it has to be a sportsbike then you're going to have to spend to get anything that feels like a step change up from the ZX6.
There is a bunch of stuff out there but I don't know if it would feel much different or better, until you start throwing good money at it.

There's no issues with throwing money in the pot, that's fine, but there's simply no options. Well, not without going 1000 which she doesn't want. The only 'modern' bikes with any electronics and not ridiculous power are the 899/959 Ducati and the MV800. Everything else is 180+bhp, which she feels is too big a step up in power and i'm inclined to agree. I'd even argue the 959/V2 is too much, leaving the 899 and F800 (or the gsxr750 but has no electronics).

In some ways the logical step is a late model zx6R which takes power to 128bhp from 115bhp (manf figures) but they still lack a Blipper although they do have a QS and Traction control.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... x-6r/2019/

But at times i wonder if the ZX6R in some ways isn't helping her because of how it rides, all revvy and screamy, making it harder to get the power down due to a longer rev range and lack of grunt, hence me thinking something like the F800 with 135bhp and a more usable mid-range is a better answer for her.

[weeksy]

I'd keep it cos it's a track bike Like most of us, track confidence is mainly about grip. Get the best tyres, a nice dry track and all is good.

It only ever gets the best rubber money can buy I don't scrimp on tyres/brakes or indeed anything on the bike, if she wants new rubber and the best rubber out there, that's what it gets.

[KungFooBob]

I like the late model R6, the one that looks a bit like the current R1. IIRC they've got all the electronics, but they're really spendy.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265296186471 ... SwF65hVe3f

[KungFooBob]

Obviously the correct answer is a Panigale V2.

[weeksy]

Obviously the correct answer is a Panigale V2.

150bhp though which seems a little excessive, along with the other aspects of servicing etc on Ducatis... Add in a bit of "does she want to ride a £10,000+ bike on track" i'm simply not seeing her going for it.

A nice GSXR750 with an aftermarket QS though.... Mmmmm.

[weeksy]

I like the late model R6, the one that looks a bit like the current R1. IIRC they've got all the electronics, but they're really spendy.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265296186471 ... SwF65hVe3f

They do yes... but are no better in terms of bhp at 116.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... a/r6/2017/

They make sense in some ways though. We could potentially hire one for a session at Silverstone from the bike hire guys i know.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Again different bike for a different job, but I was out on my FZ yesterday and thought to myself, I really enjoy riding this bike, why bother changing it for something newer?

I think you want to change the ZX for the same of changing it, if Ceri is happy with it you're best off keeping it, if there was something wrong with it you'd know what the problem is.

[Count Steer]

If the ZX6 does the job why change it?

This year was a bit of a blow-out for @Welsh Muffin in terms of track stuff and she spent 3/4 of it looking for the Mojo she previously had. At Silverstone last year she was chasing me on the XSR900 and we had proper battled with her and a mate Mark, it was epic fun for all 3 of us being quite closely matched in terms of both bikes and riding. But this year with rainy wet days, a problem that required surgery and just not quite getting into her happy place on the bike/track it all just never quite clicked for her out there.
So maybe it's a bit of a change to spice things up, find the mojo and the happy place once again. She got a lot closer to it by the end of day 3 at Pembrey, so maybe all is not lost with the ZX6.... But still, just putting it out there for discussion really.

Personally (of course) I'd hang on and see if the mojo comes back with some dry days next season. Clearly, fun can be had on the ZX6. You could chuck money at a new bike and get washed out next year and/or not get the mojo back.

Or maybe it's time for a year off and see just how big the itch is to get back out there?

(I'm a big fan of do nothing options ).

[weeksy]

Or maybe it's time for a year off and see just how big the itch is to get back out there?

(I'm a big fan of do nothing options ).

LOL worst idea ever, she absolutely loves trackdays.

[Count Steer]

Or maybe it's time for a year off and see just how big the itch is to get back out there?

(I'm a big fan of do nothing options ).

LOL worst idea ever, she absolutely loves trackdays.

Sooooo.....what's this problem with the mojo? Like you said, fun can be had on the current bike. A new one won't stop the rain.

[weeksy]

Sooooo.....what's this problem with the mojo? Like you said, fun can be had on the current bike. A new one won't stop the rain.

Just wasn't on the pace she wanted to be at.

[Mr Moofo]

I thought buying the 690 makes little sense, this makes even less.

Surely the track bike is paid for, being 11 years old doesn'tt matter.. Big question can she / you out perform the abilities of the current bike ?

[Count Steer]

Sooooo.....what's this problem with the mojo? Like you said, fun can be had on the current bike. A new one won't stop the rain.

Just wasn't on the pace she wanted to be at.

The bike hasn't got slower. Maybe just needs more dry time to get back to top form? Therefore.....more trackdays.

[weeksy]

Big question can she / you out perform the abilities of the current bike ?

I'll refer you to @millemille from the other day... Since when does being able to outperform a particular bike have any relevance ?

[Mr Moofo]

Big question can she / you out perform the abilities of the current bike ?

I'll refer you to @millemille from the other day... Since when does being able to outperform a particular bike have any relevance ?

That then changes the buying parameters. Everything goes out of the window and it changes to "what bike does she want?"

[weeksy]

"what bike does she want?"

She doesn't know that answer, in biking terms she loves riding on track but that's it... that's where her interests end. She knows very little about bikes, differences, riding styles, electronics etc... That's all left down to me along with tyres, servicing, prepping etc...

However, just because someone doesn't know... doesn't mean there's not a better suited bike out there.

[Skub]

"what bike does she want?"

She doesn't know that answer, in biking terms she loves riding on track but that's it... that's where her interests end. She knows very little about bikes, differences, riding styles, electronics etc... That's all left down to me along with tyres, servicing, prepping etc...

However, just because someone doesn't know... doesn't mean there's not a better suited bike out there.

Sounds like Mrs.Skub.

1.Me...what would you like for your birthday/Xmas etc?

2.Her...a surprise.

3.Me...but there's history there of you not liking my surprises,so tell me what you'd like and I'll get it.

4.Her...that's not a surprise then is it? I may as well buy it myself.

5.Me...but the object of the exercise is to be gifted something you'd really like and enjoy.

6.Her...but that's not a surprise. I want you to put in some thought as to what I would like.

7.Ref point 3.

[Count Steer]

LOL. We all actually know where this is going don't we? The only decision left is 'which bike? The ZX6R is a goner.

[KungFooBob]

Stick with the ZXR until the R9 is launched.

[weeksy]

LOL. We all actually know where this is going don't we? The only decision left is 'which bike? The ZX6R is a goner.

It's been a goner for the last 3 years.. but the simple fact is, unless she tells me "ok, lets... " then i won't press her.. I simply provide the information like the fact that over winter it'll need a valve clearance service if we keep it.... The rest is 100% up to her.
Sure i'd like something 'different' to fettle, but essentially speaking, once i've spent a weekend cleaning, sorting and prepping it, that will also go under the cover, never to be seen until the week before a trackday.. So it's not really significant to me whether it stays or it goes.
We all enjoy new bikes of course... but it's not like i'll be riding this one.