So.... Like all my decisions, I spontaneously sacked off the Panigale V2 and bought a ZX6R. "Why?" You might ask as it's a bit of a downgrade on paper. Well, for a few reasons. 1, the V2 just isn't as easy to ride quick (my version of quick ). I rented a ZX6R whilst the V2 was getting fixed and I was almost immediately quicker on it. 2, I plan to try some racing next year. Although I could have used the V2, it's just too expensive to run for something not going to be that competitive in a 1000 newcomer class and I'd get minced in the Ducati cup or whatever it's called. The bike is a 2019/20 model (the one with the ugly face IMO) and had 900 miles on the clock. It's definitely no where near as good looking as the Ducati nor as trick with all the electronic goodies. It only has TC and it's pretty useless in the dry. So, within a short window of time I'm 90% complete in terms of build and tested it yesterday. I was a bit rubbish and didn't take many before/during pics as I rushed straight in to stripping it. Upgrades to date/in flight CRC Fairings and screen ABS Delete H front brake lines SBS dual carbon pads Lightech rearsets Spark full system Rental clip ons (Gen 3 which I don't like) Brembo RCS19 Corsa Corta MC (utterly brilliant) GB crash protection K-Tech 25IDS cartridge kit K-Tech DDS Pro shock (due to land next week) Motul 300V oil if that counts I don't plan too much else, but I'll be getting the following sorted over winter. Charcoal canister removal Remapped New discs (HPK) HM M3 dash New chain and sprockets although standard gearing is surprisingly decent already Wrapped Cant think of anything else, but here are a couple of recent pics.
Looking good mate, hope it works out for you, remember to have a chat with my mate about the BEMSEE rookies stuff. I'm not planning to go racing by any stretch but I've got similar thoughts about switching away from road riding and doing just trackdays, in which case I'll likely not be after keeping a pretty italian bike and instead looking for somethin to help me win inters ;-)
Something to do with emissions. I don't know exactly how it works, but unlike Ducati who make an effort to hide it, Kawasaki attach theirs straight to the fairing and it's massive!!! You need an AIS block off kit to remove it I believe.
Carbon canister collects fuel vapour flashed off from the fuel tank, then when the bike is started it draws the stored vapour and burns it through the engine, this prevents raw fuel vapour venting to the atmosphere.
Bemsee is a good club. The newcomers is a bit more ‘newcomerish’ compared to say, no limits which is full of ringers. the new comers are often quicker than club ffs . I seem to recall being at Cadwell and newcomers doing 1:34’s - mental! newcomer 1000 in my opinion is an easier ride as from what I’ve seen usually you get a handful of very quick guys followed by mostly generic newcomer riders. 600’s it tends to be the top 15 are just ridiculous. anyway, do enjoy and keep us updated
This seems to follow a theme! guys getting straight on the big bikes now and building up on them, not seeming to spend the time getting really really fast on 600's. I admire what Jamie is doing here as I think he will have loads of fun. I have to say I was really frustrated at Jerez on the Daytona, for sure lapping at 2:05 I'm not the fastest out there but was getting passed by 1k bikes that then just park it in the corners and have zero corner speed, yet they are doing roughly the lap time. The step to getting a 600 quickly around the track is the real art I think. A fast rider said to me you have to make the same amount of time up on them on the brakes that they do on you coming off the corner to be faster, which sounds obv but also shows how hard you have to learn to ride 600's.. I reckon you'll love it, especially as you are quite a few leagues quicker than I am and should be on par machinery with the other guys out there as the bike looks well prepped.
Yeah for sure. I preferred riding the 6 to the 1000. The 1000’s come with their own issues. More power = more problems haha the apex speed thing is generally a characteristic of the 1000 frustratingly which is one thing I struggle with on them. Your entry speed is the same as on a 6 generally, bud you have to slow the bike on the apex and stand it up to utilise the power. It’s the bit I struggle with. You can’t use 200bhp on the side of the tyre haha I’m still miles quicker on a 600 than I am on a 1000. Although tbf I’m rusty as hell these days and not really on it mentally either I used to think that 600’s were harder to ride for the reasons you mentioned. But I just think they’re different now. I’m a lot quicker with less power as most people would be which is the joke of it all. To ride a 1000 genuinely fast, not mobile chicane trackday squirter fast is a real challenge tbf!
To your point @Advikaz this is exactly why I've been struggling to choose! In NL, it's either they are just fkn quick, or they don't want to get their sigs and move up (I'm told mostly the 2nd one). Perhaps this would mean quicker progress? Don't know. BEMSEE as you suggest seem to be more genuine newcomers. Below are the differences. Had to look at 2020 due to make it fair due to the plague of rain this year. Either way, I'm looking forward to having a good time and no money . Keep meaning to reach out to your mate @Phill748.
