So, I currently have a 2015 R1 which I use only as a trackbike, but is fully road registered etc. This year the costs of trackdays has been absolutely brutal and even with my own van, it's making me consider whether to continue, or whether to sell the bike and put the money into a really special classic that I could keep alongside my Thruxton 1200. The logic being that if I only do a 1000 miles on it a year it wouldn't matter because it would be something really special that gives me the fizz well, long story short, I know where there is a really clean N reg 916 that's mechanically superb, and recently been resprayed with original paint colour and original graphics etc. The bike has some changes, like a black frame for example but is an all round very very good example of a 916. Would you swap it for an R1 2CR? The advantage is that it's probably going to be a real keeper and increase slowly in value (I appreciate it's not an SP etc), but then on the flip side, it would in effect be a lot of money to have tied up in something I couldn't do the occasional trackday on, you just wouldn't be able to risk it I don't think. As a side note, I rode a SP2 for the first time on Saturday, absolutely blown away by it, for a 20 year old bike with 18K miles on it, it felt sharp and poised and ran beautifully, so something like that could very well be another option... Secret option 3 is to sell the R1, put, say half the money into a really clean Gen 1 RSV Mille R, which are still good value, and then keep half the money for a track hack or something. All thoughts appreciated...
I get that mate, but the bike is so clean that I’d happily take the frame off over a winter to get the colour changed back and the wheels likewise to complete the picture.
I would look harder for a 916 without issues like a black frame, if you want something that a large number of people would be interested in at a later date. Track bikes are a plenty as the cost of living removes them from the nice to have list.
Hmm, the black frame's not going down well. But you could always paint it back to OE colour- whatever that is Granted, frame painting's a long drawn out thang, but I did my 1098R over winter- nice man cave time I'm with you on the TD expense thing. But if you're going to sack it- then sack it. Don't chop the R1 in for a nail to mitigate TD costs. I've seen some gorgeous prepped R1 track bikes. Unless you're buying something very special indeed, I'd forget the 'investment' or 'value creep' aspect. I think we're chasing rainbows when associating cars and bikes with investment. Especially if we intend using them as designed. And with a track bike there's always a chance you'll throw it down the road I've always admired those SP2's as well. White ones. Get one!!
I'd use R1 on both road and track. Thats what Im doing with 1299. Just swap bodywork over and job jobbed. Lots of R1's on trackdays as theyre great bikes. I'd get one myself and lose the 1299, but the times they are a changin..
Using the R1 on the road I guess is an option, it’s currently very ‘track’ spec though with full track fairings etc, and I was tempted to disconnect the abs, hence trying to work out whether to just sack off the trackdays completely. I agree with the comments about it being pointless getting a track hack, let’s face it the costs are the tyres and the trackday and fuel, they aren’t really the bike itself. and yes, the SP2 was epic, here’s a picture One of the reasons I got the r1 though is that I think they are pretty cool, but I knew as a track bike it would be amazing, if I went back to road riding as the primary sign only a few trackday it would probably be more like a 959…. this was at Koti Autotalli when I got there and it’s stunning, so maybe that would be a worthwhile trade to have as a mainly road bike with some trackdays
Hang on, I thought you wanted a classic bike to sit alongside your Thruxton, but it seems that after riding a (gorgeous) SP2 you might buy a 959... I'd enjoy the pondering for a while. Stripping back and restoring the 916 with new frame paint etc etc this winter might be a challenge and a fun hobby when there's not a lot else going on as regards bikes.
haha yeah, I know I’m all over the place! I think if I effectively take £10k and buy another bike that’s going to be my keeper it needs to be really original. I also rode my mates 748r the other week and unbelievably really didn’t enjoy it having previous loved every mile I’ve done on them (and I have ridden them quite a bit)
I’ve got this Cartegena trip booked for November that I can’t pull out of and the tyres alone are eye watering, 2 rears and a front and it’s £620……
I know mate, I don’t know what it is, he has an aftermarket seat on it and it just feels like I can’t fit on it, but on top of that I just found the chassis very very tippy and the fuelling is awful on his one. all of these things, even after the same workshop serviced and set it up are different to his old 748r which was lovely to ride
And with the effects of fuck off gas and electricity bills loomimg large, track days will be one the first things scratched off the budget for belt tightening purposes.
I had two VTR1000SP2's, a 2004 in similar colours to the one above, and a 2007 being one of the last and all black. In my opinion a great bike for any usage, and very similar to a Ducati of the time. Good ones bring strong money now. I sold my last one with ~ 3k miles on it, pictured below: Good luck with the search. Tom.
I had an SP-1 from new and absolutely loved it. Would have already bought another except even tatty ones are stupid money.
