Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

[LiononaLeash]

Hey guys,

I know a bunch of us have tracked both the TLR and the GSXR. I'm thinking of buying a GSXR750(an 03 or an 04) for the track.

I've done a LOT of trackdays on the TLR, and nothing else. Of course I've driven GSXRs of all sizes on the street so I understand they are very different.

Could you folks chime in on what I can expect with respect to stock 03 or 04 GSXR performance on the track? I have a feeling Suzuki, as usual, greatly under-sprung the bike. Yes, I already know it is lighter, has more HP and higher redline than a TLR.

I'm not looking for wise-crack short answers, but detailed insight from the experienced folks here that have gone from a TLR to a GSXR on the track. What did you experience in making the transition?

No detail is too small.

Thanks a bunch.

[Steve TLS]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

I've not used a 750 on the track (well not since 1993 anyway), and I've only had my 1000 out there twice and really only two things really stuck out.

1) I could instantly turn the same times as I could on the TL and do them much more comfortably without pushing. (Probably something to do with faster acceleration and faster speeds on the straight parts so I could actually go slower around the corners but still end up with the same lap time, you know, one of those real pain the arse riders that hold you up in the corners but you can't out accelerate or pass on the straight bits and they'd get far enough ahead on the straight bits so you couldn't just shove it up the inside on the next entry? They used to frustrate me when I was on the TL but it is a lot different when you are THAT GUY )

2) I thought the GSXR brakes were shit (and the K3/K4 1000 ran the smallest disks) I went and bought some later calipers and was going to use spacers and fit larger disks for better braking, but I soon got used to them. They felt shit because I was going a lot faster than I was on the TL and it was harder work pulling the bike up using the same braking markers. Some thing else that added to the 'illusion' of poor brakes was a lot less front end dive when pulling them on - the lack of dive gave the sensation of not braking (know what I mean? Like when brakes fail and you apply them it feels like you're accelerating).

[LiononaLeash]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

Ok that's helpful. Thanks Steve.

I figured my reference points will be out the window, as well as shifting reference points too.

[Steve TLS]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

Shifting points do change. The 1st session I did on the 1000 I hit the limiter maybe 1/2 dozen times because it was ready to be shifted faster than I had anticipated.

[TLR Maori]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

I haven't ridden the TL on the track but I have 2 GSXR 750 track bikes (and 2 1000's). A 97 and an 01. Things I had to change with riding the 750 compared to 1000 were. Enter corners faster, carry more corner speed, have the engine revs higher as you need drive out of the corners. You can't rely on engine torque like the 1000.

[LiononaLeash]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

Looks like I'm picking up a 2005 GSXR 1000. There are some deals to be had out there!

This is the color scheme:



Next track day I may be taking this one instead of the TLR. ....gonna hang wit-all-da-gixxah's!

[LiononaLeash]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

or not... LOL

[Steve TLS]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

Did you get it or not?

[TLR Maori]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

I've got one of these I'm putting together as a track bike aswell.

[LiononaLeash]

Re: Thinking of 03 or 04 GSXR 750 for the track

Nope. Changed my mind. The timing isn't quite right yet.