Bling vs Bang

[Homeslice]

Dude probably has a liter bike and is embarassed that he's getting owned by 600's with better riders. So he wants more power to reel them in on the straights.

If it's just for track days only, I would think that throttle smoothness would be the most important goal to tune for. Who cares about more power unless you're actually competing? Hell, I would have more respect for a STREET rider who asks for more power.

[Dnyce]

theres not really one best thing, but you get a few good things paired up together, and sometimes you can find that best combo. you rarely get the best combo from using the so called buy the best of everything method. i see ppl at the track all the time that just throw money at their bikes, without stopping to think about the bigger picture.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Dude probably has a liter bike and is embarassed that he's getting owned by 600's with better riders. So he wants more power to reel them in on the straights.

If it's just for track days only, I would think that throttle smoothness would be the most important goal to tune for. Who cares about more power unless you're actually competing? Hell, I would have more respect for a STREET rider who asks for more power.

Yep, I dialed out almost 20 hp on my bike to smooth the throttle response. My '01 was worse for abrupt power.

[DLIT]

I think suspension is the most crucial. I've ridden on the track with stock suspension that wasn't set up, stock that was set up and full Ohlins. The feeling you get from a properly tuned and/or upgraded suspension is great. More stable on the brakes, mid corner and exit. And you could have the best tires on your bike, a badly tuned suspension could eat through 'em in a matter of a few sessions. And getting your suspension tuned is probably the cheapest thing you could start out with...but you could see some great results from it. Power will make you faster in the straights. Suspension will get you through the corners faster.

I still have yet to try anything other than stock gearing, but I have a feeling it'll make a world of difference in regards to leaving corners and accelerating, as the R6 down low is a bit lacking. A couple extra teeth should help aleviate that.

[smileyman]

Gearing can be a bit of a compromise. and it probably isnt as crucial nowadays with FI'd bikes that pull through a much wider band of torque than with bikes in the past. Its just another one of those advantages you want on your side...

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by smileyman

Gearing can be a bit of a compromise. and it probably isnt as crucial nowadays with FI'd bikes that pull through a much wider band of torque than with bikes in the past. Its just another one of those advantages you want on your side...

Again, I totally agree. Back when I had carb'd bikes, I almost always changed the gearing, now never.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by DLIT

I think suspension is the most crucial. I've ridden on the track with stock suspension that wasn't set up, stock that was set up and full Ohlins. The feeling you get from a properly tuned and/or upgraded suspension is great. More stable on the brakes, mid corner and exit. And you could have the best tires on your bike, a badly tuned suspension could eat through 'em in a matter of a few sessions. And getting your suspension tuned is probably the cheapest thing you could start out with...but you could see some great results from it. Power will make you faster in the straights. Suspension will get you through the corners faster.

I still have yet to try anything other than stock gearing, but I have a feeling it'll make a world of difference in regards to leaving corners and accelerating, as the R6 down low is a bit lacking. A couple extra teeth should help aleviate that.

I agree on suspension upgrades. Stock suspension is a huge compromise the engineers make to try and cover every type/size of rider that may purchase the bike. I always get the springs done and tune the suspension to my style and taste at the very least.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by Amber Lamps

I agree on suspension upgrades. Stock suspension is a huge compromise the engineers make to try and cover every type/size of rider that may purchase the bike. I always get the springs done and tune the suspension to my style and taste at the very least.

Careful..........According to some people, spending money on suspension is a waste unless you race.

Never mind that your suspension affects you no matter how fast or slow you're going.......

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Careful..........According to some people, spending money on suspension is a waste unless you race.

Never mind that your suspension affects you no matter how fast or slow you're going.......

Oh I'm one of those people to an extent... I have never seen the point in spending big money on Ohlins or whatever on a street bike. I replace the springs to match my weight and adjust the pre-load, etc and leave it alone after that. I'm not going to fiddle with my suspension every time I ride to match what road I'm going on so why mess with a race suspension for the street? Just an opinion...

[OTB]

And for most folks, that's OK, too.

A properly sprung and set up bike is about 90% as good as it gets....

The only folks who really NEED that other 10% are the guys who ride at 99%... the ones who find their forks chattering, or rear tire tearing or hopping on the rough stuff, or pushing the front end.

Or who load there bikes heavy for long distances.

Or who want a softer, more compliant ride with control.

Or , who've set their bike up properly and find it still is starting tankslappers on bumpy exits.

Or who are lighter than the theoretical "average" and get tired of harsh response even with a custom spring on those 500 miles backroad days........





Ps: lighter riders really do get the worst of it; most jap bikes are overdamped on compression, and a lot of harshness gets transmitted to lighter riders.