Okay, I need your opinions on these bikes. Which would be better, street as well as track?

I live about 10 miles away from MSR Houston, and plan on going there regularly once I have a bike again. At the same time I'd like the bike to be streetable (for short distances, less than 20 miles)

which would you pick (all of these bikes would be used bikes...probably around 05, depending on price)? and I would also like to know how these older bikes compare these newer bikes ie ninja 636r, daytona 675, gsxr 750, R1, etc

edit this would be my first litre bike, but I have had experience with the 600 class, although only street experience, no knee dragging.

 

To me it would depend on the way the track lay out is. if its short with tights turns, I'd say neither, and I own a rc51 LoL

I'd say a 600 will be a TON of fun on the track. Unless the track has long straight aways and long swoop turns. then the RC is your choice LoL !!!!

If you don't mind me asking, how did you narrow you choices to those three bikes?

 

Way too many variables. I'll give you my 2 cents as I've considered seriously or owned all those mentioned bikes.

999r-most expensive to maintain and most expensive if you wreck it-which you will if you frequent the track. Best looks and I guess makes you seem cooler/richer? Not a factor for me personally.
Mille R-best bike IMO and although not as reliable as a japanese bike it's considerably more durable than the Ducati. Insane amount of quality parts [ohlins] stock and by far the best value of the three.
RC51-tremendous track bike for large sweepers, excellent stability and the most reliable. Makes street riding a nightmare with the poor gearing and excessive heat dissipation. It runs so hot on the street I had to pass on one even though I wanted one extremely bad.

None are great for a new guy at the track-maybe the RC because it's so stable. A 600 SS is just about perfect for track riding right off the show room floor once you get some tires and a damper on it.

I currently own an 06 zx6r but all these bikes are so different it's just way too broad of a topic.

As an all around the 750 works well for most people, I'd take the aprilia which will probably be my next bike.

 

this is the track map.

I've never really wanted a bike like everyone else has had, always wanted something different, and these are the choices.(my friends that i used to ride with own an 07 R1, an 06 ZX-12R, and a Hyabusa)

I've always loved the RC51, but always felt it was more of a track bike. The Duc and the Aprilla are awesome Pfor their legacy and rareness, but as they are older, i don't know how they compare to newer bikes. I don't want to pay the price and get spanked by newer 600 class bikes.

 

I apologize ahead to RC51 owners, but those bikes are awful street or track: weight, geometry, exhaust routing overheats rear suspension..... etc. Yes, people race / track them, and i personally like the looks, but in reality there are better choices... SP1 was way wrong, SP2 aint that much better.

675 or 600 is probably your best bet. Go to wera.com and but a SETUP (suspension wise) 600 or 675 that has a street title.

BTW: You will get spanked by better riders. Type of bike / its age doesnt really matter on the track

My .02

 

FWIW, I've owned an Aprilia Tuono (Mille w/ high/wide handlebar) and over ~7000 miles have had ZERO issues with it. Awesome bike. However, when I did a track day I took the SV650. For trackwork, particularly for a beginner/novice, lighter-weight + less power = more better.

 

Get yourself a used Kawi 636 for the track, and you will be an extremely happy camper for a good long while. You'll also pull faster lap times than you would on a liter bike. I know someone that went from an RC51 he used to race to a 600RR and on his first day on the 600 he was beating his best lap times on the RC.

They're all great bikes, but if you really want to have fun on a track and run fast times, get yourself on a 600. 636's are amazing track machines. Get an upgraded suspension, get it setup properly for your weight / riding preferences, get some better brakes, then watch as you eat up the liter bikes.

If you're die hard set on getting one of those three, then you'll be happy with the RC as a track machine. No experience with the Mille, but several people that race/track 999's are either too afraid to push them (because they're so expensive) or start crying when they do tank them (because they're so expensive). RC is very capable, even with the over heating issues. Plus you will scare the shit out of people with that V-twin rumble as you pass them on the straights.

 

600 all the way. It's cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, and way more fun at the track. I'd say pick up anything FI, which would include 03 or new kawi zx6, 03+ 600rr, 01+ F4i, 04+R6(?), and all the newer GSX-R's. If you want to be unique, get a triumph 675, or some sort of naked bike or motard, and track it.

 

thanks for the opinions guys, I guess I just love the uniqueness (and power) of those litre superbikes, But I think I may reweigh my options.

I have really wanted the daytona 675 for a while, before I started looking a the bigger bikes, so I just might give it a second look.

Never really been a fan of naked ikes, a buddy of mine is crazy about the sv650, but it's not for me. Although the KTM 990 Superduke is really cool looking.

 

if you have to ask
and your putting it on the track

get the bike with the most inexpensive parts
put race plastic on it, buy it used
have fun