Which would be a better race bike?

[coolice]

I know a racer looking to trade/sell a Ducati so he can get a Buell.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Maybe I just need to get another job.  Have an SV, a 748 and 600 racer.

A racer can never have too many jobs!

[MELK-MAN]

keep the F4, I raced a 2000f4 (in 2003) my AM season and won 2 regional championships on it, won a BUNCH of races even against guys on the 03r6's (was by far the best bike that year) and other newer bikes. The 99 is basically the same exact bike. It was VERY durable and crashed well. Parts are all over for these bikes now. Advance the timing 4deg, run U4 VP fuel and have someone tune the carbs on a dyno and you can get about 101hp with the motor totally stock. The forks HAVE to be resprung at minimum as the they are way to soft. The 749 will be very expensive to maintain and not nearly as fast (IMO) on the track as the F4 (big reason nobody races the 749 in mid-weight, they get smoked..). In the AM class you can do very well, but when you move up to expert expect to get totally motored.
Can not stress enough the need for stiffer front springs. (cheap fix,maybe $150 tops with fork oil change) Call Eric Grey at GMD to hook you up on that. 954-786-2875

[CounterSteerer]

Choose the bike that the majority of the guys you race with own. It is alot easier to get parts, service and solve issues when the people around you have already gone through the problems you will encounter. Like Melka said call Eric @ GMD or whoever has the most experience setting up your suspension in your area. Suspension comes first. And in my own bias opinion I would choose Ducati every time. 

[gkotlin]

Crazy me.   I just can't figure me out.   I just bought a 2003 CBR 600RR.  So I may sell my monster and try to keep the F4 CBR as a backup bike.  I appreciate tuning information for the F4.  Any more good ideas for the F4 or the RR?

thanks for all the input

[MELK-MAN]

Crazy me.   I just can't figure me out.   I just bought a 2003 CBR 600RR.  So I may sell my monster and try to keep the F4 CBR as a backup bike.  I appreciate tuning information for the F4.  Any more good ideas for the F4 or the RR?

thanks for all the input

Gotto raise the rear a bunch on the F4. If you want to use the stock shock, just add about 5mm shim (aka washers from HomeDepot) to the top of the shock between the mounting area. It is easy, just remove the seat and the top of the shock is right there, just need to support the bike under the footpegs so you can drop the rear wheel. you MUST add stiffer front springs.
Put MICHELIN tires on it and you will be ready to go!

[Jason748]

Any more good ideas for the F4 or the RR?

Yep, best thing & first thing you should do on the RR is.
1. Remove rear shock
2. Remove Forks
3. Box up and send to Ed over at trackside eng. Tell him you want the re-worked rear shock & the correct springs in the forks.
4. Get-em back & bolt them on.

[Super Dave]

You can track ride and even try to race the RR a bit stock.

Running the current Pilot Race rear and a Pilot Race "C" front tire, only available throgh race distribution, the rear we left alone, and the front we pushed the forks into the upper tripple clamps so that the top of the cap was probably 3-4mm below the top of the clamp.

Not gonna win with something like that as an expert, but it would get you on the track right now with a bike that has some feel.

[gkotlin]

I appreciate the input.  I may keep both CBR's to have as track bikes.  They're my starter entries into racing.  I still have to send in my paperwork for my license.  I figure they're good racebike / backup bike for Novice racing.  But most importantly, they were affordable.  I'm hoping to get my feet wet this season and try to get out for all of next season.

The F4 has springs in the forks.  I've added about 6mm of shim to the rear.  I could probably use a jet kit and full exhaust.  It has a slip on, and I have rains for it.  Now I just need to get some spares for the  RR.

Any other suggestions are appreciated for either bike.  I could use all the help I can get.

Some stated pulling the rear shock on the RR and sending it for work?  Is that a good idea with the stock shock?  I was advised against it for the F4.  I was told they really should be replaced.

Thanks!

[Jason748]

Some stated pulling the rear shock on the RR and sending it for work?  Is that a good idea with the stock shock?  I was advised against it for the F4.  I was told they really should be replaced.

On the RR - absolutely have the stock rear shock rebuilt by ED, this (and having the front re-valved/re-sprung) is by far the best money I've ever spent on the RR.  For the < $300 that Ed charges it's an absolute steal.  Here's the link to what I'm talking about:  http://www.tracksideengineering.com//ecommerce/catalog_ms2.2/product_info.php/products_id/23?osCsid=f91c9c73c2d288a44bb39f5c4f1d9980.

To the Power Race PRC / PR5 combo.

Also check out Jeff's "other" forum www.cbr600rr.com.

[MELK-MAN]

well.. now your getting into racing a bike that your now spending money on.. i thought you were wanting to race the bike basically stock? The rear shock on the 99f4 will not make a huge diff. Provided it is in decent shape, should at LEAST have it serviced (new oil, recharge the nitrogen = $125 or so..). The fork springs will need to be changed however. Sure , an aftermarket shock is better, you could have the stock shock revalved and that may be a good way to go. OR!! Just RACE IT! Get on the bike, put gas in, pay the entry fee and have fun!

[xseal]

If you're a Ducati buff and can wrench them, I recommend you look into a SS800/900/1000.  The 800 are winners in ULW classes, and competitive in LW. The 900/1000 is very competitive in LW classes against Buells and SVs.