Making a Gen 8 track worthy

Discussion in '8th Generation 2014-Present' started by Spocker, Aug 19, 2019.

  1. Spocker

    Spocker New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2019
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Short story first:
    - I picked up a used 2005 CBR600RR track bike, I love riding the thing! Run Dunlop slicks now as I was chewing through street tires at a very aggressive pace... Ride in the advanced group also. Doing closed course events almost every weekend all summer long here in MN.

    I want to make my Gen 8 VFR track worthy at this point. This will be a backup, backup bike for my track bike. I have a road going 05 CBR600RR I use at the track also. I am going to leave a few idea's here and let you guys pick it apart.

    - Vortex frame sliders,don't want to cut the fairings, but im going to :(

    - T-rex racing front and rear axle sliders. Low sides happen once you get in the fast group.... Now I have two sets of leathers, gloves, boots, knee sliders, and helmets...

    - Axxion cartrdige kit for the forks sprung for a 200# rider. Install preload adjustment caps also.

    - Thurn Motorsports shim kit for rear shock to raise rear ~30mm. Steeper head angle = better turn in

    - Penske or ohlins rear shock? Will work with factory shock first, will want the rear end fairly stiff as there is enough power available.

    - Delkevic stainless shorty exhaust. The v4 sounds mean!

    - Factory quick shifter.

    - Bazzaz or power commander fuel tunner? Not sure if needed as it doesn't sound like there is much to gain?

    - Track take off tires (probably going to be dunlop Q4's or Q3+'s from my secondary wheelset from dedicated track bike)

    I would like to fit some woodcraft clipons on the bike along with some vortex rearsets. Not sure if this is possible though. Aluminum bars, solid foot pegs, and frame sliders are turning into consumables now :/ Probably just use those factory parts for now and turn it down a few notches when out on this bike.

    [​IMG]
     
    Samuel likes this.
  2. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2011
    Messages:
    6,479
    Likes Received:
    949
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Anaheim, Ca.
    I made my 5 Gen more track worthy. I ditched a lot of the heavy parts and beefed up the suspension and brakes. For either bike, the weakest link is the suspension and brakes IMO, so for my 5 Gen I had the front forks rebuilt with new springs and valving and rebound adjusters. The rear I was able to find a used Penske and had it rebuilt with new springs and valving as well. To sharpen the turning I raised the fork tubes another 5mm.

    For brakes, I replaced all lines with stainless steel lines and replaced the front rotors with EBC Wave rotors (VR1014) and I’m using Carbone Lorraine XB5K pads. So far I’m liking the feel and stopping power and lack of fade.

    As for reducing weight, I replaced the battery with a Shorai Lithium, ditched the center stand and passenger pegs and stock exhaust can, in favor of a carbon fiber TwoBros. I also installed a set of stainless steel headers that are essentially replicas of the TwoBros that were made several years ago and are a few pounds lighter than the 01 OEM headers and even a couple of pounds lighter than the cat-less headers (98-99). There’s a set now available for 8 Gens and should be shipping real soon, if you’re interested, send me a PM. A fellow member here just had his bike fitted and Dyno tuned with them, I believe he was going to ride with them for a few and then post a review.

    Long story short, you’re on the right track with beefing up the suspension and I would recommend starting there first, then perhaps brakes and then motor.
     
    flya750 likes this.
  3. XRedJar

    XRedJar New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2018
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Edgewood, MD
    Map
    I've got the AK20 cartridges on mine and it is a massive upgrade. Cost me about $1450, but well worth it.
     
  4. Spocker

    Spocker New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2019
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Quick shifter installed, frame sliders installed, set up Q3+'s installed.

    Did a 20 minute session today at the local track with the VFR today, it was pretty comical. Bike is top heavy, but turns in with less effort that my track bike. These bikes are heavy and slow when riding back to back to a track prepped 600RR. But non the less, it was a wonderful experience. Bike floats a bit more than I care when upright, but actually kept it self planted towards the edge of the tires. Had to pay attention to lean angle, as running Q4's and slicks give you a lot to play with on the other bike. Wasn't interested in low-siding this thing today. Had a couple toe hits and hit my knee sliders more than expected.

    Bike gets a decent drive out of the corners, but the extra mass is fighting you. Vtec transition is a non issue mid corner, but I tend to be smooth on the gas at maint. and on exit acceleration. Trail braking worked wonders to get the bike to turn and the transition from brakes to maint. throttle was seamless. There was enough cornering force to keep the suspension settled / compressed. Heavy braking causes the front to wonder a little bit today, not sure if it is just the forks flexing or what. I am use to getting the tail fish tailing under heavy braking, not on this bike.

    At this point, I am thinking I will just leave the bike as is. It works wonderfully for commuting and cruising around. I don't think it is durable enough for continuous track use like my 600RR's. I really wish Honda would build a track ready VFR400 or VFR1000 for some real track day fun... At this point, I will most likely be looking at an Aprilia RSVR in the spring.
     
    ohlarikd likes this.
  5. razedinabarn

    razedinabarn New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2019
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Map
    I'm a little late to the party- can any of ya' recommend a source for the vortex rearsets, front pegs and sliders? their website is showing "not available for your bike" on Gen8 specs. :(
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2019
  6. fink

    fink Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2013
    Messages:
    1,590
    Likes Received:
    457
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Ardnamurchan Penninsula, Scotland
    Map
    Maybe cos there are none available. try contacting them direct.
     
    razedinabarn likes this.
  7. Thumbs

    Thumbs Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2015
    Messages:
    1,582
    Likes Received:
    1,096
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Bath(ish)
    To the best of my knowledge nobody makes rear sets for the 8 gen, only adjustable that puts the pegs back about 1”

    From experience I can tell you that the DSG frame protectors are the best and also very neat fit ....THURN motorsports in Germany do the biggest selection of 8th gen equipment ....thurn-motorsport.de
     
    razedinabarn likes this.
  8. MxW

    MxW New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    OH
    Map
    So what would the benefits to doing this be over converting to USD forks?
     
  9. XRedJar

    XRedJar New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2018
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Edgewood, MD
    Map
    I don't know that there is one. If I'm honest, I'd not really considered upgrading to USD forks. The cartridge option for the stock forks seemed logical. Easy replacement, has the needed adjustability for my use, and was at a price point I could afford. I'd be interested to see someone convert to USD forks and review. The more viable options, the better.

    Also just put on a Penske 8789 shock. Haven't had the weather here to do any riding to dial it in, but look forward to that when the weather warms up.
     
  10. Gator

    Gator Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    Messages:
    5,201
    Likes Received:
    811
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Map
    I thought of occasionally tracking my 09 VFR but the amount of money to try and get the heavy girl around the track was just not that appealing. You could buy an already set up used track bike for the price. My 06 CBR 1000 is still a great track bike to this day. Long in the tooth, sure. No modern electronics, yep. Would I love a set up Yamaha R1m of RSV4? Oh hell yes. But honestly I can keep the pace with the new bikes for the most part. Old school still works.
     
    Viffer J and XRedJar like this.
  11. Spocker

    Spocker New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2019
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Here is a link to vortex frame sliders:

    https://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/vortex-honda-vfr-800-14-16-v3-2-0-frame-sliders/

    A fast rider on an old school 600 can put you in mid pack advanced group, usually boils down to rider once you get to a certain point. Motorcycle thoughts are starting to float around again. Not sure what the plan is for the VFR this year. I will be pulling it out of storage late march to bring down to the Ozarks for an early spring tour.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page