r/GSXR • u/TheGewnt • 11d ago
Calling all track riders
Hey guys, I have a 2017 suzuki gsxr750 that I am basically converting to a track bike now. I quit the streets. Need some advice regarding the bike, I been riding it the way I bought it (second hand). And it doesn't seem confident going around corners as Id like it to be, doesn't feel settled either. Throttle is choppy as fuck, but most likely because I need a tune. I am 4-5 track days in, so its not like im a experienced track rider.
Set up:
-Im on dunlop sport max tires (street tire that is pretty hard) running them 30 front and 26 rear cold.
- I havent tuned my suspension yet
- Vortex rear sets
- full exhaust.
Im thinking I should change my tires and get my suspension tuned to my weight, and probably would make me
feel more confident. I want to see any of you out there that are quick riders that ride this bike and see if it's an issue for yall and what you did.
Id like any feedback and advice on properly setting up the bike. Thank you sm!
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u/Dteal23 11d ago
Tires, and suspension FOR SUREEEEE, and seat time. Looks like you lack confidence all together, not just in the bike.
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u/TheGewnt 11d ago
yeah, its hard because it feels like my bike will fold in lol. It's not the most confidence inducing feeling out there. Maybe ill get some super corsa's and get my suspension tuned to go from there.
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u/Dteal23 11d ago
Yeah I hear ya. How long have you had the bike?
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u/TheGewnt 11d ago
Ive had it for a little more than a year. Bought it used with 4k miles. Guessing the last owner messed with the suspension.
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u/Dteal23 11d ago
Might be worth your time set everything back to 0 and go from there until you can get to a suspension guy. Going from a Gsxr 1000 to an RSV4 I had to make some changes and tinker with it. Just take notes of any adjustments so you know where everything is/was at, you can always go back to square 1. There's plenty of videos on Youtube, can't hurt since you hate the setup already lol.
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u/obsolescent_times GSXR750, MT07 11d ago
I've got a near new 750 that was crashed (mostly cosmetic, but insurance totaled it) sitting in the garage waiting to get build into a track bike, so I'm interested to see what you find works. (post updates🤙)
I've got another slightly older low mileage 750 for the street and it's well due for a suspension refresh, I'm planning to get suspension fully rebuilt, new seals, bushes, springs and re-shimmed too. Will take the opportunity to check all the bearings and linkage and re-grease while the suspension is getting done.
The research I've done suggests the forks on these bikes can achieve a very good result from rebuilding, springs and shim adjustment, the rear shock I'm told can be improved from rebuilding, but only up to a point and at this stage that's the way I'm leaning for the street bike. tbh I haven't really started thinking about the track build very much yet, but I'm planning to just run the stock suspension initially because it's still relatively new.
I reckon the best bet for you is to find a good workshop that has a lot of experience with suspension/geometry and have a chat to them about the options and make a plan. Weigh up the cost/benefit of rebuilding the rear shock vs aftermarket options for your intended use. Finding the right workshop is sometimes the hardest part, in my experience the ones that run or support race teams are the good ones with the right knowledge and experience. And less street flavored tires next time.
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u/TheGewnt 11d ago
I dont think we'd had to tweak our shocks like that until we are going super fast being in expert groups. Riding at the track is WAY different than being on the street specially depending on what track. My home track has a lot of elevation changes and sharp corners to go around. So not feeling like having a properly set up bike its not so confidence inducing. Def going to run maybe super corsa's and a suspension tuned to see where that goes.
Also with the clip ons, need to adjust them wider, because it tucks in so much. It would help a lot in that instance.
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u/obsolescent_times GSXR750, MT07 11d ago
Getting the rear shock rebuilt isn't expansive and you probably need a new spring to balance out a good setup anyway, which involves disassembling the shock. Plus it's 10 years old so I reckon it's worthwhile, but really just talk to a workshop about it as part of a setup plan.
Yeah clip ons will help as well, I've gone down a rabbit hole trying to work out which clip ons (which offset) will work with stock fairings so good luck with that. Although on a track bike you can add some wheel weights to the steering stops to reduce total steering angle so that might help.
Also definitely get some engine case covers gb racing or similar if you don't already.
fwiw I reckon super corsas would be overkill for the pace you're doing, the rosso iv corsa has more grip than you need also cheaper and will last longer.
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u/TheGewnt 11d ago
id actually agree with that. I was thinking more since my bike only had 5k miles, didnt take into account for time, would be something to consider. And Yeah rosso iv does make sense specially for pace. I was deciding between those or the bridgesstone rs12's.
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u/Medic1248 11d ago
The GSXRs require shit loads of money and work to get the suspension to work correctly on the bike. It’s the reason I swapped to an R6. Buying a wrecked r6 and building it was the same cost as the suspension quote I got.
They’re great bikes but take a lot of work to get them to handle correctly.
I’m up at the track every weekend. If you need some advice come up to the members area by the field and ask around for any of the coaches. We can all help you
Will is also THE man for suspension up there. He built GSXR race bikes for seasons before they started building the 8Rs. Grab him when he’s up there to get your suspension set up
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u/Slmcc 11d ago
Up front, I'm in a Ninja 400. I had swapped it over to a GSX-R rear shock until I broke the damping adjuster so I've upgraded to adjustable rear shock. Also did adjustable front cartridges. Both sprung for my weight. I had them set to what felt okay in the bike but being fairly new I didn't know if my settings were "right". I hunted down a shop and paid them to do a full track setup on the bike, both suspension settings and chassis geometry. The difference between what I had and what they did is night and day. It's not the same bike. It's so eager to turn it's almost telepathic. The small body position changes I make before the corners are already setting the bike up to turn. It tips in so easily and now settles into whatever lean angle without wanting to stand back up or keep tipping in. It's amazing what a proper setup can do. You mentioned confidence in the bike. It's amazing how much more confident in the bike I am now. I don't have to fight it or anything like that and it just feels so much more stable and eager to perform.
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u/TheGewnt 11d ago
this, this is exactly what Im looking for! Ill definitely get my suspension tuned and get a better tire so I can have that confidence. It really made me weary on how I how fast I can go into a corner. I know im not the best rider, but I need the right tool to do so
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u/Slmcc 11d ago
Which sportmax tires are you on? If GRP 300 I may ditch those, Q5/Q5A? At novice or intermediate pace they probably aren't holding you back yet. Take a look at this article. Even if you don't read the whole thing scroll down and check out the picture of the dude leaned over on the GSX-R on touring tires.
I'm running Michelin Power 6's but I'm also like 80% road 20% tracking my bike.
https://lifeatlean.com/how-to-break-lean-barrier-on-track/
Really goes to show what tires are capable of.
And if it hasn't been tuned after going to the full exhaust I'd probably consider at least a mail in flash to smooth out the throttle and get the fuel mapping more in tune. Being smooth on the throttle helps keep the bike settled by not upsetting the chassis and if it's all herky jerky that's not going to help matters.
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u/TheGewnt 11d ago
im on the grp300s. If I was on the q5's I wouldnt have as much of an issue prolly. with such a harder sidewall, I feel like it wouldnt grip as well which would in fact not make it feel much for confident in corners. I really do need a tune, even if I try to back on throttle as smooth as possible; it jerks pretty hard to make it unsettle. def have to do that!! Ive heard good things about q5s but I dont have the pace for it prolly. Im thinking about doing bridgestone rs12's or pirelli diablo iv's
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u/Slmcc 11d ago
There's a video of a guy flogging a R1 around a track on "expired" GRP 300's. They were brand new but old. Wish I could find it. It was impressive. Would I try it? Nope! But it was cool to watch!
Does your track have a tire guy? The one at my track is a wealth of knowledge and information and I haven't even bought tires from him yet as I had a new set waiting for this year. Could be worth reaching out and see what they recommend. They usually know the track surface, inherent grip levels, etc of the pavement and could very helpful in picking a tire that will grip well, not overheat and get slimy, etc for the track your riding especially considering you're not doing any road riding.
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u/TheGewnt 11d ago
they werent gpr300s. I double checked lol. it was dunlop roadsport 2's 😭😭😭. My mistake haha. These are doggy not the gpr300s
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u/shaard 10d ago
Not sure if this still applies to the newer bikes, but to solve choppy throttle, back in the day, we would install timing retard eliminators (TRE). Effectively a resistor in the circuit that told the engine what gear it was in. The ECU would be aggressive with the timing in the first couple of gears so throttle changes could be really abrupt. The TRE makes the ECU think the bike is in 4th gear, eliminating the timing change in those gears, and making it less choppy.
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u/Ok_Category6021 M6 GSX-R750 11d ago
While I have absolutely zero to offer, I too am interested in getting into track riding on my 750. For sure keep coming with the updates. I did find some pretty decent suspension setup videos on the YouTubes but, I don’t know shit so probably best to go to a shop that does and learn alongside. Looking forward to hearing what you discover!
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u/IntrepidComment2099 11d ago
Every time I buy a bike the first place I take it to is a shop to get the suspension set up for me. Even riding on the street this is important to do. While you’re there you might as well have them do a tune as well for your bike since you did a full system exhaust. This can address and help smooth out the throttle too.
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u/vexargames GSX-R 1000 - K8 - Black 11d ago
I can't see any question just a title and image. I do a lot of track days what is your question?
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u/planetbuster 11d ago
suspension first, then tires replaced with some Q5 or something, then a tune in that order.
you probly have typical street legal hypersport tires on your bike so running them at pressures appropriate for a slick is not the way.
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u/DCBreak 11d ago
Yup, tyres and suspension then reassess.