600cc vs 1000cc On Track: The Difference & Which Is Best? 

This is my first real venture into the world of trackday tuition videos, if you'd like to see more of this type of stuff just let me know! Thanks for watching as always everyone!

Had both. Love the power of the 1000 but the 600 I had lots of fun! Making that zx6r engine screaming at 16k rpm is orgasmic!

The major draw back of a 600 on a track day, for the average rider, is overtaking slower riders on faster bikes. They slow you up in the corners, bugger off on the exits and you end up getting frustrated. Its often less hassle on a 1000, as you can make progress easier.

The mighty GSXR 750 every time for me. Great advice for any one getting started.

4:28 "I've seen novices unknowingly ride bikes in the damp on dry tyres getting away with murder" - Comment of the year!

Back in the days (from 2000 to 2004) I raced an R6 and was pretty fast (on a novice level) and had a lot of fun. My R6 had abround 123 HP on the wheel and I really squeezed it. In Most and in Brno (Czech Republic) I got the chance to test ride a Kawasaki ZX 10 with 175 HP (almost stock) and it scared the shit out of me. When the front didn't got up, the rear wheel slided and vise versa. None of my breaking points, shifts and gears fitted anymore. It was interesting but I was a lot slower than on my R6. So, I would say if you have the physique for a 600cc and want to have fun, just go for the 600. 1000 cc bikes on the track (were) real monsters. And please consider, we didnt have any electronics, ABS or anything besides a quickshifter and a flashing light that indicated when to kick in the next gear back in 2000.

So the answer seems to be: Suzuki GSX-R 750

"More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow." Same with bikes. No one honestly cares what bike you own, and why would you care? Get the fun one.

I love how throughout the video you make a statement which brings up a question or two.. and almost immediately you answer my unasked questions... well done

Good advice from a level headed talented rider. Being the 55 year old child that I am, I need a 1000cc to help hide the lack of talent, I did have a 750 and yes I did ride it faster than my 1000 I'd say, for the very reasons you have highlighted, but I was also a good bit younger. :-) Still doing trackdays, 20 years of them now, UK and Europe, still enjoy doing them at whatever speed, I do alright for an older git on my gsxr1000r. Keep them coming, and good luck in your coming season.

I love my R6. As a podium level club racer, there isn’t really any track day rider on a 1000 that I can’t pass on our local racetracks. A lot of riders have insanely beautiful and powerful liter bikes, but they cannot handle them at all. I think if more people started on the 600 they would get faster. I’ve told myself I don’t want to race the 1000’s until I know I’ve reached close the limit of my 600. I’m still about 2 seconds a lap off what the fastest 600 rider can do on our local tracks, so once I’ve reached that point I’m going to give racing 1000’s a try. Love your content Taylor!

I love the feel of an R6. Had an 09 R1 which was a fat pig, loved the crossplane, power was easily managed but that thing wore me out on the track. Needed a lot of setup to take it further be more rideable. Right now I have a 2005 track prepped GSXR-1000 and it's amazing on the track. No electronic doodads to fake me into a better rider lol. If I was going into club racing, I'd want to be on an endurance team, which these days are trending towards the 400. Speaking of which, the Ninja 400 is probably one of the most perfect starter track bikes. It will teach you to manage momentum and corner speed.

An excellent video for all the people who are thinking about taking up racing or going on track days, learn to walk before you can run, comes to mind. take care all of you and stay safe, the season is creaping up, all the best mate. 🏍️🏁🍾👍👍👍👍

Been pondering these things quite a long time... very informative video. Thank you!

Never done a track day and don’t have a bike at the moment but I really enjoyed the video. You have a great way of presenting information. Well done.

Such an amazingly perfectly video well put together congratulations you have a long way to go!

Great stuff Taylor got a chance to ride a gsxr 1000 on a Whitham track day and loved it. Jumped back on my gsxr 600 and all of a sudden it was a lot easier. Went quicker on my 600 ( with some help from you and Adam jenkinson) now looking for a 1000. This video is a great explanation on the differences of a 600 and a 1000. Keep them coming. Would like to see a video on body position on track 👍🏻👍🏻

Very very well explained. Thanks for taking the time.

Great stuff. I absorb trackday vids like a sponge, so please do keep them coming. My (quite old) zx6 is so much fun. Having watched your video I can't see any reason to change it yet...

Great vid and points. I was split between the 600 or 1000 decision and ended up going for that 3rd in-between option and got a KTM RC 8C. Couldn’t be happier :)

Really good unbiased video. Thanks man 🍻

Great to get some good information from an actual track racer. For my own point of view, “ if you can’t use the power you don’t need it “. Good video thanks. 👍

4:35 This is a very valid point. My S1000XR is easier to handle in the wet than my old Ninja 650 was with no ABS or TC.

Nice one Taylor. I'll always remember my first track day in the rain at Croft with your good self on my brand new 1000 😲 and still had a mega time 👍🏻

Horsepower is like pockets - you can never have enough of them. Unless you're being sensible!

Good vid Taylor - wise words. Good luck with your racing 😁👍

Thanks so much for this Taylor. I'm currently 61 years old and been riding bikes from about 11-12 years of age. Your comments about the 1000cc bikes I concur...big torque trying to overpower the rear tyre and just when think it's found grip it hooks up and wheelies.At the moment I ride a modified 2002 Yamaha R1 5PW and a 2004 BuellXB9R Firebolt. The only places I can really enjoy on the R1 is the Isle Of Man, Nurburgring and unrestricted roads abroad. I dont know if anyone reading has realised that in my opinion riding a 1000cc bike in the UK quickly you spend most of your time BRAKING to legal speeds...where's the fun in that. My younger friends are trying to get me to Knockhill for a session but I had really considering a less aggressive bike so I'm going to recommission my Ducati 748.Also fond fond memories of watching your dad scudding round Knockhill especially on the CMW35 & 36's, still got a ten pound note signed by him. Keep up the good work.🏍🏍

Great Vid! I think the key thing is, that you can focus more on line/cornering with the smaller 600 cc. So it feels more like a flow. But i get the excitement out of the corner with a 1000 cc. Like a rocket.

Another great video Taylor! I've always felt more comfortable on a 600, they just feel more naturally balanced (Or they suit my riding style?) Keep em coming :)

Great point of view advice Taylor. Totally agree and well put.

Another great vid Taylor, very informative, keep them coming :-)

Great vid Taylor!

Cheers Taylor,another great video.

Great video. And I love my middle-ground 750!

I have a zxr400 and because we don’t have track here, I absolutely agree that you can ride lower cc a lot harder

i learned from old people (ex racers) it doesnt matter what you have between the legs, as long you get everything out of it, I learned racing motorbikes on what most people will call scrapheaps, no power and way to heavy. later on when i had better material i had such an advantage when it came down to my skills, now i can step on almost any bike that i want and i will find my way and adapt very fast. also a 2 stroke back ground can help you out big time, almost any good 2 stroke rider i know can go fast on anything.

This channel is underrated for me

Very interesting advice. Well described.

Love your channel......been a fan for a while......I have a 2006 Yamaha r1......just got a 2014 Yamaha r6 in August, and I have to say I have more fun on my 600 then my r1.......thanks and keep up the AWESOME WORK....lol.

Everything you said makes a lot of sense to me. I have been in love dirt bikes since I was a young kid of 6 or 7 and that is about what time I started riding. By the time I was 14 or 15 it was clear that I was better than average, not great but pretty good. I never raced or had a very new bike until I was 21 or 22 years old. I took third place my very first MX race. And probably never participated in more than 30 races my entire life. I was almost alway in the top ten in the junior class, but never got good enough to graduate to the intermediates, arm pump was always an issue for me. This was in the late 80's early 90's. But did do a lot of cross country, woods, dirt roads and desert riding that enjoyed very much. Having said all that, I didn't seriously start riding street until after the age of 50 and that is because I wasn't physically able to ride off road any longer. I never really planned on riding fast, I just enjoyed riding and thought that riding street would be better than not riding at all. So after riding for a couple years and accumulating over a half dozen streetbikes from touring, sport touring, adventure, cruiser, and sport bikes ( i currently own and ride 9 motorcycles) I love them all but..... surprisingly.......okay maybe not surprisingly.... found myself gravitating towards sport bikes and taking it pretty seriously, reading a lot and watching a lot videos and practicing a lot and in about 3 or four years, it was quite clear that I am better than average, not great but pretty good. A lot.....okay a few people have and are encouraging me to do track days. But I probably never will and here is why....first off money! I live on a fixed income and its all I can do now to buy tires and maintain the bikes I ride now. second is my physical condition, on a track you are either braking as quick and as hard you can or you are accelerating as fast as you can and that is more physically demanding than most people realize and I don't think I could do it for more than 10 minutes at a time. But I do wish I would have tried it 20 or 30 years ago.

Very interesting information. Thanks for your advice.

Love doin trackdays on my cbr 600rr ....great video as always

BRILLIANT, ENJOYED THE VID 😀

The YT algorithm has chosen well! Very interesting content

Well done. Cheers from OZ

Another cracking and informative vid, thanks for sharing 👍 I run a 98 zx9r, it's a solid old lump that takes everything you chuck at it.... including tarmac 🤦🏻 it's been fab to learn on (still a lot of learning to do!) But I've now started to track ready my 06 636 which I still use on the road. Both are amazing fun but I he old 9 does feel more reassuring and planted.......I'll leave the VFR1200 complete with panniers as a pure road bike.....for now 😳😂😂👍

Nice one Taylor, in my own track experience i thought i had mastered the six hundred at RH race school until it launched me over the highside coming out of the Melbourne loop, the humiliation of the truck ride back was more painful than the bang on the bonce 😂😂👍

Great video. Your last point about a 750 was great. I was so psyched (for about 20 seconds) when I saw the new r7. Then I learned it was a twin and they weren't actually bringing back the old r7. Bad move, Yamaha.

Great, honest content.

Great overview, thanks!

Great info. My takeaway is learning the tyres. Today’s rubber would need the track to explore the limits safely.

Another brilliant video

Perfect, thanks for that brother.

I started on a 600 all through the ranks then got a smoking deal on a new r1 race bike and just love it . Learned my corner speed on a 600 and now have power works well . Though 600s are awesome bikes can’t go wrong with either .

Good work T,another gem🥳topic idea 💡 what about feeling on a bike ? How to push to feel tyres and suspension working in corners, what to look for !, ive done a few t days and can honestly say I have no clue how either of these feel ....just putting it out there

I did a track day a Donnington a few tears ago, the only rider to have a crash that day was the instructor in the expert class.

Brilliant mate, really insightful. I've been very much in the 600 camp, probably more because I'm only mid inters on an average track day. Feel much more like I can control it, how ever really interesting your point about turning the power down on a 1000 and build up, never thought of that and it's a really good idea. That said the 600 hurts just as much when crashing! When I get back to trackdays when I'm recovered from my crash last year ive been thinking about a 750 for precisely the reason you said, I'm pretty sick of being over taken on the straight, but do quite enjoy going round the outside of someone on a corner on a 1000 that can only go fast down a straight! Food for thought thank you.

Very interesting video 👍

T-m🔥c great vlog as always buddy. 600 or 1000 your always going to have fun round a circuit with the same smile on your face. i am at croft on the 1st of june on a Witham training day. hope you are there to teach our group would be a privilege being on track with a BSB rider👍. good luck for season mate. ✊✊

I love my old ZXR750 , like myZX6R and don't need anything else at this stage in life. Good to be reassured that I am not missing anything I would want ,Thank you.

Good points.

Good stuff bud 👍🏻

Nice one Taylor quality vlog. I hope you're playing out on Tuesday so you can show me how to ride my 1000. I smashed my 600 up last week 😁🤦‍♂️

I just love the R6 and the fact once you get it over 11k rpm it just keeps on pulling and the sound is addictive

Subbed for the Prodigy poster. 600 is easier to wrangle around a track, and it will always be faster than I am capable of riding. So it's a 600 for me.

Too many Willy wavers on 1000’s at track days that have no idea how to ride 😂

Would love to know what you’re dad thinks of all the electronic help riders have today ps loved this video

It all makes sense Taylor. Personally never done a track day, unfortunately, Never had a 600 either, I went 125, 750 and 6 months later bought a brand new Thunderace, what a tool that was, great low down torque

I love my 675, but I would like a few more horses and a quick shifter would make a massive difference. I don't get out on it enough to justify the upgrades right now.

My mate has been trying to get me to Knockhill for a track day for some time now. Be good to get some pointers for a novice before I disgrace myself. Great vid btw 👌

Really great video and I totally agree. For road, I'd take 1000cc for low down power and flexibility, for track they are all fun in their own way. I've raced an RVF400 and that was incredible fun (with no power!)

Very good advice.... Remember that "Power is nothing without Control".... It almost killed me, but my Honda CB 750 F2 was so much fun.... :-)))

I bought my first 1000 this year a 2021 MT10 and before this I had a 07 Zx6r and before that a 02 r6. Had my first track day this year and can say for sure I would be faster on my 600, just felt sketchy holding speed smooth on my bike

when a racer says the word "fast"....it's just got so much more meaning. Cheers broski.

Nice wallpaper on your desktop👍👌

Good info T . . I would really like to see a video on tips and tricks for a intermediate track rider 😎

To me trust is more important than power I'm scared to use and I'm gonna push the limit earlier, but yeah once you can handle it I prefer power 😊

I had a Honda cb 1300 And I found it the most easiest bike to ride Because of its engine configeration It was so forgiving and stable Thanks Taylor always interesting and informative

That's why I love my 2009 ZX-10R. Last gen of literbike with no aids (no TCS, ABS, Power modes, wheelie control, etc). ALL manual and ALL raw.

Great vid

Appreciate the info

Hi great informative video yet again thanks for all the advice here. My question is that I want to start doing track days I’m 18 stone and 6ft tall would you advise to start on a 600 as I feel it will struggle with my slim frame sat on it lol. I have had several big bikes GSXR 1000. ZX12r. GSXR 750 but only ever rode them on the road. Also any advice on leathers for fat lads. Keep up the great work with your videos. Thanks in advance

Verry good comments bro and starting slow is always safe and till you get much better and a 750 is the best bike to have..you know have to know how to use ur gears when you ride..good vedio bro..

Informative vid, all bases covered. Look at road racing where you have guys competeing together on both sizes. 600's, well set-up and ridden beating 1000's no problem. Track riding is a bit different but for road riding, spinning it up and whellies will get you in bother never mind the fun! I had an NRS 250 and little experience and always remember a guy on an V-Max leaving me for dead on the bends coming back from Kirkistown when I didn't know the roads. Experience and knowledge folks!

Thank you for mentioning the part of "the only reason people ever feel the need to is getting annoyed getting passed on the straights"... yeah it´s annoying but I have my fun passing them in the infield again :) Loving my Daytona for that. IMHO you don´t need the latest incarnation of Johnny Rea´s bike to have fun on trackdays. You just find the people with similar lap times and race them. Then you completely forget about the faster and slower ones and have fun the whole day long :)

Two days in on my first 750 - top bike 👌🏼

My ideal track bike would be a sub 500 single or twin with wide, high bars, in a slow, novice group, surrounded by people who were less confident than me on bikes that were equally inappropriate! 😅

Great video! New Riders: start with a ninja 300 or similar and master it before launching a 600cc. It's a journey!

Thanks, great video. I only love to ride a bike that I can ring the neck of! So for me, it's a C90.

Very informative video, thanks man ! I have a question, hopefully Taylor Mackenzie will see this... :) I'm from the middle east and I'm racing a 2021 BMW S1000RR in Europe. (as a hobby in small championships) Anyway, I'm looking to buy a bike for training during the European winter as in my country its hot most of the year and we have some small 2.5km racetracks here. Considering my goals are to keep in shape and to arrive ready for the next season, should I buy a 600 or a 1000 bike? Thanks in advance !

Interesting stuff, didn’t do my first tarmac track day until I was 56 wish I’d done sooner

Some time ago I really enjoyed my VFR400 - and I never reached its limits. Let's not forget that even 600cc bikes have a LOT of power.

I think a 600 for track days and if you are going racing as a professsion it's the 600 then 1000 route,but i have notice the lap times between superstock and superbike are note that far off of each other a some of the uk tracks. Good video Taylor can't not wait for the season to start ,all the best mate stay safe

Listening to the first few minutes of this video and not new to track days but not having natural ability on a bike I have a lot more fun on my 600 and typing whilst listening I agree that on the 1000 I do ride it like an automatic

Brilliant again mate 👏 I've just switched from a 2002 f4i to a street triple 765 rs first trackday on it at donnigton next month can wait to see what the difference is loved the cbr served me well for last 3 years on a fair few trackdays.I ride a 2020 tuono v4 factory on the road and thought the street triple with more or less same riding position would be a cool track bike 👍👍👍keeps the vlogs coming mate really enjoy them

great video

great video guy.. everyone that wants to ride fast and grab turns with knee on the ground.. they should lern with nothing on the bike but tires the trottle, steering damper.. you will be a much skillful rider if you learn on a bike without all the tecnollgy of the late 2015 plus bikes.. Guys like Rossi have amazing skill bc of the bikes he came up on!!

I personally love learning a bike without the rider aids on. One of the first things I did was disable my abs on my bike. If it had TC I would disable that too

I hired a 600 for Cadwell Park (Having just written off my S1000r). I actually achieved a PB on a new bike i had never ridden before and faster than my own litre bike. Fully agree you can lord it over a 600 and really rev the nuts off it. The litre bikes demand more respect. If its a fun factor you are after 600 wins the day. If you want to learn your craft the 600 is the way to go - but i am not sure i will trade in my litre bike. (I run in the middle of the inters)

well said! Thank you