Hi all, I bought myself a 2009 Repsol Blade last year and did a track day. I got addicted, now it's a track only bike for 2023. I think I've done 4 track days last year, I plan do go to at least 5 in 2023. After that I will look into a new (2022+) blade in 2024 for the track. I keep seeing posts and hearing that it's "inevitable" that the 3rd gear will explode on track. I'm not keen to spend 1500 GBP to get 3rd pre-emptively replaced if it's worth risking without. My question is; has anyone used a 2008-2011 CBR1000RR on track and NOT had 3rd gear issues. If so, did you have a quickshiter? What group were you in? How many track days/miles did you do on track? Any help would be lovely, thanks.
I had 2 2008 bikes. got both up to 16000 miles and done several trackdays in intermediate. Used an HM quickshifter with no problems.
We rode one season with the stock 3rd gear and qs (2008 bike). Also Our bike makes 184 rwhp and still it held. Having said that, I've seen and heard a lot of them failed even with a stock engine. If that happens you'll most likely lose the block as well. It's not that hard to replace the gear wheel and I'd definitely recommend you to do so.
Thanks for the replies. I think I'll risk it for the 2023 season. I understand in principle it isn't hard, but I don't have any space to do it, and would need to buy tools. The bike is stored up North and I'm down South too. A pain to do myself.
My 08 has 104.000 KMs... Rode it on the track many times, but mainly road use. 3rd hasn't exploded yet.
It's good to hear some real world experiences rather than horror stories. I understand that it's an issue that if left unchecked and tracked hard for a while it might pop, but I'm going to risk it this year. Thanks all for the replies.
I completely get you, and I appreciate the steer. It will all come down to a variety of factors, how many oil changes, how well setup the quick shifter is, climate conditions, how fast the rider is, plus many many other things. It's clear there is a weakness, and it will go at some point when used hard. I just think I can weigh up the risk for at least this year before I move on to another bike in the future.
I guess it also depends how much the rider "abuses" de gearbox... I'm an intermediate rider, at best, meaning... slow. I guess that helps
I had a 2011 blade, i destroyed 3rd gear and replace with Nova Racing cogs (input/output cogs) for 3rd gear. I did a season racing in the No limits endurance with no issues! well worth the upgrade.
