What bike to get 2nd hand? Mainly for the track.

OK, it looks like I may be in the UK a bit longer than planned, so looking to get a bike again. What would you go for, 2nd hand of course, current ideas:

KTM RC8 (R?)
Ducati 999S
Ducati 1098S
Honda FireBlade '08 on
Yamaha R1 Big Bang
Suzuki GSXR750
MV Agusta F4 100R 312

Any other suggestions, S1000RRs and RSV4s seem out of the budget....

I'd use the bike for one or two road trip weekends (so all day comfort comes after looks/performance), a number of track days and the 'Ring, and possibly some of those TD/endurance race type things. I want to improve my riding, but also I'd like to go for something powerful, as this may be a short term experience, so it'd be good to live the dream in the full fat gold top technicolour variety, and get something with a bit more oomph than the K6 750 had. Any of the above not suited to the track? Should I be looking at something slighly older/cheaper but just as capable?

Note as it'll be used at the 'Ring it needs to be road legal with lights and mirrors.

So many options, but plenty of time to whittle down the choices, I'm thinking of purchasing just before or after Christmas (this may depend on where I locate the bike)... I'll be buying/selling some cars to come up with a decent logistical solution to having limited storage space.

Any issues with any of the above regards to reliability beyond old wives tales?

I need to be back on a bike.

PS the above don't necessarily need to be modified, but carbon wheels are nice..... and light.

[andrewsmith]

Tim budget?

I've seen a few 999's going for a lot recently.
Personally RC8 or R with a powerparts package on it. KTM ran £2.5k of approved extras deal for about 18 months so there will be some with race Arkas and possibly even better WP bits and Marchesinis

Plans are changing, I'll be looking for an 04-06 R1, due to a large stock of spares that I know of near to the 'Ring.

[andrewsmith]

the impound/ recovery yard at the ring?

Nope, just a few friends out there who run them! And they are pretty quick.

This might be one of them, but it might not be :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=W2KnufuYK5M

[lukemillar]

Get an 04 in red. One day I will own this bike!

Luke, once german registered and TUV'd it'll be getting race fairings, lose some lights, suspension upgrades, possibly a slipper clutch and some lovely light wheels. Paint job may be bordering on rattle can.........