Conehead Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Hi Everybody, I am a long time biker 11 years now, have an XJR1300 for the road and a race spec ZX6r for the track and I love it. Although I think I have decided it is time for a change (applied pressure from folks and missus after the sad demise of Simo). I am thinking of a Westy as being on track is now a part of my life!! Basically I was wondering if there is anyone on here who has been in my situation and has any Regrets - last thing I want to do is change and not be happy!!! Thanks for you help guys! Quote
JeffC Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 I was a biker I did 3 years living and breathing bikes, a few close calls on the road led to an spur of the moment decision to sell up and I did . I bought a bike powered westy to do trackdays (never been on track in my life) and havnt looked back, can honestly say its prob the best thing ive ever done, that was 7 years ago now and Ive never looked at a classified ad for a bike since had quite a few westys since though fancied a change and sold up a year ago had itches to scratch, tried Porsches M3"s Rs4"s but nothing compared with the rawness so bought a Catetham R400 2 months ago , back on track last weekend and enjoyed it as much as i did 7 years ago my advice would be just do it life is too short to think about it Quote
Conehead Posted October 31, 2011 Author Posted October 31, 2011 Also I didnt mention that once both bikes are sold the budget would be between 5-6k, can you get something to supply the required adrenaline rush at that price? Quote
Speed Freak Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 For 5-6k you'll struggle to get a low powered westy. You mught want to consider other seven type cars... Striker, mac motorsports, Robin Hood, locost, mnr, stuart taylor etc etc...Cant tell you how the quality will compare-Most people Ive ever spoke to have recommended strikers over the other variants, mainly I think cos theyre light, and generally build quality isnt bad... TBH with both types the build can vary massively, all depends on the person building it! Heres perhaps something to feed on that I saw on Pheads thats close to budget: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3342494.htm http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3309796.htm Hope this helps Quote
Conehead Posted October 31, 2011 Author Posted October 31, 2011 what about locusts? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif....gcode=p Quote
leeswesty Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 I got rid of my bikes this june and got my project an sei some one left not finished i have had bikes from age of 5 so big step for me i do keep looking and i will get another one when ate westy is done so you can allways go back to bikes mate Quote
markcoopers Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 For 5-6K you will get a westy that will be fine on track, but it will probably be an older engine type. Now let me be clear here, absolutely nothing wrong with these, it is just that people want more modern engines so they get overlooked or discounted and that turns into folk law saying they are no good.......Crap, they are good, but they will be a pinto reving to 6K and not a 16valver reving to 8k, thus the experience will be different. There are some magnificant x flow and pinto cars out there that will really deliver a fantastic track hit, but it is the total package that makes the car and not just an engine. that said a few older cars have been upgraded to toyota 4age engines and these are a reall screemer and often come into your price range....I had one and still vividly remember it today. I have no bike experience so can not add anything of value by way of comparision. However i believe bikes even muscle bikes are about revs, and a Pinto might not be the experience you want. A x flow might be more rev happy but is probably going to be 20-30bhp down and also lacking some tourqe. I guess what i am trying to say is try some first then decide, but don't be put off by an older engine package. Quote
markcoopers Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Propably best not to mention locost on here mate, whilst we are quite charitable that kind of talk just brings out the kid in us all and we will end up finding silly pictures of them and making fun. Quote
Speed Freak Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 believe it is a stuart taylor car. Would have to speak to someone with some experience with them. im not sure. again most people do favor the strikers.... Quote
markcoopers Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Locosts were/are built and offered by many chassis builders, these are way better than the early locosts built with recycled donnor chasiss. However with all things it is how the whole car is built. I am sure a well built Locost is better than a crap built westfield. But as luck will have it nearly all westfields get built very well as all the bits fit and work as a kit. We have some cars that are nearly 30years old now or more and still on the road.....they are proven and built to last. So i maintain look for a well built car, check where cost has been saved. Reused peddle boxes and master/slave cylindars might be cost effective but will probably be the wrong fluid and pressure movement for the new brakes so on road might be fine but track will be a different story when needed in anger. Who made the whishbones and what front uprights etc, are the wheels nice light ones or old escort or chavtastic heavy wheels? Again fine cosmetically and for a trip to the pub, but probably no good on the track and will only frustrate. I've helped a fair few purchase westfields over the years and have had a vew none westfield kits myself, but learnt a long time ago that the others are often cheaper for one simple reason.....quality of build and the materials used. Don't let me pee on your chips, we need veriety in life so go for it, but just know what it is you are getting. Quote
Stevemarsh Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Hi Everybody, I am a long time biker 11 years now, have an XJR1300 for the road and a race spec ZX6r for the track and I love it. Although I think I have decided it is time for a change (applied pressure from folks and missus after the sad demise of Simo). I am thinking of a Westy as being on track is now a part of my life!! Basically I was wondering if there is anyone on here who has been in my situation and has any Regrets - last thing I want to do is change and not be happy!!! Thanks for you help guys! Hi, I was in the same situation as you...even the same budget. I had a 2005 Ducati 749 which I had owned for 5 years for the sports stuff and a Kawasaki vn900 for Sunday cruises. Had a budget of 6k for a westfield. I have got a 1994/5 narrow with a pinto engine. I was a little unlucky with my particular purchase as had a few engine issues, but this was just bad luck. Even before my engine was fixed I found it very quick and raw and still gave me the thrill and excitement of my bikes. Now my car has the original suspension and original brakes and most peoples cars on here have been upgraded somewhat. I have now been out with a few other westfields of all different specs and engines, and it keeps up with the best of them and out performs some of the more modern ones too. My pinto has a rev limiter set to 6500, and that feels really quick, on a dyno last month the 0-60 was 4.6 seconds and top speed of 120mph which feels about 300! so although and old car with old engine which most will probably call a cheap car - mate its the best thing I've ever done. It's raw, noisy, gurgles and pops, and the best thing is now rather that laughing in your helmet to yourself - everyone around you can hear how much fun your having. I'm in Northampton, your very welcome to come out in my car and see/feel for your self. I have no regrets on my sales and purchase, I still feel the same eventhough I had a few problems with mine. Best bet keep an eye out for a members car for sale or run anything you see past the guys in here. Or do what I do, impulse buy the first one you see in your budget and hope for the best!!! Steve Quote
MrL Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 As a biker of over 30 years, I entered the world of Westy ownership with a bike engined one. I have since sold it and got a car engined one now, but I do miss it and am tempted to go back to a bike engine. Quote
Wile E. Coyote Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Ex-biker too... even with an aeroscreen the Westie isn't the same experience BUT delivers most of the good points of biking (acceleration, cornering, etc) with few of the drawbacks (roasting in your leathers in summer, very limited space for luggage, etc). It's also proven interesting that, heading up to the hills, it doesn't seem to matter if you end up in the middle of a pack of bikers... usually happy to run along for a while, in a way that I've not really found in other cars. Probably wouldn't put my son on the back of a bike - know some that do ride with their kids and don't have a problem with that, but I'd just feel a bit twitchy about doing it - whereas, when he's big enough for a lid, he'll get out in the Westie if he wants to. Quote
Geoff101 Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Hello, I'm another who has sold up their bikes. I managed to get my crossflow in good condition for well within your budget. If you are prepared to wait, spend some time searching and travel to buy, you should be able to get something worth having with an older style engine. It will never compete with a sports bike in a straight line but if you can take your pleasure in carrying speed around the corners then there's plenty of fun to be had. I wasn't as mad into bikes as some people are but I haven't missed mine. Quote
FILFAN Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Hi I recently swapped my ducati 999s to follow my westy dreams. did my first track day in it this weekend at cottesmore and had a fantastic time. its great to think you can mess up a corner and spin or go on the grass then just cary on. on a bike its usualy game over and its going home in bits and you are off to hospital. been there and done that. it set me back 5k with a 1700 xflow (not the fastest in a straight line) but did come with disks allround, rac roll bar, lsd, new recon type9 box and some other bits. have got a 2.0 16v redtop to fit over the winter plus need to change the wheels and ged some nice seats so will probably end up costain around 7k in total. I have no regrets about swapping it for the bike Quote
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