Hey guys, just wondeirng what it is that you race, and what you like/dont like about the bike.
Id be most curious to hear from SV riders, but im not aiming at SV riders exclusivly.
my clock.....every morning on the 20 minute drive to work ;D
seriously though...cbr600rr...and wouldnt have it any other way :)
I love the thrill and challenge of racing, but breaking down sucks. My weapon of choice is a 01 SV 650 SBK. That bike is a blast... I Love it!
I race a 636, and love it. tHe only thing I don't like is that my lap timer still says I'm going to slow ;D
'00 929. Yes, I know...I'm the weird one. What do I like about it? Beating 1000's. What do I hate about it? Loosing to 600's. >:(
Seriously though, when the frame isn't bent to hell it handles GREAT. The brakes have always been some of the best in the business. The engine is like the energizer bunny...it keeps going..and going....
The downside...well, I've had a few electrical problems. Yeah...the power. The forks have alot of stiction. Have you ever tried to find used parts for a 929?!?
One thing to consider is that it's much easier to race a bike that a lot of other people race. For instance, I raced my RC51 in 2003. Not too easy to ask advice or find parts when there are maybe 2 or 3 other guys at the track with the same bike. The SV though, there are tons of them around and lots of people who can help you specifically with that bike.
My race bikes:
'94 Yamaha TZ250
Pros:
A "proper" racebike, not some streetbike with the lights removed.
Awesome handling.
Pretty fast (when tuned right).
The trill of coming on the pipe.
Easy to work on.
Stands out from the crowd.
Cons:
A lot of work, maintanace and tuning.
Sometimes hard to get parts quick.
If the fuel vendor doesn't show up you could be out of luck if you didn't bring your own.
Not legal for very many classes.
'93 Honda CR500 based supermoto bike
Pros:
Total tinker bike.
Faster than it looks.
Beats up 600s in the rain.
Usually no real damage in a crash.
Legal for Ultra-Lightweight.
Brake REALLY late.
Catch air when you clip the curb in a chicane.
Handles well in the dirt if you blow a corner.
All the other bikes give you plenty of room.
The look on you buddy's face after he take it for a ride, as he calls you crazy.
Cons:
Aero limited top speed.
Limited parts.
Handles "different"
I prefer the lightweight bikes, I started on a little Ducati, rode a 600 for a couple season, and decided I had more fun on the little bikes. It's more about RIDING than just trying to get the throttle open, as it is on a liter bike. It's nice to nnot have to worry about thinks like batteries and kickstand switches and all the other "street" stuff most bikes have. Plus I can dead lift either of my bikes ;D
-z.
My girlfriends, from the beginning to the present.
EX500: A tank, and slow, but cheap! She got me started!
FZR400: I had 2 in 400cc, and a 560 Superbike. All great fun, but the 560 was a thrill, and the bike I've had the most success on. Wish I never sold her.
2001 R6: I only rode it once before a desperate fellow racer made me an offer I couldn't refuse and bought it.
2000 ZX6R: Slow, heavy, handled funny, weak tranny. Piece of shyte.
1998 GSXR750: I got screwed on this deal, but she was fun once I sorted out all her gremlins. Too slow against the newer bikes. Great wheelie bike.
2000GSXR750: The best racebike I ever had, and she was almost totally stock! I can't believe they sell these to anyone with enough money. I couldn't keep her in tires, brakes, or sprockets. Too expensive for me to run regularly.
2003 SV650: I've only had her out once so far, but I think it's love! With a Superbike motor, she'll be all that!
'96 MZ Skorpion Sport
Pros:
Usually the only MZ on the track. Actually, I think I'm the only one currently racing an MZ in the SW.
IT'S FREAKING LOUD! It makes others around me deaf, and they get thumped in the chest from the puffs of air coming out of the pipes.
It has a Yamaha engine, so engine parts are easy to find.
It's the most fun bike I've ever ridden. This bike and I just "mesh" well together.
Cons:
It vibrates a lot, so it breaks lots of mounts and stuff. The exhaust mounts and parts of the subframe have broken about 3 times.
Hard to get good tires for it.
They keep getting rid of the race classes that it's legal and competitive for (RIP SuperSingles).
'01 Yamaha R6
Pros:
Able to get parts easily for it, especially at the track, cause everyone's got one.
The tire guy always has tires in stock for it.
Awesome AZ flag paint job on mine. ;D
Cons:
Used to be a streetbike, so it sometimes has goofy electrical stuff go wrong and it's hard to diagnose.
Everyone's got one.
I used to race the TZ250 that Zac now has, and I now have his R6. Turns out we were both on the wrong bike last season. I like the R6 more than the TZ, and he likes the TZ more. So we traded.
Quote'96 MZ Skorpion Sport
I used to race the TZ250 that Zac now has, and I now have his R6. Turns out we were both on the wrong bike last season. I like the R6 more than the TZ, and he likes the TZ more. So we traded.
So now you know, get yourself a girlfriend who races. If you don't like your respective bikes just trade!
;D
QuoteSo now you know, get yourself a girlfriend who races. If you don't like your respective bikes just trade!
;D
i'll keep that in mind.
2001 GSX-R 1000
Pros:
The Power
Many GSX-R 600 and 750 parts are interchangable and easy to find.
Many gears to choose from for power wheelies.
Cons:
The Power
Hard to turn
Eats tires
Newer 1000s lighter and faster
I wish that I had my 750 back... I think I would have quicker lap times. :-/
I rode a Buell and must say may ride it again with the new contingency. If you have a "Buell friendly" Harley dealer in your area it's deffinitly something to consider.
Not all HD dealers will help you out, but one that is serious about Buell probably will if you ask. That, with the trackside support really helps. I've never been that fast, but the bike has more than made up for my shortcomings enough to make me feel OK about racing at all. I've never regreted my different choice.
TL1000-R's. I think I'm the only one left.
Why: It's what was in the garage when I got started.
Pro: Parts are reasonable and still readily available. I love the sound and feel of a V-Twin.
Con: It's kinda big.
SV650
All Light Weight Classes:
Super Sport
Grand Prix
Super Bike
Endurance GT Lights
Super Twins, Thunderbike
In AHRMA theirs a few classes in the "Battle of the Twins where a SV can run.
And if you are really fast you can always race a SV in any of the Middle Weight or Heavy Weight classes, you just can't race the Ultra Lightweight classes
I race a CBR600 F4i. 'Cause I'm poor and can't afford a new RR.
Problem with racing something like an F4i is hardly anybody has one at the track. So when you crash at RA there is no one to buy-bum-borrow parts from and you end up racing with a fairing stay held together with screws and JB weld and a windshield made out of duct tape!
Get an SV, they are light, easy, fun, and tons of people have them so it's easy to get help. Plus you don't have to race MW SS where a red flag is the rule, not the exception!
yeah im gettin an sv. i was just curious to see what other guys on the board where running.
QuoteI race a CBR600 F4i. 'Cause I'm poor and can't afford a new RR.
:D HA ha! Ditto. Except mine is a '99 which means it still has carbs.
Here it is on JeF4y's site --> http://www.cbr600f4.com/gallery/CBR600F4/afj?full=1
1991 FZR600; Old like me, slow like me, and kinda heavy like me...Oh and a little underpowered like me.
Thunderbike and LW F40 legal
Pros;
1) It has just enough power to feel like I am racing, but not enough to be intimidating.
2) Noone expects me to do very well on it.
3) Inexpensive to purchase and run.
4) It is competitive with the other stock bikes in the class.
5) The only inline four most times attracting lots of compliments.
6) Runs really well at Daytona.
Cons;
1) Limited competitive classes.
2) Too slow to compete against the new 600's.
3) Not much technical support.
4) Not much in tire choice for 18" rear wheel.
ive been racing 600's for a few years, but ill be racing my 03 gsxr 1000 for the first time this weekend.. should be fun.. :)