Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: clutch on November 13, 2003, 02:06:55 PM

Title: SV650 Questions
Post by: clutch on November 13, 2003, 02:06:55 PM
Hey all.  I just sold the ZX6R and I am thinking of either a 600RR or an SV650s.  I know the SV suspension stock is kinda crappy from what I hear.  I read the specs and the front forks do not even have rebound adjustment.  I dont know if I wanna leave the 600 class for the Lightweight twins class.  Some questions I have are.  

1. What kind of work would need to be done to the SV to make it really ready.
2. Which GSXR forks will work on the SV?  Do you have to switch to a Gixxer wheel/rotors
3. What classes can the SV run in.  GT Lights and what others.
4.  Think I would like going from a 600 4 to a 650 twin?
5. How well do other SV riders like the SV's?

Thanks for any input.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on November 13, 2003, 02:51:53 PM
Ed key runs a SRAD Gixxer front end on his superbike SV.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Protein Filled on November 13, 2003, 03:04:50 PM
Suspension wise: a rear shock is a must. For the front, if you wish to run supersport, you have to run stock forks, so a set of emulators, fork springs for your weight and the appropiate fork oil should take care of things.

If you want to run a GSXR front end, you need to get a complete GSXR front end, including wheel, brake rotors, brake calipers, tripple clamps, axle, fender, handlebars, etc. The only thing from the SV you can use is the throttle control and clutch/brake levers. To make it all fit, you also need to either machine the tripple clamps, swap the steering stem, or buy a special set of bearings from Twinworks factory.

SV's are a ton of fun because they have plenty of low end torque, are pretty competitive with a stock motor and the frame is pretty good, so once you take care of the forks and shock, they handle pretty good. K3 can tell you what they look like from behind.  ;D

I have a few friends who have ridden an SV after racing a 600 and they get off the bike and say what a blast it is to ride.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: clutch on November 13, 2003, 04:00:12 PM
So basically the front would be decent with a set of emulators, springs and fork oil eh?  Sounds decent. I dont think I would go thru all the shiot to convert the Gixxer front end.   I imagine they dont chew tires that much.  What tire company makes the 160 rear?  Metzler/Pirelli?  I have a Penske rear shock from my 600 ZX6R that I did not sell with the bike.  Penske said it can be converted to fit the SV so that is half the battle.  How about exhaust?  I have seen these renegade undertail dual pipe systems that look pretty good, but wondering about power.  I have also seen a "Flo Commander" for the SV650 that claims to make a 4-6 HP gain.  This is for use with the carburated models..I guess up thru 02.  Keep the input coming.  Interested in these bikes.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on November 13, 2003, 04:34:23 PM
QuoteK3 can tell you what they look like from behind.  ;D

But as Edgar can tell you, the SV has terrible brakes.  You have to start braking really early, and all the fat guys on antique sheite from the eighties will smoke by underneath you at the turn-in point.  No, wait.  That was just Edgar's SV.  Mabe he had air in the lines, or glazed brake pads, or his tires were going off, or the sun got in his eyes, or... ::)
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: clutch on November 13, 2003, 05:28:46 PM
You bein serious???  Do the brakes need to be replaced with aftermarkets or what??  Wanna know.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: GSXR6Pilot on November 13, 2003, 06:15:07 PM
Naw, he's just jabbin' at Edgar. The SV brakes are fine...... I jump on mine and they work great, as long as you have good pads.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Protein Filled on November 13, 2003, 07:14:53 PM
K3 is just jealous that I did not have to have the rear wheel 2 feet up in the air to be able to get to the corner first.  ;D I agree that good pads really help. I personally liked Vesrah's or Ferodo platinum, but other people swear by EBC's. It's all personal preference.

Oh, and I forgot, you can be competitive in Lightweight Supersport (if legal), LW GP, LW superbike, and Supertwins. You can also run some middleweight races and do well at short, tight tracks like Gingerman and BHF. Last year, Mark Sorenson, Jesse J. and I all made money running Unlimited GP's on the SV. I even remember at Gingerman that Jesse and I were 1st and 2nd  for a few laps during the ULGP. It felt real good to be in front of the AM 600's on a LW bike.

For tires, Michelin, Pirelli and Dunlop all make tires that fit. They all last much better than on a 600. I could get a weekend out of a rear and more from the front. Regarding a pipe, a lot of racers run the M4 pipe. It makes good power and they are good quality. I have never seen someone running th renegades at the track, so I could not tell you about that.

For jetting, you don't even need a jet kit. All you need to do is get some 142 jets and a dyno and tune it by shimming the needles. I have not run the flo-commander on a dyno, so I could not tell you about how valid those claims are.

Penske is a real good shock. Send it to someone who knows how to get it set up and you should have no problems.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: clutch on November 13, 2003, 07:46:59 PM
I would send the Penske to Penske in PA to rework the shock to fit the SV.  Thanks for all the info man..much appreciated.  It can run GT Lights also correct?  How much are the 160 rears or actually how much is a set and do you run the 160 or a 170 rear race tire?  Slick or DOT?  Thanks again.  :)
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on November 14, 2003, 02:42:36 AM
QuoteK3 is just jealous that I did not have to have the rear wheel 2 feet up in the air to be able to get to the corner first.  ;D
Guilty as charged.  Man, that was one hell of a race!  I remember afterwards, Edgar came over and said, "It looked like you might have been riding a little over your head there."  I replied, 'Well, I might have been riding over your head..."  And I even managed to say it with a straight face.
You know, now that I think about it, it seems like a lot of SV pilots are real A-holes! :D
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: EX#996 on November 14, 2003, 03:33:11 AM
QuoteYou know, now that I think about it, it seems like a lot of SV pilots are real A-holes! :D

So, aaahh,  Chris...

How bad do you want to sleep in an air conditioned motor home when it is 104 degrees?   ???  ;)  ;D

Dawn   :)
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Mark Bernard on November 14, 2003, 05:15:33 AM
QuoteSo, aaahh,  Chris...

How bad do you want to sleep in an air conditioned motor home when it is 104 degrees?   ???  ;)  ;D

Dawn   :)
Ouch...!  "Point, match, Game!! ;)
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Protein Filled on November 14, 2003, 07:22:16 AM
Hmmm, tire prices...they change every year, so I am not sure what they are going to be in 04. Last year, I think that a set of Michelin's was $280.00 or so. I may be wrong though since Tommy Mason of MRT is a sponsor and we got some help from him.
With the stock rim and the Penske shock, I ran the 160's slicks since my bike was not SS legal, but on the SV there is not that much of a difference between the DOT's and slicks of the same compound (at least not to me). Tommy recommends the 170 IF you are using the stock shock to make up for the lack of ride height in the rear.

Yes, the SV is also legal for GT Lights.

Hey K3, remember, SV riders stick together and they can smell bullsh!t from far away... :o ;D



Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on November 14, 2003, 10:19:21 AM
QuoteSo, aaahh,  Chris...

How bad do you want to sleep in an air conditioned motor home when it is 104 degrees?   ???  ;)  ;D

Dawn   :)
Hi Dawn! ;)  Wondered how long it would take you to catch that...  And it's a well known fact that I ENJOY hanging with A-holes!  Think about it.  Who else would be willing to hang out with ME? ;D
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: oldguy on November 14, 2003, 01:26:44 PM
[smartass remark] I think my SV made it all the way through the old fart race, did you? [/smartass remark]  ;D
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: clutch on November 14, 2003, 01:29:15 PM
Trash Talkin...Love it  :)
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Dawn on November 14, 2003, 02:56:42 PM
Quote[smartass remark] I think my SV made it all the way through the old fart race, did you? [/smartass remark]  ;D


oooooooo.............    :o    ;D

Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on November 15, 2003, 05:38:45 AM
Quote[smartass remark] I think my SV made it all the way through the old fart race, did you? [/smartass remark]  ;D
Gee, i hope I can still remember where the Milwaukee airport is... ;D
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on November 15, 2003, 05:39:55 AM
QuoteTrash Talkin...Love it  :)
My Gixxer is winterized.  What else is there to do? :(
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: clutch on November 15, 2003, 05:49:16 AM
I know how ya feel...winter SUCKS!!!  Only thing good is I can save a little money for 04 :)
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: clutch on November 15, 2003, 03:41:19 PM
Just picked up an 03 SV650S after dropping off the 600R ZX. But I need the following:  Front wheel with axle and lower triple.  The forks were already replaced.  Also anyone have an idea of a good pipe to run on this?  I hear good about the M4..is this a hi-mount and anyone have one for sale used with a PC.  Thanks again and look forward to running with some of you guys in LW next year.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: badmonkey on November 16, 2003, 04:48:00 AM
you really don't need a PC with a full system on the sv.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Nate R on November 16, 2003, 11:12:16 AM
QuoteGee, i hope I can still remember where the Milwaukee airport is... ;D


Don't worry oldguy! I live 1/2 mile away from the airport. I'll come get you if Kris doesn't remember where it is.  ;D

That was one funny comment about finishing the race :o :D
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on November 16, 2003, 12:11:57 PM
QuoteThat was one funny comment about finishing the race :o :D
As usual, I find myself destroying equipment, spending vast (at least to me) sums of money, and suffering great bodily harm purely for the amusement of others...
:-[ :'( ;) ;D
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Super_KC124 on November 16, 2003, 08:17:34 PM
What about  running a reworked GSXR600 shock?
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Nate R on November 16, 2003, 10:20:53 PM
You might as well get the penske.

I had a non-reworked shock, and I was pushing it's limits at BHF with a 1:28 lap time. Reworking it wouldn't have helped. I needed more ride height.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: Mark Bernard on November 17, 2003, 05:39:58 AM
QuoteAs usual, I find myself destroying equipment, spending vast (at least to me) sums of money, and suffering great bodily harm purely for the amusement of others...
:-[ :'( ;) ;D
Thank you Chris...we enjoy each and every  one! :) :D ;D ;)
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on November 17, 2003, 08:48:17 AM
QuoteThank you Chris...we enjoy each and every  one! :) :D ;D ;)
Next year I'm going to sell tickets to Team Stumpy!  Wherever they watch, therefore I crash...
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: speedy619 on November 21, 2003, 12:32:08 AM
Sean,

I have research and riden the SV suspension options at great length.  Email me if you like with specific question at speedy619@aol.com  I will try to answer your questions

1. What kind of work would need to be done to the SV to make it really ready.
how much money do you have and do you want to stay supersport legal?
I'm guessing very little money like the rest of us and yes that is one more race to run.
HP- pipe, air filter jet kit (you will need tank raisers)
suspension, tires (shock & forks)
bodywork bracket, tach, dampener
I'm guessing about 3000 after you have the bike unless you get one set up (short answer)

2. Which ,GSXR forks will work on the SV?  Do you have to switch to a Gixxer wheel/rotors
any front end could be made to work, but the right side up front ends from suzuki have the potential to bolt on with modifications ie 2001 GSXR600 but you must take the whole assembly.  I have converted a cartridge internal to fit my stock SV forks as an effective cheap fix.  You will want the rear end of the bike jacked up quite a bit.

3. What classes can the SV run in.  GT Lights and what others.
you should be competitive in GT lights, lightweight supersport, lightweight GP, lightweight superbike and thunderbike, possibly in supertwins depending on your ability the track and the competition

4.  Think I would like going from a 600 4 to a 650 twin?
absolutely, I love it and I used to race a 4 and it is a hel$ of a lot cheaper.

5. How well do other SV riders like the SV's?
 see answer to #4

Thanks for any input.
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: ahastings on November 21, 2003, 09:20:16 AM
which cartridge internals fit an SV?
Title: Re: SV650 Questions
Post by: speedy619 on November 25, 2003, 01:35:47 PM
Quotewhich cartridge internals fit an SV?

none fit straight away, it takes a gentle shove, a dremel tool and a beer or two