I decided to sell the old FZR600 in hopes to get something more competetive. Before putting my plans into motion I wanted to see if I'm missing/overlooking anything... I figure by the end of February I'll have about $3,000 to put towards a bike. I've looked around and have seen several 99-01(ish) SV650's for about $2,000 that are cosmetically challanged but mechanically sound. For another $1,000 I figure I can get a shock, jet kit & steering damper. All the rest of my funds will be devoted to learning how to acutally ride. I preffer to get an SV because it's a twin (only 2 carbs to sync) and it runs in alot of classes. Mechanically speaking, would such a machine be able to "keep up". I'm not looking to win anything this season but getting creamed last season was down right de-moralising. I appreciate any input or similar strategies that others have in mind.
I would think that this would be a better route to go.
FWIW: My 2001 SVS with a single season of racing on it and 8K street miles sold for $2800. It did need a real rear shock, but other than that, it was set. (bodywork, rearsets and clip-ons, slip-on, GSXR Shock, springs and oil, extra set of tires)
So, it's doable, I think.
You've made the right choice. Lightweight is the best class to learn in, and also the easiest on tires. The SV is THE bike to have in lightweight. I once borrowed a bone stock SV for a 30 minute race. All it had was DOT race tires and a bellypan. I'd never ridden a twin before, but my FZR560 superbike was blown up, and I really needed the points. I went straight to last, but in two laps I'd fallen in love with the bike. I burned back through the pack, ended up fifth and won a trophy.
This bike was STOCK, right down to the muffler. You MUST change the muffler and rearsets, because the stock parts drag like there's no tomorrow. Next you need a shock with adjustable ride height. The SV is too low in the rear from the factory so small people will feel comfortable in the showroom and buy it. You must at least spring the forks and shock to your weight, and it would be great to have the forks valved if you can afford it. You'll need a couple of alternate sprockets; the SV guys can tell you which sizes you need. A set of racing clip-ons will make sense because they cost less than a set of stock ones and then it's only $5 every time you bend a handlebar. You can likely find all this in a used SV racebike for around your magic $3000 number, and it would be much cheaper than building it yourself.
Good luck!
Yep.
I had an ART slip-on which was slimmer than stock, and only $200.
Rearset plates at least are a must. ($55)
As for being competitive, it's all about you... A good rider on an SV650 will hand a 600cc inline 4 guy his @ss on a platter despite having 25 less HP.
QuoteAs for being competitive, it's all about you... A good rider on an SV650 will hand a 600cc inline 4 guy his @ss on a platter despite having 25 less HP.
Thanks Jeff, that's what I was hoping to hear. I don't have grand notions of trophies & champagne this year but I want to know that if I'm getting stomped that the problem's me not the machine. I'd also like to plan minimal wrenching April - eptember...
QuoteAs for being competitive, it's all about you... A good rider on an SV650 will hand a 600cc inline 4 guy his @ss on a platter despite having 25 less HP.
you mean a "not as good" 600cc inline 4 guy. A good rider on a SV is not going to beat a good rider on a 600... obviously... They are not too far off, especially the built SV's. They are light and quick, some of them hang tough
And 25HP? Probably more like 40HP. And expert riding an properly prepped SV will hand an unconfident rider his A$$...
Regardless, the SV is really good. Good choice for anyone that is on a budget.
You might be forgetting the forks. More than likely, it will be necessary to get some springs with a heavier rate and potentially a minor tweak of the internals. Not real expensive, but you want the front and rear to work as a package.
Don't for get brake lines and some Vesrah, my choice, or DP pads.
Well, yeah. All things equal, an inline 4 will kill an SV650. And on the straights, the inexperienced inline 4 riders will crush the small twin. However, when the inexperienced inline 4 guy grabs a handful of brakes at the turn and the SV guy keeps it pinned, the difference shows... ;D
Now this is just my OBSERVATION as I have no experience on the SV, but it seems like this is the absolute machine to teach cornering speed and ability. You need to be fast in the the corners, or you'll totally suck all the way around. Yes, this is true of ANY bike, but even moreso on the SV since it doesn't have the HP to shoot the straights and charge corners.
In the end, the straights are just time spent between corners which is where the real racing takes place anyhow...
Quote You need to be fast in the the corners, or you'll totally suck all the way around. Yes, this is true of ANY bike, but even moreso on the SV since it doesn't have the HP to shoot the straights and charge corners.
But even to do 15's at Blackhawk you do that on an SV. But it is "easier" to come from 125 to 60MPH than it is from 142 to 59. It's learning that modulation that helps a newer rider transition easier to racing.
The flip side is that an SV rider can whack open an SV mid corner and still probably survive thinking that that is the way to do it. Do it on a 600 in the wrong place and you can end up playing Superman.
Still, the SV is currently the best race bike out there, period. Unless you need something specific to race in a particular series or event, the SV is simple, reliable, common, and easy on tires.
hey you make me want to go get one now...
except you can't race them in premier classes... Maybe it would be fun racing one in TC... I got to think about that.
Thunderbike? And I think you can reliably make 90HP and weigh in close to 320 with a good deal of work...That's a nice set up.
if I race thunderbike I would do it on a buell, a lot of contingency... Besides I hear 90hp SV's don't last too long. I could get a F2 as well ;)
for the record, I have been given problems by built SV's as well. If I was just starting to race, I will sure to go with a SV. But since I am stuck here on 600's for so long, may as well...
Quoteif I race thunderbike I would do it on a buell, a lot of contingency...
Bu...ell, Bu...ell, Bu...ell, Bu...ell, Bu...ell, Bu...ell ! ;) ;D
Quoteif I race thunderbike I would do it on a buell, a lot of contingency...
Sure....
A lot of contingency, but a LOT of repairs as well.
Dawn ;D
QuoteSure....
A lot of contingency, but a LOT of repairs as well.
Dawn ;D
Um....yes.
QuoteUm....yes.
Um... not necessarily guys. I ran most of the season and only had one mechanical problem all year. It was a minor problem at that. I broke a retaining clip and the bike was stuck in 4th gear at BHF. Still finished 5th in that race. But if you dont go ratical with crap like shaving flywheels, bigger boar, augging out the cases... trying to get 110+ hp at the rear wheel. A Buell can be a relitavily reliable bike on the track. I have run mine 2 seasons and have never cracked the cased apart. At the start of the season last year my bike was putting 94 hp on the ground with a relativaly stock motor and setup. All I did befor last season was a basic valve job and new piston rings. Am I lucky? Probably... But I have seen the ratical stuff some racers do to there Buells and I have seen first hand what is involved and the concenquences of trying to get huge hp out ot Buells. "Time bomb wating to blow!" Now I still have to do my maintance for next season. (been busy) But if my hunch is right... when I tear down the motor in the next couple of weeks, I will be willing to bet that the rods and flywheel is in great shape. But basicly what I am trying to say is that as long as you keep the motor (basicly stock) It is a very reliable bike and it can make decent hp! But like I said... I just may have gotten lucky. My $.02
I think the trick is being competitive in Thunderbike.
At 3.8 pounds per HP, if Ed makes 90 really reliable HP, he'll probably need to weight to get up to 342.
I know that my AMA Supersport CBR600F2 weighed in at 410HP on the scales at Brainerd in 1993...that would allow 107HP.
How hard is it to get a Buell down to that weight? Then make the compareable HP? I think that's where the trick lies. Yeah, it does seem like one can make 95HP or so somewhat reliably.
Still, I think it might be cheaper to to get an SV down to 310, which might be where Ed is, or lower, and simply make 81HP. I'm hearing numbers of about 75 to 78 on the new FI SV650's.
Regardless, the important thing is that one races.
Quote I figure by the end of February I'll have about $3,000 to put towards a bike. I've looked around and have seen several 99-01(ish) SV650's for about $2,000 that are cosmetically challanged but mechanically sound. For another $1,000 I figure I can get a shock, jet kit & steering damper. I appreciate any input or similar strategies that others have in mind.
Mr Schock is selling his CBR600F2.
http://www.racemotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=ccsclass;action=display;num=1065870418
Has a shock, extra motor, wheels...$1500. IF I had some extra money, I'd buy it and race it. That bike did everything so well...it's really one of my favorites.
QuoteHow hard is it to get a Buell down to that weight? Then make the compareable HP? I think that's where the trick lies. Yeah, it does seem like one can make 95HP or so somewhat reliably.
Your right Dave. It is a bit hard to get the buell down to 410lb or lighter with out compromising the reliability of the motor. We (or I should say that Curt Ellis) have gotten the weight down to around 392 lb making 110hp... but, the problem then was that the bike kept blowing either a push rod tube seal.. or timing cover gasket... but reguardless, yes. It is hard to get the weight down. I weighed my M-2 at Gateway and it's a whopping 445lb wet. I can safley say that I could shave a few pounds. i.e. remove the charging system, lighter jugs and pistons, crap like that. But I am getting too old to be push starting my bike so the starter stays! lol! I will be making the bike a little lighter for this season. but it is still gonna be a heavy bike. (looks like it's back to the gym for me!) Gonna have to work on the upper body and legs I guess! :P :-/ ;)