Trying to learn about the SV...help

[dylanfan53]

Last generation SV brakes SUCK!

We have a stock motored (w/ M4 pipe) 00 SV w/ Ohilins rear and racetech emulators front.  Handles pretty good, but ain't the ultra-lite lithe-handler so many proclaim.  Feels like an old S10 pickup truck....real predictable and you always know what it's doing in a corner, but it sure aint no Vette.

Brakes were HORRIBLE till we upgraded the calipers, now stops on a dime.

Good bike to learn on.  Not much fun on the throttle.  imho, grids are thin.  
Best thing about the SV is you don't have to sell it and buy a new bike EVERY year to stay competitive in the class.

Brakes suck?  Nuh uh.  You have something else going on there.  Many of the fast guys just use the stock brakes.  Also, most complaints I've heard about handling involve Ohlins or (shudder) Fox.  Coincidence?

Check geometry.  Fork length.  Shock length.  Dave was right about this one.  Also, keep in mind people do more to this bike than many others since the stock suspension is unusable for racing.  You get a lot of different results with a lot of different components, often based on what was for sale on Ebay at the time (most likely from someone else who couldn't make it work on their bike so why would it work on yours).  

Just my $0.02 since I can't race today.

[andy342]

If you swap forks, you may need new triple clamps.  Make sure they are either adjustable, or they are the same offset as the stock SV ones.

Adjustable clamps would be best.  And they usually cost only a little more than the non adjustable brands.

And then, like Dave said, have 4 and 6 use their GMD Computrack to get you set up.

[Thingy]

Pete, you are headed in the right direction simply because you are asking questions.

Like Dave said, many riders just try to ride the bike faster instead of asking questions or making changes to try and go faster.

On another note, I use ChickenHawk tire warmes.

Dave, I am going to refer to you as Super Dave of the Thong.  I am a Super Dave disciple! ;D

[Speedballer347]

I gotta disagree w/ you guys on the brakes.  We tried every brand pad (Vesrah, EBC, SBS, Oem) ... wooden with no bite or power.
When we bolted gixxer calipers to it, it will stand on it's nose w/ one finger at 60mph.

SV's an alright bike, but I still say the brake calipers are weak compared to a superbike.  But in all fairness, the bike's HP doesnt warrant superbike brakes, so it all evens out I guess.

[Super Dave]

I've raced a 1969 Honda CB 750 at Daytona with stock brakes.  

Single piston calipers.  Meaning one piston on each caliper, not two opposed..

http://worldmotorcycles.com/Pages/daytona.html

Lots and lots of HP on that bike.  Lots of brakes.  Something is wrong.  I can't help you make the decision that you might be missing something, but I can offer you the opinion.  I've ridden a couple of SV's too, and I haven't found their brakes to be inadequate.

Something else is wrong.

Thingy..how's this?

[Speedballer347]

Jihad!  ;D

[Thingy]

Now that is a holy war that I can get into.  Long live the thong!

[ekraft84]

If I was reading you guys argue, I'd drop the idea of getting into racing altogether.  :D

[Super Dave]

Nonbeliever!  Infidel!    JIHAD!


 ;D

[bluedogz]

I was going to make a comment about things blowing up but since we were talking about SV's it seemed redundant.   :-X

[Speedballer347]

99's had a recall.....spinning crank bearings.  Fix was a baffle that went into the oil pan.  We were a victim of this.

[Super Dave]

Nolan plays the VICTIM card...


BAM!!!