2 Smoke or SV?

[Protein Filled]

Yeah, 2-stroke purpose built racebikes are a blast, but high maintenance. The one thing though is that working on them is fairly easy and straightforward. You just have to do it.

Hey Monkey_Rat, what happened to your old login and your doggy?

[Monkey_Star]

Edgar... I have no idea. I was updating my profile one night and I think I accidentally deleted it because I couldn't log on afterwards.  ???

[tzracer]

Yeah, 2-stroke purpose built racebikes are a blast, but high maintenance. The one thing though is that working on them is fairly easy and straightforward. You just have to do it.

I would not say that a 2 stroke is higher maintenance than a properly maintained 4 stroke. It is just when it is done. 2 strokes require the maintenance throughout the year, 4 strokes do not. But the maintenance on a 4 stroke is more difficult to do and requires more specialized equipment.

[H-man]

Hence, if you are cheap and lazy, race an SV.

If you want the ultimate racing experience, get a 125 or a 250 GP bike.

Jeez!  After words like that, I'd seem like a putz if I ever showed up with a new bike athat wasn't a 2 stroke. :-[

[H-man]

A 125 costs bout the same to run as an SV. A 250 (TZ or RS, not the Aprillia) costs about 3 times as much to run.

That's interesting.  I didn't realize the 125s didn't need  PM-ing as frequently as the 250s.

But I just can't picture myself being comfortable on a 125.  I picture it as me on a CRF 50.

Well, we've eliminated 1 bike from the list of 4.  Now it's SV, Yami or Honda.

Do they each crash well.  NOt that that'll be my aim or anything.

[ecumike]

tzracer is pretty much on it.

I had an Ape 250.. it's a good 'intro to 2-stroke bike' limited maintanence, good choice and competitive as amateur racing, but when you goto expert, you'll have to get some tuning/work done to keep up with the f@gs on the SV.  JK guys :)  and you know it.  You race in the LW classes.

SV.. least maintanence of the bunch, probably the lowest of the bunch in terms of 'fun factor'. Races in LW classes as well.

TZ/RS250.. Tru GP bike, in a different class though... races in 1 LW class (LWGP) and middle/heavyweight for the rest.   Most expensive, most maintanence, most fun of the bunch.

Another suggestion would be a 125.  A tiny step down from a 250.  Lap times are not that hugely different but costs are definitely lower and fun factor is probably close to the same as a 250.

It really depends on your budget and how much of a gas-n-go bike you want. Being 190, I wouldn't worry at all about riding on a 250.

[Protein Filled]

Hmmm, I don't know Brian. When I had my TZ, it was new pistons every couple of weekends, new rings every weekend, a crank every 900 miles, doing a plug chop and a spark plug reading twice daily, rejetting, etc, etc. You also have to keep meticulous notes to make sure you are on top of it all. Not only of when you replaced it and what, but how many laps you did every practice session, how many races, etc, just to have an idea of how many miles you have on the parts and when they are at the end of their life cycle.

Don't get me wrong, I am not dissing the 2-strokes. Riding one fast makes it all worthwhile, but they were definetly a bit of work.

First year on the SV, I put fairings on it, a shock, revalved the front and put new springs in it, put on a steering dampner, brake lines and pads,  and a pipe. Took it to a Dyno and rejetted. Then I changed the oil after every race weekend. End of maintenance...

I would not say that a 2 stroke is higher maintenance than a properly maintained 4 stroke. It is just when it is done. 2 strokes require the maintenance throughout the year, 4 strokes do not. But the maintenance on a 4 stroke is more difficult to do and requires more specialized equipment.

[Protein Filled]

You, sir, are a dork!!!

 ;D

Edgar... I have no idea. I was updating my profile one night and I think I accidentally deleted it because I couldn't log on afterwards.  ???

[Fat_Nate]

Looking back to the original question, seems you're looking for the best compromise . . . that's gotta be the SV, right?

(a) are lots of fun to ride; (b) are consistently in classes with girds > 7; (c) are simple to maintain (both at the track and between tack events); (d) are a good dollar value; (e) have readily available spare parts and tire sizes

Big grids -- LWSS, LWSB, GT Lights, LWGP . . .

Maintenance?  Could not be much easier.  Oil, filter, chain . . .

Readily available spare parts?  SV is the hands-down winner on that.

Good dollar value?  The very used '01 SV supersport racer I bought was fast enough for four podiums at Daytona this year . . . stock motor, etc.

Fun to ride?  I love it.  It's no GP bike, but the thing can carry serious corner speed and has decent power.  Consider also that (for me, at least) it's important to the fun-factor to have a bike that is simple to maintain, reliable and not full of mechanical surprises.

I am looking forward to a 250 gp bike one day, but I think that right now a 250 gp bike would mean doing 1/2 as many races and spending more time wrenching.  So . . . SV for me.

[dylanfan53]

SV.
I don't pit next to counter culture types that smoke.
 ;D

[Monkey_Star]

You, sir, are a dork!!!

 ;D

I would tend to agree...

[tzracer]

Jeez!  After words like that, I'd seem like a putz if I ever showed up with a new bike athat wasn't a 2 stroke. :-[

Sorry I don't always put in a  ;). But a 4 stroke is better for people who procrastinate.