What are the competetive bikes in LW Supersport?

[chuck_v]

Hey guys, I'm getting into racing, and I'm on a tight budget.  I need to run a Lighweight class since I'm under 16.  What are some of the bikes you see in LW supersport?  I know it all comes down to the rider, but I don't want to just get pulled down the straights.  I'm looking into FZR400s, but I don't know how this would be?  I want something light and flickable. 

Also, in the rulebook it says if you're under 16 you can only run LW classes.  Does that mean I can't run Ultra Lightweight SB?  Thanks!

[wolf44]

first gen sv's are still very competitive in the am ranks, heck with a well set up bike they are very competitive in the ex ranks.  They are also everywhere.  Check the classified section and I bet there is at least three well set up bikes on the first page for a reasonable price.  They will be the the easiest to find, maintain, and run competitively for your dollar.  You could also look for the buell xb-9s and xb-12's and ducati ss's but again if you're looking for competitiveness for the dollar look at the sv. 
to answer your other question, I don't see why you couldn't run ultra lw but that would be a question for eric k in the ccs offices. 

[PJ721]

Hey welcome to the club..

the FZR400 would be a great bike to start on...and you would be able to run the Ultra LW SB with it.
but you will find out that on most tracks you will get pulled on the straights. The SV650 is probably the best LW weapon - parts very available at trackside, if you stay with the 1st gen - very reliable

[George_Linhart]

With an opening statement that you are on a tight budget - you might want to think twice about racing for the time being.  Beyond the cost of the bike, you have safety gear (don't skimp) - spares, tire, fuel, race entry, tolls and food.  Lets not even get into crash damage and potential injuries.

The average figure I hear from other racers is that they spend roughly $1,000 a race weekend.  I'd figure that for me - assuming that I don't crash and I run 4 races - I probably spend at the very least $500 any race weekend and it is almost impossible to do it any cheaper.  If you average in tire costs to the above the "average" weekend is $700.  This excludes any set-up costs (car, trailer, bike, safety gear) and even with a minor crash the costs go up incredibly fast (and yes, you will crash, it is not a question of if, it is a question of when).

I don't want to damage your enthusiasm and starting on a LW bike like a first generation SV is definitely the way to go for budget considerations.  However, I want to make sure you have realistic expectations on the costs and what it takes to prepare and make it through a race weekend.

Good luck,

George Linhart
#773 Expert

[Jack_Brock]

http://www.ccsforum.com/index.php/topic,17280.0.html

This is just an example, but it is definately competitive.  Also, I think George is pretty accurate with his numbers.  Just be sure and add it up before you lay down cash for a bike.

[Ducmarc]

sv's are a good choice  .the comman ladder has been the 125 but you need to be mechanically inclined. 2 strokes have become a lost art but then they have their own series USGPRA  and a lot of fast riders still come from there. we are all on a tight buget.best to try to buddy up to try to share the cost. and make sure you have good insurance it's not if you get hurt but when . marc

[chuck_v]

The only gear I have left to buy is leathers, I already have everything else.  Then I'm going to Learning Curves to get my license.  I'm setting aside 1k for those two things.  I already found a bike in my budget (NT650) that has a lot of spares and work done.   I have 2 guys I'm going to talk to about expense sharing, as they already race and have trailers etc.  Insurance is not an issue,  and my parents are going to be helping me out with all this (a lot!).   Thanks for the info guys!

[truckstop]

Woot! Another Hawk rider!
I was going to suggest it as an inexpensive option, because race prepped Hawks can be found all day long for $2,500 or less. While there's a pile of them out there, they *are* getting a little old and so bits are getting harder to find, and they're not exactly the fastest LW (or Ultra Lightweight) bike available. Ergo - common wisdom says to go for something more modern like the SV.

Still, they're cheap to run, endless mods you can make, (and more hp to be found) and easy on tires. They're also extremely forgiving and easy to ride. There's a pretty decent support network and you'll find that people crawl out of the woodwork all over the place who have owned one or ridden one.

The bad thing about them is when you run at a track like Road America, you can have a picnic lunch while you're waiting to make your way down the many, many long straights that take forever at top speed... The good news is that they can keep up really well with big bikes in tight twisty stuff.

What region are you in?

It does help a lot to buddy up to share traveling expenses. I don't spend more than $500 per weekend, more like $300-$400.

[Ducmarc]

there's a guy selling leathers on ebay I have not personally used them but henry degow has a pair and recommends them and they are real reasonable.

[Rich]

If its not too late I personally think an SV is more competative than a Hawk. Probably doesn't cost much more, and you'll see lots of them at the track.  (can borrow parts if needed)

I was just looking the other day and in the GP and MW regions I saw less than 5 people on the LW SS grid.  I don't know how that compares to other regions. But because the SS grid is so small I'd think one may as well skip that class and focus on LWSB, LWGP, GTL, Thunderbike (unless your in the GP region), and Supertwins.  Therefore if you haven't already made a purchse, I'd look for a nicely set up Superbike.

[chuck_v]

I'm in PA, so I guess it will be the Mid Atlantic region.   I have an attachment to Hawks, my Dad used to own one and ther first streetbike I rode used the Hawk engine (VT500 Ascot).  I could hustle that bike around pretty good, so I'll see how it goes.  And yes, the SV might be more competetive right out of the box, but I think that the only time a good rider can't make up for a faster bike is on the straights.

[truckstop]

Yeah, attachment to the bike being my first swayed me too. If you get a chance, even though its out of your region, try to get up to Loudon. There's a bunch of guys running Hawks up there on a regular basis.