Perfect Track/Race Bike

[KeelerDucati03]

Your opinion based on inital cost, reliability, maintenance and replacement parts... Also factor in handling and responsiveness as it relates to its peers and competitive class...

[sdiver68]

None of the above...SV650

[TZDeSioux]

This is too easy. A TZ250 of course!  :)

[KeelerDucati03]

why?
I have noticed there's 2 distinct camps on this question - why I asked it and why SV isnt listed...
Camp 1 - SV all the way
Camp 2 - forget SV and than they rattle off a myriad of other bikes for even more reasons...
So before I lose my mind what about a 70 hp V twin has all you guys torked up over it? Is it because you can swap out of classes with it? Performance? what exactly?

[Nate R]

SV:

Handles well, responds well to mods, reliable, cheap to aquire and maintain, competitive in its' classes, easy to find spares, easy to ride fast, easier on tires than a 600, or bigger bike, easy to work on, (relatively) and it's FUN to ride!    Does that answer your question? SV Racers, did I miss anything?

[KeelerDucati03]

yes - thanks Nate
all I ever get is "SV" and thats it

[sdiver68]

Nate hit it on the head!

You asked my opinion based on your variables...and based on those its almost assuredly head of its class.  The nature of a poll is short answers, so I gave mine.

The only...but...I might add would be you won't be competitve in as many money races.  If you think you might be competitive in the money races like ULGP, GTU, GTO  than a GSXR600 may be the way to go, based on your variables.  Of course, these classes tend to have grids packed some with nicky Hayden wannabes, so this can be a plus or a minus depending on what you want out of racing.

[KeelerDucati03]

thanks sdiver...
I wasnt directly referring to your response - its typical of anyone who already races SV that its all they say "SV" without the "why's"...

[Dawn]

The only...but...I might add would be you won't be competitve in as many money races.  If you think you might be competitive in the money races like ULGP, GTU, GTO  than a GSXR600 may be the way to go, based on your variables.  Of course, these classes tend to have grids packed some with nicky Hayden wannabes, so this can be a plus or a minus depending on what you want out of racing.

Ooohhhh  the 'meat grinder class'   :o

Paul raced a ZX-6 his first year and then switched to an SV.  Paul misses the power band of an in-line 4, but will never race one again.  The SV is the way to go.  If you are ever at BHF, look us up.

Dawn   ;)

[Xian_13]

Okay, time for my Opinion ;D
I have never run an SV so this is a non-bias opinion.
I started racing on a ZX6R which I bought for a steal... but I really wish I would have started out on a Light weight bike and learned to corner better from the get go.
The middle weight bikes are fun... but its a freaking mad house out there  :o Thus the name "the meat grinder Class"
SV's are cheap, handle well have great HP for a Light weight and there are a TON of people that race them (free advice/help in a pinch).
Unlike the 2cycles, they are also very reliable if left untouched.. and competitive as such.

That is just my opinion, take it as such.

[Litespeed]

A prefect track bike wouldn't eat up tires, wouldn't use expensive fuel and will crash well.  Since bicycle wasn't on your list I will have to agree with the SV crowd although if you aren't worried about working on a bike a GP125 would also be an excellent choice.  2-strokes in general are reliable, but they do require scheduled maintenance to make them that way where as a SV is gas and go.  I would also point out that the 125's have great suspension from the factory and a '95 can be just as competitive as a 2003.  WIth the new Fuel Injected SV coming out, I think the older ones will become somewhat outdated...

[Nate R]

I don't think the new SV makes the old one outdated, Not really. The only real differences are FI and +4 HP. That 4 HP won't make a big difference compared to that of the rider, nor will the FI.


Also, Jennifer is thinking of startin gon a 125, with her being 5'2 and a half, she needs a smaller bike, and her light weight will make more of a difference there. I myself want to race a 125 or 250 sometime....Any suggestions on brand/year of 125?   How long do tires last on those? Realistically, what kind of HP is a Club raced 125 making?

[EX#996]

I don't think the new SV makes the old one outdated, Not really. The only real differences are FI and +4 HP. That 4 HP won't make a big difference compared to that of the rider, nor will the FI.


Also, Jennifer is thinking of startin gon a 125, with her being 5'2 and a half, she needs a smaller bike, and her light weight will make more of a difference there. I myself want to race a 125 or 250 sometime....Any suggestions on brand/year of 125?   How long do tires last on those? Realistically, what kind of HP is a Club raced 125 making?

I want to know where you can find a 125......

Dawn   :-/

[TZDeSioux]

www.rscycles.com
www.gpstar.net
www.snarlsport.com
www.gp-city.com
 :)

[KeelerDucati03]

thanks Super_Duck!
great links - tons of information

[tshort]

I want to know where you can find a 125......

Dawn   :-/

In terms of size, tho, a 125 makes an SV look like a Lincoln Continental.  Even 250s are cramped next to an SV.  

Hey Dawn - how tall is Paul?  Does he find the SV cramped for his size? (for Keeler's benefit).

[EX#996]

www.rscycles.com
www.gpstar.net
www.snarlsport.com
www.gp-city.com
 :)

Thanks Brian,

Starting next year we are going to keep out eye out for one.  Renee wants to start racing in a few years  :o and we have decided that that this the bike she will start out on.

Dawn   :)

[EX#996]

In terms of size, tho, a 125 makes an SV look like a Lincoln Continental.  Even 250s are cramped next to an SV.  

Hey Dawn - how tall is Paul?  Does he find the SV cramped for his size? (for Keeler's benefit).

Paul is 6'4" and 230 lbs.  

With rearsets, he is sitting on his heels when he hangs off the bike, but his mass (that just made me giggle  ;D) allows him to keep the bike more upright in high speed corners.  The one thing that he cannot do is get fully behind the fairing.  His shoulders are just too wide.  

Dawn   :)

[Litespeed]

I got my '98 TZ from RSCycles and will definatlely use them again in the future for all my parts and any new bikes I think I might need.  The Yamaha's tend to have better suspension and are much more roomy (Jimmy Moore road mine in New Mexico last Dec and loved it) while the Honda's are more popular so you have more general advice available.  For the Yamaha's any year will work though I like the power of the '98 and up more and the Honda's are generally good if you get a '95 or up.  My tires have been on the bike for a couple weekend and a few track days and they haven't started to slide too much yet.  The bike's suspension was poorly adjusted so it would kind of bounce out of the turns and it still gripped well.  I would guess you can get at least 3-4 weekends out of them at a fairly fast pace and much more if you are getting started.  Sheesh, I could talk about these things forever :>.  

[MELK-MAN]

hard to beat a 2000f4. VERY reliable, strong motor. Not as strong to start as an r6 or gsxr, But i have 22,000 miles on my bike with 4% leak (that is very little, dont need to rebuild for a quite some time yet).. Crashes pretty good too. Love my bike..Needs rearsets however as the stock footpegs are low. Won a few races 1st year out.
later

[duc995@aol.com]

Even though I agree that the Suzuki SV 650 is very competative in its classes and plentiful, it won't teach you what an Aprilia 250 will teach you...how to carry corner speed!  My ONLY complaint about the 250 is that the SVs have an unfair advantage in the supersport classes.  There just is no way to keep up with the SVs unless you carry so much corner speed that you are riding on the RAGGED EDGE...as in no margin of safety.  I have had to go up to a 316 displacement to have the same straightaway speed as a stock SV.

You also need to determine what suites you.  If you are into twins, and by the photo of the Ducati, I assume you maybe...the SV might suite you better.  I used to race a single, as it was perfect for a beginner:  good chasis, low power...a combo requiring you to learn how to ride and not 'cheat' with HP.  The first time I rode the APrilia I was expecting the usual engine braking into the corner, but it wasn't there!  I entered the corner Way faster than normal, and guess what...I didn't crash!  I instantly appreciated the magic of corner speed and have been able to bring that concept to every bike I now ride.  I can now ride faster on ALL bikes just because of the 'secrets' that a good chasis, lack of engine braking and a relatively underpowered motor can show you.

You will have to do more maintenance than the 'turn-key' SV...but you will also learn more about your bike and learn how to become your own mechanic in the process.  Not a bad thing!

I will say in conclusion that if you want a no-brainer, easy to maintain, 'fun' bike that is competative...get an SV.  If you want to broaden your horizons and learn lessons that can expand your skills on ANY bike...get a two-stroke.

The APrilia 250 is a very low maintenance two stroke...almost four-strokish in this respect since you don't even need to jet it.  A TZ250 will offer more performance, but will not be as widely legal is LW classes and will need more wrenching/fine-tuning.

Good luck:  www.apriliaforum.com

[FTZ591]

A singles bike!! :P

Fun fun, and small classes mean you won't have to worry too much about getting run over like in the Suicide 600 class.

www.barebones.net

I have one www.speedwerksracing.com/projects.html

[Decreasing_Dave]

you won't have to worry too much about getting run over like in the Suicide 600 class.

I dunno....I never found the 600 class to be all that dangerous. :-/

[Litespeed]

I would have to agree with Dave, I never really felt threatened in the MW classes last year and started at the very back of the class but moved up towards the front by the end of the season.  At no time did I consider it a meat grinder class.  Maybe the SW region is safer than the others or something :).

[waytooslow]

NS50R  ::)