SV650 Questions

[clutch]

Hey all.  I just sold the ZX6R and I am thinking of either a 600RR or an SV650s.  I know the SV suspension stock is kinda crappy from what I hear.  I read the specs and the front forks do not even have rebound adjustment.  I dont know if I wanna leave the 600 class for the Lightweight twins class.  Some questions I have are.  

1. What kind of work would need to be done to the SV to make it really ready.
2. Which GSXR forks will work on the SV?  Do you have to switch to a Gixxer wheel/rotors
3. What classes can the SV run in.  GT Lights and what others.
4.  Think I would like going from a 600 4 to a 650 twin?
5. How well do other SV riders like the SV's?

Thanks for any input.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

Ed key runs a SRAD Gixxer front end on his superbike SV.

[Protein Filled]

Suspension wise: a rear shock is a must. For the front, if you wish to run supersport, you have to run stock forks, so a set of emulators, fork springs for your weight and the appropiate fork oil should take care of things.

If you want to run a GSXR front end, you need to get a complete GSXR front end, including wheel, brake rotors, brake calipers, tripple clamps, axle, fender, handlebars, etc. The only thing from the SV you can use is the throttle control and clutch/brake levers. To make it all fit, you also need to either machine the tripple clamps, swap the steering stem, or buy a special set of bearings from Twinworks factory.

SV's are a ton of fun because they have plenty of low end torque, are pretty competitive with a stock motor and the frame is pretty good, so once you take care of the forks and shock, they handle pretty good. K3 can tell you what they look like from behind.  ;D

I have a few friends who have ridden an SV after racing a 600 and they get off the bike and say what a blast it is to ride.

[clutch]

So basically the front would be decent with a set of emulators, springs and fork oil eh?  Sounds decent. I dont think I would go thru all the shiot to convert the Gixxer front end.   I imagine they dont chew tires that much.  What tire company makes the 160 rear?  Metzler/Pirelli?  I have a Penske rear shock from my 600 ZX6R that I did not sell with the bike.  Penske said it can be converted to fit the SV so that is half the battle.  How about exhaust?  I have seen these renegade undertail dual pipe systems that look pretty good, but wondering about power.  I have also seen a "Flo Commander" for the SV650 that claims to make a 4-6 HP gain.  This is for use with the carburated models..I guess up thru 02.  Keep the input coming.  Interested in these bikes.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

K3 can tell you what they look like from behind.  ;D

But as Edgar can tell you, the SV has terrible brakes.  You have to start braking really early, and all the fat guys on antique sheite from the eighties will smoke by underneath you at the turn-in point.  No, wait.  That was just Edgar's SV.  Mabe he had air in the lines, or glazed brake pads, or his tires were going off, or the sun got in his eyes, or... ::)

[clutch]

You bein serious???  Do the brakes need to be replaced with aftermarkets or what??  Wanna know.

[GSXR6Pilot]

Naw, he's just jabbin' at Edgar. The SV brakes are fine...... I jump on mine and they work great, as long as you have good pads.

[Protein Filled]

K3 is just jealous that I did not have to have the rear wheel 2 feet up in the air to be able to get to the corner first.  ;D I agree that good pads really help. I personally liked Vesrah's or Ferodo platinum, but other people swear by EBC's. It's all personal preference.

Oh, and I forgot, you can be competitive in Lightweight Supersport (if legal), LW GP, LW superbike, and Supertwins. You can also run some middleweight races and do well at short, tight tracks like Gingerman and BHF. Last year, Mark Sorenson, Jesse J. and I all made money running Unlimited GP's on the SV. I even remember at Gingerman that Jesse and I were 1st and 2nd  for a few laps during the ULGP. It felt real good to be in front of the AM 600's on a LW bike.

For tires, Michelin, Pirelli and Dunlop all make tires that fit. They all last much better than on a 600. I could get a weekend out of a rear and more from the front. Regarding a pipe, a lot of racers run the M4 pipe. It makes good power and they are good quality. I have never seen someone running th renegades at the track, so I could not tell you about that.

For jetting, you don't even need a jet kit. All you need to do is get some 142 jets and a dyno and tune it by shimming the needles. I have not run the flo-commander on a dyno, so I could not tell you about how valid those claims are.

Penske is a real good shock. Send it to someone who knows how to get it set up and you should have no problems.

[clutch]

I would send the Penske to Penske in PA to rework the shock to fit the SV.  Thanks for all the info man..much appreciated.  It can run GT Lights also correct?  How much are the 160 rears or actually how much is a set and do you run the 160 or a 170 rear race tire?  Slick or DOT?  Thanks again.  :)

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

K3 is just jealous that I did not have to have the rear wheel 2 feet up in the air to be able to get to the corner first.  ;D

Guilty as charged.  Man, that was one hell of a race!  I remember afterwards, Edgar came over and said, "It looked like you might have been riding a little over your head there."  I replied, 'Well, I might have been riding over your head..."  And I even managed to say it with a straight face.
You know, now that I think about it, it seems like a lot of SV pilots are real A-holes! :D

[EX#996]

You know, now that I think about it, it seems like a lot of SV pilots are real A-holes! :D

So, aaahh,  Chris...

How bad do you want to sleep in an air conditioned motor home when it is 104 degrees?   ???  ;)  ;D

Dawn   :)

[Mark Bernard]

So, aaahh,  Chris...

How bad do you want to sleep in an air conditioned motor home when it is 104 degrees?   ???  ;)  ;D

Dawn   :)

Ouch...!  "Point, match, Game!! ;)