Planning next years budget racer

[dwilson]

I decided to sell the old FZR600 in hopes to get something more competetive.  Before putting my plans into motion I wanted to see if I'm missing/overlooking anything...  I figure by the end of February I'll have about $3,000 to put towards a bike.  I've looked around and have seen several 99-01(ish) SV650's for about $2,000 that are cosmetically challanged but mechanically sound.  For another $1,000 I figure I can get a shock, jet kit & steering damper.  All the rest of my funds will be devoted to learning how to acutally ride.  I preffer to get an SV because it's a twin (only 2 carbs to sync) and it runs in alot of classes.  Mechanically speaking, would such a machine be able to "keep up".  I'm not looking to win anything this season but getting creamed last season was down right de-moralising.  I appreciate any input or similar strategies that others have in mind.

[Nate R]

I would think that this would be a better route to go.

FWIW: My 2001 SVS with a single season of racing on it and 8K street miles sold for $2800. It did need a real rear shock, but other than that, it was set. (bodywork, rearsets and clip-ons, slip-on, GSXR Shock, springs and oil, extra set of tires)

So, it's doable,  I think.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

You've made the right choice.  Lightweight is the best class to learn in, and also the easiest on tires.  The SV is THE bike to have in lightweight.  I once borrowed a bone stock SV for a 30 minute race.  All it had was DOT race tires and a bellypan.  I'd never ridden a twin before, but my FZR560 superbike was blown up, and I really needed the points.  I went straight to last, but in two laps I'd fallen in love with the bike.  I burned back through the pack, ended up fifth and won a trophy.
This bike was STOCK, right down to the muffler.  You MUST change the muffler and rearsets, because the stock parts drag like there's no tomorrow.  Next you need a shock with adjustable ride height.  The SV is too low in the rear from the factory so small people will feel comfortable in the showroom and buy it.  You must at least spring the forks and shock to your weight, and it would be great to have the forks valved if you can afford it.  You'll need a couple of alternate sprockets; the SV guys can tell you which sizes you need.  A set of racing clip-ons will make sense because they cost less than a set of stock ones and then it's only $5 every time you bend a handlebar.  You can likely find all this in a used SV racebike for around your magic $3000 number, and it would be much cheaper than building it yourself.
Good luck!

[Nate R]

Yep.

I had an ART slip-on which was slimmer than stock, and only $200.

Rearset plates at least are a must. ($55)

[Jeff]

As for being competitive, it's all about you...  A good rider on an SV650 will hand a 600cc inline 4 guy his @ss on a platter despite having 25 less HP.

[dwilson]

As for being competitive, it's all about you...  A good rider on an SV650 will hand a 600cc inline 4 guy his @ss on a platter despite having 25 less HP.

Thanks Jeff, that's what I was hoping to hear.  I don't have grand notions of trophies & champagne this year but I want to know that if I'm getting stomped that the problem's me not the machine.  I'd also like to plan minimal wrenching April - eptember...

[r6_philly]

As for being competitive, it's all about you...  A good rider on an SV650 will hand a 600cc inline 4 guy his @ss on a platter despite having 25 less HP.

you mean a "not as good" 600cc inline 4 guy. A good rider on a SV is not going to beat a good rider on a 600... obviously... They are not too far off, especially the built SV's. They are light and quick, some of them hang tough

[Super Dave]

And 25HP?  Probably more like 40HP.  And expert riding an properly prepped SV will hand an unconfident rider his A$$...

Regardless, the SV is really good.  Good choice for anyone that is on a budget.

You might be forgetting the forks.  More than likely, it will be necessary to get some springs with a heavier rate and potentially a minor tweak of the internals.  Not real expensive, but you want the front and rear to work as a package.  

Don't for get brake lines and some Vesrah, my choice, or DP pads.

[Jeff]

Well, yeah.  All things equal, an inline 4 will kill an SV650.  And on the straights, the inexperienced inline 4 riders will crush the small twin.  However, when the inexperienced inline 4 guy grabs a handful of brakes at the turn and the SV guy keeps it pinned, the difference shows...   ;D

Now this is just my OBSERVATION as I have no experience on the SV, but it seems like this is the absolute machine to teach cornering speed and ability.  You need to be fast in the the corners, or you'll totally suck all the way around.  Yes, this is true of ANY bike, but even moreso on the SV since it doesn't have the HP to shoot the straights and charge corners.

In the end, the straights are just time spent between corners which is where the real racing takes place anyhow...

[Super Dave]

 You need to be fast in the the corners, or you'll totally suck all the way around.  Yes, this is true of ANY bike, but even moreso on the SV since it doesn't have the HP to shoot the straights and charge corners.

But even to do 15's at Blackhawk you do that on an SV.  But it is "easier" to come from 125 to 60MPH than it is from 142 to 59.  It's learning that modulation that helps a newer rider transition easier to racing.  

The flip side is that an SV rider can whack open an SV mid corner and still probably survive thinking that that is the way to do it.  Do it on a 600 in the wrong place and you can end up playing Superman.

Still, the SV is currently the best race bike out there, period.  Unless you need something specific to race in a particular series or event, the SV is simple, reliable, common, and easy on tires.  

[r6_philly]

hey you make me want to go get one now...

except you can't race them in premier classes... Maybe it would be fun racing one in TC... I got to think about that.

[Super Dave]

Thunderbike?  And I think you can reliably make 90HP and weigh in close to 320 with a good deal of work...That's a nice set up.