Buying the perfect SV

[james-redsv]

I have seen a guy race a box stock SV, stock shock, stock exaust, stock front end, stock pegs and turn the same lap times as the front runners in AM. Beat me one time, 1.41-42s at VIR N plenty more sparks than the tricked out bikes, less clearence. The point is if you are really on a budget all you need is a front/side number plates and a belly pan. With an SV its all about twisting your wrist as soon as possible, it dont really matter what kinda crap you have strapped to it. ;D

[prov431]

About carrying the bike to GMD to see if it is straight and take the difference off price of the bike???  If I was selling it I would probably tell you to "kiss my a$$".  It is 2600.00 bucks or take a hike. That is a great deal. Who in the hell are these people?

Hey Trey, it was only a suggestion. Thanks for the kind words though. :o

[dylanfan53]

The risk to buying a used race bike is a lot higher on the engine, frame and useable bits.  Also, the tranny is known to wear quickly which is more likely on a bike that's been flogged on the track.

Realistically, some of the race bikes you see for sale have been down more times than a french hooker.

Still, you should be able to find a decent one for $4500, hopefully from someone you know or that knows the bike has been lightly used, if you've got the dough to start at that level.

Although the prices for parts in Cuda's post are exagerated, the point about it being expensive to do a thorough race workup on a bike is valid.

At the same time, I think your price expectations are a bit low.  Some people are so talented they can ride anything fast, but they wouldn't ride a stock SV for an entire season if they had the money for improvements.

IMO, rearsets, steering damper and suspension are basics.  The pretty stuff can wait.

Just my $.02 after doing 2 EX's, 2 SV's and an R6 fairly recently.

[dwilson]

Too good to be true...
I just looked at the bike.  I was told it was a 2001 but it turned out to be a 2000.  It was missing both pegs, rear brake lever, clutch lever & front fender.  I think the radiator is busted but everything else is excellent.  Forks aren't even scratched and are straight & true.  Body work & paint's even pretty nice.  It already had sliders & the frame is perfect.  6700 miles, Yoshimura exhaust, K&N filter, etc...  I left a deposit & will be picking it up tomorrow, even got a 10 day warranty to drive it around the neighberhood.  CLEAN TITLE!  I think I'm going to explode  ;D

[tigerblade]

How are you going to ride it around the neighborhood in the next 10 days without pegs or levers?   ;D

[dwilson]

4 pairs of vicegrips ;D

[dylanfan53]

Too good to be true...
I just looked at the bike.  I was told it was a 2001 but it turned out to be a 2000. /quote]

Actually, if you're going by the stamp on the frame where the VIN is it may be a 2001.  Many SVs are stamped with the prior year and sold as the next year's model.  It won't matter for parts anyway.  Miles and condition are all that count.

[tigerblade]

4 pairs of vicegrips ;D

Get pics of that!!!   ;D

[james-redsv]

Too good to be true...
I just looked at the bike.  I was told it was a 2001 but it turned out to be a 2000.  It was missing both pegs, rear brake lever, clutch lever & front fender.  I think the radiator is busted but everything else is excellent.  Forks aren't even scratched and are straight & true.  Body work & paint's even pretty nice.  It already had sliders & the frame is perfect.  6700 miles, Yoshimura exhaust, K&N filter, etc...  I left a deposit & will be picking it up tomorrow, even got a 10 day warranty to drive it around the neighberhood.  CLEAN TITLE!  I think I'm going to explode  ;D

You got a great deal even if its an 2000, love the 4 vicegrips joke, unreal lol. ;D

[james-redsv]

I forgot, one thing to check on the 2000 is a recall on the oil pump. Take the VIN to any suzi dealer and they canl tell you if it has been fixed. All the dealer would do is put a small deflector over the oil pump outlet if it hasnt already been done. Seems the 2000 models would lock up at high speeds because of lack of oil, something you dont want to happen at race speeds. The deflector fixes it fine.

[smoke]

congrats on the new bike. Post up pick man

[reg21]

i've been racing SV's for a few years and have been a front runner with no less than 3rd place in lightweight supersport Mid atlantic region. There are a few things you should have. Yes, you can race a bone stock SV but you can also crash one or get lapped too. You're being completely unrealistic with your price range. plan on spending around 5000.00 and you'll get a bike thats set up already, possibbly with some spares. i have my supersport bike for sale with a completely freshend motor with zero miles on it. it's completely ready to race all it needs is fuel. i am the original owner with all the paperwork. the bikes you look at should have a penske shock, re-valved forks, 520 chain, braided brake lines possibly a custom subframe to lighten the bike, good condition sharkskinz, a steering stabilizer, clip-ons and rearsets. theres a few more things you can do but these are the essentials. if your interested my email is regtr@aol.com and im in North Jersey.