Best way to get started?

[Ridgeway]

First of all, I want to thank you all for the wealth of information that I've learned here going through all the old posts.  Reading the board and spectating at the last BHF round have convinced me that this is something I want to be a part of.

To that end, I've purchased an SV650 and have started compiling the list of things that I need to put together to race it next year.

I'd like to ask a few questions to help me get all my ducks in a row though.

1. Equipment, what is the typical setup for a supersport-legal SV?  Here's what I have in mind:

- Fork internals (traxxion)
- Rear Shock (penske)
- Front brake lines & pads (Galfer superbike)
- Sliders (frame & swingarm)
- Exhaust (M4) + PCIII
- Steering damper (GPR)
- Bodywork (Armourbodies or Sharkskinz)
- clip-on's & rearsets (woodcraft)

Anything else that should be on the list, or anything here that I don't really need?  How about gauges, or a lap timer?

2. Tires

Just starting out, do I really need to run DOT race rubber, or would I be ok using a street/track tire like BT14's, PilotSports etc?

3. Equipment.

I know I'll need my front and rear stands and a good set of tools.  Anything in particular that I should make sure to have?

4. Track Time

I've been through Reg Pridmore's school twice now at Road America on my VFR and find myself comfortably in the "A" or faster group.  Should I be looking to do some track days at BHF, or should I just sign up for the LCR or SD's school and get myself on the grid?

5. Anything else?  Anything I've left out or should consider yet?  Yes, I know I need to check into my insurance, and I know I will need a money press to fund my habit!!!

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[H-man]

Yo Ridgeway!  Welcome!

Since I'm a newbie too, I'll just share my insights on a few of your questions.  I'll leave the others to those with more experience than me to address the others.

Tires - You don't need DOT race tires to start.  And for some of us, we may never need a new set of race tires.  Take-offs from a known source, Pirelli Diablo Corsas, Michelin Pilot Power (new) s/b more than sufficient.

Equip - If you lose your temp guage when you remove the headlight and go with an aftermarket fairing bracket, then a stand alone temp guage along with a tach would seem to me to be the essentials as far as guages go.  A lap timer is a very good thing to have, but not essential.

Tools - Definitely buy quality tools.  YOu don't need to get Snap-on or Matco.  I'd reco Craftsman professional series.  Good rachet/socket set and buy the hex attachments for the socket set (what the hell, get SAE & metric).  For sure, buy a torque wrench

Lastly, get thee to some track days.  Taking the classes is great for teh knowledge of what to do, but you have to practice it in order to remember it and fit it into the way you ride.  If all it took to learn and ingrain a skill was a couple classes, I'd be a math and philosophy major (and a lot better rider too) ;)

Good luck
H-man

[Zac]

It's a good idea to do a track day (or more) just to get familar with the new bike and get some initial setup before having to worry about race school.

-z.

[Ridgeway]

Tools - Definitely buy quality tools.  YOu don't need to get Snap-on or Matco.  I'd reco Craftsman professional series.  Good rachet/socket set and buy the hex attachments for the socket set (what the hell, get SAE & metric).  For sure, buy a torque wrench

Yep, I'm actually pretty well set for tools, and have hex sockets, torque wrench etc.  I will however need to use something more portable than my large Craftsman tool chest to transport them.  I'd love to have a big enclosed trailer right away, but the budget won't likely allow for that right out of the gate.

[KBOlsen]

Get the lap timer.  How else will you know if you're going faster (unless you're at a CCS or LP trackday with a transponder).

[Ridgeway]

Speaking of lap timers, what is the preference, XT, MyChron?

Also, would I need a transmitter and receiver, or just a receiver?

[Dawn]

PCIII is not needed....

Save your money.

Dawn   ;)

[KBOlsen]

I can only think of one time when I went to the track and there wasn't a beacon.  

I'm not quite sold on those pricey aftermarket rearsets, either.  Stockers are plentiful, cheap, and with some flat stock and a drill you can make your own relocator kits.  I'm sure there are arguments on both sides of the coin on that one... and honestly, I've never HAD aftermarket pegs so I don't know what I'm missing.

When I bought mine, XT was the "hot setup"... but I've been hearing that the current generation Mychron's are much fancier.  

As for tires... race rubber is cheap insurance compared to repairing crash damage to your bike (and body).  Do you really want to take the chance of being on crappy street tires when you DO surpass their capabilities?

Racing is so incredibly MENTAL.  If something gives you confidence to push harder, you would be silly not to use it.  KNOWING that I'm running on good, sticky tires means I don't have to think about them... I can concentrate on things that are really important.  I don't know if tire warmers really made a difference, but I FELT more confident going out on pre-warmed tires.  Believing my tires were already up to temp when I hit the grid allowed me to focus on charging as hard as I could at the start of the race.

[Bernie]

Yes you DO need to buy new race tires.  Thankfully your SV will be easy on tires, but when the time comes, buy new ones from your trackside vendor of choice and enjoy one of the best pleasures in life: new race rubber.

Shagged out take-offs will only teach you how to crash on someone elses crappy throw-away junk.

Seriously.

Welcome aboard!!  :)

[Ridgeway]

Thanks for the info everybody!!!

What's the going rate trackside for a set of race tires mounted and balanced?

I have a tire-changer & balancer setup in my garage, I mean er...  race shop  ;)  I got tired of paying $100 too much for street tires plus $20+ per tire mounting and balancing at my local shops.  I'm all for doing business locally, but I'm not going to pay that kind of premium.

Would I be able to save any cash by buying tires mail-order/online and mounting myself ahead of time, or would it be best to just have it done for me at the track?

[cornercamping]

You guys forgot the most important thing  ???


Lots, and Lots, and Lots, and Lots... OF MONEY !

GAS + HOTEL/CAMP + TRACK ENTRY + RACE ENTRY + TIRES + GAS + BROKEN PARTS + FOOD + BRIBARY MONEY FOR TECH INSPECTOR (j/K) =

Hope you don't plan on doing anything else, for a long time.  

Racing/Racetrack = Crack

Once your hooked....  ;D 8)  Good luck though.  Let me know if ya need any help.  8)

#35 AM (GL)

[KBOlsen]

Ridgeway...

When you support your trackside tire vendors, you will be getting much more than the best price on race tires.  You will be getting the benefit of their knowledge and experience.

[tigerblade]

I agree that I'd recommend going to full race tires.  A street tire or hybrid might be all right for a trackday, but racing is a little more...intense.  You'll go faster than you ever have and you don't want to end up wishing you had stickier rubber.  Support your trackside vendor.   ;)

My bike has pretty much what you listed in the first post, except for the Power Commander.  I don't feel a need for it right now and tire warmers would be a better investment.  

See ya out there!  

[Mark Bernard]

Welcome to the circus Ridgeway. Hope you have a great time! Ride smart, ride safe, but most importantly... have fun! Mark!

[Super Dave]

Suspension should be the top priority.

Without a lot of experience, a poorly set up bike is pretty awful to ride.  And with experience, it's still terrible.

I use Hyperpro products...their shock along with their rising rate springs front and rear.  Because the rate of the spring is different depending upon the load, it offers me an advantage in that I'm not over dampened for a particular stroke on the bike.

Hyperpro shocks are designed to use a lighter oil, so they are not affected by heat or cold like many of the other shocks that I have used.

http://www.hyperprousa.com/

http://4and6.com does all that work for me.

Tires.  New.  I use Michelins because of their traction, durability, and contingency.  Tom Mason is a great resource also.

Gearing.  It blows not having the opportunity to make the bike's motor work in the proper RPM range.  Additionally, I use gearing to affect change to the geometry of my bike.

I haven't seen the PC's to be consistently reliable...especially for the money.

4&6 has a new FI thing.  Less than $200, reliable, and I can make adjustments with a screwdriver, or return it to previous settings.  

Track time isn't like race time.  And unless someone is driving you a little harder, you might not be inputting into the bike hard enough to get the correct feedback.

My schools?  Well, I don't take many people, so the opportunity is there.

XT timers seem to be good.

[Ridgeway]

Hi Dave,

Is that FI box the techlusion?  I might just give that a try.  I never was particularly thrilled with the PCIII on my VFR, but it seems like I should have some way to adjust for the exhaust.

With the Hyperpro springs, does the rising rate make them universal in terms of rider/bike weight, allowing for proper sag with a preload tweak?

[Steviebee]

the hyperpro shock springs are not specific to rider wight!  Your stuck with what it comes with.

[Super Dave]

There are many different springs from Hyperpro.  Regardless, you don't run the preload in them like straight rate springs.  It will handle awful if you do.

As for rider weight.  Larry Denning, Jesse Janisch, and myself all ran the same Hyperpro shock with the same Hyperpro spring.  I'd be Jesse is 140...I'm 170 easy.  Larry's probably somewhere in between.

The box that 4&6 has a relationship to that set up, but it's done up to some of their specs...talk to Shawn at 4&6...he'll be able to explain it all better...the springs too.

[Steviebee]

There are many different springs from Hyperpro.  Regardless

Well im sol cause i cant get a differnt spring for the shock.

[Thingy]

Well im sol cause i cant get a differnt spring for the shock.

Steviebee, do you need a spring for a Hyperpro shock?  Do you know what pound spring?  I have three different springs for mine and would be willing to sell one.