Astrin
15-08-14, 01:13 PM
I guess you folks call them 'pointies' but they all look the same with track plastic on. Finally got a chance to take a buddy's SV 650 for a spin at the track (while he rode my Gixxer 600) on Wednesday, and LURVED it. It was a great side-by-side comparison: we're the same weight, both bikes' suspensions were set up by the same guy, both running Pilot 3 tires. It felt like a lighter, quieter, torquier, and yes, slower, version of my bike. It felt pastoral. We noticed no difference in handling other than weight. I felt like I was going slow while passing folks and possibly running my fastest laps at that small and technical track. But of course I got smoked on the straight, which bothers me not...straights are boring and I'll be back by Turn 4. I loved how easy it was to turn, but, most importantly, the fact that I still had power below 7000 RPM. It was funnnnn.
If I had my druthers, I'd keep both bikes. I actually had a blast riding the Gixxer as well, and I think the SV laps opened my eyes up to a few things. But I also lost the rear a couple times, reminding me that the GSX has just a BIT more momentum going into turns (and they are Pilot 3's, my choice because they're decent on rainy days, but below my level as dry track tires). The GSX is better at a huge fast track like Road America, but I ride there 2-4 days a year. The smaller, technical tracks are where it's at. SV time.
So now I'm searching the (US) forums for a bike around $2000. Had a fantastic deal slip away because I wanted to wait until I'd tried one at the track, but the buyer seems like a really good guy, with a 14-yr-old son, so I think karma may have ruled on that one. He's taking it to a track in Indiana the day after he picks it up in Georgia. (For those of you wondering, that's 540 miles).
I'll post up further questions and hopefully at some point show you pics of my new SV with me on it!
If I had my druthers, I'd keep both bikes. I actually had a blast riding the Gixxer as well, and I think the SV laps opened my eyes up to a few things. But I also lost the rear a couple times, reminding me that the GSX has just a BIT more momentum going into turns (and they are Pilot 3's, my choice because they're decent on rainy days, but below my level as dry track tires). The GSX is better at a huge fast track like Road America, but I ride there 2-4 days a year. The smaller, technical tracks are where it's at. SV time.
So now I'm searching the (US) forums for a bike around $2000. Had a fantastic deal slip away because I wanted to wait until I'd tried one at the track, but the buyer seems like a really good guy, with a 14-yr-old son, so I think karma may have ruled on that one. He's taking it to a track in Indiana the day after he picks it up in Georgia. (For those of you wondering, that's 540 miles).
I'll post up further questions and hopefully at some point show you pics of my new SV with me on it!