Need More Speed - Pointy.

Right, Ive decided I need my little SV to go faster. Its a fairly standard 2003 and the only preformance mods are a K&N filter, full stainless exhaust (except front downpipe which is standard), braided brake hoses and HH pads. Its done about 27k miles. Im the only owner from new and have FSH for the bike.

I know for a fact Im not the fastest rider in the world, but I would like to not get shown up so much on trackdays and the like. I can play in the corners and brake fairly late to make up a bit of time, but as soon as a straight appears, Im swamped by pretty much every other bike on track. Granted, most of them are race bikes or modded 1000s, 750s, etc but Id still like a bit more speed.

Besideds shedding weight (mostly from me!!) what are my options to eek a bit more power from the bike? I dont really want to spend thousands as if Im doing that I might as well get a different bike. Help me oh mighty org!!

http://www.spearsenterprises.com/

How much do you want to spend?
Flat slide carbs, cams (and valve springs to go with them) are good for 15+ RWHP without any overbore. Any more than that, the rods start to become a problem anyway.
Spears Enterprises has been racing SV650s since the beginning, and developing performance parts. Must be somebody in the U.K. that's done the same.

I share your problem, though I don't do many track days any more, and usually only go where they will let me ride in the Advanced/Expert groups, where I still have all the 600s and bigger bikes passing me on the straights, but don't usually have anybody holding me up in the corners. So I haven't installed that extra 15 HP. Yet.

[Bibio]

if you want faster get a faster bike.

Originally Posted by Bibio

if you want faster get a faster bike.

Houses, redundancies and children have all played their parts in stopping this happening over the years. A GSXR750 WILL be mine one day though.

[jambo]

Chasing power on an SV is not a cheap or particularly effective route.

Are you topping out in 6th gear anywhere? I'd start by gearing down and using all the power you do have. Suspension and tyres will help you find some time, as will loosing weight from the bike. What lap times are you doing compared to a minitwin? Those have no real engine work aside from exhaust, air filter and remap.

Jambo

[Bibio]

the most important question.. are you having fun while on the track?

Originally Posted by jambo

Chasing power on an SV is not a cheap or particularly effective route.

Are you topping out in 6th gear anywhere? I'd start by gearing down and using all the power you do have. Suspension and tyres will help you find some time, as will loosing weight from the bike. What lap times are you doing compared to a minitwin? Those have no real engine work aside from exhaust, air filter and remap.

Jambo

Hmmm..... maybe Im chasing a rainbow here. Ive fitted new springs and fork oil and also a shock from a ZZR1400. Ive had it all set up at Kais and managed to knock off 7 seconds from my time round Oulton Park. Tyres are Pilot Power 3 with one track days use on them. I could shift some weight from the bike, but as its also my daily rider, I cant go to mad. Any suggestions there?

No idea what times minitwins are doing to be honest but I suspect the biggest thing stopping me reaching their kind of times is my (lack of) racing skills!

Originally Posted by Bibio

the most important question.. are you having fun while on the track?

I normally do yes, but a wet and greasy Cadwell Park on Tuesday was no fun at all. Hopefully Donnington on 13 Aug will make up for it.

what are your main requirements? top speed? faster acceleration?

you won't find a SV that does more than 140mph IMHO

if you want faster acceleration got for front sprocket upgrade (one less tooth)

otherwise the more engine mods you do the higher frequency of servicing, oil change and makes the bikes probability of failure increase, less fuel consumption etc...

drop a 750 engine in the frame?

[jambo]

Originally Posted by M65

I normally do yes, but a wet and greasy Cadwell Park on Tuesday was no fun at all. Hopefully Donnington on 13 Aug will make up for it.

Just think how much fun you'd have been having trying to feed in 180HP

Personally I'd say enjoy the SV for what it is, a capable bike with 70-ish HP. When someone comes past on a ZX10R good on 'em, when you go past them, there's no arguing about whether it was because their bike was better!

Weight can be saved a few places. For track days you could consider simply unbolting the whole front plastics / headlight etc just leaving the instruments. Less to damage in an off, and I promise you the aerodynamics weren't helping.

Jambo

[Bibio]

speed should not matter then. to me (someone who does not do track days) it seams like you have a stigma about being overtaken by people riding faster bikes. well someone is always going to be faster no matter what you ride and the way i see it doing track days is about riding your bike to the best of your abilities no matter what the bike. you could go round on a 50cc but as long as your having fun on that 50cc it seems to me that's all that matters. if someone is going faster than you on the same bike then they are a better rider or just braver.

what i'm trying to say is don't get hung up about being overtake on the straights and relish in the fact you are keeping up in the twisty bits. ragging the titzz out a small bike with crap suspension and mediocre brakes takes more skill than twisting the throttle on a super sport to blat past people.