SVs as a trackbike?

There are plenty of aftermarket spares to get the SV up to scratch, but as the minitwin series is rife, don't expect to find any second hand parts on eBay going for pittance

I have a SV trackbike and I find it a real hoot to ride, and I love that it is a no-brainier to ride, when I ride bigger bikes on track now, they scare me a little!!

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

There are plenty of aftermarket spares to get the SV up to scratch, but as the minitwin series is rife, don't expect to find any second hand parts on eBay going for pittance

I have a SV trackbike and I find it a real hoot to ride, and I love that it is a no-brainier to ride, when I ride bigger bikes on track now, they scare me a little!!

+1 thers more than enough aftermarket/race parts avilable for them!!

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

Oh and r4ce_e3nd,. how the hell can you say an SV is lighter and more flickable than a modern SS600? ...

I wasn't talking about the modern SS's and more or less talking from my point of view (with my SV). Mine weighs 181 kg's full tank etc. Don't think many SS of the same age can compete with that. Also the upgraded suspension. But hey, If I would buy me an trackbike it would defenitly be a SS600/750!! At the moment I'd like to have more power, it would be more fun to me...

I agree that the SV is a good bike to learn your trade on track, but it can be frustrating to overtake the same guy 2-3 times a lap, only for him to re-take you one each straight, although this is more of a problem on power circuits. I found my Sv was happy in inters, about 1/3 of the way down the group. However as a dedicated track only tool I'd agree with the others and go for a SS600 of some sort.

I've had the SV on all sorts of tracks (Zolder, Spa, Nurburgring, Lydden, Mallory, Cadwell, Croft, Croix en Ternois) and had a great time on it though (time for some pic wh0ring ).

[northwind]

If I was going to get a track bike, I'd either get a trashed SV- just because I know them inside out and it'd be instantly familiar on track- or a random ancient race bike. They go for ridiculously small amounts, generally far less than their value in parts... Sure they'll be past their best, usually pretty scabby, but who cares? Depends a wee bit on whether it has to be road legal of course (personally I'd MOT and tax it, the number of people you see turn up at trackdays with a bike that doesn't work, then take all day fettling it and never get a good lap in is nuts...) Test it on the road, use it on the track, is how to do it.

Originally Posted by mister c

I watched this guy at Wigan on Sunday (No97), I don't know if it is anyone off here, but my god is he fast It sounds awesome as well.



So I would say yes, go for it, they seem to make awesome track/Race bikes.
Someone will be along shortly no doubt to tell you what & where. Good Luck

Tis me Mr C!!

Thanks for your kind words!

Probably very biased, but I think the SV is a cracking trackbike, granted they can take some cash to make real good, but once there what a thing to ride!!!!

My Sv can lap Anglesey at a pace that would get top five in the SS600 race and up till last weekend was the fastet bike round Three sisters this year

I could rattle on all night about my love affair with my SV, but the missus is watching so I'll have to tone it down a bit.....

Horses for corses really, but I will say some of those £500 steelies need some proper TLC and in truthfullness are they that much more FUN?.......nah

Paul T

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

You are now gonna have to start making some brave moves, or get held up by them. Sure it is fun beating them up if you have the experience/balls, but if you are new, its just going to get annoying and impair your progress. At least if you are on a SS6, you are more equal down the straight so more likely to arrive at a turn on your own terms and can then negotiate it as you feel fit without some spoon parked in the way!!

Quoted for truth... Even I get this and I'm not fast at all. If the red mist fades I'll just take a slow lap and get away from folks like this if possible, but it's still annoying, you end up riding to their pace or lack of and not being able to ride how you want. For a racer or aggressive rider it might be fun but for me it's just constant frustration. And frustration is NOT good on a trackday.

(edit- this happens much less in intermediate, but I usually do the knockhill evenings that have only fast and slow groups, and I'm miles away from fast.)

This thread is a bit depressing, but I guess you're all just being honest.
I've just done my second trackday on my sv650s (have done others on my bandit 400 before) and it's heaps of fun, but the stock suspension isn't great. I've put emulators in the front, will be getting springs soon and probably putting a zx6r shock in the back.
I got my sv because I wanted to try a twin and the sv's are a nice looking and sounding bike and also because I knew that with a bit of work, the sv's are good on the track. They race them here in F3 and protwins.

It is a bit frustrating being stuck behind someone on a bigger bike in the corners (as I experienced yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PleZUgZD2Qk).

Originally Posted by erik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PleZUgZD2Qk).

35s in

EDIT: Just watched the rest of the Vid (had to post the 35s comment as that was cool! ). Good vid .. and yes in parts, that is a good illustration of getting held up spoiling your flow/laps*. I see you have more videos, gonna watch one or two more


*I actually wanted to grab the bars - put you in a different part of the track and flick your fingers off the front brake leaver at times mind!! ... you could have wasted so many more of them with only slight adjustments ... good safe and confident riding overall though good to watch

[northwind]

Was that guy's head even once on the inside of the turn? Was he a hunchback or something, the further to the inside his bum went the further to the outside goes his head.