09 SV650S : What is limiting me - my standard tyres, the bike or my confidence?

[Binky]

Agree with Fizz here.

The bike and a good set of tyres will easilly out perform most normal riders' ability i'd say. It's probably a confidence issue at a guess. But what ever you do don't go out of your comfort zone, especially when on the road.

Do a track day and then see how you feel after. Get some tution as well if you feel the need.

I don't think anyone can say without seeing you ride really. You could be the next Rossi or you could be wobbling around at 30mph worrying about nothing

Changing the stock tyres for some newer, better ones will probably make a big difference. It is likely that it's a confidence thing but the only reasonably safe way to explore the limits of you / your bike is to get on a track day.

My advice? Don't bother chasing Lotii (have I just made that up?!) through the countryside - it could end in tears and tears.

Have been thinking of doing a track day for a while now.

I've no doubt it would help me improve in most areas of riding but am a little worried about binning it. I looked into hiring an R6 or something similar for an afternoon and surprisingly its not too expensive. Trouble is that any learning on that will be pointless when jumping back on the SV on the road.

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by Micky26

Have been thinking of doing a track day for a while now.

I've no doubt it would help me improve in most areas of riding but am a little worried about binning it. I looked into hiring an R6 or something similar for an afternoon and surprisingly its not too expensive. Trouble is that any learning on that will be pointless when jumping back on the SV on the road.

I think you ought to be worried about binning it,but I mean your SV on the road from your OP.You talk about the back stepping out and the front struggling for grip whic means you are close to the edge(no not the prog rock album)
Id start with set up.What tyres are you on,at what pressures and how heavy are you?Then look at technique.I use little or no rear brake when braking hard on the SV and trail braking the front into a bend is a skill best left to racing types on track IMO.Id do a track day to get a real feel for the bike where its safe to do so.

if your around the devon area your welcome to sling a leg over mine, its got stiffer front springs and avon storms. i was very unhappy with the standard dunlops that were fitted to mine, had the same issues as you and could easily spin it up coming out of roundabouts(this was usually done on purpose for a bit of fun) now its bit of pain cant go wheelspin up the road from work even if its wet the avons grip better then the dry dunlops

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by Micky26

Hey Luckypants,

Nope no 'death-wish' style breaking through the corners. The rear was squirming when braking hard in a straight line to scrub off some speed before the corners. I know thats normal if you brake excessively using the rear but I expected to be able to brake a lot harder before worrying about the rear stepping out. Thanks for the tips though, i'll make sure im not closing the throttle completely through the bends.

Soulkiss - I am under no illusion that an Exige will stink me through the twisites. But the blueflame can with no baffles wins the sound contest by quite some way!

Just looking for any tips regarding suspension/ tyres / riding which might help me eek a little more cornering performance out of me and the bike.

the back end stepping out may be from you banging it down the through the gears and the engine braking taking big effect and causing the rear to lock up up and step out a little. a blip of throttle between down changes (while the clutch is in) should help this, but it takes some practise to get right.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

You havent, I never did in 2 years and nearly 20K worth of riding, and I'd imagine theres plenty of better riders than me that havent either.

Theres nowt wrong with the SV in standard guise. Get some more training and practise and learn to ride it better.

IMHO

i agree with fizz and others, you've probably got loads left before the limit on the sv, but a better set of tyres will most likely help things 'feel' better and inspire a bit more confidence. a track day and/or some more training are a good way forward too.

I have had Metzeler Z6's on and BT 021's, and both of them allow you to grind your pegs perfectly happily on the road, so its normally skill or poor standard tyres that are to blame. Getting new tyres often gives you a confidence boost too.

Buy some crash bungs and then get on a track, its the best and safest way to explore yours and the bikes abilitys

i was going to say my back end on good tyres kicks out of i downshift to quickly without blipping the throttle, so quiet often, i just got used to it. try using the front brake more gets the weight off the back wheel, and if the front end feels bad when braking try new tyres.

Also do people really use the rear brake? i know my mot station showed about 90% brake efficiency for mot before i got the bike and after a year of owning it, i dont think i have ever used it, engine + hard on the front is enough to stop quicker than any car driver is willing to.

Originally Posted by sunshine

Also do people really use the rear brake? i know my mot station showed about 90% brake efficiency for mot before i got the bike and after a year of owning it, i dont think i have ever used it, engine + hard on the front is enough to stop quicker than any car driver is willing to.

I drag the rear brake round small roundabouts and U-turns. I also lightly apply it when braking hard and sometimes drag it to slow down slightly if I don't want the front to dive. It has it's uses!