SVs as a trackbike?

Any modern supersport is capable of running a decent pace in fast group with no mods so that's a definate advantage. Though I also agree that in some ways it's easier to learn better track technique on a slower bike because it removes the over reliance on using brute power to overtake amongst other reasons.

It al depends on the track you are riding! You have twisty tracks and fast tracks. On the twisty tracks, the SV will not disappoint because of the good handeling, torque and light weight. On the more faster tracks on the other hand, the SV will have a lack of power to battle with the SS's... I say this out of experiece.

Originally Posted by Zombie Jesus

Any modern supersport is capable of running a decent pace in fast group with no mods so that's a definate advantage. Though I also agree that in some ways it's easier to learn better track technique on a slower bike because it removes the over reliance on using brute power to overtake amongst other reasons.

Why worry about which group your in !? Track days are about fun not proving your self. I lap Croft 4 seconds a lap quicker on my sv650 than i do on my zx9r. The sv IS underpowered that's true but it is more fun. That's what bikes are about, having a laff, not being p*ssed of cos if you had more power you'd be 0.1 seconds quicker.
I'd go for an aprillia 250 or suzuki 250 2 stroke, cb500, sv650, maybe even a zxr400 for a track bike. If I didn't have the sv650 I would go for the zxr400 I think. Or the rgv 250. those things turn like house flies !
keep it cheap and it'll be more fun.

Originally Posted by Sideshow#36

Yamaha R6 '08' £7000
Matching A* leathers with ebay 'used' knee sliders £1150
Track day in the experienced group £150

The look on their faces as you go around the outside of them....

Priceless.

No shame in that really. A minitwin rider could always get raped by a 13 year old on a race 125

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by boo86

Why worry about which group your in !? Track days are about fun not proving your self. I lap Croft 4 seconds a lap quicker on my sv650 than i do on my zx9r. The sv IS underpowered that's true but it is more fun. That's what bikes are about, having a laff, not being p*ssed of cos if you had more power you'd be 0.1 seconds quicker.
I'd go for an aprillia 250 or suzuki 250 2 stroke, cb500, sv650, maybe even a zxr400 for a track bike. If I didn't have the sv650 I would go for the zxr400 I think. Or the rgv 250. those things turn like house flies !
keep it cheap and it'll be more fun.

Me I'd go for an RVF400, ooh look what I have in the garage



Druid

Originally Posted by fastdruid

Me I'd go for an RVF400, ooh look what I have in the garage



Druid

That's lush. Too pricey for me though !! Maybe after the lottery win.
They race on track with us in mini twins. minitwins formula 400 and gp 125s all out together. Some of the 400s make 80 rwhp

Originally Posted by boo86

Why worry about which group your in

Lap times or group is not important. The point I was trying to make is that I think it is easier for someone's riding to progress to an arbitrary level on a supersport as opposed to a SV where they might have to consider modification x on component y to achieve a faster or safer/consistent pace.

[G]

Originally Posted by Zombie Jesus

Lap times or group is not important. The point I was trying to make is that I think it is easier for someone's riding to progress to an arbitrary level on a supersport as opposed to a SV where they might have to consider modification x on component y to achieve a faster or safer/consistent pace.

+1 after reading all the posts, thats the way I see it also.

I loved my SV but at serious speed it would become unstable and unpredicatable so it had its limitation without spending money on it.

So I bought a cbr, which I'm much quicker on than the SV but feel safer and more planted. If I tried to take the SV to that pace it MAY have been more fun but it would have been squirming all over the place uncomfortably and an accident waiting to happen.

The SV taught me alot though, I would have another one.

Originally Posted by Zombie Jesus

Lap times or group is not important. The point I was trying to make is that I think it is easier for someone's riding to progress to an arbitrary level on a supersport as opposed to a SV where they might have to consider modification x on component y to achieve a faster or safer/consistent pace.

Its more than that ... sadly you are gonna get creamed on every straight bit, the other riders will then duly get past and then park their bike in the turns as it is hard/they can't judge the speed they need to scrub. 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!!

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

Hi guys
Thanks for the feedback.
I'm not a complete track novice but have limited experience. I currently ride a CBR954 FireBlade on the road and have been riding bikes or over 10 years and have taken it on track a few times but it really has too much power for me to learn more about getting quicker through corners.
I want something that will enable me to learn more but still keep a good pace and not cost a fortune to run...but equally not be a pile of sh*te! The SV seemed to tick those boxes but i am a bit concerned about how many aftermarket parts there are for it for track use.
From the feedback it would seem a 600cc CBR or similar would be better but it depends what i can find over the winter. My guess is there will be some real bargains to be had.