getting into the track scene

RCM78 · 05-11-2009, 10:22 AM

I dont think you can pick a better bike then the SV650...

NONE_too_SOFT · 05-11-2009, 10:36 AM

Save urself the money and just buy some race skins for the 750. no reason you cant enjoy both worlds with the same bike. the 750 is a great track bike, and shouldnt be a problem if you've ever done any technical riding or have at least some experience with the track. If ur worried about hurtin the pretty paint for street riding, good frame sliders will negate most of the damage of a lowside, which is really all you'll need to worry about.

Rider · 05-11-2009, 10:43 AM

I wish I knew where they hauled off my 08 750 to. It only had 3000 miles on it and the buy back was only $2500. Another $2500 in track plastics, full exhaust and rear sets you can have one bad ass track machine. $5K for a nearly brand new track prepped race machine? Killer deal if you ask me. I'm sure there are lots of easily fixed new bikes waiting to be found.

Frostz28 · 05-11-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NONE_too_SOFT

Save urself the money and just buy some race skins for the 750. no reason you cant enjoy both worlds with the same bike. the 750 is a great track bike, and shouldnt be a problem if you've ever done any technical riding or have at least some experience with the track. If ur worried about hurtin the pretty paint for street riding, good frame sliders will negate most of the damage of a lowside, which is really all you'll need to worry about.

Ya but I don't feel like changing the skins back and forth all the time plus Id still have to take the mirrors off and tape off the headlight and tail light everytime. Just to much of a pain.

Looni2ns · 05-11-2009, 02:26 PM

SV650 is a purrrrfect track bike. No, you'll never catch that big, ole liter bike on the stretch, you'll sail right past him while he's parkin' it in the corner. :-)

NONE_too_SOFT · 05-11-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frostz28

Ya but I don't feel like changing the skins back and forth all the time plus Id still have to take the mirrors off and tape off the headlight and tail light everytime. Just to much of a pain.

all the time? even if you went every week u couldnt spend a couple hours switching out ur plastics?

and no, track plastics dont use ur lamps or tail lights... If you've got money burning holes in your pockets go for it, but IMO it'd be wasted on things you could otherwise buy like tires/admission/upgrades to the GSXR. You could buy a full exaust,SS lines and HH pads, PC, track plastics, mirror blockoffs, safteywire, rearsets, extra rims for rain/dry tires, frame sliders, and anything else you'd need to get the bike track ready AND have enough left over to pay for a couple track days...

Personally i'd track out the gixxer, sell the plastics, and look for something else to ride on the street.

OreoGaborio · 05-12-2009, 08:10 PM

I ride an aprilia Tuono on the street... roughly 120hp, 70ft/lbs of torque or something like that. I'm also an expert road racer & track day instructor. I race an SV650 in various lightweight classes. It's a blast.

You gotta remember... it's your FIRST track bike, not your LAST. If you want something different later on then there's nothing keeping you from selling it later & getting a different track bike. It's not like you're mating for life

azoomm · 05-12-2009, 10:13 PM

I'm with NtS. What's wrong with taking a little time and take your bike?

As a novice track rider - there really is NO bad sportbike to take to the track. It might be especially enlightening for you to take YOUR bike as it's something you already "know" and would only get to know better.

Example, I had a guy on Monday that normally rides a 1098s. He had picked up the RS125 Aprilia for the trackday - and had a learning curve to get through. Not only was he focused on adjusting to the track environment, but he went to a TOTALLY different bike as well. He was a bit overwhelmed in the first few sessions.

I say, go with what you know until you KNOW you will be committing to the addiction that the track can give people. Not everyone gets the bug - many want it, some drink the whole kool-aide jar... others don't want it.

We now have the offering to rent a Ninja 150R for a few hundred for a trackday. THAT might be a better idea than just jumping in to committing on a new-to-you bike for a few grand...

Frostz28 · 05-13-2009, 01:46 PM

LOL well those are ALL excellent points! One one hand I can completely see how it would be easier for me to take my bike, being used to a bike is pretty important, and i can see how there would be a huge learning curve on the track. Especially since I would be riding my street bike more often. On the other hand I just feel like for my track skills the 750 is to big. Truth be told I didn't want a 750 for the street. The 750 just fell into my lap. I feel like if I had a bit of a smaller bike on the track I fee like Id be riding the bike rather than just hanging on to it. I guess Ill just have to look into it some more.

skiergirl · 05-13-2009, 02:30 PM

Not to take away from the SV650 because they are great bikes and would be perfect for the track but a 750 is not 'too big'. I ride a 750 and it's perfect for me. Why? because I know that bike and every bit of the way it handles. I'm comfortable on it and that's what's most important.

If you can afford 2 bikes then go for it. If you have only 1 bike and you wreck it at the track then your street bike is out too, if you have 2 bikes you always have one to ride if that's important to you. All about preference and money really.....

05-11-2009, 10:22 AM	#1
RCM78 Slow Poke Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ Moto: '05 R1 Posts: 61	I dont think you can pick a better bike then the SV650... __________________ ---RCM78 '01 Valk '05 R1 TPM Coach #71 http://www.teampromotion.com

05-11-2009, 02:26 PM	#5
Looni2ns Crazy Lady Rider Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Metro Atlanta Moto: '05 SV650S "Baby", '00 Bandit 600S "Rita", '87 EX500 (track) Posts: 311	SV650 is a purrrrfect track bike. No, you'll never catch that big, ole liter bike on the stretch, you'll sail right past him while he's parkin' it in the corner. :-) __________________ Elite Sportbike, LC Gain the knowledge, live the experience! www.elitesportbike.com

05-12-2009, 08:10 PM	#7
OreoGaborio Tony's Crack Pusher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Topsfield MA Moto: 2003 Aprilia Tuono (street/track days), 2006 SV650 (race) Posts: 428	I ride an aprilia Tuono on the street... roughly 120hp, 70ft/lbs of torque or something like that. I'm also an expert road racer & track day instructor. I race an SV650 in various lightweight classes. It's a blast. You gotta remember... it's your FIRST track bike, not your LAST. If you want something different later on then there's nothing keeping you from selling it later & getting a different track bike. It's not like you're mating for life __________________ -Pete LRRS/CCS#187 ECK-Racing, Ironstone Ventures, Tony's Track Days, SV Racer Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists \| Phoenix Graphics \| Woodcraft \| Moon Performance \| RJ's Motorsport \| Motorcycles of Manchester \| MTAG-Pirelli The Garage: '03 Tuono (Hooligan bike :naughty) \| '06 SV650 (race)

05-12-2009, 10:13 PM	#8
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	I'm with NtS. What's wrong with taking a little time and take your bike? As a novice track rider - there really is NO bad sportbike to take to the track. It might be especially enlightening for you to take YOUR bike as it's something you already "know" and would only get to know better. Example, I had a guy on Monday that normally rides a 1098s. He had picked up the RS125 Aprilia for the trackday - and had a learning curve to get through. Not only was he focused on adjusting to the track environment, but he went to a TOTALLY different bike as well. He was a bit overwhelmed in the first few sessions. I say, go with what you know until you KNOW you will be committing to the addiction that the track can give people. Not everyone gets the bug - many want it, some drink the whole kool-aide jar... others don't want it. We now have the offering to rent a Ninja 150R for a few hundred for a trackday. THAT might be a better idea than just jumping in to committing on a new-to-you bike for a few grand... __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

05-13-2009, 01:46 PM	#9
Frostz28 Redneck Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dixon, IL Moto: 2005 GSXR 750 Posts: 138	LOL well those are ALL excellent points! One one hand I can completely see how it would be easier for me to take my bike, being used to a bike is pretty important, and i can see how there would be a huge learning curve on the track. Especially since I would be riding my street bike more often. On the other hand I just feel like for my track skills the 750 is to big. Truth be told I didn't want a 750 for the street. The 750 just fell into my lap. I feel like if I had a bit of a smaller bike on the track I fee like Id be riding the bike rather than just hanging on to it. I guess Ill just have to look into it some more. __________________ "I refuse to tip toe carefully through life, simply to arrive safely at death" "Guys like me drink to many beers on Friday after work, our best blue jeans have skoal rings, we wear our boots to church"

05-11-2009, 10:36 AM	#2
NONE_too_SOFT Chopstix / \ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Akron OH Moto: 03 CBR RR Posts: 5,350	Save urself the money and just buy some race skins for the 750. no reason you cant enjoy both worlds with the same bike. the 750 is a great track bike, and shouldnt be a problem if you've ever done any technical riding or have at least some experience with the track. If ur worried about hurtin the pretty paint for street riding, good frame sliders will negate most of the damage of a lowside, which is really all you'll need to worry about.

05-11-2009, 10:43 AM	#3
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	I wish I knew where they hauled off my 08 750 to. It only had 3000 miles on it and the buy back was only $2500. Another $2500 in track plastics, full exhaust and rear sets you can have one bad ass track machine. $5K for a nearly brand new track prepped race machine? Killer deal if you ask me. I'm sure there are lots of easily fixed new bikes waiting to be found.

05-13-2009, 02:30 PM	#10
skiergirl Gixxer Girl Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kyle, TX Moto: 05 GSXR 750 & 06 YZ250F Posts: 1,424	Not to take away from the SV650 because they are great bikes and would be perfect for the track but a 750 is not 'too big'. I ride a 750 and it's perfect for me. Why? because I know that bike and every bit of the way it handles. I'm comfortable on it and that's what's most important. If you can afford 2 bikes then go for it. If you have only 1 bike and you wreck it at the track then your street bike is out too, if you have 2 bikes you always have one to ride if that's important to you. All about preference and money really.....