getting into the track scene

[Frostz28]

Hey guys, well Ive been to a few track days with some friends and they are addicted. After the first track day they sold their street bikes and bought track bikes (one has a 99 R6 and the other has an 01 GSXR 750) They are set on getting me addicted to it as well. Little do they know Im already addicted problem is I cant give up my street bike I just love it to much. So Im trying to get myself a track bike, right now Im thinking about and SV650 because I really don't want a super fast bike on the track. I still plan to keep my GSXR 750 for the street so my question is, If I ride a much faster bike on the street will I be happy with a slower bike on the track? I think I will because I think Ill be much more comfortable trying to push a smaller bike than I would a faster bike, and I think a slower bike will force me to learn to "ride fast" and not just cruise around the corners and rail the straights. Meaning with a smaller bike ill be able to focus on body position and lines rather than just trying to hang on to a big bike. I just don't want to get a SV650 and end up wishing I had a faster bike. I REALLY dont care about keeping up with my buddies they are both far more advanced than I ever plan to be so thats not an issue. So do you think the smaller bike on the track will satisfy me or am I going to end up wishing I had gotten an inline.

[was92v]

I think that is good plan. A lighter, less powerful bike will allow you to gain more track riding skills quicker than you would on a bike that has big HP. The only place your buds will have an advantage is on long straights, and there is hardly anything more satisfying than passing "Fast" bikes with a supposed "Slow" bike. Besides the SV is not really a slow bike. They make about 70-75 HP and pull hard out of turns.
Learning track skills is much easier when you you don't see Jesus while trying to haul the thing down at every turn entrance and then mumble "Oh SHIT, Oh SHIT , OH SHIT!!! in your helmet, coming out of every turn, waiting for the punt when the rear wheel spins up and steps out.
Then later, if you decide to go with a more powerful bike, you will have the skill set available to handle it without the terror and you will be able to get up to speed with less pain, quicker.

my 2 cents

[RCM78]

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

[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.

[Rider]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Looni2ns]

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.

I can take Baby from street to track in less than an hour. That's what nice about the SVS650s - minimal fairings. The naked version is even better. 8mm socket and ratchet takes care of the turn signals, Allen wrench takes care of the mirrors (tape ends to hold washers and bolt in place), unscrew reflectors, unplug lights, drop tail piece w/license plate and rear signals (4 1/4" screws), take out fuses for headlights and taillights (2 15 amp fuses), tape up headlights and taillights, zip tie passenger pegs, drop tire pressures to 29/30, lube the chain, and PRESTO, I'm ready for some fun!! I have water wetter in the radiator so that's a no-fuss item. Add 15 minutes if I need to change the oil and filter.

[Frostz28]

Originally Posted by was92v

I think that is good plan. A lighter, less powerful bike will allow you to gain more track riding skills quicker than you would on a bike that has big HP. The only place your buds will have an advantage is on long straights, and there is hardly anything more satisfying than passing "Fast" bikes with a supposed "Slow" bike. Besides the SV is not really a slow bike. They make about 70-75 HP and pull hard out of turns.
Learning track skills is much easier when you you don't see Jesus while trying to haul the thing down at every turn entrance and then mumble "Oh SHIT, Oh SHIT , OH SHIT!!! in your helmet, coming out of every turn, waiting for the punt when the rear wheel spins up and steps out.
Then later, if you decide to go with a more powerful bike, you will have the skill set available to handle it without the terror and you will be able to get up to speed with less pain, quicker.

my 2 cents

thats pretty much exactly what I was thinking.