Finding the "right" track or race bike

[The Snowman]

OK, I need to get all the input once and for all . . .

Since building a track/race bike from a completely street legal bike isn't in my budget or my mechanical ability, I'm looking for a track-ready bike.

I'm sure most have seen me making comments about looking, but what I want to know from racers or severe track junkies is how did you know which bike type was "right" for you?

What do you look for? What is good for a novice rider? What extras do you feel that a novice shouldn't live without?

My bike budget is about $3,000.

[Pittenger5]

SV, you can find a race prepped one for 3 grand if youre patient. Just the usual suspension etc etc.
If it comes time that you outgrow the bike, then youd need to dump some cash in.
Spare wheels are nice, any spares are alright, but SV spares are everywhere.

IT WILL HAVE BEEN CRASHED. STOP LOOKING FOR AN UNCRASHED RACE BIKE

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

IT WILL HAVE BEEN CRASHED. STOP LOOKING FOR AN UNCRASHED RACE BIKE

+1000000

[The Snowman]

IT WILL HAVE BEEN CRASHED. STOP LOOKING FOR AN UNCRASHED RACE BIKE

I never said I was concerned if it was crashed or not.

That's what GMD is for, straightening that crap out.

Just seems that when I send people bikes that I'm interested in looking at, there's always something that they say about them.

Good example is an SV I saw on Craigslist w/ a GSX-R front end. It was mentioned that I wouldn't be able to run it in as many classes. This is why I started talking about classes.

I'm really getting confused.

[Pittenger5]

Well figure out what classes you wanna run, and work on from there.

Oh and no one protests in novice unless youre running an SV in PTwins

[The Snowman]

OK then, what classes can an SV run in w/ reworked forks vs one that has a different front end (GSX-R or similar)

[R7]

Get a Motard and run any class you want except production twins and 125gp?

I hate to keep beating the dead hore here but it seems like a Tard fits your budget perfect. Low cost for tires, low weekend fuel consumption, pick it up after a crash and continue riding, and the smile generated by all the fun you're having is priceless

[The Snowman]

To me, tards are like kids are to people who like kids, but don't want any of their own.

I like them, but not enough to own one. Not my style of bike.

This is what I mean by the right type of bike.

[Pittenger5]

Until youre running 15s on an SV no one gives a shit what forks you have on there.

[butcher bergs]

how did you know which bike type was "right" for you?
What do you look for? What is good for a novice rider? What extras do you feel that a novice shouldn't live without?

I wanted to stick to I-4's because that's all I've ridden. My criteria for a bike was defintely no Kwaks and not too crazy about the Suzis.........enter the F4i. wookie scooped up his R6 and I set my sights on his Honda....the rest is history.
As far as spares? At the very least an extra set of good wheels....but the more spares the better.

You keep mentioning the SV. I say you find an SV that sings to you. Any way you cut it, you won't be let down once that green flag drops.

My bike budget is about $3,000.

That's not last week's budget figure.

BTW; revalved forks doesn't matter. Swapping front ends from another bike is what matters.

www.lrrsracing.com
Read the rules for the class you want to compete in and go from there.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

OK then, what classes can an SV run in w/ reworked forks vs one that has a different front end (GSX-R or similar)

A gixxer front end only Puts you out of 1 Class -LWSS

You still Got
LWSB
GTL
LWGP
Thunderbike
Formula 40 Lights (oldness)
supertwins

[Daytona440]

SV all the way.

[a13x]

A gixxer front end only Puts you out of 1 Class -LWSS

You still Got
LWSB
GTL
LWGP
Thunderbike
Formula 40 Lights (oldness)
supertwins

[OreoGaborio]

werd... buy what you want... you're not devoted to it for life.

[GixerJockey]

Do you even plan on going racing? Or do you want to enjoy some track days on an inexpensive bike that's not your daily driver? If you want to concentrate on doing track days, then stop worrying about what classes you can run in. There are no classes at a track day.

The ONLY reason I sold the 750 was because I've decided to go racing and it was the wrong bike. You can only run like 1 novice race on the thing all weekend. It was a WONDERFUL track bike that someone got a very good deal on.

I think the SV would be a good choice for you. And it seems that you're interested in them as well. You keep coming back to the SV. You don't need anything super fancy. Kurtz is racing on a BONE STOCK Sv. Daviid put it on the first place podium, in the rain last season.

Hobbs has one on his site right now. HERE 2007, the front fairing is hit (who cares, you're just gonna buy race plastics anyway. It's on the site for $2995 for a 2007. Call him up. I'm sure he'll make you a deal on it.

That's just one. Inexpensive SVs are everywhere. You'll find one. And if you ever lose interest in it, park it outside the bathrooms on a race weekend and you'll likely get all your money back.

[Pittenger5]

If you want a race SV, buy a race SV, forget the street legal shit.

[Honclfibr]

You can't go wrong with the SV. There are plenty of race prepped around your budget. Be patient, it's only november. The right bike will show up on here/ebay/craigslist with plenty of time.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

The ONLY reason I sold the 750 was because I've decided to go racing and it was the wrong bike. You can only run like 1 novice race on the thing all weekend. It was a WONDERFUL track bike that someone got a very good deal on.
.

We have a rule Book,
750 CC Legal in 3 Classes In Novice

HWss
HWSB
GTO

[union]

Chuck keep an eye on the wera boards as well. There are a few SV's up there now in your budget range. I dont really know what makes a SV good but this one doesnt look bad
http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php...ghlight=sv+650

As for when you know you found the right bike. Unless you have ridden a bunch of bikes around the track you really dont know until you can take it around for a few laps. Best advice I can give is get something youre not going to cry about after you crash it. That way you can concentrait on riding it to your best ability and not be worrying about crashing it.

The best extra you can have is a 2nd bike. However most of us cant swing that. A 2nd set of wheels is awesome to have. When it rains thats one less thing to worry about. Just toss on the other wheels and go. Youll also want little things like levers, handle bars, and foot pegs. Research the bike youre going to get to see what other problem areas it has in a crash. For my R6 is gas tanks and subframes. I have extra of those for when I go down.

[Doc]

I hate to say it... but SV. If your gonna race. You'll be able to keep it and be competative longer.



For just a trackday bike get Chad's Hawk. After next year I am pretty sure the Hawks days are numbered as far as racing goes. For a trackday bike I think they are GREAT! (can you say corner speed)

[Awesome]

For $3000, you can get a well preped lightweight or an under-equiped, not remotely competative I4.

[The Snowman]

As far as where I've been looking, I joined both the WERA board and NEAR Yahoo group.

There are quite a few on the WERA board, but some are really far away. I don't have the time to go look at a bike in NC and I'm definitely not buying a bike without looking at it first.

[scottieducati]

Ummm helloooooo: http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...-racebike.html

Race Hawk FTW

[nt650hawk]

After next year I am pretty sure the Hawks days are numbered as far as racing goes.

Bite you’re tongue.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Get some more money and we can talk about A GREAT SV