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Track day bike options?

  1. #1
    Member 7470racer's Avatar
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    Track day bike options?

    How are mid-2000's R6, Kawi 636 or Duc 748? Aside from the usual upgrades - what is the degree of handling the track? May be in the market over winter months. Price ranges? Semi-budget. OK - strict budget or I'd look for something more new.

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  2. #2
    A work in progress k_cotter's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    You can buy my 07 08 kawi zx6r race bike with everything done and freshly professionally painted in whatever colors you want for $4700. Bike dominated the amateur middleweight races this year. Bike is good for 15's at Loudon

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  3. #3
    Member 7470racer's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Cotter - thanks for the offer, looks like a great deal. I'm looking for something maybe a little less$$ and I paint bikes so looks are not a big deal. Need a solid bike, maybe some goodies already there. And I am not a 15s rider - that is evident. Not yet anyway. How are SV650's anyone? That seems more where I am directing.

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  4. #4
    Posting Freak Karate.Snoopy's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    What is the best place to fish for SV650's?

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  5. #5
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Sv is the Goldie locks of motorcycles. Not too hot, not too cold, just ok.

    Just ok can be part of the charm too, if you like vanilla. Or, if you really need some special spice, it can be it's downfall too.
    Truly depends on how discerning your tastes are.

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  6. #6
    High maintenance priss
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    I have an 04 Kawi zx6rr for the past few years as a trackday bike and it's been solid. It's setup w/ the usual stuff (valved front end, Ohlins rear, Woodcraft everywhere, spares, etc...). I'm not selling it, but I think it would be in the roughly $3k?

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  7. #7
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    I think ke$ha is what you are looking for.

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    Re: Track day bike options?

    I haven't gotten it posted, yet, but my 2002 SV is for sale. Raced it last weekend in Novice, and managed 1:28's on Q2's. I'll get the details up, this weekend. I'll be asking $2300, but that's negotiable. Relocation is the reason for sale, but I'm not in a rush.

    -Jon

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  9. #9
    Senior Member South of Heaven's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    7470racer: I bought an 02 Sv650 this spring and fully converted it over to a track bike. It's a great choice and there's tons of SV's on CL....Just make sure you have upgraded front/rear suspension. The stock stuff is laughable....A steering stabilizer is pretty high up on the "must buy" list too. Getting the carbs cleaned is a good idea too, especially if the bike is 12 years old like mine was. The motor ran SO much better after that. Good luck.

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  10. #10
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chippertheripper View Post
    Sv is the Goldie locks of motorcycles. Not too hot, not too cold, just ok.

    Just ok can be part of the charm too, if you like vanilla. Or, if you really need some special spice, it can be it's downfall too.
    Truly depends on how discerning your tastes are.
    Depends on the SV... not all SV's are created equal. Not all are vanilla

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    Last edited by OreoGaborio; 09-05-14 at 09:27 AM.
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  11. #11
    Bizarro Zoolander Petorius's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    The best part about an SV track bike is how many other people have one. You can destroy the thing and have it fixed with all cheap used parts before the next track day. There will always be somebody at the track who can help you do stuff to it on the fly. Just about every known issue and related solution is documented on the internet. Then when you are done with it, you can sell it in less than a week for the same price you paid for it.

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  12. #12
    Member 7470racer's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Like kei$ha! She would definitely get a facelift. I see I am in the price range. Just need a little more time to put together the $$. Great suggestions. Was preferring the R6 as I am more of a Yamaha guy, but let's face it - it's a track bike for track time - not going to be too uptight if I can't.

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  13. #13
    Bikeless in Blackstone The Snowman's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chippertheripper View Post
    Sv is the Goldie locks of motorcycles. Not too hot, not too cold, just ok.

    Just ok can be part of the charm too, if you like vanilla. Or, if you really need some special spice, it can be it's downfall too.
    Truly depends on how discerning your tastes are.
    Some of the Goldilocks are quite quick though. Take Pete's for example. Not built too extremely, yet he recently piloted it into the 15's at NHMS. Not many on this forum have even come close to that, so it's a fairly exclusive club.

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  14. #14
    Posting Freak Karate.Snoopy's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    I must be loosing my mind, why else would I subscribe to a Track Day bike thread?

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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by 7470racer View Post
    Cotter - thanks for the offer, looks like a great deal. I'm looking for something maybe a little less$$ and I paint bikes so looks are not a big deal. Need a solid bike, maybe some goodies already there. And I am not a 15s rider - that is evident. Not yet anyway. How are SV650's anyone? That seems more where I am directing.
    My perspective as a newish track day rider with an SV650 is that these bikes are great for learning how to ride well. They are unintimidating and forgiving and can be upgraded (suspension, etc.) as you get faster. My one complaint with the bike is that when running in the slow and intermediate groups at track days, you will often be held up in corners by slower riders on 600's or 748's, work hard to pass them, and then get passed again as soon as the tracks straightens out, repeat, etc. It can be frustrating. Maybe less of a problem when sharing the track with more experienced riders who don't park it in every corner.

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  16. #16
    Lifer jasnmar's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by Karate.Snoopy View Post
    I must be loosing my mind, why else would I subscribe to a Track Day bike thread?
    Come on in... The water's fine.

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  17. #17
    Bizarro Zoolander Petorius's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by ACK View Post
    My one complaint with the bike is that when running in the slow and intermediate groups at track days, you will often be held up in corners by slower riders on 600's or 748's, work hard to pass them, and then get passed again as soon as the tracks straightens out, repeat, etc.
    Really only an issue in groups that dont allow passing in corners. Even so, it forces you to learn how to pass on the brakes and set up big drives out. I had a lot of fun on an SV in TTD's red group.

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  18. #18
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by OreoGaborio View Post
    Depends on the SV... not all SV's are created equal. Not all are vanilla
    Quote Originally Posted by The Snowman View Post
    Some of the Goldilocks are quite quick though. Take Pete's for example. Not built too extremely, yet he recently piloted it into the 15's at NHMS. Not many on this forum have even come close to that, so it's a fairly exclusive club.

    No shit. I was speaking more in terms of "character" and "feel" than function.
    And Pete has more than this guys' budget wrapped up in suspension, so whatever.
    For the record, I'm an advocate for the bike. It's capable, it's a twin, and it's not over the top.
    I was looking for another when my 650r came along.

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  19. #19
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by Petorius View Post
    Really only an issue in groups that dont allow passing in corners. Even so, it forces you to learn how to pass on the brakes and set up big drives out. I had a lot of fun on an SV in TTD's red group.
    Yeah, if anything, this is why you own an SV. You learn to get on the gas earlier, brake later, and carry more roll speed, because all the other guys are relying on power to cover up their failure to do this. Last year, I was holding my own in the Advanced group at NJMP on the SV. I still have a ton left to learn on it, but it has already helped me grow, immensely, as a rider.

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  20. #20
    Lifer
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    I adore my SV. Started off looking for something else, probably an I4 600. Possibly a Ninja/EX250. Really, anything but an SV. Sooooo glad I got talked into the SV instead. Goldilocks indeed.

    Petorius spelled out a lot of the charm. Although I'd add a few:

    - V-twins sound great, especially with a pipe. Mine makes me all tinglie down there when I thumb the starter and rev the fooker
    - They crash well. Narrow frame, narrow engine. I've chucked mine a couple times already and have maybe a couple hundro into repairs.. works for me
    - If you ever want to race, SV eligible classes are popular and well contended

    Power is somewhat benign. But I think this is probably a good thing for a newer track rider. Generally I'm a guy that prefers going fast on something slow rather than going slow on something fast. And.. well.. I'm going slow out there! It's been a while since I've owned a big HP machine. And I've never owned something that had big HP AND the handling to back it up. I see how these things could be unexciting for some who have been there, done that. The SV has never given me that "OH SHIT WHAT HAVE I DONE" sensation under power. It's always been completely as expected or "COME ON YOU POS FAAAASTEEEEEER!".

    I picked my set up SV up on NESR. Was an ex-LRRS bike. I cannot describe what a great move it was for me. It helps that I stole mine.

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  21. #21
    Is this thing on? Mr. Kurtz's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    A 600cc Supersport bike is a better bike. You can make an SV work quite well, but unless I were racing, I'd be riding my R6 as a trackday bike.

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  22. #22
    Awesomeness, Inc. MattR302's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Just came across this, not sure it its anybody on here
    http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/mcy/4607974821.html

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  23. #23
    Member 7470racer's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    I may forgot to mention: I do have some track experience riding with the USCRA for 6 years, couple podiums. Not the fastest, but on those older bikes, enough "should I really be racing this thing?" to make you pucker. Looking for more modern, less maintenance (doesn't always mean less $$ I know) but strictly track day for now. Also, branch out to NJMP, NYST and Thompson. Someone may have mentioned Palmer to me ,too? Have a couple friends that have done TTD and said it was a blast. One guy on a 2012 848 Tri-colore, the other a 2014 1199 White Panigale.

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  24. #24
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by MattR302 View Post
    Just came across this, not sure it its anybody on here
    http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/mcy/4607974821.html
    That is perfect!
    Unfortunately - I'm halfway there cash wise. I'll back off until I have the full go on this. Everyone has been very helpful.

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  25. #25
    Bizarro Zoolander Petorius's Avatar
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    Re: Track day bike options?

    Quote Originally Posted by nhbubba View Post
    - They crash well. Narrow frame, narrow engine. I've chucked mine a couple times already and have maybe a couple hundro into repairs.. works for me
    Two exceptions to this- the 2nd gens, especially 03/04, have obnoxiously wide radiators. I ride naked and trashed the radiator in one of my crashes. You can buy a brand new replacement for ~$100 or repair the broken one for cheap, so its not a big deal. Second thing, if you convert to GP shift using stock foot controls or most of the aftermarket rearsets, the shift spline/linkage thing ends up in a compromising position and can bend the shift shaft if you fall hard on it. Woodcraft sells rearsets that allow for GP shift without this problem.

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