[joeswamp]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm kinda new here so take it easy on me...

OK so I've gone to a bunch of track days with my street bike (Triumph Thruxton) and have decided I'm going to bin that thing if I keep taking it. The Thrux doesn't exactly have great ground clearance, I keep scraping the pegs and kickstand and I'm pretty sure the headpipes are next. I'm learning to hang off more, but as I get faster I know I'm going to eventually make a mistake and I don't want to do it with my street bike.

So I'm thinking I want to buy a beater trackbike. Now that the race season's ending the for sale signs are coming out, but I can't figure out if I want an EX500 or an old SV650. Both bikes are cheap, handle crashes well, aren't too powerful, etc. The EX is definitely cheaper, but the design is just so old and people tell me the frame is crazy flexible. On the other hand, learning to overcome these handicaps might make me a better rider if I eventually want to start racing.

So I guess what I'm asking is: do the EX deficiencies make it a better bike for learning to go fast? Or is it better to learn on a better handling bike?

[Daytona440]

Either is a great choice, but i am in the SV camp. as a matter of fact I currently only have a 2002 SV650 race bike, that only sees track days...

[OreoGitorio]

Think I've seen that Thruxton of yours out on the track... Maroon? Nice lookin bike.

I'm an EX-er... got it cuz they're DAMN cheap (got mine for 1500 bucks, fully race ready w/ Ohlins shock and sorted front end), and, like my sig says, "it's so bad it's good", which supports your theory that dealing w/ it's shortcomings can make you a better rider. I have no doubt that my time spent on the EX has put me in good shape to compete on the big bikes once I get one. Plus the low cost will help me stay in the game as opposed to going broke after 2 seasons.

The SV is cheap as well, but there's no comparison when it comes to cost between the two... hands down the EX is about 1/2 as expensive to buy and operate assuming you don't end up w/ a bad one.

I think your choice mainly depends on your wallet. Both are good bikes to start on and they both have their limitations, but at the same time they're very different.

If I follow the natural progression, my next race bike would probably be an SV.

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by OreoGitorio
hands down the EX is about 1/2 as expensive to buy and operate assuming you don't end up w/ a bad one.

They're all bad. Some are just slightly less fucked than others.

[OreoGitorio]

Yeah, what he said

[SVRACER01]

hey man.. i met you at the last TTD.. i had the bus next to you. EXs are great trackbikes and they are pretty cheap. the problem is the power. would you be content with 40HP? im sure you thrux makes more than that. i personally stand behind the SV. great bike, a little more $$ but worth it. the bike in stock trim isnt bad. ( i raced mine for 2 seasons at NHIS with stock suspension doing 22s with a best of a high 21) throw some $$ at it here and there and it will grow with you. i would recommend a 1st gen SV for the carbs. you can junk the airbox and some flatslides on for big ponies there are also some cheap and inexpensive go fast upgrades you can do to it.



with that said..... i have a 02 sv650s with a salvage title for sale......

[Doc]

Hey don't rule out the Honda Hawk GT!!!!

More character that either of those bikes AND a loyal following at NHIS.

[legalspeed]

SV.

[a13x]

SV.

[joeswamp]

Thanks for the info. Guess I'm leaning towards the SV but it all depends on what kinda deal I can get, if I can't find a cheap one I'll probably end up with an EX.

Hadn't considered the Hawk GT option. I really liked those bikes when they were new, but you never see them on the street anymore. Do they use modern tire sizes? How easy is it to get parts?

[a13x]

Parts: Easy. There is a cultlike group known as the Hawklist and anytime you need a part that maybe the Honda dealership doesn't have, the List does. Not to mention Steve Lenac in NJ has about 20 running Hawk's and another 30 or so not running ones. I bought a clutch lever for my Hawk from Nault's 1 week ago. Word.

Street: You don't see them on the street much cause they are very rare, but they ARE out there. I see about 2 or so a month.

Race: There are 7 or 8 of us that race them up at Loudon. Great group of guys and Loudon is a good track for them to still be competitive. http://www.maberacing.com/forum for lots more Hawk / LRRS info

For Sale: I have a street-trim Hawk for sale for 2k and Doc is selling his Kuwatihawk (very nice.. wouldn't track that one personally) for a lil more.



SV or Hawk. I'm not a fan of the EX's regardless of the success a few of my buddies have had racing them.

Also my buddy Ryan is selling a 2001 Ducati 750SS, track ready, for $1995. http://lrrs.wworks.com/classifieds/d...on.cfm?id=8319

[Stupidhawk007]

If you can get a hawk racebike, I'd go for it. I had no idea the bike even existed last year. Now I race one. Easy to work on, easy to get parts for AND they are grandfathered into ultralight superbike due to their age. Try getting an SV into ULSB. Hawks are the best!

[Doc]

About time we got more Hawkers to chime in here!

Check www.hawkgtforum.com as well. They have Hawks listed for sale.

And if you don't mind paying for shipping I am sure both Steve Lenac and JD hord could build you one, all depends on how deep your pockets are.

Hord has one for sale from $1500-5000 depending...

I posted a track ready hawk for sale in Wisconsin recently in the NESR for sale section. Check it out.
http://www.mastermindmotorsports.com...hawk/index.htm

[ancosta]

Hey Joe,

I think we shared the garage together on 9/20. I would say SV all the way if you are looking for a good track bike. Can't comment on the EX as I have no practical experience with them.

The decision is to try and find one track ready or a street bike. The trick with the SV is that people who know what they have (90% of owners) tend to value the bike highly and demand top dollar. You want the other 10% that will part ways much cheaper. I have 2 friends who bought SV's with very light damage and clean titles for $1k and $1500. The $1k SV got running for another $400 or so, and I could barely keep up with it on my full suspension bike.

I'd try $2k for an SV plus $1200 for key mods such as forks and shock....or a fully setup race bike could be had for around $3500 I'd guess.

[stoinkythepig]

How about a Bandit 400? More power than the EX and less than SV. I got one for sale...

[daviid]

you can buy my ex.

[SVRACER01]

Originally posted by stoinkythepig
How about a Bandit 400? More power than the EX and less than SV. I got one for sale...

oooo... whats the details on that?

[stoinkythepig]

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...threadid=23480

[SVRACER01]

hmmm.... G/F wants a track bike and maybe start racing....... ill talk to her. she was kinda set on an SV. she didnt like it when i told her i would sell it to her

[stoinkythepig]

It's my wife's bike and she has decided she does not wish to ride anymore. It's just sitting in my garage collecting dust. Was gonna wait 'til Spring to sell it but you can look at it whenever. Neat bike. It's the only Bandit they made with liquid cooling. Everything works and it should pass inspection, but the MEZ4 tires are getting thin. It has 17" rims, so modern rubber spoons on.

[joeswamp]

Thanks for the info on the Bandit 400, need to research that bike more. Can never understand why the 400's are always such a market failure in the states as that engine size makes such a great bike to throw around -- almost like a big bicycle. I have to guess that an FZR400 or CBR400RR would be a lot of fun at Loudon.

Andrew -- great to hear from you and thanks for the info. I was really impressed with how you had set up your SV.