Track bikes for large humans?

[Chippertheripper]

I think that's a huge part of the answe, somebody might chime in about turn in or whathaveyou...

[brady]

Think these would help? VFW Vario footpeg mounts. Or should I try a bike with rearsets?

You can get bolt-on mounting plates that move the pegs up and back 1" for $40 here.

There are other plates that offer more adjustability, not sure who makes them though.

SVRider.com will be your new best friend for tech and accessory info like this.

[Garandman]

///SVRider.com will be your new best friend for tech and accessory info like this.

Been there since 7/9, but sorting through the threads to get the info you want can be time consuming and there are a lot of super-knowledgeable SV riders here.

Now that the suspension is done, next step is tires. I'm thinking about Pirelli Diablo Rosso using a 120/70 front. The Rosso Corsa seems to be the LGT but honestly I don't see myself going fast enough soon enough to warrant a tire like that.

[Rada]

Another vote for an SV from a somewhat lardish fellow.

I'm 6'2" 240 and realy dig my SV650. Especially now that I have some 1.0 fork springs in it.

It isn't exactly a missle down the straights but it is a blast in the turns.

[Garandman]

I'm fixin' to swap tires. Pirelli has the Diablo Rosso and Diablo Rosso Corsa. At my level of [lack of] skill and experience, it seems to me the Corsa would be overkill for me and the Diablo Rosso would be the right choice. Am wrong?

[Garandman]

OK, just a "Close the Loop" post after the BoMo track day 9/29 and two Tony's Track Days Oct 4 & 5. Total of around 240 miles / 150 laps.

I'm pleased with all the many positive attributes of the SV: torquey, unfussy engine, much lighter than the V-Strom, more power, closer-spaced ratios, more centralized weight, quicker geometry, etc.

The suspension upgrades (cartridge emulators, front springs, and Penske rear) from GMD Computrack work great.

The Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires I got from Duncan Moto are working really well for my intended purposes: some street riding and track days. They felt well-planted even on the first warmup laps yesterday morning (54 degrees) when some others were having issues. And they were stable under some really ham-handed rider errors, like hitting the shifter with my toe anddownshifting at readline going down into turn six while trying to upshift. That should have put me down after a lurid slide, but didn't.

The bike is still too small for me. My butt is below knee level when on the seat so my leg is very tight and I put a lot of strain on the joint trying to get back on my toes, stand on the pegs, or shift weight side-to-side. I'm having a stock seat built up with 1" of hard foam (but retaining as much as possible the stock shape) to see if that will help: it certainly can't hurt.

Adjustable rearsets in lieu of the stock rear sets might help some, but they don't go much lower than what I have now.

The stock front brakes got very mushy. Probably a combination of wear, heat, and possibly even some moisture in the brake fluid, which undoubtedly is original (2008). I'm going to install SS brake lines, aftermarket pads, and replace the fluid before next season.

At the advice of some, I removed the side stand for the sessions and jumpered out the interlock. Speaking to other SV riders, this doesn't appear to be necessary. Some have trimmed the foot a bid but most report dragging pegs before side stand. So I'll probably leave it on in future for convenience sake.

Special thanks to Dan, DucDave, Tony, and Ken Condon for demonstrating on the track what I was supposed to be doing. along with a track walk Monday night, I've got a much better idea of what to work on for next year.

[Rada]

Glad you like the SV. I know I do. I just got home from 5th and 6th myself.

As to you brakes, if they are bled out they should be nice and taught.
Also clean you calipers as outlined in this vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHtxBI8NEMg

That and lube you lever pivots.
My stock SV brakes will hoist the back tire into turn 1 with 1 finger. They have some potential.

Rada

[Garandman]

What do you use for pads?
Did you change to SS lines?

[rolker]

It was nice meeting you and I'm glad you enjoyed the SV. Oh, and thanks again for the coffee!

I'm sure I'll be seeing you next season.

[Doc]

The bike is still too small for me. My butt is below knee level when on the seat so my leg is very tight and I put a lot of strain on the joint trying to get back on my toes, stand on the pegs, or shift weight side-to-side. I'm having a stock seat built up with 1" of hard foam (but retaining as much as possible the stock shape) to see if that will help: it certainly can't hurt.

Does the SV rear shock have any ride height adjustment?

Getting the rear end up another inch or 2 should really help. I know it did on my Hawk and I would like another inch or 2. After a GTL my knees are aching.

[Garandman]

Thanks, I'll ask Mr. Kates: it's a Penske two-way.

[Chippertheripper]

It does have a ride height adj.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

I have SS Brake lines and Calipers with Carbon Loraine Pads You can have for 65.00 Pads have 1 session on them

[Doc]

Thanks, I'll ask Mr. Kates: it's a Penske two-way.

Then again you will have to make other suspension adjustments to compensate...

[Garandman]

Just purchased a used saddle on Fleabay. I'm going to experiment a bit with loose pieces, then have it built up with hard foam. I'm planning to take it to Allen's Auto Trim in Peabody, who seems to do a fair amount of motorcycle saddle work. Unless anyone has other suggestions: I know there are some specialists on the South Shore.

[Rada]

What do you use for pads?
Did you change to SS lines?

At this point all OEM.

[Garandman]

Made a few other discoveries as well.

I have an Arai Vector helmet. Leaned down on the bike, I have to bend my neck up to be able to see uphill. Have to find a more sportbike-friendly helmet.

Ditto the leathers. I have a size 54 Vanson suit and it seemed to fit OK on the V-Strom. But I have a long torso and so in the riding position it makes my arms cramped. A great excuse to get rid of the "Marshmallow suit."

[Garandman]

Found tons of threads on lowering seats, but not many on raising them.

Here's the first step in the seat upgrade process. I cut up a 0.5" thick foam camping pad to determine how much to increase. Then rode around a while to see how they felt on the knees and if I could transfer my weight more easily.

The "sweet spot" was four layers. So next week we'll see about have a 2" thicker SV seat built at Allens.

[OreoGaborio]

you settled for a 650? why not a bigger bike?

Tee hee

im only 5'8 and i need a 600

Gigglez



Regarding seat height: one option is to rest the hard plastic tabs on the bottom of the seat on TOP of the subframe bars instead of hooking them underneath. This will raise the seat about an inch.

For shock length, I run the shock about 342mm eye to eye. This will give you good rear end geometry and might give you a little bit more seat height as well.

Another option is to find a subframe from a 2003 SV as it's a little higher. That's what I use. The downside is that it's steel instead of aluminium, but the weight difference is negligible.


For gearing I currently run 15/46, might drop down to a 45, but pace plays into it quite a bit.
So I'd say just run stock for now. Once it wears out, I'd suggest trying 15/47.

[Garandman]

Thanks, I'll look at the seat spacer trick as well.

[Rada]

Speaking of big dude on little bike.
I got looking through some pics the wife shot on the 5th.
This one looks like I'm riding a pit bike.


I like the sounds of raising the seat. My knees are pretty tender after a session. That and my right foot starts to get numb.

I surely need to open up my legs a little.

I'm not thinking that you will want your pegs any lower than they already are.
Once your pace picks up they will be grinding here and there.

[Chippertheripper]

Holyshit! You look like you could drag knee and elbow going straight.

[Garandman]

Me, not so much....

[Garandman]

Progress. Took a stock seat to Allen's Auto Trim in Peabody and had them add some height.


My knee is much more relaxed and I feel like I can move much more readily side-to-side, and be able to get my left foot back to the ball of the foot without having to do a deep squat.

[SVRACER01]

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If I'm out for long sessions my right foot falls asleep too