Looking for bike for street / trackdays

[maxim_X]

Well, hyper is definitely out. I don't need any more trouble keeping the rubber down.

That Ape sounds great! It's not a bike I would have thought of. A quick craigslist search showed me one close by with an R version in Worcester. They are way cheaper than the Ducky's I was looking at.

[duganc1717]

[Ryno]

Aprilia gets my vote as well for what you're looking for. Tuono is a great street that's plenty capable of doing track days. Or go with the Mille like Scotty said.

[csmutty]

I'd really like a vtwin. But the fz1 had always caught my eye. I never thought they would be any sort of capable on a track. What about the fz6? is it similar? What's the issues with the hyper? I've read it's not great for the track but no one explains why. Would the S model be better?

Darek on born uses his bone stock fz6 on the track. You could ask him about it. I will be using my fz6 this year at track days as well.

[jhawley]

Wirelessly posted

Smutty sucks.
And the sv is way better than the fz6.
At least the sv has character and some soul that the fz is sorely lacking.
As for the op my vote is an sv1000, aprilia tuono, or triumph speed triple.

[butcher bergs]

I'd really like a vtwin. But the fz1 had always caught my eye. I never thought they would be any sort of capable on a track. What about the fz6? is it similar?

Neither FZ (600 or 1000) will offer the low end you will find in a twin.

I rode a stock 2005 FZ6 on the street as well as the track. A lively machine but you need to run it in the upper midrange or higher to get anything out of it. 50mpg isn't bad and it's reasonably comfortable with good power to pass but that engine has to be spun up in order to do it.

For the FZ1's, I owned a 2003 and a 2008. Both are very different from the other and after having both on street as well as the track I found I preferred the 2003 and had more fun on it in general. Better mpg, better range (bigger tank), more adjustability (suspension), etc.

In fact, I had so much fun with the 2003 that I took it down to VIR for a trackday and promptly turned it into a frisbee at the top of the Rollercoaster.

[csmutty]

Neither FZ (600 or 1000) will offer the low end you will find in a twin.

I rode a stock 2005 FZ6 on the street as well as the track. A lively machine but you need to run it in the upper midrange or higher to get anything out of it. 50mpg isn't bad and it's reasonably comfortable with good power to pass but that engine has to be spun up in order to do it.

For the FZ1's, I owned a 2003 and a 2008. Both are very different from the other and after having both on street as well as the track I found I preferred the 2003 and had more fun on it in general. Better mpg, better range (bigger tank), more adjustability (suspension), etc.

In fact, I had so much fun with the 2003 that I took it down to VIR for a trackday and promptly turned it into a frisbee at the top of the Rollercoaster.

Huh. Must have been a big change in the 2nd gen then because I shift mine at 4k for just general street riding and it pulls fine. 08 got revised fueling though.

Wirelessly posted

Smutty sucks.
And the sv is way better than the fz6.
At least the sv has character and some soul that the fz is sorely lacking.
As for the op my vote is an sv1000, aprilia tuono, or triumph speed triple.

Hmm...let's start a list.

FZ6...50mpg while your SV gets what..25?
Which one would you rather ride 200-300 mile days with?
Plus the standard position is more comfortable and has better wind protection IMO.

Plus your SV is obnoxious while you can't even hear the FZ.

[McBiggity]

Where do you get 25mpg for the sv? I regularly get 45mpg on my first gen.

[nhbubba]

SV1k maybe? Although pitting SV1k vs FZ6 seems wrong to me. Should be SV650 vs FZ6 and SV1k vs FZ1 to my (horribly uneducated) eye.

[duganc1717]

I never really got the whole SV love fest......



And yes I've owned one.

[JettaJayGLS]

Triumph sport or speed triple seems to fit the bill...

[csmutty]

SV1k maybe? Although pitting SV1k vs FZ6 seems wrong to me. Should be SV650 vs FZ6 and SV1k vs FZ1 to my (horribly uneducated) eye.

Joe has a SV1k...so I was comparing it to that. In relative terms of quickness I would say they are about the same.

Plus it's easier to make a my case when I am comparing it to a 1000.

[TheIglu]

FZ6 = High pitched whine, similar to that of Justin Bieber.

SV = Rumble of thunder


The SV is the most all-around fun I've ever had in a street bike. Boring? Sure, if your only priority is going fast in a straight line. Even then, it's pretty quick for anything on the street.


SV gives you arguably the largest middle-weight aftermarket support of any bike made, the ability to make it into a sport tourer, super sport, commuter, almost a dual sport (Randy). The track presence is undeniable. The mods you can do are endless.


If the SV is a boring bike, I can't only imagine what anyone would think riding my Vmax or ZRX. Sure, more HP, but that's about it.

[csmutty]

FZ6 = High pitched whine, similar to that of Justin Bieber.

SV = Rumble of thunder


The SV is the most all-around fun I've ever had in a street bike. Boring? Sure, if your only priority is going fast in a straight line. Even then, it's pretty quick for anything on the street.


SV gives you arguably the largest middle-weight aftermarket support of any bike made, the ability to make it into a sport tourer, super sport, commuter, almost a dual sport (Randy). The track presence is undeniable. The mods you can do are endless.


If the SV is a boring bike, I can't only imagine what anyone would think riding my Vmax or ZRX. Sure, more HP, but that's about it.

ZRX is a big comfy turd that is fast as shit in a straight line. It's not the power that is boring, it is the way that the power is delivered.

That being said I rarely go over 6 or 7k on the fz. So no high pitch whine here BRO.

And on the FZ they did it right...so mine is bone stock and will stay that way. No need for an aftermarket when stock performs flawlessly.

[nhbubba]

Plus it's easier to make a my case when I am comparing it to a 1000.

At least you acknowledge it, I guess.

I just hope everyone reading this realizes how absurd it is to discount "the SV" because of the 1k, when the 650 is, AFAIK, the sales leader from the pair by a monumental margin.

[duganc1717]

IMO the stock suspension is really lacking, guess that's why so many people put GSXR front ends on it.

[butcher bergs]

Huh. Must have been a big change in the 2nd gen then because I shift mine at 4k for just general street riding and it pulls fine. 08 got revised fueling though.

I believe gearing may have been changed in addition to the fuel mapping but I'm not completely sure. All I know is, that 2005 FZ6 I rode was flat until 8-ish or so.

[maxim_X]

Wasn't it carbed until '06?

[butcher bergs]

The FZ1 was carbed until 2005 but the FZ6 always had FI

[DaveZX6r]

I know nothing about these bikes other than that they are sexy. But it seems like it could fit your bill.

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/2995040360.html

[maxim_X]

Well you guys did it to me. You bunch of SV nuthuggers had me searching Craigslist for weeks for one. Here's what I got. 2007 sv650s 7k miles $3k. It needs tires and a chain maybe a few more minor things. What do I need to
Do to this thing to make it ready for the track.

[nhbubba]

Nice find!

Bike looks too good to crash, er, uh, track.

[Rada]

[QUOTE=maxim_X;1183201] What do I need to
Do to this thing to make it ready for the track.

Pull the mirrors off. Unplug the tail lights under the rear seat. Change the oil. Put on fresh rubber and possibly front brake pads.
Then load on trailer and head for the track.
Pretty easy really.

If want to really shake a leg on it then a Penske and Emulators and correct springs front and rear.

[maxim_X]

I'm pretty heavy so I was def thinking some suspension upgrades would be good. I would ask what others are using but I'm sure you will all just tell me to ask Pete. WHat is everyone running for tires? I had Pilot power 2ct's in the past which I liked. But, I never brought them to the track.

What about rearsets? Are they a must have or even worth getting?

[Rada]

How heavy is pretty heavy?
If you are 200+ then you will want 1.0 springs in the forks. Pete at GMD can hook you up with the new affordable Penske shock for decent money if you don't want to spend the full blow on a twin adjust model. I tested that shock last year and it performs great. He will also make sure you have the right spring for Loudon. Likely a 550 or 600.
I would not worry about rear sets. I rode Lucy into the 21s with stock pegs. Spend the money on tires and track days.

Tires...... Pick what you like. I like Pirellis.