Looking to get started with track days this summer

[THE STUFF 187]

I have two race prepped EX500's I got from Clayton last year that he raced for a while. I'm going to sell one of them if interested. Also have a mint street EX 500 for sale too. Dont ask me how I ended up with 3 EX500's when I race middle weight bikes. Reason im selling 2 of them. If intersted in checking them out give me a call.

[csmutty]

they shouldnt? i get like 1000 laps out of them.

Uhh come again?

[number9]

I was wrong about tires. I've got Pirelli Diablos on there

[csmutty]

I was wrong about tires. I've got Pirelli Diablos on there

Oh yeah those will be more than fine as long as the sipes are good.

[SVRACER01]

Uhh come again?

thats an estimate really. a set of take offs will last me all season (just TDs). when i was racing i put new tires on at the classic. that was it. ran them until the next classic. granted i only did 1 or 2 races a weekend (with the exception of the classic) and no practices. depending on how the front looked, sometimes just a rear, but usually both. i run them until the dots (TWI) are gone.

[csmutty]

thats an estimate really. a set of take offs will last me all season (just TDs). when i was racing i put new tires on at the classic. that was it. ran them until the next classic. granted i only did 1 or 2 races a weekend (with the exception of the classic) and no practices. depending on how the front looked, sometimes just a rear, but usually both. i run them until the dots (TWI) are gone.

That is just plain awesome.

[number9]

There is a lot of debate between an SV650 for a first bike versus an I4 600. Do the reasons for picking an SV over an I4 (as a first bike) hold true for older I4 bikes (e.g. early 2000s), or is the SV still a better pick in terms of running costs, spares availability etc.?

I really want to start doing more track days but I'm not sure my VFR is the right thing to do them on.

[Petorius]

You are less likely to highside an SV, and at least 5 other people will be on the same bike, same generation at every track day you go to. I dont think the difference in tire wear is significant until you start moving really fast.

[number9]

You are less likely to highside an SV, and at least 5 other people will be on the same bike, same generation at every track day you go to. I dont think the difference in tire wear is significant until you start moving really fast.

What is the difference in hp? I had ASSumed it was maybe 20hp or so, but after looking up specs it looks like it's almost double that.

Thanks for the note about tires.

[TrackRat]

What is the difference in hp? I had ASSumed it was maybe 20hp or so, but after looking up specs it looks like it's almost double that.

Thanks for the note about tires.

The horsepower difference is big. 65-70 hp on the SV vs. 100+ on the 600's. Having gone through a similar progression with cars, I think of the SV as a Miata. It's underpowered, and until you figure it out, you'll be getting buzzed by every car(bike) out on the track that has twice the hp as you. But, if you use it to learn the limits, and figure out how to really go fast on it, you'll be able to be truly fast, as hp won't be covering your mistakes.

I started on the SV and ran a Miata for a while. Getting a point by from an M5 in the Miata, and passing my brother on his 848 Ducati were high points of both of my track careers.

-Jon

[Tunertype]

What is the difference in hp? I had ASSumed it was maybe 20hp or so, but after looking up specs it looks like it's almost double that.

Thanks for the note about tires.

Depending on year an SV has about 65hp and a 90's 600 bike has around 90hp. A later model 600 will have more like 110hp. The 600 has all the power up top and as long as you keep it a gear or two too high you'll be less likely to high side on a 600 than an SV. Also unless you buy a track prepped SV, you have to do alot more mods to it to make it up to the same handling level as a semi modern(10-15 years old) 600. Good news is you can get a track prepped SV for less than a modernish 600. Until you get into the really fast guys at NHMS an SV can run about the same lap times as a 600. It's the faster acceleration and braking in the straights that gives the 600 a slight edge and that's also what some may say can get you into trouble, but keeping it a gear high will squash the power issue and it's nice to have good brakes when you need them. The SV has a huge following though so mods and advice are plentiful.

[Jim]

stock motor with air filter and exhaust:
06+ gsxr - 105-115hp
06+ r6 - 112-120hp
13+ 636 - 120-130hp

[nhbubba]

I adore my 2000 SV track toy. One of the best purchases I have ever made.
SV is an excellent choice for many reasons. I am sure many of them have been listed in this thread. If not, there are more in this thread too.
My advice would be to buy a gen 1 (99-02) with at least a few goodies pre-installed, if not a fully race prep'ed bike. In my experience, that is cheaper than building the bike yourself.

[Petorius]

My advice would be to buy a gen 1 (99-02) with at least a few goodies pre-installed, if not a fully race prep'ed bike. In my experience, that is cheaper than building the bike yourself.

I bought an SV and made it from a street bike to a street/track bike to a track bike. I could have just bought one street and one track for the amount it has cost me so far.

[PeaPod]

I bought an SV and made it from a street bike to a street/track bike to a track bike. I could have just bought one street and one track for the amount it has cost me so far.

Haha, did this myself with a Ninja 650. I do like the Ninja. Only time I have come close to highside is in the rain. I can keep up with most 600's about halfway down the straight at Loudon, until they hit their powerband. All depends on how you get out of the corner. SV's have way more aftermarket and parts availability than the Ninja though.

[number9]

At what point do guys go with tire warmers? Are they needed more with lighter bikes (e.g. SVs) than heavier ones, or does it really depend on rider skill? Or are they just always better (if you can afford 'em)?

[OreoGaborio]

At what point do guys go with tire warmers? Are they needed more with lighter bikes (e.g. SVs) than heavier ones, or does it really depend on rider skill? Or are they just always better (if you can afford 'em)?

When you go racing and want hot tires going into T1.

Or if you're overly paranoid about cold tire crashes and/or are so impatient about going fast that you can't ride 75% for the first lap or two.

[nhbubba]

..or maybe if you have a really hard time figuring out what "75%" is.

Although I don't own warmers.

[number9]

When you go racing and want hot tires going into T1.

Or if you're overly paranoid about cold tire crashes and/or are so impatient about going fast that you can't ride 75% for the first lap or two.

Thanks Oreo. So for "just" track days, not as necessary?

[nhbubba]

Really, what is "necessary"? It's all YMMV.

[number9]

Really, what is "necessary"? It's all YMMV.

Yeah, I realize that. I guess I was hoping to hear - or to avoid hearing - something like, "the first lap is deadly without them" or "they only make a difference if you have 190hp" or something. So, something more absolute. But no worries!

[nhbubba]

First lap is not deadly without them. I think you and I already know that one.
First lap can be painful without them if you're dumb. Ask me how I know.

I've never had 190hp in a bike. So fucktifiknow.

I still don't own warmers. I think that's the last bit of real racing kit I need if I wanted to make a go of it. That and a bitchin' helmet fan.

Do you have a helmet fan?

[jasnmar]

There are people who run them at track days.

As Oreo said, take it easy the first lap and you'll be fine.

The control riders and coaches at the track days don't use warmers (at least mostly) for track day riding, but all of them that race (many of them) have them.

I believe them to be unnecessary for the average trackday rider (but I'm old, and slow).

[number9]

First lap is not deadly without them. I think you and I already know that one.
First lap can be painful without them if you're dumb. Ask me how I know.

I've never had 190hp in a bike. So fucktifiknow.

I still don't own warmers. I think that's the last bit of real racing kit I need if I wanted to make a go of it. That and a bitchin' helmet fan.

Do you have a helmet fan?

No, but I'm a fan of helmets

[nhbubba]

Does anyone race without warmers? Is the consensus that they are fuggin' nuts? Even that doode (Brady?) that rode in and raced his plated machine ran warmers, no?