What's more fun at the track? A monster or something else?

[il d00d]

It looks like I will be divesting myself of my 620.  Kiddos and kiddo-related activities have more or less put my leisure riding on the back burner for the foreseeable future.  I will probably be bikeless for a period of time, but I will likely pick up something in an SS or similar spec for mostly event-specific riding.  I am planning on some of those events being track days.

I have never been to one, so you could say I am putting cart before horse, but I am pretty much committed to either having fun on short trips, group rides, or the track with the occasional street excursion or putting riding on hold for a few years.

So, what do you like?  Monster, other naked, SS, motard?

[gm2]

I have never been to one, so you could say I am putting cart before horse, but I am pretty much committed to either having fun on short trips, group rides, or the track with the occasional street excursion or putting riding on hold for a few years.

assuming you are married to the idea of a twin, you just described the need for an SV650.

[desmoquattro]

I'd say ditto on the SV. But if you really want a Duc, the 900/1000SS is a *fantastic* track bike. More torque than the SV, wheelies over the crests of hills, and they rock on rides. And like the SV, they don't have too much power to get you in trouble.

[il d00d]

I am guessing you're right.  I put about 500 miles on a first gen SV and it was a fun 500 miles.  My only objection would be to the amount of work that would need to be put in extract maximum fun.  Gixxer forks,  minimally - the suspension on the one I rode was total mush.  Hard braking was not confidence-inspiring for the amount it nose dived.

I suppose it would help to give you an idea what I like and what I want - something that I can get on and ride comfortably a few hundred miles that has more power than the 620.  I like the GSXR 600s and 750s because the rider triangle fits me well - I also like 750s for being the middle ground between a stupid fast literbike and a manic 600.  I do like cheater bikes like the 636, and I have long lusted after the 675.  I have not ridden an 848, but it is on the list.  

Of course a faster monster is in the running, and this is really what the question comes down to - would you rather ride your monster at the track or some other bike, assuming you are compromising daily driver qualities for fun?

[desmoquattro]

Of course a faster monster is in the running, and this is really what the question comes down to - would you rather ride your monster at the track or some other bike, assuming you are compromising daily driver qualities for fun?

I would leave the Monster off the track. I've got an S4R and a 900SS, and for me the SS is the ideal compromise there: the ergos are nice for the track, the suspension is better than a stock SV, and I still get that shit-eating grin on my face from riding it. But if you can find an SV-S model with GSXR forks or upgraded internals, it'd be worth tracking...if you are comfortable with it for street duties as well.

[gm2]

But if you can find an SV-S model with GSXR forks or upgraded internals

something there is usually a steady supply of

[desmoquattro]

something there is usually a steady supply of

The ones I've seen around here are mostly track-only bikes being sold by racers though. Your mileage may vary.

[gm2]

true.  but, depending on how much it's been mod'd, re-streeting a track bike is no big deal.

and gixxer front ends on SVs in general is not a rare thing to do.

[zooom]

might I also suggest finding yourself a SuperHawk 996....they can be quite entertaining and meet your needs.

[desmoquattro]

might I also suggest finding yourself a SuperHawk 996....they can be quite entertaining and meet your needs.

Not a bad thought. They're cheap. Mine was a bit of a pig though, and it had crap suspension...even though it was revalved and resprung at RaceTech.

[caperix]

might I also suggest finding yourself a SuperHawk 996....they can be quite entertaining and meet your needs.

On the track the superhawk may have the same problem my rc51 has, it eats tires.  The heavy weight plus large torquey motor can distroy an expensive set of tire quickly.  I would sugest running a track day on your monster if you keep it.  It will give you a better idea of what you do and don't want in a track bike, there are always a few monsters at trackdays.  A SV650 is always a good choise for a track bike.

[GregP]

I have ridden the 620, 1000SS, SV1000S, R6 and the 675 at the track.  Without a doubt, the 675 was the most fun and easiest to get around a track quickly.  The big SV and the 1000ss are very similar in performance (sv has gsxr front and penske shock).  Both are a lot of fun and not powerful enough to get in trouble because of your right hand.

The 620, even with suspension upgrades, is not the best track tool you can find.  You have to do the same suspension upgrades on the little SV and you can find a kitted sv, depending on where you live, for $2-3K. When you fall down on the SV you can get replacement parts on the cheap.

I didn't do well with the R6 because I'm not used to spinning a bike up to 10k to get into the power band.  I can only assume, any Japanese 600 or 750 will be an excellent track choice and at the moment you can buy one for a song.

Personally, I'm not the touring type so anymore then a slab to the twisties and home is too much distance on any of these bikes.

There is always the 'Busa!!! Good luck. [moto]

[desmoquattro]

There is always the 'Busa!!! Good luck. [moto]

Turbo-Busa

With an extended swingarm.

[Cider]

Once you get used to it, you can go surprisingly fast on a stock SV.  It encourages smoothness and corner speed as well--smoothness to deal with the bouncy suspension, and corner speed because if you lose momentum in a corner it takes forever to get back up to speed! 

GSXR forks are a popular upgrade, but even using better springs makes a big difference.  Traxxion offers a drop-in kit with modified dampers and emulators for around $300; they also offer a cartridge kit for around $1k.  Penske is a popular choice for the rear, but there are a lot of options there as well.

If you use the stock forks, you can get adapters for GSXR calipers, but the bike has a lot of engine braking, so you may be satisfied with the stock brakes.

[duccarlos]

I'll take the practical approach. Get a bike wih farings for the track. Regardless of what it is. With that said, the 800SS is a great trackbike.