Show me your track bike!

[JohnEE]

I'm thinking of getting into track days this summer and was curious about what everyone here runs at the track.  I saw a SV650 on craigslist that was begging to be turned into a track bike. Show me your bikes and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Grampa]

01 Suzuki sv650

02 gsxr 750 front end with Ohlins innards
GPR steering damper
Elka rear shock
cam swap
Galfer wave rotors with ebc sintered double h pads
Goodridge steel braided brake lines
Keihin flat slide carbs and k&n filters
LeoVince ti exhaust
Woodcraft highmount rearsets
Shinko slicks
Wire tied bits

all for less than 3k

and an ugly Penny paint job

[Triple J]

I'm a big fan of 2003/2004 R6s. They're cheap, reliable, handle very well, and lots of parts are available. For a track bike, just get some fairings, dual carbon brake pads, get the suspension done for your weight, and you're good to go.

The 2005 and 2006-2007S models look the same, but aren't as good I'm told (for clarity...S models...not the redesigned body R6). Yamaha switched to upside down forks for those models, but didn't update the frame, so they don't handle quite as well.

Here's my 2003 race bike. I picked it up for $2,000 this fall. Since it's a race bike I've done quite a bit more...I'll be into it about $7,500 total, with the supersport motor build and slipper clutch being the main $$. That isn't necessary for a track bike though.



If money is no object, get an RSV4.   Best bike made right now IMO.

[dansamp]

here is mine:




01 900 SSie  
not an SV  but it's a Duc  

this one is my daily commuter but has also seen track time




02 M750ie

this one was my favorite but I wrecked it  

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/109/cp9968.jpg/
95 900 SS/SP  lots and lots of mods

[1.21GW]

Not sure where you're located, but came across this during my Sunday morning browse of craigslist.  Appears to have all the bells and whistles so no need for further track investment:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/mcy/3649116228.html

[Grampa]

http://weraclassifieds.com/ad-category/motorcycles/

Ideas can be found here.

[gm2]

2007 R6.  handles just fine
basic stuff changed:  clip-ons, rear sets, power commander, quick shifter.  elka rear shock, new innards in the forks.  skinnier chain, sprockets.  lighter battery.
oh yeah.. braided lines and race pads.  bodywork (duh).

[betarace]

Check out the classifieds on tracktalk.nesba.com  tons of bikes there ready to go.

[Triple J]

2007 R6.  handles just fine

I was only referring to the S models for '05-07.    Nothing at all wrong with yours. Hell, the S models with their flaws still probably handle better than Ducs!   [that's a bit of a joke...don't everyone get all upset]

[ducpainter]

I was only referring to the S models for '05-07.    Nothing at all wrong with yours. Hell, the S models with their flaws still probably handle better than Ducs! 

My 996 handles fine.

You should look into getting yours set up for you.

[Triple J]

My 996 handles fine.

You should look into getting yours set up for you.

I was partly joking...but, as I'm sure you know, handling is a lot personal preference. After racing a 748S and 749S, I can say I prefer the R6 handling to any of them. The 749 was the worst IMO. The 748 was actually pretty good after putting OZ wheels on it...it was a tank before that mod. There's a lot of personal preference in bikes though, I expect people to disagree...especially on a Ducati board. I also tracked my old 2008 848 a few times, but I was slow enough back then I couldn't tell the difference.

...and yes, they were all set up for me, by a very good suspension guy (his bikes hold track records at several west coast tracks, and multiple #1 plate racers use him). New springs and valving front & rear on both. You don't race a bike without having it set up for you.  It's the most important thing IMO.

Have you ridden an R6, or another modern non-Ducati sport bike on the track? I was amazed at the difference. The Ducatis are rock solid stable, but they don't change direction easily, and thus are a lot of work to ride. The R6 and Ape RSV4 are just easier to ride.

[ducpainter]

I was partly joking...<snip>

I was too, especially about the bikes not being set up for you...and my 996 drove like a truck before I put light wheels on it just like all the 916 era bikes. I found the faster I went the better it handled. I agree about the change of direction thing, but I'm used to it. A V shaped front tire makes a huge difference too.

I have a policy. I don't ride anything I can't afford to buy. So no, I haven't ridden any bikes other than the one's I've owned.  Also I really don't like having to be in a certain rpm range to make a 4 stroke go. The 996 is like a tractor...it responds to the throttle no matter how fast it's spinning.

[Triple J]

I was too, especially about the bikes not being set up for you...and my 996 drove like a truck before I put light wheels on it just like all the 916 era bikes. I found the faster I went the better it handled. I agree about the change of direction thing, but I'm used to it. A V shaped front tire makes a huge difference too.

I have a policy. I don't ride anything I can't afford to buy. So no, I haven't ridden any bikes other than the one's I've owned.  Also I really don't like having to be in a certain rpm range to make a 4 stroke go. The 996 is like a tractor...it responds to the throttle no matter how fast it's spinning.

Gotcha...hard to tell jokes with text sometimes. 

Agreed on the faster thing. That era of bikes definitely reward aggressive riding.  I agree on the rpms as well...the torque of a twin is really nice. That's why I like the RSV4 so much...revs close to an I-4, and plenty of torque down low...plus great handling.

[swampduc]

Gotcha...hard to tell jokes with text sometimes. 

Agreed on the faster thing. That era of bikes definitely reward aggressive riding.  I agree on the rpms as well...the torque of a twin is really nice. That's why I like the RSV4 so much...revs close to an I-4, and plenty of torque down low...plus great handling.

That's how I would describe the Panigale, but I haven't had the opportunity to ride an RSV yet. OP, any particular budget in mind? My primary bike is an 1199s, but that's not the smartest or cheapest decision in the world. The other end of the spectrum price wise would be an older SV or Gixxer. Those are good bikes as well.

[Triple J]

That's how I would describe the Panigale, but I haven't had the opportunity to ride an RSV yet.

That's what I've heard as well. I was offered a friend's at Miller last year, but had just finished a couple days on another friend's RSV4, so didn't want to push my luck any more on expensive bikes! I'll try one this season.