Is this a good track bike?

rsm · 08-25-2006, 11:29 AM

I have been riding cruiser for about 5 years and I want to get into sport riding and track riding. I want to get some track time to improve my skills and basicly just for fun. I am looking at a Ninja 650R. Is this bike ok for the track? Will this bike meet my expectations? Any other bikes I should consider?

I have riden my friends '06 R6 and it is a little intimidating so I thought the Ninja 650R would be a better first sport bike.

nig · 08-25-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsm

I have been riding cruiser for about 5 years and I want to get into sport riding and track riding. I want to get some track time to improve my skills and basicly just for fun. I am looking at a Ninja 650R. Is this bike ok for the track? Will this bike meet my expectations? Any other bikes I should consider?

I have riden my friends '06 R6 and it is a little intimidating so I thought the Ninja 650R would be a better first sport bike.

It will be great, though I'd take a serious look at the SV650. More common, it's been around a while, lots of info and cheap parts out there.

rsm · 08-25-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nig

It will be great, though I'd take a serious look at the SV650. More common, it's been around a while, lots of info and cheap parts out there.

What about the SV650S?

MrDirt · 08-25-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsm

What about the SV650S?

Even better. You'll get better geometry, better handlebars (you get clip-ons instead of regular bars), better (higher) rearsets. If buying new, the difference in price would likely pay for those things in high quality aftermarket form (i.e. Woodcraft parts). Even before that, just make sure to get the fork springs and oil replaced with stuff that is appropriate for your weight.

nig · 08-25-2006, 04:51 PM

They're the same bike basically, either way.

Philbie · 08-25-2006, 05:47 PM

Look up Sometime Racer in the AZ forum and ask his opinion on the 650R.

rsm · 08-25-2006, 07:01 PM

Thanks for the input.

Sometime Racer · 08-25-2006, 08:02 PM

The Kawi kicks SV butt stock on the track IMHO. I've ridden both and bought a Kawi this year. I'm only 5 seconds off the absolute motorcycle lap record on mine and I haven't even changed the fork oil yet. (or the engine oil for that matter....must do this week lol)

The SV has a few more hp stock, but the Kawi puts it to the ground better, flicks left to right quicker and has far superior front end in stock form. I have yet to have an SV beat me on the racetrack, and the Kawi is more comfy on the street as well, plus it gets better gas mileage. All in all, I love my little 650, it's a killer bike, even in stock form. BTW, I also race a GSXR 750 and have been racing for over 13 years, have previously had lap records at 3 different tracks, 12 championships and a #1 plate, for reference purposes to those who try to flame me and say I don't know what I'm talking about.

I also have yet to have ANY SV Superstock bike pass me on the straight, (or anywhere else for that matter) even though the Kawi is a little underpowered. It really could use an aftermarket rear shock and I plan on changing the fork oil this week to get a little more damping, but the stock springs are perfect for me and I have yet to get any chatter on the front end. Plus, given Kawasaki's track record for engine's, I seriously doubt the crankshaft's will let loose like the current model SV's seem to do when doing track duty.

nig · 08-25-2006, 09:26 PM

^

I don't doubt your talent but I didn't really base my argument for the SV on the "better" bike. They're close enough. The SV is still easier to get parts, setup info etc.. The SVrider forum is an information goldmine.

rsm · 08-26-2006, 01:16 PM

Sometime Racer,

Thanks for the info.

Sometime Racer · 08-26-2006, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nig

^

I don't doubt your talent but I didn't really base my argument for the SV on the "better" bike. They're close enough. The SV is still easier to get parts, setup info etc.. The SVrider forum is an information goldmine.

I'd totally agree they're very close, and the SV really does have better and cheaper parts availability. The main point for me was the crankshafts that keep grenading on the newer SV's. That's part of what interested me in the Kawasaki.

Philbie · 08-26-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sometime Racer

That's part of what interested me in the Kawasaki.

And $2000 in Kawi money for winning in the spec class.

endoracing · 09-16-2006, 01:47 AM

Quote:

have yet to have an SV beat me on the racetrack

well ... that isn't really a good comparison. You are comparing a lightweight class bike to a middleweight ..