650 production looks likely for 2008

[Fluffy Cat]

Muffler and shock changes are a good thing. The original shocks are designed to work for peeps in a certain weight range. If you are over that you are stuffed if you cant change the shock. The spring kits are not expensive $500 should get it sorted. Rear shock $1300, end can $700+. Throw in some Race Tech internals $600 or so, yep not bad, how about some super twin racing as well?. The well heeled will get the motor blueprinted and thats just the way it goes.
Sounds good the motors are great shame the rest of the bike is so dull.
Looks like MNZ are starting to think of the future

[212-Motorsport]

I disagree theres a lot of talented riders out there that cant afford expensive things for there bikes

The way it should be done is stadard suspension on a production based tyrelike 600's use if this was to happen this would prove to be a very close class,riders would be on an even playing field and also would be a perfect stepping stone for 150 and 250 proddy bikes...

[BeakerRAT]

Yeah I think the only modifications allowed are end can (no headers) and aftermarket fairings. If they don't allow any mods then a lowside could end up costing alot of money if you have to buy an oem end can.

Perhaps MNZ could get one of the manufacturers onside, some type of rebate system for stock replacement parts? Similar to the Thruxton cup in the US, one make, production based - good advertising exposure for the manufacturer. Seen as a talent scouting exercise with a scholarship reward upto the next level. Or am I just dreaming???

[FROSTY:Me]

I disagree theres a lot of talented riders out there that cant afford expensive things for there bikes

The way it should be done is stadard suspension on a production based tyrelike 600's use if this was to happen this would prove to be a very close class,riders would be on an even playing field and also would be a perfect stepping stone for 150 and 250 proddy bikes...

Dude either you are one amazing rider,you front suspension has already been worked over or you aint taking the SV to the limit.
Ive done 1.5 seasons on My sv and with the stock front end unmodified it was well Bloody scarey. Up to 8/10ths it was great but beyond that and omg
My opinion is the front suspension should remain stock externally and factory TYPE internals. That means you can fit springs and emulators but no cartridge type internals. That in itself made a big difference to my sv.
Rear shock wise. Dunno- Id prefer to be able to replace it--the stock rear shock is shite on sv's
Im all for muffler replacement for only the reason that the stock can is so bloody expensive if ya deck the bike.
Otherwise Im keen on the bike being factory standard.
but the stupid thing is we are reinventing the wheel
2 ways we can go--Open slather like the yanks or 75hp limit and stock profile bikes like the poms-both have a good set of bike rules we could use

[Hillbilly]

Well, here in NSW things are already underway. This invite was given to the Aussie BEARS, asking whether anyone with a Ducati Monster 620 would like to join in:

650 TWINS

Hello all - TG here. Hope its not too cheeky for a Jap bike owner to come here and invite BEARS members to come and race outside of BEARS - but I figured you love racing so might be interested / forgive the presumption.

We are trying to get a new entry-level racing class up in NSW like they already have in Vic & WA - production based 4-stroke twins up to 650cc. St George are currently considering letting this class run together with their Lites - but James Spence of Circuitbreakers has given it the go ahead today, and will allow us to run together with a field where we can be competitive. He's not sure yet which one that will be, and it will depend on what entries he gets for his East Coast Road Race series - but likely their Lites (125/250GP + motards) or else Clubman (600s pre-96) or Womens open. If we can get the numbers up, he'll give us our own class and field to run in. So there is now an opportunity for Ducati Monster 600s and 620s to race against comparable twins (like my Suzuki SV650, Hyosungs GT650R and Kawasaki's ER6) instead of being ummm monstered? by the bigger bikes.

I asked about the Cagiva Raptor 650, and it'll be in there too.

[slowpoke]

Western Australia have recently adopted a new F2 class, which appears very similar to our F3. Suzuki are obviously whole heartedly supporting it by offering a discount to anybody buying a new SV650 to race. Here's a copy of the letter sent to MCRCWA:

"News Item

Motorcycle Racing Club Of WA

Suzuki have offered WA Formula Two class support via an extremely generous discount on new SV650 units. Whilst we can't advertise a price here (due to dealer variation), it will be way below the $SRP of $9890. The significant size of this discount is such that Suzuki will not offer a parts budget, contingency, or other forms of support.

Potential SV650 racers should contact Dean Bonthorne (details below) initially and provide proof of intent to race along with a current racing licence. (Naturally Suzuki want to help genuine racers, not have people try to scam a cheap roadbike!). Order & delivery arrangements will then be handed over to a local Suzuki dealer.

Formula Two is an excellent entry-level class and no doubt the SV650 will be among the favourite weapons of choice for this class with the exciting discount on offer! Note, they are also eligible for the ASC "NK Lites" class.

Dean Bonthorne
Motorcycle Marketing Controller
Suzuki Australia Pty Limited
Ph : (03) 9931 5528"

[212-Motorsport]

Has MNZ done any thing else to confirm this class may happen??

[212-Motorsport]

Dude either you are one amazing rider,you front suspension has already been worked over or you aint taking the SV to the limit.
Ive done 1.5 seasons on My sv and with the stock front end unmodified it was well Bloody scarey. Up to 8/10ths it was great but beyond that and omg
My opinion is the front suspension should remain stock externally and factory TYPE internals. That means you can fit springs and emulators but no cartridge type internals. That in itself made a big difference to my sv.
Rear shock wise. Dunno- Id prefer to be able to replace it--the stock rear shock is shite on sv's
Im all for muffler replacement for only the reason that the stock can is so bloody expensive if ya deck the bike.
Otherwise Im keen on the bike being factory standard.
but the stupid thing is we are reinventing the wheel
2 ways we can go--Open slather like the yanks or 75hp limit and stock profile bikes like the poms-both have a good set of bike rules we could use

Yea Im use to riding with gsxr front end on sv but since purchasing a new sv I have been riding it standard. WHAT A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE IT HAS MADE TO MY RIDING im riding round the problem rather then saying it needs adjusted here and there ete standard sv class means standard if you want to have fancy suspesnion thats wat f3's for.

[FROSTY:Me]

not asking for fancy im just asking for SAFE.
The Sv is widely noted as having a shocking front end
If YOU feel comfortable riding with it --I tip my hat to your supirior riding ability

[sugilite:Me]

Rear Shock mods or after market replacement.
Fork valving and springs.
End can for the exhaust.
Rest of bike stock
Control tyres.
That recipe would quickly have the cream rising to the top.
Go MNZ, it's the right time

[kickingzebra]

Yet part of me supports the idea of allowing people to make horsepower monsters, or try other innovations to improve handling etc. Shouldn't the real racer have a hand in the build of his bike? So then if he does, then shouldn't he enjoy being able to pull away on the straights?

Obviously the well heeled will simply pay someone else to do it, but not allowing mods discourages innovation - Cue the Britten story

[ajturbo]

Bugger off Quas, Those 400 shit box's should be banned They already have 125 class for you real racers.

Bring on the Twins.

sooooo.... my 79 GT125.twin.... will do then..

[motobob]

Yet part of me supports the idea of allowing people to make horsepower monsters, or try other innovations to improve handling etc. Shouldn't the real racer have a hand in the build of his bike? So then if he does, then shouldn't he enjoy being able to pull away on the straights?

Obviously the well heeled will simply pay someone else to do it, but not allowing mods discourages innovation - Cue the Britten story

Zeb there are other classes for making more horses after all a Highly modded SV can cost the same as modding an F2 or F3.

I say allow the suspension to be modded or replaced, aftermarket can or pipe, full bodywork control tyre for wet and dry races and a PC. No engine mods. This still means a stock SV can still win races but allows racers to gain experience with suspension settings if they want. Oh and still run in the F3 class if entries aren't too high.

[kickingzebra]

Mmm, Fair, Personally though, If I was going to spend craploads on a bike, it would be in f2 or f1, cause f3, though competitive, isn't exactly the grandstand event, so I suspect for most people, running a 10 or 12 K sv or similiar, a year or two old F3 bike for the same cost is way more bang for buck, Most people who are running budgetry constraints, a new SV has already priced themselves out of their budget, I mean if the $5000 odd dollar 400 with parts is competitive with a $12000 new bike, you'd nearly be a loon to buy new?!
I still like svs in principle though... Mmmm twins

[motobob]

I know, but one of the reasons people use the SV is that it is a relatively new machine whereas 400 fours are getting old. They are a cheap entry into F3 but time moves on. The 400,s are wearing out. Interesting that they are relatively competitive still.