Track bike: zxr400 vs sv650?

[slopster]

Surely the main issue is whether you like a smooth inline 4 with top end power or a rough v twin with lots of torque. The SV will probably be faster though and more reliable at the end of the day. I really wanted to buy an sv650 at one stage but took one for a test ride and found I didn't like the power delivery. Lots of others swear by them so its really just personal preferance.

[svr]

Get an sv! svr has done 32k with about 6k at redline on the track, still wins club races and goes everytime you push the button. They're also (nearly) uncrashable and is easy as pie to ride - just what you need right now aye? (er me too...) Little harder on rears than 400s but easier on fronts so it works out.

[Toast]

I'd go the SV. I love screaming fours, but crash the SV and you just go to eBay and get the parts you need relatively cheaply. Finding engine covers, a dash or front fairing stay (or spare wheels if you want to race later) for a 20 year old 400 would be a mission.

As for riding on the road: I don't do it but would rather be on a bike when some dick crosses the line than in my van. Much better chance to evade the car if you're on a bike. A head on 200kmh impact in my van and I would be goneberger.

[fence post]

cheers guys for all the info!!!
im hoping to be fit to ride by january,so im in no hurry to buy but do want to keep an eye out for a deal..
i was waiting for someone like you frosty.someone who has riden both bikes on track.SV650 sounds the way to go!
one more question..
ive seen USD forks on a few sv's.what bike/s do the forks come off and are they a straight swap and go? or is a little work needed like triple clamps, head bearings etc.

[Clivoris]

I race a 400 and love it. The crunch for me was the initial cost. $3k vs. $8k for a bike with comparitive spares and preparation. If I had more money I would have an SV or ER. No question. The modern bikes will require less mechanical intervention once set up, and are more future proof as far as rider and bike development are concerned.
There are some good SV's out there that have most of the race prep done, for sale between $7k-$10k.
Sounds like you've been a lucky bastard already so you might still have a bit of luck left and pick up a good one.

[fence post]

what year does the sv change to fuel injected?

[koba]

what year does the sv change to fuel injected?

dunno but you can tell by looking at them, carby one has rounded blobby fairing and injected ones are the angular looking ones, they also have twin plugs.

[Clivoris]

what year does the sv change to fuel injected?

03 me thinks.

[SVboy]

K3=injection from memory,but I think there was some overlap. I guess the advantage of the injection would be easier setup with new can/airfilter and power commander.

[feral1]

Hey Fence Post,

Glad to hear you made it thro that horrendous crash. Not nice. Good luck with your re-hab.

I race a ZXR rather than a SV. Have never had a go on a SV, but have had a few finish races well ahead of me, so they must be Ok... lol

If you're a bigger guy, and a bit cut up from your accident (pins and screws in legs etc) the bigger riding position of the SV may suit you better.

The only advantage of a H model ZXR is that you'd get more chance at various classes, clubman, and Pre-89 (which is big up north) as well as F3.

I personally like the ability to work on my own race bike. But if you don't like fetteling to keep them running; then a simple plug and play SV may be the way to go.

Jill Clendon had her 2008 Nationals machine for sale. Full wets, GSXR front end conversion, nice pipe, tuned engine. Would be an ideal buy.

If you do want a ZXR, our team has a cool H Model, prepped and ready to go. Drop us a line.

Eric

[svr]

i was waiting for someone like you frosty.someone who has riden both bikes on track.SV650 sounds the way to go!
one more question..
ive seen USD forks on a few sv's.what bike/s do the forks come off and are they a straight swap and go? or is a little work needed like triple clamps, head bearings etc.

I remember riding the first zxr400 in nz - a nice black kawasaki nz demo bike ($10k retail back in 88!!) - Mike Webb raced it in F3 that year. They always seem a bit frantic on the track - a lot of revs for not much return, and a bit hard on the nerves waiting for a valve retainer to fail...
The usd conversion on svr is from a gsxr1000k2 - $1500 from Stormin' Norman imports. Pretty easy, use the standard axle, wheel, disks, stem, bearings, everything else is gsxr incl bars. Make two new axle spacers, machine down the radial calliper mounts 10mm for the smaller disks, and away you go.
Its no longer a competive protwins bike of course but just another average f3 bike...

[FROSTY:Me]

ive seen USD forks on a few sv's.what bike/s do the forks come off and are they a straight swap and go? or is a little work needed like triple clamps, head bearings etc.

Short version mate-DONT DO IT.
For the new--read injected SV's you can bolt a Gixxer 600,750,1000 front end right on in. For the older -carbed Sv's you need a Head bearing kit its about $100 NZ
But bang for buck it aint worth it. First ya gotta find a front end that aint damaged. Thats gonna cost ya $700-1000
then you need to get it set up to suit a bike it isn;t desighned for etc etc.
My honest advice. Keep your options open By retaining the factory front end and sending it to Young master Tailor to revalve etc. Tat way ya can race pro twins and F3 if Pro twins takes off