2007 SV650: Project better late than never

[V1GiLaNtE]

Received by Delkevic exhaust today. Looks well assembled and packaged considering the price. I was very surprised at the weight and how light it is which should benefit the bike slightly overall. I've already removed the baffle and can totally see why people say these things make a great sound. It's basically unobstructed and straight through. I have also ordered an R6 throttle tube that will arrive next week. This seems to be a cheap and easy mod for the SVs that allows you to utilize the shortened throw of the R6 tube. No longer do you need to regrip for WOT.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Updates:

Exhaust has been on for well over a month now. Install was super easy. Cut off old pipe and slip on new one. The slip-on absolutely changed this bike. Before, it was quiet and the engine was louder than the exhaust. The videos don't do it justice, but now it's "setting off car alarms" loud. The v-twin has come alive with a deep, throaty, and snarling sound. Deceleration at 5k gives off pops and crackles that make you giggle.

The R6 throttle tube has made the bike more enjoyable as well. Less throttle play and more response. I think as of today, since purchase, I've racked up 3000 miles. Driving less now since I'm not commuting, but still hopping on and riding any time I feel like it.

Before and after videos below for your listening enjoyment.






Skip to :30 for startup.

[ScottyB]

damn that's angry. so much better!

[V1GiLaNtE]

Looking to do my first track day at the end of March. Couple of things I would like to tackle prior to:

- New Galfer SS brake lines up front
- New pads F/R
- Oil/Filter Change
- Coolant Change
- Regular Grips
- Track Gloves
- Street/Track Boots

I just placed an order for AGV gloves and a pair of Sidi Cobra boots. Both of which will significantly step-up my street safety and provide the required protection on the track.

SS lines and pads should help out in the braking department as the SV is known for "meh" brakes. Definitely going to change out the coolant fluid because I have no idea when that was last done. Will also be reinstalling regular grips and removing the heated ones. As much as they were really nice for colder weather, they provide a lot more "girth" to the controls and it makes maintaining a relaxed grip difficult.

[G.Irish]

Where and who are you running with at the end of March?

[V1GiLaNtE]

Where and who are you running with at the end of March?

Team ProMotion at Summit. We'll see if I make it or wait it out until it gets warmer.

[G.Irish]

Hmm, that seems like it might be a great event to start the season. I have a trip to Hawaii the next weekend so I don't know if I can swing that but it is tempting. Not a lot of good weekend dates at Summit Main during the season.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Hmm, that seems like it might be a great event to start the season.  I have a trip to Hawaii the next weekend so I don't know if I can swing that but it is tempting.  Not a lot of good weekend dates at Summit Main during the season.

Good to know. Thanks G! I really want to get to this event and start learning. I know at a minimum I'll probably do pads and coolant before the event.

[.RJ]

TRACK DAY BRO 200MPH BRO TRACKDAY BRO!

[GTBrandon]

Anddd just like that I want a bike again, good thing I don’t have the $$ after the Boxster purchase. Gotta ask, why did you choose this of all bikes? Did you have any sort of riding experience before it? Also where do you live in the Leesburg area, I grew up/live in Ashburn.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Anddd just like that I want a bike again, good thing I don’t have the $$ after the Boxster purchase. Gotta ask, why did you choose this of all bikes? Did you have any sort of riding experience before it? Also where do you live in the Leesburg area, I grew up/live in Ashburn.

SV650 = Cheap, torquey, easy to maintain, decent power to hone skills, and basically a poor man's Ducati. Definitely have riding experience prior.

Don't live in Leesburg. Lived in Fairax and now live in Richmond.

[V1GiLaNtE]

[V1GiLaNtE]

Some updates on track prep at the end of March.

Swapped the Sidi Cobra Air boots for the Vertigo's. $75 difference more and stepped up the protection/comfort department. It has been an adjustment to ride with actual boots as opposed to my Redwings. Riding boots are MUCH stiffer and my foot position has changed in due to general differences in the size of the boots. Part of that transition will be in making adjustments to my foot controls for proper placement with these boots.

Said boots:



For now I am going to skip on full SS lines and just go for pads. Trying to keep my costs down for a bit as I had to take the initial investments in bike gear/track costs/New job expenses this month. Went with a set of HH pads from Galfer which should provide more bite. Visual inspection of my current pads showed that the grooves could not be viewed. Tech requirements state you must have 50% or more pads for the track. This will be a good opportunity to clean off any glazing on my rotors to help get the pads bedded.

I also went ahead and purchased a new Motion Pro Clutch cable. I did an adjustment last weekend to resolve a slipping clutch at high RPMs and did not like the visual state of the current clutch cable down near the actual clutch. Easy $16 fix. 

Still need to get an oil change in and replace the coolant. 

For some of you track veterans can you offer any tips on tools/spares/gear to bring? Off the top of my head I can think of bringing the usual socket assortments, impact, torque wrench, fluids, pressure gauge/pump, extra fuel, snacks, and an open mind.

[Gordonovski]

I went to one with Paul in July, luckily didn't need any spare parts, but bring double the amount of water you think you would need.


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[G.Irish]

You'll probably be ok with stock brake lines. I wanna say that not all of my supersports had SS lines and I never had a problem (always used upgraded fluid though).

Tool wise, as long as you have the standard sockets, impact gun, stands, and maybe some of the requisite allen key sockets (with extensions, or just a t-handle(s)), you'll be alright.

[V1GiLaNtE]

You'll probably be ok with stock brake lines.  I wanna say that not all of my supersports had SS lines and I never had a problem (always used upgraded fluid though).

Tool wise, as long as you have the standard sockets, impact gun, stands, and maybe some of the requisite allen key sockets (with extensions, or just a t-handle(s)), you'll be alright.

Cool! Kaan is going to lend me a front stand and an EZ-Up for the bike. I have my own rear stand currently, but do need to invest in a front for wrenching and as I anticipate more track days. My plan is to use the ARB awning on the 4Runner for me. G, what upgraded fluid did you go with?

I went to one with Paul in July, luckily didn't need any spare parts, but bring double the amount of water you think you would need. 


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Yea, I plan on loading up the ARB fridge with a few gallons of water and Gatorade. 


As a random note, does anybody have any experience swapping fork springs and fluid? I'm looking at going with a set of Sonic Springs sprung for my weight and 15wt fork oil. If I can do it myself it seems to be a reasonable upgrade for $100. Then I'll have to sort out the rear which is pretty much sprung for children.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Installed new pads and clutch cable last weekend. Relatively an easy job as I took my time with cleaning things up and bolting it all back together. The old pads had 50% or less of life yet, but god knows if they were original or not.


Initial impressions on brake bite is much better and clutch is properly adjusted for good shifts. I'm struggling now with a random issue that I cannot nail down the source. Primarily dealing with priming the fuel pump and thus starting the bike. It seems it's connected to the ignition barrel as if I jiggle the key and turn the key between on/off a few time the fuel pump does eventually prime and I can fire the bike. No issues with it killing the bike while at speed. Seems this is a common issues for the SVs. I'm going to start with cleaning the other ignition contacts that are part of the overall loop which allows the bike to start (killswitch, clutch neutral switch, kickstand switch).

All that is left is to change the oil/filter.

[Senor_Taylor]

Do these have another relay for the fuel pump only used for starting?

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[V1GiLaNtE]

Do these have another relay for the fuel pump only used for starting?

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I'm not sure. My best research points to it's all mostly connected in the starting circuit. I need to see what code it's posting as part of the issue. Generally speaking it won't prime and start the bike if something in the "loop" isn't saying "Ok, fire the bike everything checks out".

[V1GiLaNtE]

Team Pro-Motion at Summit Main.

This was my very first track day with Team Pro-Motion. I opted in for their first time on track class called "ART" or Advance Rider Training. Basically half the day was classroom and riding sessions heavily supervised by coaches with the later part of the day ride at your own pace. I thought the event was very well organized and due to it being Easter weekend it was like having a private track. I think about 40 riders showed up for the entire day spread across Novice, Intermediate, and Advance. 

I made my way to Summit Point Bed and "Brefast" Friday night and was up early Saturday AM. Tech/registration started at 7am and I got there promptly to get my space setup, bike on stands, and prepped. Basically all lights need to be taped up. Inspection was smooth and all that needed to be addressed was tightening up a bolt for my frame sliders and giving my chain a little more slack. 



After that it was a riders meeting promplty at 8:30 followed by our first classroom session. Most of the classroom sessions felt like refreshers for me with emphasis on line, vision, body position, etc. Where it really pulled together was the track time. Motorcycle track days are interesting in that you're not blasting around the track with an instructor on your pilon seat whispering into your ear "Turn,  BRAKE BRAKE BRAKE, GAS GAS GAS".   So it's a unique position where you're completely in control for your lines and bad judgement. Riding coaches are staged throughout the group utilizing hand signals to help guide you throughout the track. Our first session was supposed to be "slow", but I found our pace more than what they were alluding too and I was excited, comfortable, and in control. Hoping off our lead coach admitted we had moved the pace up from what you would usually do. 

My coach in my 3rd session became non-existent after the first 2 turns at Summit. Due to traffic and the no passing rule for us new guys, I found myself alone and riding my own lines and pace.  I felt comfortable on track and picked up my pace to find myself in a group of Novice folks, but not brand new and in the ART school. Working through some other ART attendees I ended my session feel good and I'll admit competitive. I found the coach "Troy" and he apologized and assured me he would lead me out for the next session. 

Troy took me out for my session post lunch an we had picked up the pace even more. I followed his lines and hand signals working though the track and gained confidence as every so often he would look back and give me a big thumbs up. We worked our way through a few slower folks passing on straights and out of apexs. My buddy Evan was there and he happened to time my laps with Troy. I think my fastest lap was a 1:40. Not that at this stage time mattered but it was cool to see over the 9 laps I continued to shave off about a second. 

The rest of sessions were mostly ride on your own and I took the opportunity to work the track and enjoy myself. I never once found myself in an "oh shit moment" or out of my league. I think I was easily at or about 130mph on the back straight. One of the biggest joys and yet frustrations was the power difference in the SV compared to the 600s. I found my pace much quicker than others (both ART and regular Novice folks) and would work the turns to my advantage. Particularly making outside passes at Turn 3, 9, and 10 or attempts rather. Countless times I would take the outside after the APEX carrying more speed than the rider in front of me and find myself side by side WOT only to have them give it more and then drop me on the straights. I'm guessing this is the woes of the miata life. 

I received a lot of positive feedback from coaches on my pace and form and they acknowledged I was further along then a lot of people. With that being said, I received feedback about working on maintaining a consistent line and keep looking further ahead than you think. 

All in all it was a fantastic experience with the little SV that could. A commuter beater than was hanging with a Ducati 1199 Panigale in the turns and let me get a knee down on track for the first time all while ringing it to an inch of its life on the straights and twisties. Hard to believe I just started riding roughly 5 months ago.