Given'r gas coming out of a turn...

[Metastable]

Hey guys, I was having some serious issues with putting down the power coming out of the turns during a track day yesterday. It was the first time I was on the SV1S at the track. I've riden ZX-6Rs, Gixxers, and R6s at the track.... actually I've riden all the above at the same track and at different tracks as well.

Anyhoo - I could not get the power down without the front end getting all wobbly on me. So far I have tightened up the preload a bit. The settings on my bike weren't even on the factory settings.... DOH.

Just wondering what others have experienced. Oh - I was probably about 4-5 seconds (maybe more) slower than I was back in may on a 2004 R6. (see avatar)

[Paul Scheid]

Is it possible that your rear preload is off and the bike is squatting on you? I know when I had the SV shock on it, it felt like the middle was all soft and flexible. Now that I have the GSXR shock and racetech sprigns I think I'm actually spinning the rear up a bit, at least that's what it feels like. Anyway, the front feels much more planted than it did, so I'm happy.

[Metastable]

I was thinking that.... but I cranked the rear preload, so that there are 7mm of thread showing. I also increased the front. I have to double check how many rings are showing.... but it is definetively stiffer than stock.

[Tundra Tom]

Is it possible that your rear preload is off and the bike is squatting on you? I know when I had the SV shock on it, it felt like the middle was all soft and flexible. Now that I have the GSXR shock and racetech sprigns I think I'm actually spinning the rear up a bit, at least that's what it feels like. Anyway, the front feels much more planted than it did, so I'm happy.


Same mods here with same results. How far are your fork tubes protruding out the top triple clamp? Body postion forward/head down? Ran Metzler Road-Tec sport touring tires and never had a "oh shit" the whole day.....except running out of gas in the appex of a turn . :wallbash:

[Metastable]

The forks are protruding 5mm. I haven't dropped them yet. I was thinking of dropping them another 2mm. Do you think this might help reduce the front wobble while under throttle?

[2VORNOT2V]

The rear shock is defenately a coulprit and I think it's about the worst of all recant newer bikes I'v had.
Which track ware you at?
I just had my front forks done, and some of that high speed weave is touned down, but it has made an anormous difference already. I'm still waiting for my Penski which should be in any time now. I'v already droped the front forks through 10 mm, and the Panski will be reised as high as posible 10 to 12 mm I think........cant wait to take it to Mosport or Shannonville as soon as it's done.
Besides the crapy suspension what you think about the bike in general?
Lets hook up for a ride one day before Mid Ohio and well decide where to meet down there.
V

[Greg7]

Hey guys, I was having some serious issues with putting down the power coming out of the turns during a track day yesterday. It was the first time I was on the SV1S at the track. I've riden ZX-6Rs, Gixxers, and R6s at the track.... actually I've riden all the above at the same track and at different tracks as well.

Anyhoo - I could not get the power down without the front end getting all wobbly on me. So far I have tightened up the preload a bit. The settings on my bike weren't even on the factory settings.... DOH.

Just wondering what others have experienced. Oh - I was probably about 4-5 seconds (maybe more) slower than I was back in may on a 2004 R6. (see avatar)

I'd look at setting your static sag front and rear (and increasing front and rear comp. and rebound for track days as well given the smooth surface). If you're over-sagged then it'll squat on you. It's also possible you're simply too heavy for the stock springrates front and rear, at least on the track. I'm guessing the rear shock is too light either way for the track since it's only 400 lbs. and even for me at 160 lbs. with gear I should be using a 430 lbs. springrate for streetriding. A simple fix in this case is a gixxer 1K shock off ebay: the '01-02 model has a 430 lbs. springrate and the '03-04 model has a 480 lbs. springrate. And you get slightly better valving to boot. I've got an '03 gixxer 1K shock going up for sale soon if you're interested. Drop me a PM ... I'm in America so I think I'd be able to ship to Canada without too much heartache on either end

[oldfart]

I really tightened up the pre load set rebound light and still had issues when I was on the sport tires since going to the Corsas the bike come out hard with no spin and no shake it feels planted with no indication it want's to high side. For me the tires made a huge difference.

[CLJ]

I think a lot of this has to do with the progressive fork springs in the front end. 2 choices get some aftermarket front springs and or crank up the rear preload. I have found that regular settings sag/preload and damping rates of the front end are too stiff once you get 1/2way thru the forks travel, but the first half seems too soft. Set the back to 1.25" sag and the front to 1.5"

What do you have the rear rebound set at? If it's good and you are aroud 1.25" sag at the rear then most likely it's the front end. More rebound on the rear will also quell the swimming feel. Coming out of turn the bike should squat slightly under full throttle and stay there but the front should only rise a little bit and gradually. I bet you have too much preload and rebound up front and not enough rebound back aft.
Back off your front preload and rebound a shade and see if it gets better.
If it doesnt then go up on your rebound on the rear after you set sag to 1.25"

[Tundra Tom]

The forks are protruding 5mm. I haven't dropped them yet. I was thinking of dropping them another 2mm. Do you think this might help reduce the front wobble while under throttle?


Since the rear doesn't have height adjustment dropping the tubes more gets more weight bias to the front end. Quickens the steering a tad too.
As others have stated ditch the shock (buy that 2003 GSXR offered), then put Race tech springs in the forks and change to a quality fork oil. I had the fork tubes @ 12mm, the Gixxer shock lowered the rear a tad so I'm now testing 15mm - this is total distance from the clamp to the edge of the tube, not the cap.
The stock fork oil will not be at the proper level, usually lower than spec.
Race Tech suggested .85kg. springs for me - they give us a 25% discount if you mention the SV list. Bel-ray 7wt. fork oil replaced the Monkey piss that Suzi put in.

All toll less than $200 spent. Transformed the handling. New tires only made it better. To be honest suspension should be the first money anyone should spend on the SV. Brakes and more power second. IMHO of course. <_<

[Metastable]

Those are awesome comments guys. I might indeed try that. Right now I'm tossing the ball about trying to make the SV into a decent track weapon, or splitting a dedicated track bike between a friend and I.... and have the SV for the street.... where IMO it is a fantastic ride.


BTW, here are some pictures from that track day.

[rogfog]

I weigh 200lbs (ish) and have upped the pre-load at the rear so there is about 14mm +/- 1mm of thread showing. This makes a lot of difference in corners and when accelerating away - much less squat and much less wobble.

Haven't tried it on a circuit but makes a LOT of difference on the country twisties and around the Isle of Man TT circuit. Much better than the standard setting.

[Goro]

Just wondering what others have experienced. Oh - I was probably about 4-5 seconds (maybe more) slower than I was back in may on a 2004 R6. (see avatar)

I'm just curious about the nature of the track (slow, medium-slow,...) and its lenght.
How fast is your best lap on r6 on this track?
I mean, 4" are A LOT.....

[Goro]

... I bet you have too much preload and rebound up front and not enough rebound back aft.
Back off your front preload and rebound a shade and see if it gets better.
..."

I do agree with CLJ 100%.
Hope he's right! ;)