SDC Performance Minitwin race bike?
Discussion
Hi guys,
Just to give a quick back story! I'm in my early 30s now, in my early 20s I looked to take up riding, and dabbled with an Aprilia R125 followed by a Yamaha RD125, I never got any further and decided to stick to four wheels, however I'm a huge fan of bike racing and have been for a number of years which of course only fuels my desire to get back on two wheels.
That said I've no interest in riding on the road, with the way our roads are today and the lack of respect bikers seem to get it doesn't seem worth the risk to me.
Therefore I'm starting looking at what's out there in terms of track only machines for a complete novice, I've no interest in big power and ideally want something with agility and lightness first and foremost. A bike that will let me develop my skills but most importantly be fun.
The next issue is that I'm 6ft 3 and 83kg, whilst bikes like a KTM RC390, Aprilia RRV450GP or a nicely set up 400cc Honda etc would seem to fit the bill, I'm not sure I could really fit on them?! I did manage with my Aprilia/Yam but am guessing it looked a little odd, plus I'd assume bike fit will be more important on track than road.
I've come across SDC Performance though and wonder if they may have the answer, they offer new build Suzuki SV650's in full race bike/minitwin trim for £3500, and there also seems to be a number of used SDC bikes out there as well for less money, the spec on each of them seems good and they appear to be well built.
Does anyone have any experience with this company and their machines? Also any feedback on whether this would be a good bike to start on given my requirements and size would be appreciated, as would any other options you think I'm missing! It needs to be four stroke/reliable and sensible money to run/maintain.
Just to give a quick back story! I'm in my early 30s now, in my early 20s I looked to take up riding, and dabbled with an Aprilia R125 followed by a Yamaha RD125, I never got any further and decided to stick to four wheels, however I'm a huge fan of bike racing and have been for a number of years which of course only fuels my desire to get back on two wheels.
That said I've no interest in riding on the road, with the way our roads are today and the lack of respect bikers seem to get it doesn't seem worth the risk to me.
Therefore I'm starting looking at what's out there in terms of track only machines for a complete novice, I've no interest in big power and ideally want something with agility and lightness first and foremost. A bike that will let me develop my skills but most importantly be fun.
The next issue is that I'm 6ft 3 and 83kg, whilst bikes like a KTM RC390, Aprilia RRV450GP or a nicely set up 400cc Honda etc would seem to fit the bill, I'm not sure I could really fit on them?! I did manage with my Aprilia/Yam but am guessing it looked a little odd, plus I'd assume bike fit will be more important on track than road.
I've come across SDC Performance though and wonder if they may have the answer, they offer new build Suzuki SV650's in full race bike/minitwin trim for £3500, and there also seems to be a number of used SDC bikes out there as well for less money, the spec on each of them seems good and they appear to be well built.
Does anyone have any experience with this company and their machines? Also any feedback on whether this would be a good bike to start on given my requirements and size would be appreciated, as would any other options you think I'm missing! It needs to be four stroke/reliable and sensible money to run/maintain.
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Hi DanSorry I don't know much about them I just read it as though this was a "brand new bike". You could probably do it yourself a lot cheaper though.
Ah OK no problem, perhaps I should have said freshly prepared rather than a new build!
I get what your saying about doing it myself, but it's not something I've any experience of doing, which is why if possible I want a bike from a well known/respected outfit, I expect 'track' bikes are very much like 'track' cars. Some very good, but also a lot built by numpties.
I get what your saying about doing it myself, but it's not something I've any experience of doing, which is why if possible I want a bike from a well known/respected outfit, I expect 'track' bikes are very much like 'track' cars. Some very good, but also a lot built by numpties.
I had one and won a Bemsee championship with it. Gary and his lot are a sound lot and have been in the championship since it started. He's a quick chap and has won two championships this year - one in a sidecar and one on a solo which takes some doing.
They obviously own BB Plastics so you get the funky M1 fairing and RS tail unit. They'll have some funky subframes and relocated battery. Bit messy on the loom which had the bit going up the seat all folded up round the airbox and injector bodies but hey ho people like tiny seat units.
Like all racebikes the extra bits are what make it - in my day the M4 exhausts were considered best (I had a Hindle system which was okay but a bit more peaky) so I'm not sure about Laser. Obviously it's horsepower capped but the power delivery is important. Hyperpro shocks are okay but you ideally want emulators in the forks and I'm guessing it will just have uprated (& possibly progressive rate) springs. Obviously you'll want spare wheels with wets.
Value for money I'd guess that buying a package off someone who is retiring or moving classes might get more value for money / more scrubs / more spares but you might prefer a new build on a secondhand streetbike. Don't underestimate the cost of converting one yourself - all those fork internals, shocks, full system, dyno time, air filter, clip ons, rearsets, bodywork, screen, paint job, spare wheels, subframe, battery subframe etc etc all soon add up.
Facebook has got a Minitwins group you might wish to join.
They obviously own BB Plastics so you get the funky M1 fairing and RS tail unit. They'll have some funky subframes and relocated battery. Bit messy on the loom which had the bit going up the seat all folded up round the airbox and injector bodies but hey ho people like tiny seat units.
Like all racebikes the extra bits are what make it - in my day the M4 exhausts were considered best (I had a Hindle system which was okay but a bit more peaky) so I'm not sure about Laser. Obviously it's horsepower capped but the power delivery is important. Hyperpro shocks are okay but you ideally want emulators in the forks and I'm guessing it will just have uprated (& possibly progressive rate) springs. Obviously you'll want spare wheels with wets.
Value for money I'd guess that buying a package off someone who is retiring or moving classes might get more value for money / more scrubs / more spares but you might prefer a new build on a secondhand streetbike. Don't underestimate the cost of converting one yourself - all those fork internals, shocks, full system, dyno time, air filter, clip ons, rearsets, bodywork, screen, paint job, spare wheels, subframe, battery subframe etc etc all soon add up.
Facebook has got a Minitwins group you might wish to join.
Thanks for your feedback that's excellent.
Converting a street bike is out, I don't have the ability for that and as you say it'll probably work out more expensive than this bike direct from SDC anyway which would be pointless.
Getting one 'second hand' does look to be best in terms of value for money, but I think I'd have more confidence in a bike from them direct as will at least know it hasn't been smashed to bits and rebuilt a few times or something.
What do you think on these bikes for a novice? What are they like to ride?
Converting a street bike is out, I don't have the ability for that and as you say it'll probably work out more expensive than this bike direct from SDC anyway which would be pointless.
Getting one 'second hand' does look to be best in terms of value for money, but I think I'd have more confidence in a bike from them direct as will at least know it hasn't been smashed to bits and rebuilt a few times or something.
What do you think on these bikes for a novice? What are they like to ride?
I know that Paul McLung is selling his Supertwin racebike; very fast bike, very well looked after and a proven record (something like 40'odd wins and the Scottish championship).
Website here:
http://www.mcclungracing.com/
Website here:
http://www.mcclungracing.com/
A pal of mine just finished his first full season as a rookie with Bemsee riding a minitwin.
He did it all himself for just over half one of those SDC bikes. Personally I'd buy one from someone selling having had there fun.
I've seen bikes all ready with Ohlins/Maxton rear shock, wets, loads of spares including clip ons etc that break readily as well as plastics for a little over 2k.
Go to a race meet and you will see plenty of bikes with for sale on in the paddock, probably the best wet to go albeit now not the time.
For saving 1k you can buy a lot of someones time to look over it let alone you digging around first.
Most bikes in racing will have been crashed at some point, buying pre-crash just means you will be the first to rebuild/repair. It's not the end of the world.
He did it all himself for just over half one of those SDC bikes. Personally I'd buy one from someone selling having had there fun.
I've seen bikes all ready with Ohlins/Maxton rear shock, wets, loads of spares including clip ons etc that break readily as well as plastics for a little over 2k.
Go to a race meet and you will see plenty of bikes with for sale on in the paddock, probably the best wet to go albeit now not the time.
For saving 1k you can buy a lot of someones time to look over it let alone you digging around first.
Most bikes in racing will have been crashed at some point, buying pre-crash just means you will be the first to rebuild/repair. It's not the end of the world.
Thanks guys, Tom I'm assuming your friend whilst being a rookie to racing was a fairly accomplished rider beforehand?
Would you see it as a good starter track bike for someone starting out with very little riding experience and no experience of a bike on track? (I've done car trackdays/raced karts etc so am comfortable with the track environment but even so)
The other option is to look at something pretty simple like a cbr300/500/Ninja 300 and just stick a set of good tyres on it, perhaps a lower powered more basic bike to get to grips with track riding would allow me to learn/understand the basics before stepping up to a race prepped sv650 or similar?
Would you see it as a good starter track bike for someone starting out with very little riding experience and no experience of a bike on track? (I've done car trackdays/raced karts etc so am comfortable with the track environment but even so)
The other option is to look at something pretty simple like a cbr300/500/Ninja 300 and just stick a set of good tyres on it, perhaps a lower powered more basic bike to get to grips with track riding would allow me to learn/understand the basics before stepping up to a race prepped sv650 or similar?
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Thanks guys, Tom I'm assuming your friend whilst being a rookie to racing was a fairly accomplished rider beforehand?
Would you see it as a good starter track bike for someone starting out with very little riding experience and no experience of a bike on track? (I've done car trackdays/raced karts etc so am comfortable with the track environment but even so)
The other option is to look at something pretty simple like a cbr300/500/Ninja 300 and just stick a set of good tyres on it, perhaps a lower powered more basic bike to get to grips with track riding would allow me to learn/understand the basics before stepping up to a race prepped sv650 or similar?
Never done a track day myself, but I imagine you'd get bored fairly quickly with a smaller bike. You could tell yourself it'd be great fun and a great way to learn before upping the speed, but you could do the same thing by just adjusting your wrist on a 600.Would you see it as a good starter track bike for someone starting out with very little riding experience and no experience of a bike on track? (I've done car trackdays/raced karts etc so am comfortable with the track environment but even so)
The other option is to look at something pretty simple like a cbr300/500/Ninja 300 and just stick a set of good tyres on it, perhaps a lower powered more basic bike to get to grips with track riding would allow me to learn/understand the basics before stepping up to a race prepped sv650 or similar?
It sounds like you just want to track a bike, rather than compete, so just bung in 'track bike' on the bay of E and there'll be loads of choice.
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Thanks guys, Tom I'm assuming your friend whilst being a rookie to racing was a fairly accomplished rider beforehand?
Would you see it as a good starter track bike for someone starting out with very little riding experience and no experience of a bike on track? (I've done car trackdays/raced karts etc so am comfortable with the track environment but even so)
The other option is to look at something pretty simple like a cbr300/500/Ninja 300 and just stick a set of good tyres on it, perhaps a lower powered more basic bike to get to grips with track riding would allow me to learn/understand the basics before stepping up to a race prepped sv650 or similar?
Before he started racing he had 4 track days under his belt and I think about 6-7 years of road riding. Would you see it as a good starter track bike for someone starting out with very little riding experience and no experience of a bike on track? (I've done car trackdays/raced karts etc so am comfortable with the track environment but even so)
The other option is to look at something pretty simple like a cbr300/500/Ninja 300 and just stick a set of good tyres on it, perhaps a lower powered more basic bike to get to grips with track riding would allow me to learn/understand the basics before stepping up to a race prepped sv650 or similar?
His first season I think he managed 3 rounds of racing due to various reasons, this season he did every round.
The minitwins had some savage fast people that evidently were using it as a feeder series but also some very very slow folk, so I would imagine it's good for new riders. Realistically at most meets I know of, the minitwins are a VERY competitive class.
Get yourself a few trackdays booked and see where you want to go from there is my 2p worth.
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