| Author | Message | ||
     Doitindark |
Should I race? I'd like to race but would I just be better off doing track days with NESBA. I've only done a few track days last year and feel comfortable on the track. But this year I was wondering if I would be "good enough" to race. I know I won't be at the front of the pack but I don't want to be so slow I'm in the way of the leaders. If I do races how long do the races go? laps? Worth the money? Thanks in advance for the help. | ||
| Japbikeboy |
I am struggling with the same issues. My biggest set back is costs. I say race. If you have fun on the track during track days, then you could have fun with a little more competitive push. Do it and have fun. | ||
| Crusty |
If you go racing, you'll spend way too much money, and you won't be as fast as you'd like to be; but you'll experience a high that no drug can begin to approach. If you're asking if you should, then it means that you want to, and you're looking for support. Go for it. Live a little. | ||
| No_rice |
YOU ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE!!!! MAKE THE MOST OF IT!!! like crusty said, you already know you want to, so if you can scrounge up enough money to even do it a few times or even once why not??? just because you try it doesnt mean you have to continue if the cost gets out of hand. you will always be able to say you did it for alittle while though, and have a perfectly good reason why you arent still racing. | ||
| Donutclub |
This is like a heroin addict asking if he should take some more heroin.  Racing is a-lot of fun, but it is extremely expensive, especially with a bike like a Buell. If your going to race, I'd suggest picking up a race prepped bike that's ready to go. If you want cheap racing, pick up an RS125. They are cheap to race and you can usually get a couple of weekends out of the tires. An even cheaper alternative is to participate in mini-roadracing. I raced Yamaha YSR's for about 5 years with the Ohio YSR League before I stepped up to the bigger bikes. I have since stopped racing due to an addition to my family and the related cost. I maintain my license because the heroin is still calling my name and someday I'll get my fix back. For now, I have to settle for a couple of track days a year. To answer your original question, I say yes if you have the means. | ||
| Mutation_racer |
that not true my bike is very much stock and im out front | ||
| Rick_a |
RS125? That's terrible advice! If you love replacing clutches, doing frequent top end rebuilds and buying a new crank every season it'd be perfect! Unless you're talking about the street version...which is seriously neutered. | ||
| Donutclub |
Rick, have you ever raced an RS125? I have and I never had to do that much work on the bike. The most amount of work I ever did was change the jetting between morning and afternoon. I'd replace a top end twice a year and the crank in the winter of every year. The maintenance was quick, easy, and cheap. It's one of the cheapest ways to get into road racing. | ||
| Mr_cuell |
Only you can answer. Racing is different from track days. It's more fun because of the competition, but it is more stressful for the same reason. I can;t tell you what you should do but I can share my own experience wrestling with that question - I did a track day on a VTR1000, and low sided, but had a great time so I bought a cheap race bike, a $2000 EX500. Too cheap in fact. It was a constant problem, but it was a cheap slow entry into racing. I learned very quickly relative to some others I know who started in middle or heavy classes because lightwieghts were conducive to learning. I had no significant street experience ( 2 years or so) and had no expectations of doing well, and I did not do well relative to the leaders. However, by mid-season I had equaled the best time of the previous owner, much to my surprise. I was proud as hell and having a ball. I bought an SV as they first came out and it was like bringing a gun to a knife fight. The FZR400's that had been burning me were suddenly slow. On the new bike I won basically Supersport race I entered for the rest of the season, and alot of GP's and Superbikes too, from the 3rd wave because of my points standing. It was really unfair to have that bike! Anyway, I moved to expert the next season, got a little sponsorship and started racing the whole circuit. Once I was with faster riders on equal machinery I no longer dominated, lap times started dropping less quickly and the stress of trying to place well went way up. The margin of riding on the edge got more and more narrow. Eventually I let the boogie man into my head. A guy died at Daytona when I was racing there, the guy I bought the EX from suffered brain damage in a starting line accident on his 600 due to a broken chain. I visited him in the hospital the night after he had fallen off the toilet and covered himself in feces, unable to call a nurse or get up. The realities of the risk are harsh. I had two kids at the time. (three now) I got out after the 2nd season, happy to have survived without a scratch and having a load of trophies and plaques. What had gone from fun in the sun on the cheap had morphed into very expensive and while fun, very stressfull weekends. I am now wondering the same thing as you . . . should I race? I am thinking yes for me, so long as I keep it fun, and don't allow it to become an all absorbing financial and emotional addiction that starts to let fear play with my head. You may be faster than you realize. Starting with the right bike, in the right class, with good instruction can set you up to have the best time of your life. The memories I have from racing are priceless to me, its the kind of stuff that makes life far different from the norm - | ||
| Diablobrian |
If you like track days I'd say go for it. The Buell is not as hard on tires as the in line 4's and that is usually the largest consumable expense. As a novice you can be competetive in (ccs class structure) light weight superstock, gt lights, light weight superbike, and ccs-thunderbike classes without serious mods. The track is usually less crowded on race day than on a track day, at least in my experience, as an added bonus. (Message edited by diablobrian on January 14, 2006) | ||
| Mr_cuell |
FWIW I raced and hung with some 125 guys. Its only my opinion, but I was glad I wasn't racing one of those . . . it did look like more screwing around than average, and less forgiving for a new guy than a 4 stroke if you mistakenly let the revs drop - That said, there didn't seem to be any new ones around, which might be a whole different deal, these things looked the equivelant of WWI bi-planes to me . . | ||
| Fusa21 |
For the novice rider, a 125cc racebike(RS125,Yamaha,Gilera,Aprilia..etc) is not a first choice. In general they are built to do one thing only...RACE. A novice, who are in many cases not mechanically inclined would not be ready to divert their limited available attention to how their 2-stroke is running during a race weekend. Their attention is mostly used up learning new skills like turn-in points and breaking markers. They are concentrating on when and how much throttle input is needed. Now try and put another 20+ amateur riders around them, figuring out how to maneuver between them becomes pretty taxing on a new rider's available processing capability. A 2-stroke will require them to be very sensitive to whether the bike is running rich or lean, and possibly subject to seizure. Not to say there are not very mechanically incline riders, it just is a fact that a 4-stroke is more forgiving that a 2-stoke when learning the challenges that racing exhibits, not to mention happy throttle hands. This may be another good example...what to MSF classes use for new riders? 2 or 4 stroke bikes? | ||
| Doitindark |
Thanks again for all the responses, the bike I have now is a 03 XB9R. Would that be a good bike to start out on, or something like a SV or one of the 600's | ||
| Diablobrian |
avoid the 600's The grid is crowded with squids. The rush to turn 1 can be murderous. And they can be hard on tires when ridden in anger. I'd stick with a light weight. The sv is a worthy steed for racing but the 9 you already have will work just fine. After you get some experience under your belt you can upgrade it if you feel like it. Suspension is the first place to spend money as an novice racer. Make sure you get your suspension set up correctly. | ||
| Fusa21 |
To take the XB racing, you can simply safety wire the drainplugs for the Primary and Oiltank/swingarm. Fasten a hoseclamp to the oilfilter and wire that to the bike. Next remove all the what nots...blinkers, mirrors. Then ask a good suspension technician that knows Buells to help you adjust the settings to set the sag and other numbers for your body weight/riding position. You may want to ask around for who is good at that part, but it will help to get the bike to behave better on the track. Also, don't use Leaded Racegas from the track, it'll foul up the O2 sensor, if you still are running it. Then just have a day of it. You will be able to start out slowly and improve your speed and timing gradually. Don't plan on setting the world on fire the first time. Learn the bike. You should be taking a race school anyways so they will help you get more comfortable, and learn at your own pace. Have fun is really what its about..so don't sweat all the hype. The bike is very capable of getting you started... if you like it...upgrade stuff later like shock/fork internals, ECM, exhaust. XBs are very visible now at the races, you will find someone to take you under their wing if that's what you need. If you're ever in the Midwest look me up CCS Ex#21, or #247. I'd be happy to pit with you and show you a couple things. (Message edited by fusa21 on January 15, 2006) | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
I say RACE. I raced motocross for 5 years and had some of the most fun in my life, just remember it is kind of like cost/hp. You will spend a bunch of money I mean in the thousands per year, I just raced motocross but I could easily spend $500 a weekend. I would think road racing would cost quite a bit more also. Don't worry about the cost though, just enjoy it and you will find a way to pay for it even if it means pimpin out the old lady, just kidding.  | ||
| Buellgirlie |
hey FUSA21 - your "under the wing" spot (and Paul's) are going to be full of ME and i'm not good at sharing!!! plus i have a long way to go and a lot to learn  DOITINDARK - seriously though, i am in the middle of the same decision. track days or racing. i went through a race licensing school last year and got my CCS license. raced twice on a rental ducati and got bitten. did trackdays at blackhawk, and watched CCS at autobahn and jennings last year. renewed my license for 2006 just in case... i've been on a half-hearted, but serious, dedicated race/trackbike search for a few months now. using that as my "excuse" for postponing the whether to race until i have a dedicated bike. figuring if i took my time, and had both time AND money at my disposal, then i could find the right bike. want to keep my XB9S and SS900 as streetbikes, and looking for for the right XBR or SV racebike to come along. ALMOST bought a XB9R racebike today.......but it fell through. so, its looking like i'm leaning toward racing in 2006, and hope you make the same decision. its only money and you sure cant take it with you. but the experiences you have and the friends you make enrich your life daily. so, if you can swing it financially, and it is a SERIOUS financial commitment, then do it - see ya on the track! D (Message edited by buellgirlie on January 15, 2006) (Message edited by buellgirlie on January 15, 2006) | ||
| Doitindark |
So if I race my XB9R what classes can I race in? lightweight supersport lightweight superbike GT lights thunderbike supertwins How many races should I race in a day? How long does each race last? number of laps? | ||
| Diablobrian |
gt lights is a timed race, 25 minutes and can be valuable track time/practice wise. the others are usually 8 lap sprints. How many you run depends on your budget (tires and entry fees) and your physical condition. 4 races (and don't forget the morning practice sessions) is a lot if it includes the GTL race. supertwins usually belongs to rc51's and water cooled italian twins(ducati and aprilia), unless none of them show. (Message edited by diablobrian on January 15, 2006) | ||
| Bcordb3 |
I would say go racing, I would and did start racing 250cc Yamaha's back in the old days (a YDS2) for those who remember that one. It was very inexpensive to ride and fast enough to make you think about it. A very competitive class. I 'm sure that it still is. I would get almost a half a season on a pair of tires. New plugs evey race. New pistons and rings at the end of the year (including a hone job for the cylinders. Talk about an easy season! 125's although almost as fast as some of the 250's had to rely on to many other factiods. Rider weight being the biggest concern. I was nearing 200 pounds in those days. I remember a race Loudon New Hampshire when I was caught and passed by a girl on Montesa 125. Don't let egos get in the way of riding the big bikes. Ride a little one for a season or two then take the plunge. Take the big one out for practice and track days. Race the little fella. | ||
| Doitindark |
Are the races on Saturday and Sunday or is it just practice on Saturday and race on Sunday. Sorry for all the questions, I just can't seem to find the answers anywhere else. | ||
| Diablobrian |
depends on the event. Most have races split between sat & sun, but sometimes it is track day sat and races sun. Almost always the morning of the races is spent on practice, 2-3 sessions depending on how many people show and class divisions. there is usually someone running a track day the day before the races, whether it is friday or saturday. it is worth while on an unfamiliar track to pay for this and learn the track and find brake markers. It can be pretty hectic trying to learn all of this the morning of the races. You'll need to look up the schedule in the association and region you intend to run in for more details. | ||
| Buellrcr |
race man its a blast. i got a stock motor in my xb9r. i started dead last in all of my races. i got a couple of top ten finshes out of 25 to 30 or so racers. i was happy. last race of the year at summit point i got 4th place. | ||
| Surveyor |
Do it.... no matter how much it costs or how badly you do it's going to be better than sitting in front of the TV in 20 years time wishing you'd done it "when you were younger" | ||
| Bcordb3 |
"when you were younger" Very good point. There are to many people who say "I wish had done that when I was a kid". Life is filled with to many could'ves, should'ves. As the great Robin Williams once said, "seize the moment" but only in latin, taken from the Dead Poet Society. (isn't there a thread going about that sort of thing). Nike Sports says "Just Do It". You can't look back. So Surveyor your post is a good one. It says a lot to this old Bueller. The next time you down at the Donybrook area tip a glass to all who shoulda. I certainly will the next time at the local pub here. | ||
| Blake |
Give it a go. Suggest trying racing in two classes the first time. Pick one that will allow you to race in the morning or early afternoon and one in late afternoon, so you have time to acclimate. Let us know how it goes. | ||
| Doitindark |
How will I know which what time the races are? Will there be a list before I get to the track or will I just have to figure it out when I get there? | ||
| Gearhead |
Check out www.ccsracing.com , new rider information. It contains everything you need to know. I hope to be able to join the ranks of racers this year, too. There's nothing concrete but it's a major goal!! | ||
| Mr_cuell |
One point no one has mentioned - if you are married, is your wife 100 PERCENT behind you to go out and race? It can be a stressfull thing for a spouse, especially if she doesn't come with you to the races, and is home alone on race weekends worrying. My wife and I don't always see eye to eye on whether racing is the right thing for me to be doing, and you can't really enjoy something if you have to go totally against the grain to get it. It might sound obvious or overly simplistic, but you should make sure she (if you're married) is on board before you get totally mentally committed - Don't mean to sound silly or preachy, but racing is not like joining the softball team . . . | ||
| Doitindark |
Yeah, my wife is for it. She wants me to be happy, I'm just the one who wants to be sure if I should race or just do trackdays. Although right now I'm leaning to races. I'll probably do Frank Kinsey school in April then some races after that. |
