any LRRS guys mind fielding some questions from a new guy

[CEO]

Regarding the coolant, mo cool and maxima cool aid and water wetter are all essentially the same thing... is it true that mo cool is not approved and the other two are?

[jasnmar]

It's (mo cool) not on the official list. I don't know why it isn't, but it isn't.

[tsorfas]

Regarding the coolant, mo cool and maxima cool aid and water wetter are all essentially the same thing... is it true that mo cool is not approved and the other two are?

Why so focused with the coolant? Do you think you ll have issues running just water?

[CEO]

No concerns but I always run wetter (or equivalent)... there are only benefits and no harm.

Bike runs cooler and the wetter protects cooling system from oxidation/rust/etc

I ask about the mo cool because I have a bottle of it kicking around.

[tsorfas]

I think Degsy had put wetter in my hawk.
The SV ran pure water. Steady temperature all year long.

[Mr. Kurtz]

I ran tap water from NHMS for like two years. Seemed fine.

[The Snowman]

I run deionized water and wetter in my SV, which runs without a fan and have never overheated it. It's been run at some pretty hot days where you sit on pre-grid for a while. It's sat waiting on hot pit at track days and has never overheated.

[CEO]

I do it just as much for temperature as for caring of the cooling system. I have seen some gross stuff come out of coolant drains, but mine always came out pristine as all hell. Test:

1 - get a gallon of distilled poland spring water at the grocery store for a buck and a bottle of water wetter for a few bucks (this is what I have done), and run that in a bike for two years then drain it into a clear bucket

2 - do the same thing with some grimy tap water and no additive.

Then compare the buckets... and realize how much gross stuff is probably left in the channels and pump and radiator...

I dunno, it's like changing your oil... cheap insurance and good maintenance procedure. Anyways, didn't mean to derail the thread.

[OreoGaborio]

Yup. Distilled & WW for me after seeing that gunk come out of my EX500

[killcity]

Can I just show up with with 2 year old and 6 year old and watch you guys hurt yourselves? Do I need to buy tickets? I went on the LRRS site and the ticket booth thing only mentioned something in July. I wanna come out on the 26th... Eventually I hope to join the party, but I need a track beater first..

Cheers

[Kurlon]

You'll pay a gate fee which will give you full access to the site, infield included. I'd suggest hearing protection for your youngster, and possibly an FM radio to listen to the live call / announcing if that's working again.

[nhbubba]

You can hear the announcements very well from the NASCAR bleachers. I recommend the outside of T1. Also a great place to snap some photos if that's your thing.

[number9]

You can hear the announcements very well from the NASCAR bleachers. I recommend the outside of T1. Also a great place to snap some photos if that's your thing.

Are spectators allowed to sit basically anywhere in the bleachers, or are only certain parts open?

[Kurlon]

Anywhere. You can also drive around and watch from above T11, there are bleachers in T6, etc. Pay the gate fee, you're in.

[jasnmar]

You can sit anywhere...

You can get a "bleacher only" pass (or you used to be able to) that allows you access to anywhere in the bleachers, but not the infield. The infield pass allows you to be most anywhere.

[killcity]

You can sit anywhere...

You can get a "bleacher only" pass (or you used to be able to) that allows you access to anywhere in the bleachers, but not the infield. The infield pass allows you to be most anywhere.

Thanks guys, I'm sold!

[number9]

You can sit anywhere...

You can get a "bleacher only" pass (or you used to be able to) that allows you access to anywhere in the bleachers, but not the infield. The infield pass allows you to be most anywhere.

Thanks!

[carsick]

The infield is also completely open to spectators, however no parking in front of the garages AND you would want to keep your little ones close or leashed, as there are bikes going every which way all the time. Watch the scoring tower in the middle for which race it is, what lap, and your favorite racer's number and position. Try to ask here ahead of time who is running what race so you can cheer (or boo), much more fun that way. The sensation of speed is neat if you get right on the fence in the T1 bleachers.

[number9]

This might seem to be a stupid question but I'm genuinely asking it. Why are SVs more popular than motards for rookies/beginners? Is it because they're harder to setup, or harder to ride, or harder to maintain?

[Petorius]

In addition to the above, harder to find in cheap track trim, probably. A lot easier to go in the NESR "for sale" section and buy one of the five SVs for sale at any given time. And most folks get into track riding on a true street bike, and learn fundamentals/body position on a street bike.

[jasnmar]

Usually it's easier (pronounced less spendy) to find an SV very close to track setup than a motard.

SVs have a lot of off the shelf support for the track (and a lot of knowledgeable people at Loudon).

[number9]

Thanks guys!

[nhbubba]

That's a loaded question that likely depends quite a bit on the rider.

If you're a dirt guy intimately familiar with dirt bikes, I imagine motards would be a completely natural thing. Fortunately they are competitive and popular at loudon. There is a really strong group of guys to ride and race with.

If you're not a dirt guy and the idea of building/rebuilding dirt bike engines completely befuddles you, I think the math changes. SVs are reasonably competitive almost directly from your local CL listing. Tweak the front forks, splurge on a nice rear shock, change the pads, add clip-ons (optional), rear-sets, mount up some good rubber, safety-wire it up and you're rookie weekend ready. No need for a novice to go anywhere near the engine. Lots of amateurs are having lots of success with trivial mods like a slip-on and (often half-ass) tune. The engines are durable. The bikes crash well. And there are a shit-ton of them floating around NHMS. This is good because there is good competition and no shortage of parts and knowledge.

The Kawi 250 should be a more popular choice too. I'd love to race one of those. I'm guessing those aren't very popular because everyone scoffs at "tiny little" 250's as being worthless.

I suspect that road-racing mostly attracts street riders. Particularly here in the urban north east where dirt riding is shunned. I know I never rode dirt. The guys that ride dirt are somewhere else riding dirt. They're probably getting more seat time for less $$$ as it is. The guys that come from the street are pre-disposed to more traditional sport-bikes. As it is there is a large faction that scoffs at SVs and EXs as not even being proper sport-bikes.

[CEO]

Money, maintenance, riding style.