Getting Into Racing

[s a x m a n]

If she is already annoyed with the amount of time you spend with your street bike the outlook isn't good imo.

[kb1]

If she is already annoyed with the amount of time you spend with your street bike the outlook isn't good imo.

She'll be fine...once we get the wedding all set that will make her happy.

I've been kinda errrr...ummmm...putting it off to buy bike bits....





No lies

["Dangerous" Dan K]

If she is already annoyed with the amount of time you spend with your street bike the outlook isn't good imo.

I've decided my next gf will have to be cool with racing and it consuming most of my time, thought, money, and race wekends taking priority over most anything else. I figure that should keep my single and playing the field for years to come

[palanon]

I've decided my next gf will have to be cool with racing and it consuming most of my time, thought, money, and race wekends taking priority over most anything else. I figure that should keep my single and playing the field for years to come

Just get a list of the women racers and stalk one of them or their friends.

Maybe Ann Dages could play match maker and hook you up.

[Paul_E_D]

This is a great thread, and the relationship question is a serious one. Having been through it, I'd add to my earlier comment: race before buying a house, or getting married/serious with a girl.

If those aren't options, take up golf or something.

My relationship did survive it, but quitting racing was the best thing I ever did for my marriage... We did have a lot of fun, and learned a bit about each other, but the all consuming nature of racing didn't make me very available to my wife. I'll just leave it at that.

[Pittenger5]

the all consuming nature of racing didn't make me very available to my wife. I'll just leave it at that.

On a serious note, and mind you I am very single, but its 8 weekends a year? Are women fucking crazy/stupid/selfish enough they cant spare 8 weekends for something we love (yes, I already know the answer). If its money, thats one issue, but time is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Not necessarily directed at you Paul, but I hear the "time" thign a lot in these arguments.

[Awesome]

On a serious note, and mind you I am very single, but its 8 weekends a year? Are women fucking crazy/stupid/selfish enough they cant spare 8 weekends for something we love (yes, I already know the answer). If its money, thats one issue, but time is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Not necessarily directed at you Paul, but I hear the "time" thign a lot in these arguments.

No girl I've ever dated has minded, they've all loved to come up to the track and loved that I had things in my life that I was passionate about. Nor have they minded getting naked in some interesting places at the track.

[s a x m a n]

She'll be fine...once we get the wedding all set that will make her happy.

I've been kinda errrr...ummmm...putting it off to buy bike bits....

No lies

Good luck man ... that all I can offer at this point.

If you want to do well at racing it takes such a level of commitment that it very hard for those not doing it to understand. As others have said if you want to race, do it before house/marriage etc;. Its the easiest way

[Pittenger5]

Nor have they minded getting naked in some interesting places at the track.

I was wondering who that girl climbing into my trailer was. Now I know, and knowing is something I just dont care to do.

[CEO]

On a serious note, and mind you I am very single, but its 8 weekends a year? Are women fucking crazy/stupid/selfish enough they cant spare 8 weekends for something we love (yes, I already know the answer). If its money, thats one issue, but time is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Not necessarily directed at you Paul, but I hear the "time" thign a lot in these arguments.

DB we both know it isn't 8 weekends...

It's 8 weekends, plus thursday and friday practices, plus track days, plus going out to meet up with the guys to talk about bikes, plus wrenching on bikes at night after work, plus thinking and talking about and buying bikes all year long, plus plus plus etc etc etc...

Honestly it's pretty much all of our free time and all of our disposable income (and then some).

That being said... any woman who cares about me would respect that it's something I put above many other priorities.

[s a x m a n]

I should add that when erin and I were together she was VERY supportive of racing and did enjoy being up there more than most I know. That being said, you could tell there was a sense of contention (right word?) for how much I dedicated myself to the sport and when it was race week/weekends how little time I spent focusing on her/us.

[BMFR6]

another thing to consider regarding the "relationship" aspect of racing, it's not just the money and time, it's the potential injuries (or worse).
My wife always supported me, but I know seeing the crashes and injuries always bothered her.

[Kurlon]

On a serious note, and mind you I am very single, but its 8 weekends a year? Are women fucking crazy/stupid/selfish enough they cant spare 8 weekends for something we love (yes, I already know the answer). If its money, thats one issue, but time is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Not necessarily directed at you Paul, but I hear the "time" thign a lot in these arguments.

8 weekends a year to be at the track. Most of my 'off' Saturdays during the summer have been spent trying to get little things done on the GS for the next race weekend, as that's the only day off I have that lines up with the shop being open. It also happens to be the one day a week my wife and I have off together during the summer. Plus I never stop thinking/talking/etc about racing... since taking up track riding/racing I've also lost a ton of interest in street riding, and she loves riding two up on the ST3. Last year it went 200 miles, this year, 300 in one trip, it's sat since.

So yeah, it's hard on the relationship... on the other hand... I can't stop.

[Paul_E_D]

8 weekends, 8 thursdays and fridays, 8 trackdays, Not to mention going to GP and AMA races and the extra 8 weekends teaching MSF to help pay for racing, and bike maintenance time, that doesn't leave much vacation time. Luckily I had a non full year job. I'm not talking about dabbling at racing as much as I mean getting into it seriously.

Mental investment is another thing. To get fast it takes a LOT more than 8 weekends. I was focused on nothing else for 5 years. On or off the track.

That's how it was for me. I guess some of you aren't in that deep with racing or with the girls in question. It CAN ruin a marriage and I've seen it happen.

Just don't think' "that won't happen to me" is all I mean to say. Give it some thought.

[NoPants]

Honestly it's pretty much all of our free time and all of our disposable income (and then some).

yup.


I'd also like to add that the EX500 is a pile of shit. every last one.

[kb1]

DB we both know it isn't 8 weekends...

It's 8 weekends, plus thursday and friday practices, plus track days, plus going out to meet up with the guys to talk about bikes, plus wrenching on bikes at night after work, plus thinking and talking about and buying bikes all year long, plus plus plus etc etc etc...

Honestly it's pretty much all of our free time and all of our disposable income (and then some).

That being said... any woman who cares about me would respect that it's something I put above many other priorities.

I think riding motorcycles in general kinda carries this consensus. Funny I was just talking to my co-worker 5 minutes ago about how consuming motorcycling is in general as a hobby/sport to be involved. I personally got into riding last year after thinking about it for a long long time when I was young. Since buying this Z I have focuses on nothing else, my garage is filled with bits, I spend all my time looking at more bits. I surf this forum and riderforums religiously and have gotten more active in my posting the more I get into it.

The last piece is the most important, my fiance plays softball, and she teaches swim lessons to little kids in her off time. She loves doing both and it consumes much of her time. We've always agreed that we have to have our hobbies and we can't allow our relationship and our soon to be marriage to ruin that. Our relationship is very healthy for that very reason, we both respect what the other loves.

My only concern is the money, I already spend a LOT of money on motorcycles, and why much of the time she doesn't mind (I also earn much more than she does) I don't want to create a growing animosity about the money I spend.

This is a good thread, I'm happy I raised the question, I think it really helps a lot of people that want to get involved think about the questions you normally wouldn't.

[Pittenger5]

Well this all settles it, ramp tramps for me!

[Tricky Mike]

Well this all settles it, ramp tramps for me!

Or you could just keep parking it (and getting it) in the chute. We all have needs, Richie.

[jerseygirl]

I would like you all to know as a female racer, it is tough on my relationships as well. I have had it cited as a reason someone broke up with me and another, it was implied as he had a tough time taking a back seat to my racing and traveling. I don't spend as much prep time on my bike as many of you do, but racing is very consuming and has been a huge part of my life since I was born.

This being said, I love what I do and the people I do it with. Racing is an addiction. The second I get off the track from a race, I am already thinking about what I can do better for the next one whether it be that weekend or the next. I race vintage because it is not as time consuming or most of all, expensive. I love coming to watch you crazy modern guys though. Oh....and if you see a girl walking alone at the track, don't assume she is someone's girlfriend or wife. It is not always the case

Oh yes back to topic, doooo ittttt. Racing rocks

[Pittenger5]

I have had it cited as a reason someone broke up with me

That was just a handy excuse since he didnt want to have to come out of the closet.

Chick racers, god I hate dating those!

[Kurlon]

I race vintage because it is not as time consuming or most of all, expensive.

Aren't you running a built CB350 now?

Not expensive... riiiiiiight... : )

[NoPants]

everyone is different, handles racing differently, and has different priorities. my priority right now is my job. racing takes the back seat. I do like to think though, that with a good balance I'll be in it at least a couple race weekends per year, until I'm wicked old and crusty.

some people get into it hardcore and their life takes a back seat to club racing. I think this is a mistake. you'll find that some pretty much put their life on hold for a year, to years, or 3 years; then drop out entirely and never race again. LRRS wants people to stick around longer, but I think 3 years is the norm. some people live with their parents to afford racing. there's not really any shame in that, you just gotta think about your own priorities and maybe realize that racing every weekend doesn't fit. there's no shame in not racing every weekend either. my friends haven't given me any crap (to my face) when work or money conflicts have come up so far this season. if they did... well, they're all gay anyways.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

everyone is different, handles racing differently, and has different priorities. my priority right now is my job. racing takes the back seat. I do like to think though, that with a good balance I'll be in it at least a couple race weekends per year, until I'm wicked old and crusty.

some people get into it hardcore and their life takes a back seat to club racing. I think this is a mistake. you'll find that some pretty much put their life on hold for a year, to years, or 3 years; then drop out entirely and never race again. LRRS wants people to stick around longer, but I think 3 years is the norm. some people live with their parents to afford racing. there's not really any shame in that, you just gotta think about your own priorities and maybe realize that racing every weekend doesn't fit. there's no shame in not racing every weekend either. my friends haven't given me any crap (to my face) when work or money conflicts have come up so far this season. if they did... well, they're all gay anyways.

1 sprint Race under his belt. and He knows the deal

[Rambunctous]

Let them go. You are not gonna want them around when you are rich and famous with groupie chicks anyhow......Seriously, this guy wants to race and your'e scaring him.

[hammadown]

Let them go. You are not gonna want them around when you are rich and famous with groupie chicks anyhow......Seriously, this guy wants to race and your'e scaring him.

Scary is watching your bike slide out from underneath you at speed for the first time and as you tumble closer...and closer...and closer...and closer...and closer...and closer (oh shit I hope I stop!) towards a wall. This thread is just informative.

I have dated girls who told me they hated motorcycles or didn;t liked that I ride or race. There were no subsequent dates....and I am still single, but I also still have my bikes