Getting a youth started

[Awesome]

Chill, I wasn't volunteering someone else's bike for her to ride TOMORROW... I'm saying you could probably find someone who would let her try one out if she can prove herself on a dirtbike first.

I'm not directing the response just at you, I'm just amazed at how many people think an RS125 is a good idea. I'm curious if any of them have ever ridden one. I have.

[Kurlon]

If we do any mini racing this winter at MIK, I'll post up on here. Bring her and some gear, and we can find a bike to put her on.

Edit: Bring yourself and some gear also, it's a friggen blast.

[OreoGaborio]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330/4.5.0.77 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Get her to a few trackdays before she does penguin. In my opinion this is a must. Penguin is not enough on its own to prepare anyone for racing.

Disagree 100% with your opinion. Sorry buddy.

Without getting into some off-topic debate on this topic lets just leave it at the facts that Penguin has prepared quite a large number of 'new' people for racing, is the oldest motorcycle track riding school in the Nation, and can work one-on-one with your daughter all day long if that's what makes you/her feel more comfortable. In fact it's THE BEST option for someone who's intent and goal is racing.

I can see both sides of the argument... with special attention, Penguin can be a great resource for an aspiring racer with virtually no prior riding experience... but if EVERYONE that fits into the "I wanna race but have never ridden" category went to Penguin they wouldn't be able to handle it.

I think Degsy's just saying there are other alternatives that may suit her needs better than diving right into Penguin.

[a13x]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet (Kurlon awake?).

Def look into any winter indoor mini-racing leagues. I know Kurlon was part of one up in Maine. That'd be EXTREMELY valuable experience IMO. It sounds goofy but mini racing, even on a bone stock CRF50 with slicks, is a awesome teaching tool for real roadracing. Almost all the GP-stars came up racing mini's and some of them still do whenever they can (like Jorge).

[Pittenger5]

Maybe get her into some mini racing over the winter?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet

I still stick by my statement that you need SOME riding experience before getting into racing. One winter of dirtbike riding in the northeast I dont think is enough. I think racing should be the last thing to worry about, and get some riding in. Sure it looks cool from the sidelines, but would you really want to go diving into turn 1 with someone who spent 3 months riding a dirtbike, and thats it? Not sure I would.
Its great she shows interest, but throwing her in the deep end to teach her to swim doesnt seem to be the wisest thing to do.

[a13x]

but if EVERYONE that fits into the "I wanna race but have never ridden" category went to Penguin they wouldn't be able to handle it.

Kind of odd Pete to be speaking that firmly for someone else's business and what they can and cannot handle.

I was going to go to McDonald's for lunch but it's raining out and it seemed busy and I didn't think they could handle it.



Speaking of lunch I'm going to go eat some. Laters!

[OreoGaborio]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet (Kurlon awake?).

Def look into any winter indoor mini-racing leagues. I know Kurlon was part of one up in Maine. That'd be EXTREMELY valuable experience IMO. It sounds goofy but mini racing, even on a bone stock CRF50 with slicks, is a awesome teaching tool for real roadracing. Almost all the GP-stars came up racing mini's and some of them still do whenever they can (like Jorge).

Word... I was just about to bring that up.

[a13x]

I still stick by my statement that you need SOME riding experience before getting into racing. One winter of dirtbike riding in the northeast I dont think is enough. I think racing should be the last thing to worry about, and get some riding in. Sure it looks cool from the sidelines, but would you really want to go diving into turn 1 with someone who spent 3 months riding a dirtbike, and thats it? Not sure I would.
Its great she shows interest, but throwing her in the deep end to teach her to swim doesnt seem to be the wisest thing to do.

Sorry I missed that Richie.

3 months or 3 years doesn't matter. Comes down to comfort and ability. If Daughter is riding well enough (Dad is a racer himself) that he feels comfy putting her out there I'm sure he will. If she can't ride in a straight line... maybe not eh?

[OreoGaborio]

Kind of odd Pete to be speaking that firmly for someone else's business and what they can and cannot handle.

Someone spit in your Big Mac or somethin? Sorry, didn't realize we weren't all on the same team here...



Lemme explain.....

Knowing how much attention some brand new riders need, do Jeff & company have a curriculum that's set up to handle teaching a classroom full of people, all with different learning curves & abilities, how to race motorcycles in 1 day that have never ridden before?

I didn't say they couldn't do it with one or two riders, I said if EVERYONE who's NEVER ridden before but wants to race went to Penguin, there's no way they could handle it on their own along with everyone else they get. Hell, I can hardly handle teaching 6 people how to ride around in a parking lot at 15 mph in TWO days. I'm not talking DOWN about Penguin, so don't talk to me like that's what I'm doing.

Do I know their business? No... but I AM familiar with the MSF & Track Day industries and what it takes to get someone riding who's never ridden before, so I don't see why me speaking firmly about this & erring on the side of caution is all that odd.


Like you brought up, it comes down to comfort and ability... and I totally agree, this kinda stuff totally works on a case-by-case basis. Some people pick it up quick, some don't... but we have no idea where Stu's daughter is gonna stack up till we get her on a bike... and maybe this wasn't what you were saying, but Penguin isn't the place for that first time experience. If she does alright elsewhere & can prove herself ready for it, then sure, ship her off to Penguin. If she's not ready for Penguin, there's track day orgs that are designed for entry level track riding.

[blacklightning]

Awesome feedback all. Thanks for the offers. Kurlon, Indoor winter riding? Sign me up. At least post or PM me when it happens. Alex, thanks I will get in touch. Seems Richie has my daughters best interests in mind, (a ploy?).

[csmutty]

I think that the Rieju or Derbi would be perfect since they are both 2 strokes under 100cc.

Derbi:

Rieju:

[seth399]

that derbi is badass lookin!

[blacklightning]

Where do you get one of those?

[Kurlon]

Talk to the USCRA crowd to find out where they get Rejius, dunno who the closet Derbi dealer is?

[Pittenger5]

Seems Richie has my daughters best interests in mind, (a ploy?).

Cmon, Im not a TOTAL prick






Fuck, he got me

[The Crashing Tomato]

Mmmmmmmm Derbi

*looks up where and how to get one*





















notice I didn't say Daughter
like richey did

[csmutty]

Where do you get one of those?

We have a brand new 2001 Rieju for sale at our shop in CT. It was a prize for the winner of the Cosmo cup in 2003 I think. Bike has never seen gas, the seat is still covered in plastic, and the battery acid is yet to be added. The GM at our shop Dave Rosen raced a Rieju for a few years and also owned a Derbi.

[Awesome]

1) fact she's a girl doesn't matter
2) not all kids riding 125's have been on them since they were 5. a good number of the Red Bull Rookie Cup kids had NEVER been on pavement before they entered the RBRC. They did have some dirt experience, but no pavement.
3) if she learns to ride and respects the machine she'll have little problems
4) i've seen some adult men putting around on rs125's that look like they've never ridden any motorcycle ever and survived

5) I AGREE that they are purpose built race machines and must be treated with respect but they remain a option for parents who want to get their kids into racing.

What's the ratio of men to women in motorcycle racing? How many kids on RS125's are entering the rookie cup that have never ridden a bike? How many adult men have a better sense of self preservation than 15 year olds? How many kids under 16, with 10 years of motorcycle experience have died in the past 2 years alone on RS125s? I can name two that I knew personally, and another one that you did. This isn't something to be taken lightly and rushed into because it's cool to race motorcycles.

[Chippertheripper]

Stuart. Will you be my dad too?

[The Crashing Tomato]

BTW looks like there is only one place to get one of these Derbi bikes in the USA

DERBI USA
140 East 45th Street, 17th Floor
NY 10017 NEW YORK
U.S.A.

[Degsy]

Putting a 15 year old girl with no riding experience on an RS125 is REDICULOUS. These kids that are 'starting' on RS125s at 14 and 15 years old have been riding and racing bikes since they were 5. An RS125 is a factory built grand prix roadracing machine, and rediculously fast.

[FTMS]

It is a bit of a haul but you might want to check out these guys NJ Mini GP They have a practice day coming up on Oct 18. I have ridden with them a couple of times and they have a great program for kids. Not a bad one for adults also. I think they even have some rental bikes.

[Degsy]

Disagree 100% with your opinion. Sorry buddy.

Without getting into some off-topic debate on this topic lets just leave it at the facts that Penguin has prepared quite a large number of 'new' people for racing, is the oldest motorcycle track riding school in the Nation, and can work one-on-one with your daughter all day long if that's what makes you/her feel more comfortable. In fact it's THE BEST option for someone who's intent and goal is racing.

Past that I think you are on the right track. Small-bore dirtbike (TT-R 125'ish) will get her familiar with the controls and operating a motorcycle. From there I'd start looking at some smaller race motorcycles. A 125cc roadracing bike is a good choice, another good choice would be looking for one of the newer Moriwaki MD250's that some of the young kids have been racing lately. Basically a 125 chassis with a 250 4-stroke motor in them. Very cool bikes and the dad's that have been running them say they hold up great and their kids love them. A motard could also work as my g/f (who's 5'4" and 115lbs) runs around on mine (which is lowered slightly) with no problems and also Jackie Hapla, Jeff Wood's g/f, is about the same size and cooks on Jeff's CRF450.

Those would be three great avenues to explore off the bat. EX500's, SV650's, and bikes of those ilk might be a bit much for a 5' 100lb human to toss around off the bat. If you can work the budget for one of those initial 3, I think you are on a solid path.

Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns you may have blacklightening. I've PM'ed you my number.

Disagree 100%?

So, penguin has never sent a rider out to race that should not have been out there? Not that they will admit of course (why would they), but we have all seen the "first weekend 3-minute lapper"

Remember when Erin first raced? She was the first to admit that she was a danger to herself and others out there after doing Penguin. She ended up doing a bunch of trackdays I believe.

Personal opinion here of course, but I think penguin should fail a few students once in a while. Everyone has stories about their Penguin school and the people on it who should not be anywhere near a bike.

I have had more than 10 people speak to me personally in the past 10 years or so that I have been involved with trackdays and racing at Loudon that have said (after their first race) "Man, I should NOT have been out there. I TOTALLY underestimated what it would be like, I'm doing a few trackdays before I go racing"

I talk to people a lot about that stuff and they might say different things to you than they say to me because you work for Penguin, but many people who go straight to penguin then realize that they need to do a few trackdays before racing.

[FireboltEric_MA]

Good stuff to know. My son has also shown interest.

[capt1014]

I'm looking for suggestions on how to get my daughter into lrrs. She's 15 now and will be 16 during next season. She has been with me at the last three rounds and expressed interest in racing.

She's a small girl 5' 100# with no riding experience. I plan to immedietly get her a 125 dirt bike to get her some seat time before spring.

When she's ready, I'll put her through penguin.

I'm open to any suggestions, not limited to, what ride to start on; 125 sportbike? How small do motards run, 125?

Thanks

Pretty sure the Peguin School "STRONGLY" suggests at least one year of riding experience.