how much does racing actually cost?

[FireboltEric_MA]

I did a lot of track days last year, in hopes to prepare me to do well this season. Ive always had a MW bike. Tires have not really been an issue at my pace.

Do I think it was the better choice to do Track Days first? YES, absolutely. But that is me. I am fat, heavy, and slow.

I don't feel I put others in danger out there as I have a good idea where "The Line" is, I don't make sudden changes on the track and I am fairly predictable, yet aggressive out there. You give me a chance to pass and I am all over you.

Granted I only have 1 "Official" race under my belt, but I managed to enter turn 1 off the start 2nd to last (horrible start I know) and finished 14th out of 30 other racers, in 6 laps (they called red flag) I ran a PB of 1:26.666.

I don't think I could have done that if I "Jumped right in", not even close to that and I may have been a danger to myself and others out there. (Still might me..I dunno) That is not my intention.

I want to have fun and laugh about all this at the end of the day...unhurt if possible.

Just my .09874324263423094834

[butcher bergs]

I listened at penguin. It seemed to work.

Was there track time when you attended Penguin?

[obsolete]

You shoulda sold that to the custom bike scene.

That thing looks like a drag bike lol.

[nt650hawk]

Before the Bussa there was the Busted Hawk.


Also 1 month prior to Daytona

[butcher bergs]

I beg to differ.

Wouldn't you rather a rider have skills in order to pilot their machine? I mean, anyone can be dangerous on a small bike if they don't know how to handle it.

[Rambunctous]

For 2500 dollars and you can race this. I just paid off my credit cards and I am fighting the urge. Save me.
http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=252882

[Doc]

Wouldn't you rather a rider have skills in order to pilot their machine? I mean, anyone can be dangerous on a small bike if they don't know how to handle it.

Yes, having skills is practical. Does every novice racer have the appropriate skill to race MWSB? Would it not be easier (hence less likely to get overwhelmed with speed etc?) to race a PTwins bike?

[FireboltEric_MA]

Beating a dead horse here.

That could be said for every class out there. Some peeps don't belong on a grid in the first place.

[Pittenger5]

Beating a dead horse here.

That could be said for every class out there. Some peeps don't belong on a grid in the first place.

Leave Jesus out of this.

[Doc]

I kinda wish I didn't bump. I'd like to try this MWSB stuff but I am not stepping into that pond now (at least not soon)

[zx1012r]

If you have been riding a long time I don't think you HAVE to do trackdays first. It would certainly help, though. I went straight to racing from the street mostly because it's on the weekend and I couldn't afford to take days off during the week for trackdays.

I think in the long run it would be better to get a used race bike and just dive in. But you already have a prospective bike. One weekend with a box of drill bits and you are ready to go!

DOOOOO IIIIIIIIT!

[13]

Leave Jesus out of this.

BINGO, that guy could kill on ANY bike, with ANY amount of experience.

[csmutty]

Must resist.....posting....

[butcher bergs]

Yes, having skills is practical. Does every novice racer have the appropriate skill to race MWSB? Would it not be easier (hence less likely to get overwhelmed with speed etc?) to race a PTwins bike?

Mike, I respect our difference of opinions and I hear what you have been saying with regards to this topic but the thing is, the "practicality" of one's decision is for that individual to weigh out. For the rest of us, it's a matter of opinion of what's best for someone else.

I highly doubt it would have been practical for someone like myself to hop on an EX or a Hawk when my riding experience is with I-4's only. I'd have to re-learn how to ride altogether since the configuration of LW machine in general is nothing like the setup of a typical I-4.

IMHO, it's more practical to stay on something that you're familiar with as far a power delivery and chassis behavior goes. That's why I could barely place 3rd during that weekend on Scottie's 800....it was an unfamiliar bike to me in all respects of forward propulsion and something that required much more saddle time if I were to become competitive in that class.....




......well that and the clutch was smoked by Sunday.



I accept your opinion on this matter, Doc, but I can't wrap my head around why you feel that the ONLY way to learn anything about riding or racing is on a LW-classed machine. It's a limiting view, IMO.

[csmutty]

I highly doubt it would have been practical for someone like myself to hop on an EX or a Hawk when my riding experience is with I-4's only. I'd have to re-learn how to ride altogether since the configuration of LW machine in general is nothing like the setup of a typical I-4.

Wow...really? I had only had I-4's and the EX was cake.

Diggin deep bergs?

[RyanNicholson]

I know a guy who ran 23's in MW his first weekend, 3 months after riding a motorcycle for the first time with headlights taped over, stock suspension, stock bodywork, and rubber brake lines. He was fine.

While yes the MW class is a little more expensive and slightly more intense I suppose... anybody with a decent head on their shoulders should be fine. That goes for all classes though, so it really comes down to different strokes for different folks. Most people won't race LONG enough to buy a LW bike, race it for a couple years then move up to MW. And a lot of the times when that IS their plan, they end up in the same position as Chris W (7.20GigaWattz or whatever his SN is on here)... or in the same position as Doc.... LW racer now a bit intimidated by Expert MW but tempted.

Theres nothing wrong with that, just my .02

Yes its slightly safer and cheaper to race LW, but there's nothing dangerously wrong with MW.


Disclaimer: I've never raced LW, all of my experience is in MW so I am slightly bias.... I'm not even advocating for it, just stating my thoughts on "ride/race whatever class/bike you want". Also, I'm well aware this is a bit off topic.... and that the LW suggestion only came up because he was asking about budget racing.

[OreoGaborio]

I can't wrap my head around why you feel that the ONLY way to learn anything about riding or racing is on a LW-classed machine.

Funny... I don't remember him, or anyone else for that matter, ever saying it was the ONLY way to learn anything about riding/racing.

[butcher bergs]

Wow...really? I had only had I-4's and the EX was cake.

Diggin deep bergs?

Digging for what? I used myself as an example. It's not the holy grail of all things racing.

Reading comprehension is a wonderful thing. Go back and try again.

[butcher bergs]

Funny... I don't remember him, or anyone else for that matter, ever saying it was the ONLY way to learn anything about riding/racing.

Did I use the word "say" or did I use the word "feel".

You and Smutty must be using the same computer.


It's clear to me how Doc feels with regards to this topic, hence the reason why he pushes the Hawks and LW every time.

[csmutty]

Did I use the word "say" or did I use the word "feel".

You and Smutty must be using the same computer.


It's clear to me how Doc feels with regards to this topic, hence the reason why he pushes the Hawks and LW every time.

*backs away from the butcher*

[OreoGaborio]

So you know exactly how Doc thinks & feels? You guys must be really close.


Doc, you really think it's the ONLY way to learn? Man, you're DUMB!

[obsolete]

I would like to back up the Butcher on this one. It's not just Doc, but there is a huge bias towards LW bikes and it is apparent that a majority of people feel it is the better way to get into it.

[csmutty]

I would like to back up the Butcher on this one. It's not just Doc, but there is a huge bias towards LW bikes and it is apparent that a majority of people feel it is the better way to get into it.

Maybe cause it is?

[butcher bergs]

Pete, I know what you're trying to do. Quit twisting words around because you feel the need to make me look like an asshole. I can do that just fine on my own.

You do a better job at kissing ass over twisting words. Might wanna go with what you know.

[Pittenger5]

I would like to back up the Butcher on this one. It's not just Doc, but there is a huge bias towards LW bikes and it is apparent that a majority of people feel it is the better way to get into it.

Notice who is the majority of riders on this site. Yup, LW guys. Any one of us could go into MW, we just choose not to for one reason or another.