racing questions

[catch2otwo]

so what does it take to get into racing? pretty broad question, but things like "how often do you race, do you have to attend every single race, fees, is it always at nhis, etc." just interested to see if its actually feasable for me to get into in the next few years.

[The Snowman]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[hammadown]

lrrsracing.com

Lots of info here. I'm sure a lot of these guys can give you some great advice as well.

[McBiggity]

take the penguin race school- about $250
pay the license fee- $115 (i think)
finish your rookie race - 3 laps
Enter one other race - $60
your now licensed.
License expires every year.
8 race weekends.
You only race when you want to.
-
suggestion- Get a cheap lightweight racebike, you'll learn more and won't go dead broke with tire costs/crash repairs, cause you will crash.

[catch2otwo]

thanks that seems doable in a couple years. i havnt even done a track day yet, but im due to graduate in a year so ill have more time and money to devote to this. definatly looks like fun.

[RyanNicholson]

-
suggestion- Get a cheap lightweight racebike, you'll learn more and won't go dead broke with tire costs/crash repairs, cause you will crash.

yup +1

[catch2otwo]

yup +1

what kind of bikes are you guys talking about? ive noticed ex500s and older 600s seem to be the norm?

[McBiggity]

ex500,
SV650
- those two are popular to start on and have a good following at LRRS.

[xxdcmast]

Go with an ex 500 or an sv650. I bought a 600cc and wish I bought one of the others two. To me the SV seems the way to go. You can get one of them done up nicely for fairly cheap money.

600's are expensive to crash

[catch2otwo]

ahh i just remember the sv. typically how much needs to be invested into a stock sv to get it track ready? im assuming tires, saftey wire, rearsets?, clip ons?

[McBiggity]

better off picking one up that's all ready set up to race. Usually at the end of the season, racers are looking to get rid of their current race bikes for something else.
Check the LRRS classifieds, WERA classifieds, etc

[catch2otwo]

makes sense. im itchin to get to the track, if only my money tree would quit dying. stupid miracle grow doesnt work

[RyanNicholson]

get ready to brown bag your lunch, avoid paying tolls, switch to generic brand soda, and stop going out to dinner, and whatever else you'll think of that will save you a couple bucks to put towards racing.

but its so worth it

[catch2otwo]

get ready to brown bag your lunch, avoid paying tolls, switch to generic brand soda, and stop going out to dinner, and whatever else you'll think of that will save you a couple bucks to put towards racing.

but its so worth it

problem is i pretty much do all that stuff now haha i wonder what the lottery is at tonight

[Crash Dummy Denno]

do a trackday first!

[The Snowman]

problem is i pretty much do all that stuff now haha i wonder what the lottery is at tonight

$148 million mega millions (Friday)
$210 million powerball (Saturday)

[xxdcmast]

$148 million mega millions (Friday)
$210 million powerball (Saturday)

Already got my tickets. Ill make everyone a deal here if I win the lottery tonight SV 650's for everyone.

Figure you can get a nicely set up one for 3000-3500 x 30 people = about 100,000...... chump change.

[The Snowman]

Already got my tickets. Ill make everyone a deal here if I win the lottery tonight SV 650's for everyone.

Figure you can get a nicely set up one for 3000-3500 x 30 people = about 100,000...... chump change.

Hmmm, I wouldn't go around posting this kind of statement, since it's on a public forum. Someone might be able to legally hold you to it if you did in fact win.

I also think you'd be buying more than 30 bikes.

[s a x m a n]

lw is the way to start out ... not just from a $$$ point of view, but also a great learning tool

i traditionally spend $700/weekend ... thats just tires, race fees (4 races/weekend), entry fees and race gas.

I crashed once this year which was $1000 worth of parts, $200 in medical co-payments

So if everything stays as it right now I will have spent $7200 on racing this year (not including off season purchases, travel gas, food).


Just to give you an idea of what a big bike costs to run

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Hmmm, I wouldn't go around posting this kind of statement, since it's on a public forum. Someone might be able to legally hold you to it if you did in fact win.

I also think you'd be buying more than 30 bikes.

i vote i get chucks bike because he's being a negative nelly

[RyanNicholson]

yea i spend roughly $700/weekend as well for tires/fees/entries/gas/etc.

i've had 2 crashes this year that were over $1000 in parts

plus building the bike as i go.....still need a rear shock ha

[Slyder]

What about GP bikes? 125 / 250 2 strokes?

how are they price wise to run?

I can't afford a bmx bike, let alone a race bike but I'd still like to get into it.

[catch2otwo]

ya i knew it wouldnt be cheap, just figured id do a little research. will have to pick up my tickets after i get off of work today. if i win everyone gets a fiddy and a 6 pack. hey gotta save up for racing!

[OreoGaborio]

so there's two guys on 600's that spend 700 bucks on average per race weekend.... and that doesn't include crashes?

I race an EX500.... when I was doing 4 races per weekend I was only spending 3-350/weekend... even if I crashed The EX Mafia rules



Of course the first step for you is track days as some others have mentioned. You can really tell who's done track days before diving straight into racing & those who haven't. Dive straight into racing & there's minimal instruction. Do track days & you're learning about body position, body movement, bike control , the racing line etc etc etc.

I did track days very regularly for about a year & 1/2 before I began racing.

PS... Nice sig

[catch2otwo]

does racing school teach you how to ride? or is it more technicalities rather then technique? i just had no time this year for a track day and the fact of no money. going to do it next spring if i gotta live on bologny sandwiches this winter then so be it.