thinking of racing this year.

[bartman314]

i'm a track junkie wanting to go the next step, and would appreciate the wisdom of those more experienced in a couple of areas.

in terms of risks, i'm worried most about rookies/novices who think they are the next marquez and create dangerous situations on the track. i'm not sure how real this risk is in actual practice and would appreciated thoughts on this or other risks worth considering (with respect to the next point in particular!).

i will need the 'permission' of my wife and would also appreciate any suggestions on points that were effective to other racers with wives. i know this sounds a bit weak, but i learned long ago that it's best to seek permission for some things, than ask forgiveness (and racing motorcycles strikes me as one of those things...).

[Rada]

Racing is fun.
Novice classes are pretty decent as far as bullet heads go.

What class are you thinking about?

[bartman314]

i haven't decided yet, but i'm a big guy so will likely go with large bike (i have an 1198 or multistrada that should qualify... right)?

where can i learn more about the classes?

[csmutty]

i haven't decided yet, but i'm a big guy so will likely go with large bike (i have an 1198 or multistrada that should qualify... right)?

where can i learn more about the classes?

Big guy doesn't mean big bike. Adam Butler will be the first to tell you that. First thing you need to do to have a good start in your racing career is find a nice smaller displacement bike. A smaller bike will allow you to learn to carry corner speed better and will be easier to learn to go fast in general on. A mistake using the throttle on a larger bike will be multiplied on a larger cc bike. Racing will lead you to be much more tired physically and mentally than a track day ever will, so you will make more mistakes.

[maxim_X]

Novice classes can have some assholes, but, it's worth it. I try and include the wife in my race life and she comes and visits every now and again. She enjoys it.

As far as big guy = bike bike that's not necessary. I'm likely bigger than you and I do all right on an girly little sv650. Your 1198 could work for racing but the classes would be very limited and it would be big money when you bin it. Bike selection is a hotly contested topic. But, people generally agree, buy a ready to ride track/race bike, pick something common that other race, and find something that you like.

[maxim_X]

Class information is in here http://www.nhms.com/documents/2014_lrrs_rulebook.pdf

[Rada]

Big guy doesn't mean big bike. Adam Butler will be the first to tell you that. First thing you need to do to have a good start in your racing career is find a nice smaller displacement bike. A smaller bike will allow you to learn to carry corner speed better and will be easier to learn to go fast in general on. A mistake using the throttle on a larger bike will be multiplied on a larger cc bike. Racing will lead you to be much more tired physically and mentally than a track day ever will, so you will make more mistakes.

You call me fat?

Lol.

I'm 300 pounds fully geared up. I race a SV650 in the expert ranks and generally do pretty well.

Don't let your size push you to a bike that is too large.

I run within about a half second between my SV and my GSXR1000.

[OreoGaborio]

Big guy doesn't mean big bike.

This....

Race whatever you want, buuuuuuuuut I don't really recommend starting out on either of those ducs...

- - - Updated - - -

You call me fat?

Lol.

I'm 300 pounds fully geared up. I race a SV650 in the expert ranks and generally do pretty well.

Don't let your size push you to a bike that is too large.

I run within about a half second between my SV and my GSXR1000.

PRETTY well?!?!

Bish, you the fastest kool aid man I've ever seen!

[union]

IMO you're better off starting with a smaller bike that is already setup for racing. The duc is going to cost you some good cash to get ready to race and some good cash to maintain and repair in the event of a crash. It's also going to bite a bit harder if you make a mistake. SVs are nice because they are common. Parts are easy to get and cheap compared to what the duc will need.

Novice classes can be a bit of a challenge at times. I don't think anyone is out to cause harm but everyone is learning what can and can't be done with bikes. Most are at the limit of their skill set and mistakes are common. I ran a number of laps last year in the expert field against a guy that was running about 4 inches from me going through the bowl. I could have literally reached out and grabbed his handle bar. Not sure that would work in the novice field. You'll probably be fine but you have to pick your spots to "race" people.

As for the wife. Has she been to any races? If not bring her up to one. Mine has been at every race I've done. I think what it comes down to is you need to be honest about the costs and the risks. No matter what you choose to race it's expensive. There risk of serious injury is there but most people pop right up after a crash and are fine.

[tsorfas]

Smutty really covered it. Get your feet wet. Get a LW bike that will teach you how to carry corner speed.
Invest your money on Suspension and Track time. The rest will come in time.
Nothing really teaches you more than spending time at the track, racing and infield included. Listen to people and do what you think works best for you.

Many of us love helping newcomers and answer questions.
It's a great process that will change your bank account forever, but chances are it will be the most fun thing you will ever do in your lifetime. I have yet to meet a person that said: I hate racing, it's lame.

There are several threads here that go step by step for licensing, the big DOs and DONTs, etc.

[nhbubba]

It's moments like this that I could call up that photo of rada on an RS125.

Just do it. Like, yesterday.

[Petorius]

I have nothing to contribute, I just like these threads. Good luck and have fun!

[Chippertheripper]

Do it. Don't think about it.

[burnham]

OK so by now we've decided you're going to try racing. I would rent a bike to race for the first weekend. You could spend a couple grand turning your 1198 into a track bike, or spend the same money buying something like a prepped SV, but if you find out racing isn't your thing after one weekend that would probably feel like a big waste of money.

[theducman]

OK so by now we've decided you're going to try racing. I would rent a bike to race for the first weekend. You could spend a couple grand turning your 1198 into a track bike, or spend the same money buying something like a prepped SV, but if you find out racing isn't your thing after one weekend that would probably feel like a big waste of money.

Good point, you can now rent a 300

[nhbubba]

I'm pretty confident there is a recurring market for a prep'ed lightweight.
If you've never been to the track, the rental makes sense. Actually, if you've never been to the track you should do a track day. But if you've done a bunch of track days and love track riding.. well.. you are very likely to like racing. Executing a good pass during a race is one of the single most exhilarating things I've ever done. Ever.

[tsorfas]

I'd buy an SV. Even if you decide you don't like racing (let's be real the chances are practically zero) you ll still use it for track days.

[nhbubba]

Or chips 650. Price sure as hell is right.

[b0xmonkey]

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...e-td-bike.html

I was just thinking the same thing......

[maxim_X]

X3 on that 650 ninja. Way cheaper than prepping your 1098.

[Chippertheripper]

[GixerJockey]

Do it. Don't think about it.

But this guy's Ninja 650... right now.

[GingahNinjah]

[nick5446]

As for the wife, in my experience track days are way more dangerous than races. I've actually pretty much stopped doing track days (besides maybe 1-2 a year) since I started racing. All of the racers (including novices) generally know what they're doing and have at least gone through licensing/training. The only place that seems safe during a track day is A group, but that's only true if you're on an A bike. If you're a really good racer on an SV or Ninja 250, you have to run in B group, which is full of idiots on liter bikes who can't turn.

My wife comes to all of my races, Nalgene full of wine in hand. It calms the nerves

I'd say run an SV...cheap, easy, fun and will grow with you. I ran a Ninja 250 for my first season out before switching to an SV. Lack of power wasn't the big issue, it was that I was too big to get behind the windshield (5'11" 190#).

Disclaimer: I just moved here and haven't raced LRRS yet, but I think all of this holds true wherever you are.

[OreoGaborio]

In my experience track days are way more dangerous than races..

Depends on what your definition of "dangerous" is.

From what I've seen/experienced, your chances of crashing at a track day MAY be slightly greater, but your chances of getting... Um... How can I put this delicately? Your chances of getting"gravely injured" are probably slightly greater while racing. More bikes per square foot traveling at much at higher speeds.

Unfortunately history has shown this to hold more true.