Going racing in 2012 - advice & opinions welcome
Discussion
So Mrs. B has given the nod before I get too old and too fat, for me to have a season racing.
Looking at what series/bike at the mo and going to get the license sorted ASAP so I can get some track days booked in to get used to slicks/wets and a new bike before taking the flag.
Options Golden Era Superbikes (supersport) with Thundersport GB and Modern Classic Superbike with Hottrax. No news at all from MSV???
Having owned a quick SRAD for a lot of years, I favour either getting my old bike back off my brother and readying it for the track or picking up another SRAD/Y/K1/K2 and seeing how we get on. Also looking at Aprillia Mille and R as well as I rate them (having been on track with a few over the years).
I have a trailer/jerry cans/good DIY tools/stands/warmers/genny etc and I am a qualified Mechanical Engineer, so think that once I've got the basic set up OK (will budget for forks/shock rebuild, I can run the bike myself.
Will do the sums over budgets but wanted views of what I can afford to run, but wanted opinions on;
1) Which series has the "paddock factor", where people are there for a good safe racing and good fun, rather than cockwaving or cheque book racing (saw enough of that racing my son in Karts a few years back)?
2) What are the essential mods to make a bike quick? I highly rate cast iron discs (had PFM on my SRAD), but what about a slipper clutch/quickshifter/etc.? Will be checking the regs more carefully over the coming weeks also. Spare wheels are on the shopping list and will be watching flea bay over the news few motnhs.
3) Where can you suggest I get a bike that is pretty much race ready with some set up clues as again, I learned in karting things like tyre pressures, gearing and geo set up can make a big difference to get right early in the weekend to concentrate on lines etc.
FWIW, I am about 14 1/2 stone and ridden in fast groups on trackdays for years and now ride a K5 thou on the road, so have a fair few miles under my belt. Don't want to crash my b
ks off or 'blow my childrens inheritance' either.
Thanks in advance.
Looking at what series/bike at the mo and going to get the license sorted ASAP so I can get some track days booked in to get used to slicks/wets and a new bike before taking the flag.
Options Golden Era Superbikes (supersport) with Thundersport GB and Modern Classic Superbike with Hottrax. No news at all from MSV???
Having owned a quick SRAD for a lot of years, I favour either getting my old bike back off my brother and readying it for the track or picking up another SRAD/Y/K1/K2 and seeing how we get on. Also looking at Aprillia Mille and R as well as I rate them (having been on track with a few over the years).
I have a trailer/jerry cans/good DIY tools/stands/warmers/genny etc and I am a qualified Mechanical Engineer, so think that once I've got the basic set up OK (will budget for forks/shock rebuild, I can run the bike myself.
Will do the sums over budgets but wanted views of what I can afford to run, but wanted opinions on;
1) Which series has the "paddock factor", where people are there for a good safe racing and good fun, rather than cockwaving or cheque book racing (saw enough of that racing my son in Karts a few years back)?
2) What are the essential mods to make a bike quick? I highly rate cast iron discs (had PFM on my SRAD), but what about a slipper clutch/quickshifter/etc.? Will be checking the regs more carefully over the coming weeks also. Spare wheels are on the shopping list and will be watching flea bay over the news few motnhs.
3) Where can you suggest I get a bike that is pretty much race ready with some set up clues as again, I learned in karting things like tyre pressures, gearing and geo set up can make a big difference to get right early in the weekend to concentrate on lines etc.
FWIW, I am about 14 1/2 stone and ridden in fast groups on trackdays for years and now ride a K5 thou on the road, so have a fair few miles under my belt. Don't want to crash my b
ks off or 'blow my childrens inheritance' either.Thanks in advance.
Raced with Dave & Bernie Stewart when they ran Bemsee and I like how they run a weekend so my vote would be for ThundersportGB although I've heard nowt bad about Hottrax.
Main difference riding-wise between fast group trackdays and racing is the start / first lap and braking distances so do whatever makes you comfy to the brakes.
Would have thought 750Y, K1-3 ahead of SRAD models. The wheels are interchangeable btw as long as you use the appropriate sprockets carriers.
"Build" each weekend from Friday morning onwards rather than go mad. New tyres Saturday morning and a new back Sunday morning - always chance to wear 'em out properley when you retire!
Wear that bib with pride, especially when overtaking those old hands!
Have fun!
Main difference riding-wise between fast group trackdays and racing is the start / first lap and braking distances so do whatever makes you comfy to the brakes.
Would have thought 750Y, K1-3 ahead of SRAD models. The wheels are interchangeable btw as long as you use the appropriate sprockets carriers.
"Build" each weekend from Friday morning onwards rather than go mad. New tyres Saturday morning and a new back Sunday morning - always chance to wear 'em out properley when you retire!
Wear that bib with pride, especially when overtaking those old hands!
Have fun!
Good decision! It;s great fun and a quick way of spending money
1) Feelgood factor - steer clear of the 600/1000 class and possibly the minitwins. A lot of youngsters in these classes, who sometimes will pass at any cost. For a welcoming class you need to look at the niche classes, those that don't lead anywhere, ie MZ, YPMs, 400's and even the Golden Era. The latter will have money thrown at it though. You will also find that your fellow competitors will help you out. The commerarderie in the YPM's is unbelievable
2) Mods - dependant of the regs, but suspension is the first thing you should throw any money at
3) Try Motorforum for ready to race bikes
You may also need to address turning up with a trailer. It's surprising how much stuff you take with you, and have you consider where you will sleep. I converted an ex Parcel Force van, not the best conversion, but would house 2 250's, spare wheels, tools, the lot and enough room for a bed, fridge cooker, table and sink.
You will get addicted and your budget will be blown to bits.
1) Feelgood factor - steer clear of the 600/1000 class and possibly the minitwins. A lot of youngsters in these classes, who sometimes will pass at any cost. For a welcoming class you need to look at the niche classes, those that don't lead anywhere, ie MZ, YPMs, 400's and even the Golden Era. The latter will have money thrown at it though. You will also find that your fellow competitors will help you out. The commerarderie in the YPM's is unbelievable
2) Mods - dependant of the regs, but suspension is the first thing you should throw any money at
3) Try Motorforum for ready to race bikes
You may also need to address turning up with a trailer. It's surprising how much stuff you take with you, and have you consider where you will sleep. I converted an ex Parcel Force van, not the best conversion, but would house 2 250's, spare wheels, tools, the lot and enough room for a bed, fridge cooker, table and sink.
You will get addicted and your budget will be blown to bits.
Chipchap said:
You could do a lot worse than race an 80's old dinosaur with Earlystocks. They have some new classes for 2012 too. Team Runt are selling a race ready GSX1100 that won a championship a few years ago.
No wets
No warmers
All fun
Everyone helps
As inexspensive as racing gets.
A
And if you drop the bike all your competitors will be all over your bike like flies round sNo wets
No warmers
All fun
Everyone helps
As inexspensive as racing gets.
A
t helping you to repair it and get you out for the next race.Hadn't really considered 2 stroke route as I don't have a lot of time to be fettling the bike between races. Also thoughts spares were harder/more expensive on the old smokers?
Having never ridden an older quick bike than my SRAD, but will have a look at the other suggestions too.
Got my eye on a couple of bikes on E-bay at the mo though and going to try and see what they're like ASAP to avoid prices creeping up away from Christmas.
Any links guys?
Having never ridden an older quick bike than my SRAD, but will have a look at the other suggestions too.
Got my eye on a couple of bikes on E-bay at the mo though and going to try and see what they're like ASAP to avoid prices creeping up away from Christmas.
Any links guys?
The 2 strokes do take quite a bit of time inbetween meetings, but it was worth it.
There is a lot to be said for racing in a one make series - someone always has the part you forgot to take!
http://www.motoforum.net/index.php?showforum=13
There is a lot to be said for racing in a one make series - someone always has the part you forgot to take!
http://www.motoforum.net/index.php?showforum=13
Chipchap said:
Tango13 said:
And if you drop the bike all your competitors will be all over your bike like flies round st helping you to repair it and get you out for the next race.
Terry have you ridden with ES then ? They are a proper friendly bunch.t helping you to repair it and get you out for the next race.One time he was at Pembury for a Friday practice before a Saturday race meet and his main competitor was moaning that his bike wasn't 'right' and handling 'funny'. My brother knew this bloke wasn't to be trusted with the keys to a toolbox never mind the contents so offered to take a look at his bike.
The basic problem was with the nut, the nut of a rider who had changed his rear tyre and not torqued up the spindle correctly.
As a thankyou he offered to show my brother the correct line around Pembury and my brother gained about 5secs a lap!
Dont leave it too much longer before you get sorted. You would probably find a reasonable CBR600RR race prepared bike for 3k and find it very capable in your novice season. Derby Pheonix would be a good club to start with assuming you are yorkshire based.
Dont discount getting out to spain pre season, this is not that expensive and will give you a huge opportunity to get used the machine and play with the set up in a non race environment.
Dont discount getting out to spain pre season, this is not that expensive and will give you a huge opportunity to get used the machine and play with the set up in a non race environment.
Graham said:
there is a ducati 600 series that like a fair amount of fun, based on old 600 supersports amd monsters, 2 classes, limited mods and control tyres cant remember who runs it though as ducatisti is still down.
g
Desmodue is the series, which will be with Hottrax in 2012.g
I'm joining the class B series this year. Class B is 600cc aircooled monsters and SS, Class A is the 620 fuel injected monsters and SS (although multistrada's are eligible and have been involved), while class C1 is a new for 2012, and is 10 year+ large CC bikes (916, 888 etc)
From what I have experienced as a complete and utter novice (4 or 5 trackdays in total!) the Desmodue paddock is very friendly, relatively novice (lots of 1st time racers in class B, nut not sure they are allowed in the other classes?), and a race ready bike can be had for £1500 with championship winning bikes starting a little higher, but not much.
try www.ducstisportingclub.com for more info
This chap is racing a much modified SRAD 750 in the Hottrax Classic Superbike series, looks like a lot of fun.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150462478336...
If your interestested you can find more of his posts about the bike and ongoing build on the http://www.gixerjunkies.com site.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150462478336...
If your interestested you can find more of his posts about the bike and ongoing build on the http://www.gixerjunkies.com site.
I'm racing in Thunderbikes Extreme this year, as a complete novice...
New regs mean that my 1996 GSXR 750 SRAD is now eligable, and already have trailer etc. from trackdays, so decided to go for it. Bike needs a few additional bits and bobs and then it'll be ready to go.
Budget doesn;t look too big, a figure a set of tyres will do me two meetings, or a set of scrubs for each meet. Already met a few fellow racers at the Bemsee open day at Brands last Dec...
New regs mean that my 1996 GSXR 750 SRAD is now eligable, and already have trailer etc. from trackdays, so decided to go for it. Bike needs a few additional bits and bobs and then it'll be ready to go.
Budget doesn;t look too big, a figure a set of tyres will do me two meetings, or a set of scrubs for each meet. Already met a few fellow racers at the Bemsee open day at Brands last Dec...
Kept my eyes peeled and reckon I'm going to go for the Golden Era with Thundersport.
Gone for a Mille R on a 2001 with 1 owner and detailed service book, etc.. Hope it's a good un and having only ridden a couple of V twins on track (but seen plenty), I reckon this might be a reasonable basis for me to improve my riding skill and hope it might be competitive enough not to be a complete embarrassment.
Will be doing CTC at Cadwell with Hottrax and hopefully the TD on the 12th Feb, with the appropriate tyres to start getting used to it.
Joined MotoForum and will see what's what according to the racers over there too. Anyone here also a member there?
Via my local Apilia dealer (Premier Bikes Askern), managed to get a local contact for a local Tuono racer and his local dyno man.
Looking forward to getting on track now.
Gone for a Mille R on a 2001 with 1 owner and detailed service book, etc.. Hope it's a good un and having only ridden a couple of V twins on track (but seen plenty), I reckon this might be a reasonable basis for me to improve my riding skill and hope it might be competitive enough not to be a complete embarrassment.
Will be doing CTC at Cadwell with Hottrax and hopefully the TD on the 12th Feb, with the appropriate tyres to start getting used to it.
Joined MotoForum and will see what's what according to the racers over there too. Anyone here also a member there?
Via my local Apilia dealer (Premier Bikes Askern), managed to get a local contact for a local Tuono racer and his local dyno man.
Looking forward to getting on track now.
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