Mini Moto racing - ouch!
Discussion
Anyone been mini moto racing? A few friends and I went yesterday, to an Arrive n Drive session. What amazing fun! Once i'd completed the obligatory 2 laps riding like a big jessie, I came around the next bend at full lean but without my knee on the floor - cue lowsiding it straight across the track into the barriers. And then I did the same on the next lap. After that I made it my mission to get my knee down on every corner - excellent fun, I could feel the bike drifting sideways, balanced only on my knee! I came around one corner at full bore, and the muppet in front of me bottled it and braked - I hit the back brake, and then (stupidly) released it again - cue monster high-side. It looked hilarious but my wrists took a battering when I landed.
I reckon I crashed about 20times, of various severities, in the course of 20minutes, but by the end I was absolutely stuffing most of the other racers, including a load who turned up on their own bikes. The ride home on our real bikes was a bit weird though - I didnt get my knee down once ;) hehe
So, anyone else done it?
Dave
I reckon I crashed about 20times, of various severities, in the course of 20minutes, but by the end I was absolutely stuffing most of the other racers, including a load who turned up on their own bikes. The ride home on our real bikes was a bit weird though - I didnt get my knee down once ;) hehe
So, anyone else done it?
Dave
My mate works at place called Edworthys in Aylesbury which sells them. All the guys in the workshop own them and the industrial estate where they are located has plenty of space for racing around.
He's just brought a nitrous kit for his!! You get these tiny little nitrous bottles and I hate to think how quick they go with it installed.
Haven't had a go myself yet though
He's just brought a nitrous kit for his!! You get these tiny little nitrous bottles and I hate to think how quick they go with it installed.
Haven't had a go myself yet though
Vitesse39 said:
Do they not get a bit upset by people dropping them?
When I did the single seaters at Silverstone, if you spun it that was you off.
No they were fine about them. They were all sprayed matt black, presumably for this very reason! They were 'unfaired' too, so they basically just slid on the footpegs/handlebars. With no moving suspension, there were no moving parts aside from the chain/engine/wheels so the forks were pretty hefty, and the speeds were pretty low. That said, one of my low-sides into the barriers did result in 2 stroke oil leaving the bike, so they had to clean the track up, but we all just rode around the marshall whilst he mopped it up! People were dropping like flies, it was quite a tight track in places so you were forever drifting around on the power, with only your knee keeping you upright! The little bikes tank-slapped for England too, presumably due to the complete lack of suspension!
I'd never been on them before either, so I was bound to fall of a few times - all part of the fun really, i'm sure I could have tiptoed around and never risked hurting myself - but wheres the fun in that?!
Vitesse39 said:
Vitesse39 said:
Do they not get a bit upset by people dropping them?
When I did the single seaters at Silverstone, if you spun it that was you off.
But the cost of a single seater is many times that of a mini moto!
True - how much was it to go Mini Moto-ing?
Bikes were probably worth £500 each, ish. The track was full of people who brought their own bikes along though, and a few of them looked VERY expensive - like £2k. Thing is, they annihilated us on the straights, but I was straight under them on the corners, it was really funny! I think being a biker helped - I have an idea of the lines to use and dont mind leaning over.
Vitesse39 said:
When I did the single seaters at Silverstone, if you spun it that was you off.
I think that you'll find that is actually a subjective test. I've done a few days at Palmer’s and the like. They all tell you this but what they mean is if you are acting a t1t you’re out of there, a harmless spin or two wont have you packing your bags unless you've really pi55ed the instructor off.
Incorrigible said:
How much did it cost you Dave ??
Not sure what it costs to use your own bike, but with the hire bikes it cost £10 for the first 10 minute session, then £8 for the second. We only had two sessions so I don't know if it got any cheaper. After twenty minutes on track my wrists were quite painful (from one particularly nasty high-side) and my ankles and backside were pretty sore too.
The track we used (www.minimoto.co.uk) was a great little indoor go kart track and the surface was nice smooth concrete, rather than the rough concrete that some have - a relief, given the amount of time I spent sliding along it.
If anyone would like to arrange a PH meet there, i'm happy to help organise it. The track is based between Chippenham and Malmesbury on the A429.
Dave
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