Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: guitarman on March 15, 2006, 12:09:02 PM

Title: How do I get started racing
Post by: guitarman on March 15, 2006, 12:09:02 PM
I would like to get some ideas on how I can get started racing.  I have been riding bikes for years on the street but have never raced.  I am 44 years old 195lbs and need to be in a slow class for old people to get started.  What kind of bike should I buy?  What class would I race in?

The thing that has me started on this is my son's experience in dirt bike racing.  He got a magazine the other day that showed kids racing rice rockets.  He asked me how he could do that as well and I have checked into it a little.  Anybody out there got any suggestions about kids starting road racing?

Thanks for any help you can give me
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: mike_rbm on March 15, 2006, 12:24:53 PM
Start off with a track day or a school. (Sorry fellow CCS members.) An org like Nesba is perfect for a complete amature. From that you will meet people and educate yourself on how much commitment and capital is required. Good luck and have fun!!!!
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: Scott on March 15, 2006, 12:39:34 PM
With a big 'ole pile of cash.
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: George_Linhart on March 15, 2006, 01:46:07 PM
Track days are better for starting than racing - I also like NESBA (www.nesba.com) for a variety of reasons.

For a bike, find an older used racebike, preferably something in the lightweight or middleweight class.  It will be cheaper than converting a street bike yourself and will be ready to race when you are.

I would be a big fan of starting out on either an SV650 or a Honda F2/F3.  The first generation SVs are reliable but the second generation ones have an issue with blowing engines.  The F2/F3 generation bikes have steel frames which are almost impossible to destroy and the engines last virtually forever as long as you change the oil regularly.  Parts for either are easy to find used and cheap.  Both handle well if set up properly and are a blast to ride.  If you don't mind being even more down on power, EX500 and Ninja 250's are out there and could be good to learn on, however, these would potentially be more limiting.

Don't try to save money on safety equipment - high quality leathers, golves, boots and helmets are not cheep but a bad crash without adequate protection would not be a good idea.

For classes - CCS has formula 40, but its not much less competitive than the regular classes.  A lot of those guys are fast and are out to win.

Good Luck,

George
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: Steviebee on March 15, 2006, 02:16:55 PM
come spend some time at the race track during a race weekend.  If your in the midwest/indiana look me up.
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on March 15, 2006, 02:33:02 PM
For a really excellent discription of exactly what you're in for, check out //www.chrisonwiler.com
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: DanO966 on March 15, 2006, 02:55:13 PM
best thing to do is get a *black* american express card... ;D
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: LMsports on March 15, 2006, 03:16:35 PM
Great suggestion Stevie! C'mon out and hang out for a weekend at the track. Mingle with some of the racers, ask a ton of questions, and see if it "fits".
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: JBraun on March 16, 2006, 07:52:14 AM
Rice rockets? I don't know where they race those but it sounds like a good time.
Are you gonna race Middleweight Rice Rocket, or Unlimited Rice rocket? Must be a WERA class or something...
Just kidding dude, I agree with Stevie and Rob. Just come out to the track during a race weekend and check it out.
Be careful, you could get hooked! ;D
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: guitarman on March 16, 2006, 07:58:43 AM
What about my son?  He is 8 years old and is riding on the dirt..  he wants something like a YSR50.  I have talked with Ozzie Saez who runs the mini GP...  Anybody got any ideas about the YSR50 and what it is made for?  Was it made for kids?
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: Jeff on March 16, 2006, 08:01:50 AM
QuoteWhat about my son?  He is 8 years old and is riding on the dirt..  he wants something like a YSR50.  I have talked with Ozzie Saez who runs the mini GP...  Anybody got any ideas about the YSR50 and what it is made for?  Was it made for kids?

www.dieseljo.com

mini-motard is the way for you to go with him.
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: dicatirider944 on March 16, 2006, 02:44:10 PM
QuoteWith a big 'ole pile of cash.

+ a credit card with a high limit when the cash runs out!
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: cbr806 on March 17, 2006, 07:13:25 PM
Yeh - come out & check it out.  Road America 4-22 if you're in the midwest.  I'm 42 & 195 & I'm fairly compeditive.  Had never owned a sport bike until I bought my F3 race bike and only road one twice (but have been riding since age 5).  That was when I was 38.  If you want to go with an F3, a friend of mine has an F3 race bike he's going to sell.  cbr806@yahoo.com.  Good luck.
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: 251am on March 18, 2006, 03:11:53 AM
QuoteWhat about my son?  He is 8 years old and is riding on the dirt..  he wants something like a YSR50.  I have talked with Ozzie Saez who runs the mini GP...  Anybody got any ideas about the YSR50 and what it is made for?  Was it made for kids?



I think the YSRs are pretty good for grommits. Might wanna look at dirt track too-Aztalan if you're in the Midwest. I think they have a series for kids.

BTW- You might get some more specific lines on some help if we know where you are at geographically.
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: Eric Kelcher on March 18, 2006, 06:11:00 AM
The  YSR is a very fun bike to start out on. You ned  to find  an appropriate  venue for it  many  of the kart tracks run  some sort of mini-motard or YSR series.  YSR were last made inn  early 90' and are becoming  kind  of a collector iteeem,  I know I would neveer  sell mine as my daughteer will bee riding it in a few years.
The  YSR  specs were pretty simple 5 speed air cooled 50cc 2 stroke making  about 6hp top speed ~55. prices rang all over  the place  ~750(for abused stock model)-2000 (aftermarket shock, dual front  springs, suspension bushings,  good bodywork, etc)

The new geeneration of these is the Honda NS50R but as with all things they have progresed same basic size  50cc but watr cooled make  closer to 10hpp and  top speed closer to 70.  price around 1500 gray market

CCS does not have a place for these size bikes or for riders of that age.

For the youngest kids that truely fit on these small bikes I think it is unfortunate that the speeds have gone up so much these kids are still learning.
Title: Re: How do I get started racing
Post by: Super Dave on March 20, 2006, 12:37:01 AM
QuoteWhat about my son?  He is 8 years old and is riding on the dirt..  he wants something like a YSR50.  I have talked with Ozzie Saez who runs the mini GP...  Anybody got any ideas about the YSR50 and what it is made for?  Was it made for kids?

The Yamaha YSR50 was released in 1987, I believe.  It was a street bike.    So, it wasn't "made" for kids, but it's small enough that kids could ride it.  Power, like Eric pointed out, is low.  What's your son racing now?  Probably something that is certainly more powerful.  For racers coming from dirt track or MX, it's really just a matter of teaching them how to sit on a road racer differently.  Everything falls in place after that.

Mini GP bikes are more powerful and have larger wheels.  I think they usually have 16's where YSR's have 12's.  

Last year of YSR's was in around 1991 or so.

At eight years old, I don't know of any track day providers that are going to have anything for your son.  And a YSR is not appropriate because of it's lack of speed.  

For you...yeah, a track day might be what you need.  Lightweight classes are great.  The expense for tires is reasonable compared to bigger bikes.  Cost of decent road race tires is high and they are a real consumable compared to anything in the dirt.

Really, I suppose I'd need to know where you're located to give you better ideas.