Good time to start racing?

[Super Dave]

Speed comes with experience.

If that were true, then only experienced racers would be fast.



Speed comes from bike set up, rider confidence, and certain things that certain riders have and most don't.  But because a rider doesn't have those certain things, they don't have to be slow.

Experience is the long way around.  It's expensive and takes a lot of time.

You can short cut it.

I started riding motorcycles in August of 1986.  Fell down in October so I couldn't ride my bike.  Started racing in April of 1987 with no racing experience at all.

[Jeff]

If that were true, then only experienced racers would be fast.

Over the long run, I would absolutely agree with that.  It takes a certain amount of racing experience to be fast.  Period.  

Sure, a person can jump on a bike and be VERY fast, but they're not likely to stay upright for very long.  Experience, knowledge, time, training all fixes that.  The latter 3 pieces of the last sentence all add UP to experience.

Speed comes from bike set up, rider confidence, and certain things that certain riders have and most don't.  But because a rider doesn't have those certain things, they don't have to be slow.

So let me get this straight.  If I don't have these 'certain things' (which I'll assume to be lightning fast reflexes, supreme confidence, just plain God-given talent), I can still jump in just as fast as someone who does?

Oh do tell how...

Experience is the long way around.  It's expensive and takes a lot of time.

You can short cut it.

You can't shortcut experience.  Experience is the collective knowledge and application of it.  It takes time and money.

I started riding motorcycles in August of 1986.  Fell down in October so I couldn't ride my bike.  Started racing in April of 1987 with no racing experience at all.

And what are you saying here?  I just suggested he start racing and learn from it.  Seems quite a bit like what you did.

and I'm not trying to pick a fight here, just don't necessarily understand everything you said.

[2002r6]

Of course, you will fall into the racing vortex where all of your time and money is spent on one obsessive hobby

I think it may already be too late.

[spyderchick]

I think it may already be too late.

;D

[r1owner]

Speed comes with experience.

I suggest you start racing shortly after the 1 board goes sideways.  ;D

Where were you to give me that advice at the BHF F40 race on Memorial day?!  ;D

BTW, I agree, give it a go!  You won't regret racing!  Why wait till July 4th.  Racing at VIR this weekend!

[motobenco]

Start Friday

[2002r6]

Why wait till July 4th.  Racing at VIR this weekend!

I would, but 1) taking the GF away for her birthday this weekend (how else do you think I'm getting away for the long weekend to go racing?)and 2) broke the bike at Summit last weekend.  Broke a side cover bolt and cracked the case trying to get it out.  Got it welded, drilled and tapped but waiting for a bolt before I put oil in it and start it up. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Chuck]

Don't be worried about being a tad off pace...if those guys are that darn fast they'll get around you just fine.  Just hold a line and do your own thing.  Guys like 4&6, and Suspension Solutions can help you get dialed in to go faster when you get to that point.

[Jeff]

Where were you to give me that advice at the BHF F40 race on Memorial day?!  ;D

Sorry sleepy!  I thought you already knew...  ;D ;D

[Super Dave]

Over the long run, I would absolutely agree with that.  It takes a certain amount of racing experience to be fast.  Period.

You said something yourself....training.

Some can be trained to be fast.  Others don't get the training they need.  I see things all the time.  

I have worked with riders that have never been on the track at my school.  And they have been fast immediately.  No experience.  
 

Sure, a person can jump on a bike and be VERY fast, but they're not likely to stay upright for very long.  Experience, knowledge, time, training all fixes that.  The latter 3 pieces of the last sentence all add UP to experience.

Wait, now your qualifying fast...LOL!

Riders fast and slow fall down.  The faster ones might do it at a faster speed.  May be more spectatular, and more riders are apt to watch and talk about the "fast guys".  Think of it at perception.

I've seen lots of slow guys fall down trying to do things.  Haven't you?

So let me get this straight.  If I don't have these 'certain things' (which I'll assume to be lightning fast reflexes, supreme confidence, just plain God-given talent), I can still jump in just as fast as someone who does?

Oh do tell how...

Reflexes and somethings are genetic.  You can't be Mat Mladin or Rossi.  We could take that as a given.  

I don't have their reflexes, etc.  I don't even have depth perception.  I've been around long enough to recognize those who have the reflexes that I don't have.  

Experience taught me a decent amount, and it cost me a lot of money, yes.  But it was working with certain people that I actually learned things that I needed to know.  I didn't need to "go out and experience" things...there were short cuts all along.  

Most individual experiences seem to be doing the same things over and over, trying to refine a short duration of experiences.  If the experience isn't the right one...well, what are you learning?

And what are you saying here?  I just suggested he start racing and learn from it.  Seems quite a bit like what you did.

and I'm not trying to pick a fight here, just don't necessarily understand everything you said.

the collective learning of doing "track days" is not necessarily a great leaning tool.  You're on the track, but what are you doing?

Track days are that...track days.  The "abuse" that one gets from racing is far different.  

The current climate of track days and racing has really changed American club motorcycle road racing.  It's not like it was.  Not for the good.  How many Austrailian's do we have in the AMA paddock?  

What am I trying to say?

Go race.

[Jeff]

Dave, I think overall we're on the same page.  I do agree wholeheartedly that shortcuts are available in the form of professional training.  Outside of that, people tend to spend a lot of time making and perfecting the same ole mistakes.

For example, running BHF for a Keith Code school, I was running probably 18's or 19's (not really trying to go fast) and was getting pulled off for riding too hard.  I was not riding hard at all.  It was simply the fact that I can run the track in my sleep, and can ride fairly proficiently through the mistakes I had been making.

[Super Dave]

Why make the mistakes though?