CBR 954rr ...help with the classes

[speedster_1]

<first post :D>
I have read the rules and have tried searching, which did answer some questions....but I am not clear on what the best class for my bike.  ???

From what I can tell my bike would fit in the HWSS or Unlimited SS?  I haven't touched the motor yet and have all the typical bolt-on upgrades.  I've got 2 seasons of track days and I'll be ready to race after school in 2 weeks. I'm just lost on which class is best for me & my bike.

Do you think I'm crazy for trying to race my close to a liter bike, but well setup ;) honda againt the super strong zuks? :o  (in a mostly stock class)  I'm sure the fast zuk guys will have there setups on...so I'm still at a HP disadvantage.  

Any other useful tid bits of info on the 954 & rules/classes is much appreciated!

Thanks.
Donald

[Nate R]

[size=0]Sell it and get an SV[/size] ;) ;D

[r6_philly]

you bike would qualify for 3 classes. GTO, UNSS, and UNGP.

A better bike, or a better set up in AM classes generally won't affect your finishes too much. Usually, good riders will finish near the top, or win regardless of bike. A race winner can't jump on another bike without changing the set up and do almost as good. Here in the ultra crowded mid-atlantic region, where most AM classes are 2-waves and full grid, HW, and UL classes are routinely won by 600's. Infact expect for 1 pesky 750 (wink) all other top 5's in most HW/UL classes are 600's.

Personally I don't race HW classes, expect for GTO. And the time I finished 2nd, the first place went to a F4.

You will probably find that it is harder to do well and finish up front on a litter bike, especially at most non-horsepower tracks. It takes more effort to ride a litter bike because the room for error is much smaller, and it fatique you faster than a 600.

So nate is right, SV would be a much better choice, if you have that choice.

Guys have routinely done lots lots better when they move to a SV, even from 600's. one AM was finish around 10th on a F4, and moved to a SV this year AND upgraded to expert, and now they can't beat him off the podium.

[speedster_1]

Thanks, r6_philly...that's the kind of info I need.  I completely understand the liter bike woes, fatigue less room for error, etc.  I feel very comfortable running in the advance group at track days with racers.  I'm not the fastest but I'm not a back marker either.  I get pasted by experts on SV's & 600s all the time...but not to many yellow plates slip by! I had no ideal of the skill level of the AM guys and knowing that in the AM classes that it's mostly rider not bike helps even more.  

Sorry but another bike is not an option....too much invested and I'm not a SV kind of guy (I'm too big)...not that there's anything wrong with SV's, there great bikes.  I've heard the 'it's better to learn' on the SV shpeel and I'm sure it would force me to focus on more corner speed, but I can't give up the liter bike.

Oh, I would be running in the southeast region.  I would prefer a class that isn't packed to the gills until I get some races under my belt.

[EX#996]

Sorry but another bike is not an option....too much invested and I'm not a SV kind of guy (I'm too big)...not that there's anything wrong with SV's, there great bikes.  I've heard the 'it's better to learn' on the SV shpeel and I'm sure it would force me to focus on more corner speed, but I can't give up the liter bike.

FWIW - Paul is 6'4" and 230 lbs.  He is doing just fine on his SV.  In the amatuer classes he has wood from every race he entered except one (he crashed).  I can understand the money involved, but don't write the bike out just because your a big guy.  Them twins have tourque!

Dawn   :)

[zx9r-racer]

Hehe...if I can race a ZX-9R, you should be able to race the 954 just fine.   ;D  Just be REAL careful getting on the gas coming out of corners. :o

ULGP, ULSS, GTO

[speedster_1]

Don't take this wrong but I'm not some newbie that just bought a liter bike w/o any skills and now wants to race it.  I can handle the 'big'  ::) liter bike very well and run decent laps times.

zx9r-racer,
I've got my chassis/suspension setup pretty well for my current speeds...It's turns in and hooks up really well...but throttle control is key.  How many people told you to get a SV?  :D

Of these classes which would be best or easiest for my first race? ULGP, ULSS, GTO in the southeast region.

[Xian_13]

GTO...
Strictly based off of the time you get on the track ;D

[r6_philly]

hehe the forementioned SV expert weighs at least 200...

Good luck with the 954, seem like you know what you are doing, and with some care and experience, you will do just fine.  But gixxer1000's are hard to beat :)

I think I will turn better times on my R6 than a R1. Haven't really rode one all out, but from the situations I get into with my R6, I think I would have crashed at least once during those, if I was on a R1.

Good luck, and wish you do well

[Bernie]

I was pretty quick in my amateur season on a liter bike.  I even mangaged to lead a race (briefly) on my 3rd or 4th weekend.  Then I started falling off because I didn't know how to set up the bike to go really fast.  I've gotten hurt and my lap times on my TL have gone backwards ever since.

I finally got to ride an SV during the WERA endurance race at Summit earlier this month.  I'd give my left nut to turn back the clock three years.  I'd still have my TL as a street bike and I'd be going much faster on an SV.  You can buy a prepped SV for a few bucks more than it'll cost to prep something else.  You'll get boocoo more track time on the SV and still spend less on tires than you would on a liter bike.

I could have bought a fleet of SVs with the cash I've spent buying new helmets and fixing my biffed TL over the last two years.

No one is saying you are slow or can't ride, but many, many people have started the way I did against the recommendations of everybody, and realized at some point that they would have been much farther along had they heeded the advice of more experienced racers.

Regardless of your decision, good luck and welcome aboard.

[speedster_1]

Thanks all.  Your all prolly right and I will have to drop down/back/smaller to go faster.  If I have to, to go faster I will but until then I'll take my chances against the 600/750 & those pesky 1ks....and that lonely zx9r out there!  ;)  I wouldn't mind saving  some $ on tires either but until my lap times stop improving I'll stick with my honda.

[MightyDuc Racing]

If you come down to Florida to race, don't expect to see 600's all over the podium in the HW races (except Melk-Man at Jennings).  750's and 1000's rule those classes down this way.