New to buckets (A few questions)

[TimFromTawa]

Hi my name is Tim im from errr Tawa. I am currently studying engineering at the university of canterbury and am interested in buckets. I have no idea where to begin or where such events are held around Christchurch if anyone could let me know when one is coming up id love to come watch. Im on my restricted licence and ride a GT250R. I'm thinking of selling this and buying an FXR to race. Ive read the rules on two strokes vs 4 strokes and see the FXR150 as a good option. Can anyone offer their opinion on this??? Is there a cheaper bike that is a better starting point.

Any help would be great...
Tim

[phoenixgtr]

Hi Tim from Tawa,

Bucket racing has really taken off in Chch lately and there's heaps of us doing it. We usually race at Ruapuna or Levels in Timaru. The next race meet isn't for a few weeks though (22nd & 23rd of May at Ruapuna)

The FXR is definitely a good choice as there's even a MOTOFXR series on down here. Take a look at www.fxr150.co.nz to get an idea.

Also the local bucket racing club (the BMRC) can be found here: www.bmrc.co.nz

[NOID]

Their are cheaper bikes, all depends on how mechanicly minded and how much time you have to piss round with development etc etc Its wellington Round 1 this weekend head out to the kart track and have a gander and talk shit with the boys and girls there would be a good start

[TimFromTawa]

Thanks guys. I'm up in welly at the moment until the 22nd of april (Uni Holidays) So I should be able to make it this weekend. The internet says Kaitoke for round 1 I assume this is what you mean. I should also be able to make the 22nd and 23rd at ruapuna. I am 6'3 - 6'4 which I probably should have mentioned, will this matter on a FXR. I have enough spare time to do developments etc but i am wondering about reliability.... I dont want to be fixing it every weekend...

[helenoftroy]

Thanks guys. I'm up in welly at the moment until the 22nd of april (Uni Holidays) So I should be able to make it this weekend. The internet says Kaitoke for round 1 I assume this is what you mean. I should also be able to make the 22nd and 23rd at ruapuna. I am 6'3 - 6'4 which I probably should have mentioned, will this matter on a FXR. I have enough spare time to do developments etc but i am wondering about reliability.... I dont want to be fixing it every weekend...

Lol! there are some substantial bucket riders & some petite ones.....height is not an issue - really!you just have to get down on the tank & keep low!

IMHO if the mighty FXRs were not as reliable as they are I wouldnt be bucket racing...

once you have got the bike sorted & race ready,its just a case of getting to the track,check tyre pressures,fuel up & your racing!!:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[Kendog]

The internet says Kaitoke for round 1 I assume this is what you mean.
Yep, racing this Sunday, come along and check it out.
There are a few FXR's in Wellington now, but there are lots of other options. As others have said it depends on what you are wanting to do (bike building wise) and spend.

[hmurphy]

Come to Kaitoke this weekend then if you are up this way. It is an amazing track and there should be some really good racing to watch. The weather is looking really good so far too. The FXR is a damn reliable bucket if you ask me. From what I have seen and experienced, a stock standard one is tooootally fine to begin with and learn heaps and have heaps of fun on. Of course it's gonna be a bit cramped for just about anyone but hey... that's buckets! My FXR is an ugly beat up piece of junk but it goes hard and is pretty much stock. Doesn't break down and just keeps on chugging on. Go for it mate, a chance to go as hard out as you want - can't do that on the road!

[quallman1234]

Thanks guys. I'm up in welly at the moment until the 22nd of april (Uni Holidays) So I should be able to make it this weekend. The internet says Kaitoke for round 1 I assume this is what you mean. I should also be able to make the 22nd and 23rd at ruapuna. I am 6'3 - 6'4 which I probably should have mentioned, will this matter on a FXR. I have enough spare time to do developments etc but i am wondering about reliability.... I dont want to be fixing it every weekend...

Don't worry about your height, its just another excuse for not going fast enough, were it really doesn't make a huge difference!

Come up to Kaitoke this sunday for a looksie. 10 - 11am would be a good time, to head up =).

[koba]

Thanks guys. I'm up in welly at the moment until the 22nd of april (Uni Holidays) So I should be able to make it this weekend. The internet says Kaitoke for round 1 I assume this is what you mean. I should also be able to make the 22nd and 23rd at ruapuna. I am 6'3 - 6'4 which I probably should have mentioned, will this matter on a FXR. I have enough spare time to do developments etc but i am wondering about reliability.... I dont want to be fixing it every weekend...

Ruapuna and Kaitoke are totally different tracks and the game changes alot between them so do bear that in mind.

It's quite cool and exciting to have so much scope in bucket tracks.

[Buckets4Me]

Ive read the rules on two strokes vs 4 strokes and see the FXR150 as a good option. Can anyone offer their opinion on this??? Is there a cheaper bike that is a better starting point.

Any help would be great...
Tim

HI Tim and welcome to the daily meating of Buckets AA
sorry to hear that you have this addiction.

an FXR is a great entry level bike (that also can be made into a great frount runner without much cost)

you dont need to do much at all to get the fxr up and running (strip it bear and fit tyres)
and then you dont need to do much to make it fast (new carb and bigger rims tyres)

anything els is a bit of dicking around (specialy those 2 strokes. But they are faster :) . read the E.S.E thread to see what I mean )

remember to have fun (you can still win on a $250 cb125 single. if you are good and lucky)


best bet is to go down with what gear you have and beg borrow or steal a bike to try out ( get as meany as you can to ride )
these guys a just like junkies (quite willing to get you hooked any way they can )

see you next time you are in auckland or at the TRRS ( every good bucket racer goes on a pilgramige once a year to the TRRS. and even some from the south Island come as well :) )

[TimFromTawa]

What are other good bike options?? I dont see many of them on trademe. I was planning on buying an FXR 2nd hand and keep it road legal for a bit until I find a way to get it from uni to the track. Then start stripping those useless parts... What is the TRRS i havent heard of it before?

I also have questions on gear. I have a good helmet, boots and gloves as well as good fabric gear, a leather jacket and kevlar jeans. But i dont have 1 peice leather or 2 peice zip together. Is this a big problem? can anyone suggest a cheap way to get my hands on something... its hard to find the right size I tried on a 1 peice in leather direct and was a 4XL and its not like im fat.. shoulder size seems to be an issue with the 1 peices.

[Shorty_925]

What are other good bike options?? I dont see many of them on trademe. I was planning on buying an FXR 2nd hand and keep it road legal for a bit until I find a way to get it from uni to the track. Then start stripping those useless parts... What is the TRRS i havent heard of it before?

I also have questions on gear. I have a good helmet, boots and gloves as well as good fabric gear, a leather jacket and kevlar jeans. But i dont have 1 peice leather or 2 peice zip together. Is this a big problem? can anyone suggest a cheap way to get my hands on something... its hard to find the right size I tried on a 1 peice in leather direct and was a 4XL and its not like im fat.. shoulder size seems to be an issue with the 1 peices.

Dusty of Leda leathers(stokes valley) is a good option and prices are sharp compared to ones at the shop and since theyre made to measure theyre gonna fit.

[TZ350]

What are other good bike options?? ............What is the TRRS i havent heard of it before?


FXR's are the best entry level (and competitive) bike for buckets at the moment.

TRRS.... is the Taupo Road Race Spectacular, two day meet, starts the day after boxing day and is the biggie for buckets in the North Island.

BOB......is the Battle of Buckets and the biggie in the South Island, I hope to get to it one day.

[Kendog]

its hard to find the right size I tried on a 1 peice in leather direct and was a 4XL and its not like im fat.. shoulder size seems to be an issue with the 1 peices.
I have found a 1 piece will often feel really tight when standing upright. When on the bike it's not so bad. New ones will stretch a little as well.
So make sure when trying them on to sit on a bike.

[quallman1234]

What are other good bike options?? I dont see many of them on trademe. I was planning on buying an FXR 2nd hand and keep it road legal for a bit until I find a way to get it from uni to the track. Then start stripping those useless parts... What is the TRRS i havent heard of it before?

I also have questions on gear. I have a good helmet, boots and gloves as well as good fabric gear, a leather jacket and kevlar jeans. But i dont have 1 peice leather or 2 peice zip together. Is this a big problem? can anyone suggest a cheap way to get my hands on something... its hard to find the right size I tried on a 1 peice in leather direct and was a 4XL and its not like im fat.. shoulder size seems to be an issue with the 1 peices.

Either buy a cheap 1 piece for 100 odd or possibly look into getting zips put on? Not sure if anyones actually done this!

[saxet]

I have found a 1 piece will often feel really tight when standing upright. When on the bike it's not so bad. New ones will stretch a little as well.
So make sure when trying them on to sit on a bike.

It has been said that leathers should'nt let you stand properly. A bit of an overstatement but a good guide.
Look on T/ME and KB for stuff for sale.

[Buckets4Me]

there where are a few on trade me at the moment for $300
I paid $450 for some secondhand (like brand new) 2 piece AGV leathers
now they are a bit scruffy (hapens when you fall off to often )

[TimFromTawa]

Thanks guys. Ill start looking around. The FXR seems great especially if i can keep it road legal (transport to and from track) at first anyways. Will 2 peice leathers be easier to fit into?

[koba]

Thanks guys. Ill start looking around. The FXR seems great especially if i can keep it road legal (transport to and from track) at first anyways. Will 2 peice leathers be easier to fit into?

Favour a good quality well fitting one piece unless you get a great bargain on a two piece.

You may be able to get in and out of a two piece better but good fitting one-piece leathers are fantastic to race in, hell I would even venture as far as saying I would go faster in my one-piece race suit than my commuting leathers.

Good Leathers will last for ages if you aren't totally reckless with them. Dave must have had his for a few years now.

[Henk]

What Koba said. I have a two piece zip set for touring and playing on the road bike on weekends but for racing there is nothing I'd rather crash in than a one piece.

[Damien_Toman]

I use a two-piece set. Good for road use and still OK for racing. I also agree with the others that full racing leathers are best if you plan to go hard out on fast bikes. Two-piece leathers are OK for buckets IMHO. You can choose the top and bottom sizes separately to suit your body shape. Worked for me as I'm short but broad :).

[Buckets4Me]

Favour a good quality well fitting one piece

Good Leathers will last for ages if you aren't totally reckless with them. Dave must have had his for a few years now.


yep agree but I have a good 2 pce (all I could find for what I had) they have everything Knee sliders armour everywhere

and they have seen 5 years 2 broken colla boans and plenty of crashes
they are starting to look a bit faded and thats about all

[F5 Dave]

Funny if you were mentioning this Dave, my leathers just arrived at werk 1/2 hour ago (Thanks Dusty) from being altered so I can fit my new body armour in & general patch up. I've had 2 sets of leathers after I stopped using my road ones early on in the piece. The first set were like a potato sack in leather made for an odd shaped man & I wore some mx knee guards under them. Then I bought some cheap AGV ones, crumbs it's got to be 17 yrs ago. They've been fixed & altered to add more padding as time has gone on. They're probably due for replacement in next couple of years so it will have to go in the budget.

[TimFromTawa]

Thanks guys I will keep on the prowl for some cheapies at the moment... and I will see some of you sunday. Im looking forward to seeing your bikes an what you have done to them. Also how fast the racing is...:yes:

[TimFromTawa]

Thanks guys for showing me the buckets today i had a great time... speed whooo didnt expect them to corner quite like that hahahaha. Time to find me an FXR...

[Dutchee]

Tim, I guess Bren's bucket isn't for you, as not road legal?
Is a brilliant buy for someone, though.

[TimFromTawa]

Iam assuming you mean this one here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/122112-tzr-fxr150-for-sale/page2 Provided i can get leathers and find a way to get to the track I would love to buy this bike... I have asked to go have a look at it so heres hoping.... There doesnt happen to be anyone looking at this that has an old set of leathers that would suit a taller rider (6'4"ish) ??? Hahaha

[Mudflaps]

I found a FXR today at a petrol station in Crofton Downs. It's a 1999 model. Looked in resonable condition. He wanted $1300 for it. All warrented and rego'd. Let me know if you want his number and I'll go back.

[TimFromTawa]

Shit eh that sounds good but I wouldnt be able to buy it as I have my ferry ticket and trip back all sorted... thanks anyway though. Im going to keep looking in the south island and stuff... hopefully the christchurch bike im looking at all checks out sweet.