Which class/bike?

**scracha** · 23rd November 2009, 20:13

I'd consider myself fairly average/typical. Even after 14 years road riding, a 600 would have been way too much for me to start with on the track. I certainly wasn't as relaxed* about running wide, locking up the front or sliding the rear. Regardless of riding ability, you still need to learn to anticipate some of the lines and crazy shit that other racers do. Trackdays don't teach that and a supersport race is a fast and expensive way to learn. Fuel and tyre costs are horrendous compared to the 400, I can only imagine how expensive the litre bikes are to run.

I see a lot of new racers jumping on 600's and litre bikes. They often crash or run out of money (or both) within a season and you don't see them again. The main part of the budget isn't the initial bike purchase**. You push a bike a lot harder when you can afford to crash it. You'll have more fun on a well funded SV650 than racing a 600 with shot suspension, worn tyres and a whopping credit card bill.

In order of budget I'd say cheap as chips old 400, pro twin or 450 triple. If you get bored then they're easy enough to sell and move on up to the bigger stuff.

Obviously if you're loaded then most of the above does not apply.

*I said relaxed, not skilled

** Entry fees, track days, decent accommodation, suspension, good tyres, crash protection, instruction, bike transport costs, lost wages, tools, fuel, flights, servicing, engine tuning, medical insurance and most importantly, beer.

**Wingnut** · 24th November 2009, 05:54

Yep - tend to agree with Scracha. On a cheap as old 400 is how I got started also. It was seriously cheap racing really

**squarewheels** · 24th November 2009, 19:05

Thanks there is a lot of good advice so far, I get the feeling the general censes is to forget 600 and opt for f3 or pro twins. I'm just wondering if pro twins give you a good learning platform or would I learn more in f3 on a 400 or 250 two smoke.

**Yow Ling** · 24th November 2009, 20:42

Dont laugh, get a FXR150 and go bucket racing. supported by MCI, Bears and Cams usual feild is 30 or so bikes, the fast guys are real fast, you wont get to the front real quick ! Cheapest racing of all the classes. FXR prize money is better than most classes too

**oyster** · 25th November 2009, 10:18

Yup, totally agree.
Once you get a totally standard FXR round Ruapuna under 2 minutes, (as James Hoogie can) you will be well ready for a pro twin!

**Deano** · 30th November 2009, 18:54

90kg isn't a bit heavy for a 150 ?

**woodyracer** · 30th November 2009, 19:01

Originally Posted by Deano

90kg isn't a bit heavy for a 150 ?

nope, there's fella's 100kg plus riding them fast......they just have to mantain corner speed.

Buckets is good, but if you feel like you want to ride on a big bike, get an old NSR250 they go alright for a cheap bike.

**Sidewinder** · 30th November 2009, 19:07

get a new DOG (gsxr1000 "K9")
send it to RCM get him to pimp everything he can out on it, see robert taylor and waste some more money and then go stck it on the first coner

**puddytat** · 30th November 2009, 20:58

I started racing last year in Clubmans on my R6 with MCC & did alright I thought but....
I soon realised that to be competitive takes a lot of $$$ & a skill set that I didnt possess. Crikey, like Oyster says those little 150's are fast & the fastest were only 9 or 10 secs slower than my personal best or put it another way only 7-10 km/h per lap slower

. Which made me realize that its all about corner speed , into,thru & out of....
F3 is where I ultimately see my self, but you'll need slicks & warmers etc to be anywhere near competitve which = more$$$.
So not having the skills or the bucks I opted to try the new 250 twin class that runs with the streetstocks & Im feeling very happy with my choice.
I think you'd be happy in F3 but you could try a cheaper class for a start to see how you feel, without the outlay & the pressure.

**koba** · 1st December 2009, 06:40

Originally Posted by woodyracer

Buckets is good, but if you feel like you want to ride on a big bike, get an old NSR250 they go alright for a cheap bike.

Show me a cheap NSR250.

Better off on a bucket, streetstock or protwin.

**slowpoke** · 1st December 2009, 16:05

What do you want to achieve? What do you want to spend? How much fun do you want to have? What envelopes do ya wanna push? Are you racing for yourself? To impress others? Is bang for buck important? Or just bang? Cheapest possible thrills? Is it important to be at the pointy end? Or just competing

Only you will know the answers to these questions. You can spend years getting "up to speed" or just jump in the deep end and start swimming. It's all about having fun so do your own calculations regarding bang for buck and get stuck in. You don't have to please anyone except yourself, it's your money after all, so race whatever gives you the result you want.

**woodyracer** · 1st December 2009, 19:49

Originally Posted by koba

Show me a cheap NSR250.

Better off on a bucket, streetstock or protwin.

ok, http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...p?p=1129510073

**koba** · 1st December 2009, 20:37

Originally Posted by woodyracer

ok, http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...p?p=1129510073

Damn!

Anyone want to buy an RG150?

**squarewheels** · 6th December 2009, 19:28

Thanks guys to everyone that has given me good information and advice. I'm going down the pro twin route and have just brought a SV650 already set up to pro twin spec. Cheers again