BEARS? What's the point?

**slowpoke** · 17th November 2010, 02:48

OK, so my thinking is/was that they ran a BEARS class so that the largely uncompetitive BEARS bikes could go and race without getting stomped by all those durty Jappa's. Y'know, they got to highlight themselves, their skills and their sponsors in an environment that was not clouded (polluted?) by faster machinery. Cool.

So what's the point of it these days? Why have separate BEARS races when they are now the bee's frikkin' knees, the ducks guts, the high priests of horsepower and handling?

The Masterbike test had the BMW S1000R, Aprilia RSV4 and MV Agusta F4 as the top 3 bikes. Throw the Ducati 1198(insert spec here) and KTM RC8 etc into the mix and I'm thinkin' "WTF?!".

The Triumph 675 is more than competitive against the Jappa's and with the MV 675 on the way the same applies in the middleweight class.

So in 2010 why are BEARS bikes given the extra playtime at various race meetings?

**wayne** · 17th November 2010, 05:15

because they special

**Grumph** · 17th November 2010, 05:15

You're right of course as far as the top of the line machinery goes. A large part of the rationale for starting the class has gone - but starting it was as much political as practical.

from an observers point of view there's still a lot of interest and participation in the SI in the lower classes - superstock etc. It's still a good and relatively cheap way to go racing with a strong club and plenty of support for the novice.
Resale values for suitable machinery are probably holding up better than Japanese machinery of a similar age too.

Down here anyway it's still strong and well supported so will continue.

**Cloggy** · 17th November 2010, 05:16

Because people love to see and hear them perhaps?
Can't beat the sound of a Triumph Triple on full song.

**SS90** · 17th November 2010, 05:18

It's a fair question.

I think the answer would be the fact that not everyone can afford one of the bikes you listed, and, as such, the old bikes that have done season after season since it's inception still need someone to race.

IF (I say IF), none of the old bikes where still out there and BEARS meetings where simply full of the models you listed, and expecting to not only have their own class, but also run with the moderns as well, then it would be a valid point, given that they are reducing track time for others.... but that's not the case..... I think BEARS is a very important part of NZ motorsport.

**sinfull** · 17th November 2010, 05:21

Cause they hibernate in the winter and post at 2 am during the summer, oh and draw a different class of spectator to the other animals as well perhaps !

**koba** · 17th November 2010, 05:45

I believe/have heard a lot of the early momentum for the movement came from people not being happy with MNZ/NZACU at the time.

**CHOPPA** · 17th November 2010, 06:22

Oh yeah! Cross entry!

**koba** · 17th November 2010, 06:46

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

Oh yeah! Cross entry!

Shhh, you will make him cry!

**slowpoke** · 17th November 2010, 07:01

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

Oh yeah! Cross entry!

Haha, slow down ya fast bastard, then I wouldn't have anything to winge about!

**codgyoleracer** · 17th November 2010, 07:12

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

Oh yeah! Cross entry!

Cross entry , Cross dressing - its all the same to you aye Choppa ?

**Kickaha** · 17th November 2010, 07:19

Originally Posted by slowpoke

So in 2010 why are BEARS bikes given the extra playtime at various race meetings?

You're only thinking of the NI scene because that's where you compete , down here BEARs run there own meetings and that's normally 5-6 a year and don't really participate with the "mainstream clubs" except at street races, but BEARs racing is a lot stronger down here

BEARs bikes that compete at other club meetings generally don't get a separate class they run in whatever class they're eligible for

**slowpoke** · 17th November 2010, 07:23

Originally Posted by SS90

It's a fair question.

I think the answer would be the fact that not everyone can afford one of the bikes you listed, and, as such, the old bikes that have done season after season since it's inception still need someone to race.

Hmmm, there will probably be 3 x S1000R's, 2 x 1198's, a 1098, an RSV4, and an MV Agusta racing in the Tri-Series so they aren't uncommon. Your statement about the old bikes could equally be applied to the old Jappa's too, so what's the difference?

I'm not pissy about it, I'm just a bit confused.....but that's nothin' unusual for me.

**slowpoke** · 17th November 2010, 07:29

Originally Posted by Kickaha

You're only thinking of the NI scene because that's where you compete , down here BEARs run there own meetings and that's normally 5-6 a year and don't really participate with the "mainstream clubs" except at street races, but BEARs racing is a lot stronger down here

BEARs bikes that compete at other club meetings generally don't get a separate class they run in whatever class they're eligible for

I haven't competed for farkin' ages, come to think of it I don't think I've ever actually competed.........but that's a side issue.

Thanks Kick, kinda makes sense now.