2005 600cc Sport production results

[Robert Taylor]

Hey Rob, NO where has it been suggested in this thread that AFTERMARKET suspension be banned!

It has been suggested, that we start a class with in a class, to HELP bring on younger 600 riders, for a shit load less money out lay, That is all, nothing sinister in here at all

but hey, I dont care if you lick windows, interfare with farm animals, vote Labour or occasionally shit yourself...you hang in there sun shine, you are dam special

Yes indeed I am aware of the intent but have wanted to reinforce that running standard suspension is not quite as simple as a number of people would like to believe, especially those that would advocate running nothing but.
Neither interfering with farm animals or voting for THAT lot is on my radar screen, but one of those options is a whole lot more preferable, repugnant as it is!!!!!!

[Shaun]

Yes indeed I am aware of the intent but have wanted to reinforce that running standard suspension is not quite as simple as a number of people would like to believe, especially those that would advocate running nothing but.
Neither interfering with farm animals or voting for THAT lot is on my radar screen, but one of those options is a whole lot more preferable, repugnant as it is!!!!!!

mmmm bugger that option though

[slowpoke]

Just so that there can be no confusion about that bike, the R6 ( at least then ) was the horsepower king so it was a pretty good platform to borrowand a much better bike than the Kawasaki. Also borrowed from Bernard racing ( very sporting of Brian ) was an Ohlins rear shock valved for the application and they came and borrowed a spring off me suitable for Jay. Nothing ever is quite as it seems and no disrespect to Jay but he was still an appreciable distance behind the leaders.

Yup, I kinda figured the suspension was upgraded but it's still a cheap ride: pick up a 3 month old s/h bike, add quality suspension and you've got something capable of running close to the front for the cost of a new bike....even cheaper if you start with a damaged bike. You don't need to spend $30,000 if you are good enough. No, Jay wasn't right up the klacker of the podium guys but with name tyres and more familiarity/setup time he probably would have done even better. 'Twas a great gesture on Brian Bernard's part too, good on him.

Oh yeah, I remember Craig coming in after his warm-up/qualifying session (I think, from memory) crash and looking/feeling very second-hand...and you were all over his suspension like green on grass, casting accusing glances his way, as though to say "How could you...?", haha. (Yeah, I know it was going in his spare bike but it was kinda funny if you ignore the mangled bike and the fact that Craig was in obvious discomfort)

Suzuki NZ spend a LOT on road racing in NZ and have done so for many years, that singular fact is very very commendable. But also, I can well understand where they have to draw the line. Industry insiders know only too damn well that without their massive commitment road racing in NZ would be ( and I am not sorry for saying this ) in the metaphorical dark ages. Its commendable also that YMNZ stepped up to join the party and Honda have a presence albeit tiny. The other remaining big 4 name has got back out of it what they have put in.

Kawasaki don't seem to be a main player in any road racing series anywhere, but Honda are usually at the forefront just about everywhere, so it's suprising they haven't upped the ante in NZ.

We only have a small population and I think that it is important to not have too many fragmented classes.

I couldn't agree more. Personally I would have rather seen a close to stock 600 class (as suggested by Shaun) developed rather than Pro Twins because there is more scope for rider development and the machines are closer to the mainstream classes raced overseas. To fragment the classes even further would result in skill dilution rather than skill concentration, which is ultimately what will create better racing and better racers.

Maybe they cannot be blamed but training riders and crews in set up techniques is one of the biggest single factors that will assist the growth of the sport. To that end my company is currently engaged in finalising some initiatives re same.

WOOHOO, party time at CKT!

but hey, I dont care if you lick windows, interfare with farm animals, vote Labour or occasionally shit yourself...you hang in there sun shine, you are dam special

Haha, that's the line of the week....you don't mind if I use that one do ya?

[Shaun]

[QUOTE=slowpoke;
WOOHOO, party time at CKT!



Haha, that's the line of the week....you don't mind if I use that one do ya?[/QUOTE]


Go for ya life sir, I shat laughing when I first read it I also New/hoped Robert would like it for a laugh for the day

[speedracerjimmy]

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hi robert
roughly what price does the second hand parts that you mentioned about in an earlier post sell for...

[scott411]

ok , back to Shauns origanal point, the fact that it is too expensive to get into 600 sp,

what about looking at what the porshce series or the formula ford series do, that is run a different championship for the earlier models, you could pick a age (3 to 4 years) and have the same rules as the main class, just te bikes need to be older, it would keep the value in older 600o race bikes and make a stepping stone for guys wanting to come in to the class,

[Robert Taylor]

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hi robert
roughly what price does the second hand parts that you mentioned about in an earlier post sell for...

Of course that largely depends on the reseller but I would expect something between $1500 to $2000 for fork cartridges. Ohlins cartridges also include their own top cap specific to each bike they are made for and the quick change feature for the springs is seriously trick. Rear shocks ( TTX36 ) maybe between $1300 to $1700.

[Robert Taylor]

ok , back to Shauns origanal point, the fact that it is too expensive to get into 600 sp,

what about looking at what the porshce series or the formula ford series do, that is run a different championship for the earlier models, you could pick a age (3 to 4 years) and have the same rules as the main class, just te bikes need to be older, it would keep the value in older 600o race bikes and make a stepping stone for guys wanting to come in to the class,

Racers already do that but I guess you are saying lets formalise it a little so the guys get a little recognition. This happens frequently in auto racing classes around the world.

[JJ58]

Yeah this is a great idea, but hang on, isn't there a class for older 600's already?? Yeah, "clubmans!".

The truth is that the running costs of an older 600 would still make it a very expensive class. The other con to this is that it's creating more division in the motorcycle classes that we already have, and instead of having a highly competitive intermediate class, we end up with two or three half competitive classes, with half competitive champions.

We already have two fantastic classes that a lot of people have put a lot of hard work into. These classes are cheaper than any older 600 and breed fantastic racers. The classes are also similar to what people can race when they go overseas. The bikes in the classes haven't out dated in many years and have limited suspension allowing for riders to know what it feels like to push a motorcycle. They're also all similiar in performance, making for some close racing. Parts are also cheap for these bikes, eliminating the "cheque book" racers that we have in other classes..... Can you guess what classes they are??.............. Yep, SS150 and Pro Twins.

Let's put effort into promoting these classes first, and then when the fields are full and they provide constant close racing with full grids nationally, like in CHCH, think about starting another intermediate class.

My two cents

[scott411]

this idea is more about getting the 600 class up to something like 40 riders, not the 20 odd it has now,

[Shaun]

this idea is more about getting the 600 class up to something like 40 riders, not the 20 odd it has now,

Scott, that was exactually why I started this thread, to help it grow more.

I have had some interesting private conversations with a few people about this idea. It has been put to me a few times, that we already have a class for my suggestions, and we already have a series for bringing on younger new riders, it is called THE WINTER SERIES

In hindsight ( As per usual) I guess they are correct with there thoughts on this! I guess, if you want to be the man/women out there, you need to do more than others do, to win races Even if it means getting a 3rd job, or borrowing more some where some how, it really is an exspensive game in some ways, but IT IS THE NZ CHAMPS I guess, And suppose we should be trying to lift the level of that Championship, NOT PERHAPS lowering level of it?

[Robert Taylor]

Yeah this is a great idea, but hang on, isn't there a class for older 600's already?? Yeah, "clubmans!".

The truth is that the running costs of an older 600 would still make it a very expensive class. The other con to this is that it's creating more division in the motorcycle classes that we already have, and instead of having a highly competitive intermediate class, we end up with two or three half competitive classes, with half competitive champions.

We already have two fantastic classes that a lot of people have put a lot of hard work into. These classes are cheaper than any older 600 and breed fantastic racers. The classes are also similar to what people can race when they go overseas. The bikes in the classes haven't out dated in many years and have limited suspension allowing for riders to know what it feels like to push a motorcycle. They're also all similiar in performance, making for some close racing. Parts are also cheap for these bikes, eliminating the "cheque book" racers that we have in other classes..... Can you guess what classes they are??.............. Yep, SS150 and Pro Twins.

Let's put effort into promoting these classes first, and then when the fields are full and they provide constant close racing with full grids nationally, like in CHCH, think about starting another intermediate class.

My two cents

Just a point of clarification.........''limited suspension'' very / most often doesnt allow the rider to ''feel'' the motorcycle when pushed. That is one of the important reasons we engage in improving the suspension.

[Robert Taylor]

this idea is more about getting the 600 class up to something like 40 riders, not the 20 odd it has now,

That would be wonderful if a grid of 40 could be achieved but such a figure is only really attainable in a ''first world'' northern hemisphere country with a much larger population base. Im not being defeatist, I think that is the cold hard reality.

[Robert Taylor]

Scott, that was exactually why I started this thread, to help it grow more.

I have had some interesting private conversations with a few people about this idea. It has been put to me a few times, that we already have a class for my suggestions, and we already have a series for bringing on younger new riders, it is called THE WINTER SERIES

In hindsight ( As per usual) I guess they are correct with there thoughts on this! I guess, if you want to be the man/women out there, you need to do more than others do, to win races Even if it means getting a 3rd job, or borrowing more some where some how, it really is an exspensive game in some ways, but IT IS THE NZ CHAMPS I guess, And suppose we should be trying to lift the level of that Championship, NOT PERHAPS lowering level of it?

Viewed in that light the sport is reasonably healthy, albeit there is always room for improvement.
We have both recognised the importance of the winter series rounds and therefore encouraging a number of competitors to have a go at the next ( and elite ) level, the national champs.
By being present at these winter rounds to assist with chassis and suspension setup that adds value. And I also see evidence of track day riders progressing into winter series racing.
I think one would fail to find road racing anywhere else in the world where set up assistance is offered at such very low cost, and very often out of good old fashioned kiwi goodwill.
Personally I embrace technology ( within sensible limits which they are ) and am not in favour of in any way ''dumbing down'' the two most elite classes or to put it another way removing aspiration.

[Bren_chch]

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hi robert
roughly what price does the second hand parts that you mentioned about in an earlier post sell for...

Dont you check yopur private messages?