Racing

[dpex]

I'm still struggling to get out of my fifth childhood and into my sixth, and after MotoTT day at Taupo the struggle was that much harder on account of the word 'racing' kept pervading my mind.

Just one track-day and no spills, and keeping up with the lower ends of the speed range had my 'silly-boy' thinking racing was just a step away.

By Sunday I'd come down enough to register the fact that a) I'm 60. b) I ride a 1995 Yami (which I really don't want to scratch) c) I can probably afford to plonk may $10K a year into racing (that's everything....the bike, the parts, the fixits, tyres, accom, travel,etc)....Which means the actual bike budget would be around $5K.

Will I win anything other than the status of being a regular tail-end-Charlie with such a budget.

I don't think so; especially since I can't do my own fixits. In fact just changing oil and filters for oil and petrol is currently a challenge.

But I would still like to race....a bit.

And so I wrote off to Steve Bennet of PMCC regarding Clubman racing and got an absolutely excellent reply. He laid it all out so clearly that even my addled brain could see the bigger picture.

And so, I have decided. a) I love hurling my Yami around the track, but it and I will never be even remotely competitive, and I run the risk of 1) hurting it, 2) spending vast sums for no useful reason.

And so I intend to confine my Yami moments to track-days, at my pace and for my entire pleasure.

But I still want to race.

Steve has suggested I spend a minor amount on a bucket; and don't worry about all the go-fast shit because there's always someone out there who can afford more.

His point was well made by a chap I got into conversation at Mt Wellington on Sunday. I'd spent an hour watching little kids giving it hell in carts. Jesus! But the seven year-olds were going faster than I could!

The point he made was sanguine, and fitted with Steve's opinion. "There's some parents here who spend $80K a year just to see the kid win. And there's parents here who struggle to find just $5k. Would you like to be the kid with the $80K parent and not win?'

Decent bloke, old John. And his words and those of Steve have helped me make up my mind.

I'm going to buy a cheap bucket and go racing, just for the thrill. If I can keep it going after a trash or an engine failure, within a budget of $3K a year, so I will. But, after that??? Nar?

And track-days only for Yami-The-Cute.

Jeez but I love my bike. Sick, eh?

Meanwhile, anyone got any tips of bucket-racing?

[cowpoos]

I'm still struggling to get out of my fifth childhood and into my sixth, and after MotoTT day at Taupo the struggle was that much harder on account of the word 'racing' kept pervading my mind.

Just one track-day and no spills, and keeping up with the lower ends of the speed range had my 'silly-boy' thinking racing was just a step away.

By Sunday I'd come down enough to register the fact that a) I'm 60. b) I ride a 1995 Yami (which I really don't want to scratch) c) I can probably afford to plonk may $10K a year into racing (that's everything....the bike, the parts, the fixits, tyres, accom, travel,etc)....Which means the actual bike budget would be around $5K.

Will I win anything other than the status of being a regular tail-end-Charlie with such a budget.

I don't think so; especially since I can't do my own fixits. In fact just changing oil and filters for oil and petrol is currently a challenge.

But I would still like to race....a bit.

And so I wrote off to Steve Bennet of PMCC regarding Clubman racing and got an absolutely excellent reply. He laid it all out so clearly that even my addled brain could see the bigger picture.

And so, I have decided. a) I love hurling my Yami around the track, but it and I will never be even remotely competitive, and I run the risk of 1) hurting it, 2) spending vast sums for no useful reason.

And so I intend to confine my Yami moments to track-days, at my pace and for my entire pleasure.

But I still want to race.

Steve has suggested I spend a minor amount on a bucket; and don't worry about all the go-fast shit because there's always someone out there who can afford more.

His point was well made by a chap I got into conversation at Mt Wellington on Sunday. I'd spent an hour watching little kids giving it hell in carts. Jesus! But the seven year-olds were going faster than I could!

The point he made was sanguine, and fitted with Steve's opinion. "There's some parents here who spend $80K a year just to see the kid win. And there's parents here who struggle to find just $5k. Would you like to be the kid with the $80K parent and not win?'

Decent bloke, old John. And his words and those of Steve have helped me make up my mind.

I'm going to buy a cheap bucket and go racing, just for the thrill. If I can keep it going after a trash or an engine failure, within a budget of $3K a year, so I will. But, after that??? Nar?

And track-days only for Yami-The-Cute.

Jeez but I love my bike. Sick, eh?

Meanwhile, anyone got any tips of bucket-racing?

I will sell ya a suzuki GSXR 810 [origonally a 750] 2005 model...just came 3rd in the Victoria winter superbike series overall. 6.5k will do you dam good service for years at club racing and track day level...and not kill your budget.

[jrandom]

I will sell ya a suzuki GSXR 810

Oh gawd. Shuddup, Poos, he wants to race buckets, not die on your Frankenbike.

[dpex]

Oh gawd. Shuddup, Poos, he wants to race buckets, not die on your Frankenbike.

Yeah, thanks J. Maybe Poos is a bit like Katman. Can't read straight.

For the record, Poos. J is on the money. Buckets is for me. But thanks for the silly thought.

[jrandom]

Yeah, thanks J. Maybe Poos is a bit like Katman. Can't read straight.

Poos is awesome and we love him and I'm sure he'll find a buyer for the Mitey Ate Ten, but, yeah, I don't really think that should be you...

[MadDuck]

Have you considered Street Stock?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...18#post1793218

[Katman]

I have no problem with my reading.

[cowpoos]

I have no problem with my reading.

Wanna buy a 810 then?? race it or ultimate MotoGP rep!!

[Buddha#81:Me]

Spend $1500-2000 on a FXR..... they require fick all in they way of spannering. More and more go fast parts are coming avaliable. Wheels and suspension changes later on. But with some slicks or good street tyres will get you out there. They are more suited if you end up at Taupo etc. I've run mine for three season hard, its cost nothing in the way of repairs, except the usual, oil fuel and tyres.
Go here to get some FXR ideas. http://www.fxr150.co.nz/

[scracha]

I will sell ya a suzuki GSXR 810 [origonally a 750] 2005 model...just came 3rd in the Victoria winter superbike series overall. 6.5k will do you dam good service for years at club racing and track day level...and not kill your budget.

I heard only fat blokes could ride that bike fast?

[slimjim]

mate ..grab the issue 53 bike rider mag awesome write up about chris osborne and how he has dropped a 600cc down to a 450,,,running from four cyclinder to a triple...and hes built the whole bike for less than ten grand...or email him on chris@4d.co.nz ...well worth holding a race bike..and leaving your road bike for just that

[dpex]

[QUOTE=MadDuck;1797025]Have you considered Street Stock?

Yours was a great Q, MadDuck. One to which I have given a great deal of thought and investigation.

The net result being, I'm buying a 150 to go Street Stocking whereever and whenever.

So thanks for that Q. It was a goody.