Topic: Beginner Road Racing

[campbmic]

I've been looking into CMRA racing (Central America Road Racing Association) for a few days now. I've always been interested in Moto GP and motorcycle racing. I started riding seven years ago on a 1979 Suzuki GS 650. Since then I've had a 1998 Yamaha FZR 600, a few junk bikes, and my CB550.

Anyways, my question to all of you racing guys out there is where should I begin? I'm looking at getting another sportsbike and was thinking between a 600 or 1000. I figured I would race in the superstock division to begin with. Is it recommended to start in the lower classes like 250cc before jumping into the big bikes? Thanks!

[tsflstb]

CMRA has a 250 Ninja spec class (Formula 4) that is a cheap and easy way to get into racing.

I think the absolute best way to start is racing with Texas Mini GP (www.tmgps.8k.com).  They race either in Katy (near Houston) or in Denton on tight, technical go-kart tracks.  I have a 7 HP Honda XR100 with 125GP wheels and slicks that has taught me more about bike control than anything else.  You can slide, wheelie, tuck the front, lose the back and get all your crashing done at 30-40 mph instead of 100 mph.  Then pick the bike up and keep going.  Riding a "big" bike after that seems tame by comparison.

There are several track day organizations that you can ride your street bike with also.  It's a good way to get your feet wet.

www.lstd.com
www.ridesmart.info

[scunny]

+1 on starting small, you will learn more quicker. in NZed we have bucket racing, which is basically bikes made from parts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj5LSaY8Duo

[sangyo soichiro]

Now that bucket racing looks like fun!  I wish we had something like that where I live.  I do live in Buchanan Michigan, home of the Red Bud TNT, that's for motorcross.  Not sure what it takes to get into that though....

[campbmic]

I'm starting to lean more towards the 250 class and maybe building a little 250 racer and getting a 600-1000cc rode bike that will eventually be my "goal" bike. My girlfriend has "goal" jeans, I think they are similar. 

Anyways, any recommendations for a 250cc bike? Ninjas? FZR? Don't really know whats out there

[scunny]

Aprilia RS250. 70HP very quick

[campbmic]

Man that looks really nice and really fast but looks a bit out of my budget. I was planning on finding something like a mid to late 90s GSX-R250 CBR250 ZXR250 or FZR250. Do you guys think it would significantly hurt me racing on an older bike?

Also, the only 250cc bikes I find on craigslist are ninja 250s. I always thought those things looked slow and goofy, anyone know otherwise? or have raced them?

[scunny]

just buy the bike you can afford. it's more time on the track that counts, not what you are on. the slower your bike is the better your technique has to be.

[campbmic]

Very good point!

[oldbiker]

Start with a bike you can afford. If after a few races you don't like it you have not lost much. If you do like it then you can learn while you get a better bike together.
I started in 1956 with a converted Triumph Tiger 70 250cc. Outclassed but fun. I went on to better and faster bikes including Ducati and Manx Nortons. Rode against names like Hailwood, McIntyre, Read etc.
Finished in 1987 as 250 Single cylinder Champion on a Rotax engined Cotton. (Shown in my avatar)
You get bitten and it's hard to give up but the wife finally had her way.

[bwaller]

Start with a bike you can afford. If after a few races you don't like it you have not lost much. If you do like it then you can learn while you get a better bike together.
I started in 1956 with a converted Triumph Tiger 70 250cc. Outclassed but fun. I went on to better and faster bikes including Ducati and Manx Nortons. Rode against names like Hailwood, McIntyre, Read etc.
Finished in 1987 as 250 Single cylinder Champion on a Rotax engined Cotton. (Shown in my avatar)
You get bitten and it's hard to give up but the wife finally had her way.

Say it ain't so oldbiker.    Good advice from a pro.

[ryder60]

just buy the bike you can afford. it's more time on the track that counts, not what you are on. the slower your bike is the better your technique has to be.

-----------

Truer words were never spoken.  It takes track time and track time and track time.

[lordmoonpie]

+1 on what oldbiker said. Pick something that is cheap but also not hugely beyond your talent levels. When you can ride the bike to its limits in each and every race, move up to a bigger class. If you get a 150bhp+ 1000cc bike you will be always within your limits and not learning what happens at the limits of the bike's capability. Going really fast in racing is all about finding the limit on the bike and staying *just* the right side of it and it's best to learn that on something smaller, not a 180mph missile.

250 class sounds good to begin with - I started on a 581cc single cylinder. It had 68bhp and one pot so not too much power, handled and stopped well and also crucially, the single cylinder is a simple engine to cut your mechanical teeth on if you haven't got those skills already. Whatever you choose, there is never any substitute for track time...good luck, have fun! 

[Sam Green Racing]

[quote author=oldbiker link=topic=72383.msg815707#msg815707 date=127814462
 Rode against names like Hailwood, McIntyre, Read etc.
Finished in 1987 as 250 Single cylinder Champion on a Rotax engined Cotton. (Shown in my avatar)

[/quote]

Before any doubting Thomas starts crying BS, I've seen all the photographic evidence, He's been there, done that but didn't get the Tee shirt, plenty of good pics though, Jonny oldbiker ROCKS.

Sam.