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Motorcycle Forum / General / Sportbikes / November 2006getting into racing..
Hi all, Been lurking here (daydreaming) for quite a while, posting mostly to a.m. I want to go fast on a racetrack. I don't really care about racing for competition or whatnot, but just want to go fast relatively safely (heh) off the street. Call me crazy. Rode Ninjas and Hurricanes back in the 80's and re-entered this past spring, putting ~4k on an NX650. Racetracks are pretty rare around here in balmy Chicagoland, so I ask around in dealerships and don't get too many answers. My plan would be to contact some tracks within a few hours for open track days and pick up maybe a salvage title old sportbike to wipe out on. Tips? > Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Tips? You've got two tracks fairly close. Blackhawk Farms,and Autobahn country club. I've done track days at Blackhawk. Take a look here... I know the guy who runs it. Runs a REALLY nice track day. http://www.privatetracktime.com/ He'll have his track day schedule out usually in March. > > Hi all, > > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > He'll have his track day schedule out usually in March. I checked out Motorcycle Safety School and see that they actually have a sport riding course at Blackhawk, but like once or twice a year. Will look into privatetracktime. Thanks. >Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Tips? ^^^^^ Sounds like you're >40 years old. You can race formula 40 in CCS or try your chances with the younger crowd. Steve gave you the track locale info. I'd suggest starting out with a few track days on your NX650 and see how you fare with a non racing crowd before committing to a dedicated track bike and all the expense you'll incur. If you don't end up in the red group within a couple of track days, then forget about racing. At any rate, doing track time/racing is not cheap. Costs are; $150 up for the use of the track plus the added expense of occasionally wading your bike & even lost work & medical expenses due to a bad fall. I'm trying to be realistic in telling you all this but if you find you really like it then go for it. Bob Nixon, Chandler AZ 01 Sprint ST "RED" 55K miles http://bigrex.net/pictures > >Hi all, > > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > 01 Sprint ST "RED" 55K miles > http://bigrex.net/pictures Bob, that's the plan. You know my NX is an enduro bike (knobby tires and all)? I figure I could get a cheap off-season bike to use or use up as needed, sell when the time comes. Thanks for the advice. >> >Hi all, >> > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] >and all)? I figure I could get a cheap off-season bike to use or use up >as needed, sell when the time comes. Thanks for the advice. I thought the NX650 was the "Hawk" the bike that resembles an SV-650 but has a 47 degree twin SOHC and aluminum frame. That model on the small tracks around "here" would be fast enought in the infield to make a good rider faster than a medeocre rider on a GSXR1000. Also, we don't seem to have any old hero's here racing in formula 40. The fast guys are all in the normal classes. Bob Nixon, Chandler AZ 01 Sprint ST "RED" 55K miles http://bigrex.net/pictures > I thought the NX650 was the "Hawk" the bike that resembles an SV-650 > but has a 47 degree twin SOHC and aluminum frame. The bike you're thinking of was the NT650. The NX650 is what the OP said. > That model on the small tracks around "here" would be fast enought in > the infield to make a good rider faster than a medeocre rider on a > GSXR1000. True. They were sweet handling bikes, despite entry-level suspension. ab > > I thought the NX650 was the "Hawk" the bike that resembles an SV-650 > > but has a 47 degree twin SOHC and aluminum frame. > > The bike you're thinking of was the NT650. The NX650 is what the OP > said. Honda used to call them XL650s here in the states. > > > I thought the NX650 was the "Hawk" the bike that resembles an SV-650 > > > but has a 47 degree twin SOHC and aluminum frame. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Honda used to call them XL650s here in the states. Close. The XL650 was the TransAlp- a v-twin adventure bike. The XL600 was *real* similar, but without the Star Wars plastics of the NX. Splittin hairs, I guess, but you're right- definitely not in the same family as a Hawk. I'm reading that these bikes are seeing a rise in popularity again, prolly due to their utility and gas mileage. With a couple changes like street tires and some cosmetics, they'd make decent supermoto wannabees. > > > > I thought the NX650 was the "Hawk" the bike that resembles an SV-650 > > > > but has a 47 degree twin SOHC and aluminum frame. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Close. The XL650 was the TransAlp- a v-twin adventure bike. Maybe where you're from, which is...? Here, the XL650 was a kickstart thumper. I had the 350cc version of it in 1983. Fun bike except for the chronic bruises on my right calf. > The XL600 > was *real* similar, but without the Star Wars plastics of the NX. > Splittin hairs, I guess, but you're right- definitely not in the same > family as a Hawk. I just Googled the NX650 since it suprised me to see a bike built for the US in the last 25 years that I wasn't familiar with. It has a 650cc single, no? > I'm reading that these bikes are seeing a rise in popularity again, > prolly due to their utility and gas mileage. With a couple changes like > street tires and some cosmetics, they'd make decent supermoto wannabees. For me, they vibrate too much to be good for more than a short commute. But back before every square centimeter of the earth was developed, they were quite fun to hit the dirt and squid out on. > > > > > I thought the NX650 was the "Hawk" the bike that resembles an SV-650 > > > > > but has a 47 degree twin SOHC and aluminum frame. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > the US in the last 25 years that I wasn't familiar with. It has a 650cc > single, no? A little more research proves I did indeed miss one. Apparently, the NX650 was imported into the US in 1988 and 1989. I must have been too busy with college and finding Ms Right to notice. http://www.sawert.com/transalp/nx650.html > A little more research proves I did indeed miss one. Apparently, the > NX650 was imported into the US in 1988 and 1989. I must have been too > busy with college and finding Ms Right to notice. > > http://www.sawert.com/transalp/nx650.html I rode one and quite liked it. I was wondering what you were smoking. > > A little more research proves I did indeed miss one. Apparently, the > > NX650 was imported into the US in 1988 and 1989. I must have been too [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > I rode one and quite liked it. I hope they put an electric starter on it by 1998. > I was wondering what you were smoking. I'd tell ya, but your a Republican and would probably try and have me arrested! > > > > > > I thought the NX650 was the "Hawk" the bike that resembles an SV-650 > > > > > > but has a 47 degree twin SOHC and aluminum frame. [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > http://www.sawert.com/transalp/nx650.html LOL- I was busy finding Ms RightNow! Ah, the 80's. I'm born and raised in Chicago. I think the TransAlp was XL650V. My NX is pretty fun- took it off road a few times to play motocross racerboy. Nice all-around ride in town but the motor is like a paint-shaker between your legs and gets tedious on the slab after a while. > > > > > > > I thought the NX650 was the "Hawk" the bike that resembles an SV-650 > > > > > > > but has a 47 degree twin SOHC and aluminum frame. [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > LOL- I was busy finding Ms RightNow! Truly is a small world. I dated her a few times myself. > Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Tips? Get a track prepped SV650 with a clean title. If you don't like the track you can put the street gear back on or sell it. Another option would be a pre 1996 600 to race in V7MW. Do a few track days, but don't expect to get bumped into the advanced group, especially on a SV. Then take a race school (Ed Bargy school I recommend highly, but don't know if they are done up in your locale), and do some racing. Contrary to what others say, I would avoid the 40+ class until you know what you are doing, as that is broken down only by age so you end up out there with guys like Batey on gixxer 1ks throwing down 1:25s at Road Atlanta (and winning experts on SV650s are ~10 seconds slower, us midpack novices are ~20 seconds a lap slower...a "new" novice will usually be right at 30-35 seconds slower).  SignatureTweak > > Hi all, > > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > -- > Tweak LOL- thanks Tweak. I see those bikes trashed all the time. I used to be a young fast guy- now I'm a vintage slow-poke (40 yrs old going on 60) thanks to wife, teaching job and 2 toddler boys! No expectations except to be the slowest guy out there the first time. :-) > > > Hi all, > > > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > thanks to wife, teaching job and 2 toddler boys! No expectations except > to be the slowest guy out there the first time. :-) Stick with lightweight twins or one of the vintage bike groups, then, as most of those guys keep in mind that they have to go to work on Monday. SignatureTweak > > > > Hi all, > > > > [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > -- > Tweak A couple of bikes you'd recommend besides the SV- Ninja 500 maybe? >>>>> Hi all, >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > A couple of bikes you'd recommend besides the SV- Ninja 500 maybe? Lightweight twins around our area(I live near Milwaukee) are dominated by SVs and Buells. The top two in LW twins were on Buells. 1st place was an 03' XB9R, and 2nd place was a 2000 Buell M2(ridden by a friend of mine). But I'm biased( my family has owned 7 of 'em) :) > > Stick with lightweight twins or one of the vintage bike groups, then, as > > most of those guys keep in mind that they have to go to work on Monday. > > -- > > Tweak > > A couple of bikes you'd recommend besides the SV- Ninja 500 maybe? If you have never raced, the EX or GS500 or both good starter racing machines, particularly if you are on a budget and leave them stock. One set of tires will last forever. You probably won't win any races but you can learn a lot. If you want to race vintage 600s, then a F2 or F3 would be best, as much as it tears my Honda-hatin' soul to say it. I race a SV650. I guess it's between the 500s and the I4 vintage 600s. For trackdays it really depends on your local tracks. Thanks to all the clowns on literbikes trackdays at Road Atlanta on a SV650 suck. Period. Barber and Jennings are a hoot. Avoid the horsepower tracks on the slower bikes for track days. SignatureTweak > > > Stick with lightweight twins or one of the vintage bike groups, then, as > > > most of those guys keep in mind that they have to go to work on Monday. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > -- > Tweak There's a place around the corner called MadManBiker that deals with salvaged bikes. Some race-prepped and/or junked street bikes abound. The thing is I'm not driven by the competition as in racing, I just wanna go fast, so looks like there's quite a few choices, especially in the used/junked 600 market. Looks like a lot of kids get 600's to learn on (!) and promptly trash them. So for track days, even a "milder" bike like a Katana of Ninja 500 would be ok then. Be a good idea to actually go to the tracks nearby for information ;-p Thanks. > > > > Stick with lightweight twins or one of the vintage bike groups, then, as > > > > most of those guys keep in mind that they have to go to work on Monday. [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > like a Katana of Ninja 500 would be ok then. Be a good idea to actually > go to the tracks nearby for information ;-p Thanks. Ixnay on the Katana. If your local tracks are horsepower tracks and you are only doing trackdays I really recommend staying away from the slower bikes. It is no fun being out there and getting passed by squids going ~50mph faster than you are going. 600 I4 at least. I got to where I quit using my SV and instead started using my busa at Road Atlanta, as then I became king of park/squirt as opposed to another hapless victim. The above is why I started racing, not for competition, as you are grouped by motorcycle capability in racing (plus the "stupid factor" seems to be much lower). After I got into it, however, I discovered I do have a competitive gene. SignatureTweak >>>>> Stick with lightweight twins or one of the vintage bike groups, then, as >>>>> most of those guys keep in mind that they have to go to work on Monday. [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > and instead started using my busa at Road Atlanta, as then I became king > of park/squirt as opposed to another hapless victim. The only high horsepower track remotely close to the OP, is Road America, which is still 3+ hours away. The other two tracks local to him are Blackhawk farms, and Autobahn country club. I've never been the Autobahn, but Blackhawk is not a high horsepower track IMHO. http://blackhawkfarms.com//bhf/images/BHFTrackmap8ts.gif > Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Tips? Try a racing school. They will help you get up to speed and maybe avoid some common mistakes. They wont care if you never intend to actually race. If you are not interested in racing stick to track days. If you are not interested in racing then it doesn't matter if the bike you choose is the best choice for some particular race class. With that in mind a Ninja 500 is a good choice. They are inexpensive, not scary fast, and they stand up well to being crashed. A slow bike like the 500 is better to learn on than a 600 Ninja because it forces you to learn how to carry cornering speed. With the faster bikes new riders tend to scream down the straights and tippy toe through the turns. Don't skimp on gear. Get good thick racing leathers with all the armor and padding. Most organizations require helmets with the latest Snell certification. Gloves and boots should be bought with protection in mind more than style or soft leather. It is not unusual to fall down when you try to see how fast you can go, even if you're not racing. Bruce Richmond |
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