Going Racing?

Hey guys,

I think I want to try club road racing, but am not sure exactly how to get into it. I know I need to do more track days and a race school to develop my skills and get a license before jumping in, but want to plan ahead. I hope some of you will share your experience. I’ve done some reading and have a few specific questions:

What displacement should I start with? A 250 to develop on?

What organization should I race with? It looks like there is no local club near me, but WERA and CCS have regions that run races near me. Any thoughts on either of those?

All comments welcome, even if it’s to say “you’re an idiot”, and especially if it’s to tell me about things I don’t even know to ask.

Thanks much for any help you can lend.

Hi cjc, I raced one season back in 1990, my excursion was short lived and bittersweet, like Steve has said... he has good advice.

Stay within a budget unless you have unlimited funds. I did not have unlimited funds and am actually glad I did not.

Each track will have a better sized bike for each track, here in OK. at hallett a 600cc is perfect because of the short straights and the track is technical.

I think that motard racing looks like the most fun and on a technical track like hallett they can hold their own with the sportbikes of course the riders skills are very important.

Racing like any project will cost more than you can perceive, it takes dedication unless you are a natural.

Age and all sorts of motorcycling experience has a big effect on your performance, especially competition dirt biking. Good Luck.

I'm not qualified to advise, but to say that's very good advice from joe and weeksy. Especially what joe said: "I think that motard racing looks like the most fun..."
Id'advise you spend some time on supermotojunkie.com - it's a good forum, lots of racers, lots of photos that'll turn you on, and many who went from sportbike racing to sm. The cost is less. Single cylinder, more oil changes but less expensive to fix when you dump it. highside, lowside, no plastic fairings, just footpegs, handlebars, levers...they put rubber guards on the exhaust cans......much less expensive. So,...unless you're absolutely set on road race style...something to consider. You can pick up a KTM 450 a few years old for not much.

SV 650

Light easy to handle and learn on, fast enough to learn good techinque and lines, Not too much power to make bad things happen, bike & parts are inexpensive, easy on tyres (your biggest expense on an inline bike).
Easy to resell if you don't enjoy it, but don't worry, you will.
Also easy to sell to another new racer if you want to move up to a more powerful bike.

I've been racing light weight twins for 10 years and have no desire to race a bigger bike.
Plenty of others to race against and lots of fun.

Plus, there's nothing more fun than riding a 650 and passing a newbie, who's thinks they're the s#!t, riding on a litre bike.

Thanks very much guys. This is very helpful. I've got a lot to think about. I've been looking at used bikes, but it seems like it might be a better value to buy a race prepped one. I've also been looking at leathers and upgrading boots and gloves. I can tell this is going to be expensive, so a bike that is relatively cheap to run seems key. I'd love to race the SD, but it's my only street ride and I'd hate to lob it down the track (never mind replace the coolant all the time.)

DEFFO buy one that someone has spent the time and money preparing themselves.