would I be insane?

[fluffybiker]

Ok I know deep down I'm nuts and this isn't a good idea but can I have your thoughts please!
(asking here as you guys actually give good advice and dont do my bollocks are bigger etc etc like all the other forums!)

AS you have seen I'm sorting my fella out to race next year, and this will potentially be at the expense of my own track time purely from work commitments if the job I'm going for comes through.

Now I'm not going to say I'm the fastest lass on the track, but on the right bike (one i'm confident on and dont really care about) I dont hang about.

Would i be nuts to get a 125 to race?

confirm my insanity please people! part of me says it makes sense for me to join him and run at race meets than try to afford time off for race weekends and for track day meets.

But I have the fear that I'll just get eaten and be a danger to all other racers (or at least a mobile chicane lol)

there is def a downside to us both being bikers who have a thing for the track!!

[gsxrk6]

nothing wrong with it if its what you want to do then go for it! assume youve been and watched 125 races to see the pace compared to your own

[GixerFixer]

i think so yes ....will be fun for a short time only...plus they go bang alot !! wot about a vfr400 or similar ?

[Tweek]

If you think you can do it.... go for it is my advice :)

125's.... if you wanna start there you need to get one and get on the track with it and see how you fair.... (I don't remember you listing one in you list of bikes?)

I'd go with staying on a bike you know you are happy with, didn't you say your GSXR was your track bike? Is there not a rookie 600 class you can go in? (can't remember if it was a 600 or not)

I think it's one of those things that if you want to do it, and are realistically confident enough, if you don't do it when you get the chance you'll kick yourself forever after....


:thumbsup:

[fluffybiker]

ok have half an aprilia rs125... would take about £500/700 to get it sorted out
or I could buy the other halfs vfr400... £1700...
The srad will be running in rookies... with my other half on board and I'm
not sure I'm up to taking on the 600's!

I need more track practice, I would expect to be in the last 5 constantly!

hmm decisions desisions, my sensible side says do more track days and get ya skills up, my main problem is i dont like braking HARD, have a habbit of winding off the power too early and engine braking.... comes from a few scary moments that... squirming into the esses at donny and pulling a stoppy into goddards!!... ok thats reading like my confidence needs fixing first and I'm fast talking myself out of this moment of insanity!

[gsxrk6]

[QUOTE=fluffybiker] I would expect to be in the last 5 constantly!

QUOTE]

gotta start somewhere and without meaning to sound cheesy it aint all about winning!

[Tweek]

fb.... go with your gut instinct... I know what'd put me off riding 125's... and that's having my butt kicked by kids half my age :blush: :lol:

There's no point thinking about jumping into a series on a bike you haven't had the track time on though, not for your first one....

There are LOADS of race 125's for sale at the moment, the paddock's have been full of them recently... they do blow up, but are relatively easy to fix, so cheap but time consuming... there are 400 rookie series about though... why don't you have a go on your OH's bike on track and see how you go on that?

[fluffybiker]

thank you guys, usefull as always.

We're going to try to take the srad out a few times over winter and i'll be having a run on her then, prob be at cadders and donny (some damn cheap deals at cadders over winter!)

see how things go, but if i get my ass kicked on a track day on it.... will be reconsiddering lol

[Alex]

fb.... go with your gut instinct... I know what'd put me off riding 125's... and that's having my butt kicked by kids half my age :blush: :lol:

There's no point thinking about jumping into a series on a bike you haven't had the track time on though, not for your first one....

There are LOADS of race 125's for sale at the moment, the paddock's have been full of them recently... they do blow up, but are relatively easy to fix, so cheap but time consuming... there are 400 rookie series about though... why don't you have a go on your OH's bike on track and see how you go on that?
The only other prob with 125's is the gearing, jets, needle and float hieghts have to be spot on. They're very fiddly to set up (I spannered for a mate who raced 125's). You have to check air temp, humidity and atmospheric pressure to set all these things up. And they cant be overlooked coz all the fast people are spot on with theirs, if yours aint set right it can cost secounds per lap.
Service intervals are very short although they're so mechanically easy to work on a blind monkey could do it. I once changed a piston ring on one in 20 mins.

Personally I'd be tempted to suggest maybe 400's or even 600's although the latter is very competitive... be warned :lol:

[stu]

125's or 400's speak to the girls at feisty they are friendly and been there done it they gave good advice to a girl i know who was looking at racing
or have you thought about mini twins ?

[F1Gixer]

I love watching 125 racing it's great. But unless mechanically you are clued up or someone who is going racing with you to spanner knows their stuff, 125 maybe a problem as they need to be set up and maintained correctly to work well and reliably.
If i were you i would consider the 400 class as i think the bikes are easier to ride, more reliable and the class is less competitive.
As for going racing definately do it, you will love it

[Motomoik]

125's way too finickity, unless your really serious about racing them I'd give it a miss!
400's are fine if your not too serious again, but when you get into it it can be another very serious class and they go pop a lot too, all the guys are trying to get big numbers out of what are mostly now old bikes, my mate Tom Warner gets through engines like no tomorrow, though he is a clumpy footed git.............lol!
600's are a great class to race in, plenty of novices to have a play/ race with, sure there are serious guys but unless you are doing 1:30's at Cadwell you'll only be a trouble for them as they lap ya! I raced New Era 600 briefly and found it to be a fantastic laugh, my bike was whooped by the serious guys everywhere, but I alwayshad a good race with plenty of overtaking and elbow bashing!
Guess Im recommending 600's, you'll get a whole season (or two) on an engine and theres always a huge novice contigent to have fun with!

[Fat Tony]

Nowt wrong with being insane :snowy:

[trackdayrider]

The class doesn't matter - just do it, even if its one race and you finish last(you wont) - its club racing - people go racing at this level just for the fun of doing it. If its for any other reaason - as in "Im the fastest bloke in the world" kinda stuff they are kidding themselves.

If you dont you will never know and will always wonder what would it be like? - how would I have done?

I didn't renew my race licence thsi year for the first time and it was kinda wierd, but I know I wont at any time in the next few year get a chance to do it again...

So I'm glad I did have a go and got a few decent results and even managed to get on the telly... It cost too much - took up a lot of time, but I have absolutely no regrets about going racing save for perhaps being able to do more of it.


have a go while you have the chance.
:thumbsup:

[tommytello]

I know nothing about racing tbh but do you have the money for both of you to be racing, if both of you get hurt are you covered financially? sorry to be boring, As I said I don't know much about the actual racing side so I might be talking rubbish.

Just saying as I can barely afford trackdays and have now been of work for 3 months due to a silly collar bone not healing, and can't go back as work are worried if I hurt myself, luckily I'm being paid full pay. I'm defiantly getting sports health insurance and life insurance for the future.

[flyinwalrus]

agree with rep. Lot of knowledge needed with jetting etc for 125's. Can make HUGE difference or even a big bang. 400's good class, some cheap vfr's zxr's about. both good motors, lot less hassle to set up leaving room in ya head to enjoy it all