FZR vs Newer Bikes

[slayermd]

Im in process of getting a run down Fiz some balls for my first racing season next year. I was thinking about it today, when I was looking for a race bike, I was told to get an FI R6. So with me on my FZR, how is it going to hold up at the track with all the newer bikes?

[Luke-a-Tron]

Newer 600s produce significantly more power and are lighter. This means that poor riders will still be able to pass you on the straights but very, very few people can push a bike to it's cornering limits. Rider skill plays a much bigger role in cornering than the machine does (assuming the suspension is set up reasonably well). With a clear deficiency in straight line acceleration, you'll find you have much less room to take sloppy corners. In terms of becoming a better rider, you will have instant motivation. Just anticipate losing a few shootouts to less skilled riders because they've essentially paid to win the race. Always keep in mind, you're racing the track, not the other riders.

[ragedigital]

You should be able to run in the WERA Vintage class. I'm sure they still have it.

[slayermd]

You should be able to run in the WERA Vintage class. I'm sure they still have it.

Im in Colorado with the MRA and they do have a vintage class. Im more worried about the Novice and Amateur classes.

The main reason Im going to start racing is to have fun on my FZR. If I get in the top ten, the good for me .

[Luke-a-Tron]

Then you have the right mindset and will almost certainly reach your goal. You'll probably end being faster than the "win win win" type of guys too.

[manveru]

You should be able to run in the WERA Vintage class. I'm sure they still have it.

Im in Colorado with the MRA and they do have a vintage class. Im more worried about the Novice and Amateur classes.

The main reason Im going to start racing is to have fun on my FZR. If I get in the top ten, the good for me .

right on, i'm in colorado too and am building an fzr for the exact same thing. You'll probably get on the track sooner than me, god doesn't want me to get an engine evidently . I won't start till next year. A lot of people start on sv 650's so i think we can at least run with them

[Xian_13]

If your not doing track days already...
Go do track days. Let racing wait.

Plain and simple, racing is not what it was 5 or 10 years ago.
Even the amateur racers are coming to the track with 2-3 years of track day riding.

As an amateur, don't worry to much about the bike. You will be the weakest link, in the go fast chain.
Once you find the limits of the bike, then start to worry about a new bike... of the Trick parts.

... Just anticipate losing a few shootouts to less skilled riders because they've essentially paid to win the race....

Not sure what racing your talking about...
Only a handful of even Pro racers, are collecting a pay check.
That means... Cars... Road Racing... Moto-x or anything for that matter.
No one at the club level is paid to win.


XIII

[YAM93]

^^^^^^^


what Xian said. Sure, do some track days, but figure on doing Vintage class. The guys riding the R6's, ZX-6's, 600RR's are in a class many have nicknamed the "SUICIDE SIX". At least around here, not sure how it is in the rest of the country, but most of the guys are young, fast, and out for blood. And yeah, NOBODY is gettin' paid, even the top Experts usually just get parts sponsorship, sometimes helmets etc.

If I ever do it, I'll probably do the vintage class too, probably a lot more fun and less chance of getting killed.



(Luke-A-Tron meant "PAID" to have an R6 that can beat most normal FZR's (cheap / old bikes) with a "rider of equal skill")
(insert generic "rider of equal skill" joke here)

[sbutler]

This will answer a lot of you qestions>> viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1106

[manveru]

the way the mra is set up you have to get your racing liscense, then you can do track days or race. To race vintage class you have to hold an expert status, so its best to get as much track time as you can in sportsman, nov, am, and endurance. you can't do track days without a liscense so you might as well get your experience first hand imo

[Luke-a-Tron]

As long as your not spending way more money to race vs. just a track day and you don't mind losing badly for a while, it sounds like a solid plan to me.

[slayermd]

Yeah, I mean I havent comitted to racing 100% but either way Im going to be on the track. I have time to figure it out. Thanks for all your input too!