New Novice Newb

[AndrewN]

I am about to register for '06 novice class. I currently have a nice '02 R1 that i love and feel comfortable on and have had 2 track days last season. I don't think i have the cash to put up for a separate race bike, but my R1 is completely stock. I'm also addicted to the power of the R1, and am hesitant about steping down to a 600. I'm about ready to pull the triger and buy some race plastics for my R1 and case covers and get it ready to go. I'm not sure how serious about racing i'll be but, i love being out on the track, and just want to have fun, get through some races and work on lap times (with of course a little competition in there). does any one have any compeling arguments to convince me to keep my bike nice and clean and fork over $2,500 - 3,500 for a carbed 600 ?? Financial reasons, competition reasons etc. After finishing novice on a liter bike, well it be easy to step down to a 600 or visa versa? Any input would be appreciated, soon too, cuz i found a nice set of Chetah race plastics (any body use those?) Thanks.

[Blew-Smoke]

Andrew,

I did my novice season (1/2 season, started in July 04) on a 02 R1 and had a blast. I did much the same as you, basically put some race bodywork, engine cases and some frame sliders on it. Also it's worth getting on Ebay and looking for a beater gas tank as well.....I also spent a little on the suspension, I had Lindemann work over the stock forks, although I would recommend one of the local guys though - GP Suspension or Fluid Suspension as they will provide you with trackside support which is worth alot. I also put a triple clicker WP shock on the back. The shock helps a lot as the R1 benefits alot from raising the ride height a tad, needs a steering damper after you do that though. Anyway, got through my novice season and came back the next year on a 250, trying to teach myself how to go round corners. Huge difference and I do miss the power and speed, but the the little bike makes up for it in lean angles :eek: Anyway, good luck with the NRC, see you out there in April :D

Pete

[pscook]

Like Pete said, R1's are good for novices. As a tech inspector and Novice Mentor these last few years, I have noticed that the guy's on 600's usually are the first to bin it, because they don't seem to have a lot of respect for the peaky power. The liter bike guys (sorry Pete, litre) tend to use the throttle a little more judiciously, which really helps out when you are getting a feel for race situations.
That being said, if you are willing to shell out $2500-3500 for a racebike, you can either put that into either of your R bikes, and have a great time, or buy some prepped out 600 that you wouldn't mind throwing away.
So, are you willing to put $1500 into the R1, and bank on $1500 in damage, or $3000 into a bike that you will keep solely for trackdays and races? That is your call, but I think that the question is valid. If you are truly serious, you will invest in your R1 (or R6), get up to speed, get your comfort level up, and then work on your next generation of racebike.
Just remember, your bikes are easy to get parts for, you already own them, and almost half of the club own some version of your bike(s), so information is easy to come by.
phil

[Steve]

Funny. These replies seem to be in direct contrast to what I've always been told about starting on a litre bike. I have alway heard this was a pretty big no-no as you learn less about corner speed and such and the power of a 1000cc can get you in to a highside situation pretty quicky. I even recall in NRC last year some of the WMRRA representatives that were teaching it kind of smirking as we went around and told everyone what bikes we planned to start on if anyone indicated a newer 1000cc bike.

I started on an F2 and am going to ride an 04 Gixxer 600 this year. I honestly can not fathom trying to manage a 1000cc bike at least for a couple of years but maybe that's because I'm old.

I'm also curious if anyone actually keeps stats on Novices that do "bin it" and what they ride. That would be interesting.

Oh, and finally Andrew. Only consider racing your R1 if your comfortable with the fact it may possibly be totaled at any given time. That alone may be reason enough to do your novice season on a less expensive "throw away" bike. I did have an 04 R1 sitting in my garage the entire season last year but wasn't willing to see it cart-wheeling down the track which is why I opted for a cheap F2.

[Darkside]

have to agree with Steve, on this however I'm a little biased since it's my fault I got him into racing. I have an 02 R1 in the garage as well and have done a track day with it, but I have way more fun on my 600. There is a reason the 600 class is so large and competative. Have no fears about feeling like you are missing the power of the R1, any 600, 1999-up will have more than enough power to get your attention at any given time.

Harder to learn to carry corner speed and not be able to use HP to make up for it in the straight. Yes I got passed on the straights by the 1k bikes but passed them right back in the turns becuase of being able to get on the power earlier.

[AndrewN]

Hey, thanks all for the quick and detailed responses. I think i'm definatly leaning toward the purchase of a cheap 600 that i may sell for a few bucks when i'm ready to upgrade. I wanted to save a few bucks - but i really don't want to see my R1 crashed, it's so pretty :-) http://studio819.smugmug.com/gallery/1076714
- and in the likely event that i do, i'll be right up in the same $$ as i would have spend on the tracked out 600. I love riding on the street too - and i dont' want to go back and forth. so if that Franken bike R6 is still up for grabs I may nab it. Thanks alot guys.

[pscook]

I just re-read the original post, and I was misled into thinking that you had an R6 and an R1. I'll never trust that person again.
After careful consideration, I still stand by my original post. I have seen more 600's end up outside of 9 than I have seen liter bikes.
Yeah, corner speed matters, but so does carrying the front through two gears in the back section past that pesky F2 that rails around you in Turn 2. If you drop down to a 600 after learning throttle control on your R1, you might be in better shape than the other way around.
Understand, I ride an old, slow FZR600, so everything should be taken with a grain of salt. :D
See you all in April!
phil

[Steve]

Hey, thanks all for the quick and detailed responses. I think i'm definatly leaning toward the purchase of a cheap 600 that i may sell for a few bucks when i'm ready to upgrade. I wanted to save a few bucks - but i really don't want to see my R1 crashed, it's so pretty :-) http://studio819.smugmug.com/gallery/1076714
- and in the likely event that i do, i'll be right up in the same $$ as i would have spend on the tracked out 600. I love riding on the street too - and i dont' want to go back and forth. so if that Franken bike R6 is still up for grabs I may nab it. Thanks alot guys.

Do yourself a favor and grab the R6. You don't want to crash that pretty R1 and you will crash eventually.

[Steve]

. I have seen more 600's end up outside of 9 than I have seen liter bikes.
phil

Phil. Could it be it simply seems that way since I would guess that most novices start off on 600's?

[Blew-Smoke]

Well, I guess I'm not sure what your meant to do.. :confused: I just did it on my R1 cause that's what I had at the time. Had a great time, didn't crash, because it's not allowed in your 1st 6 novice races anyway...right ;)
Hey Phil hope you and you family had a great holiday season this year :)

[AndrewN]

Yeah.. that was pretty much my idea..it's kinda all i have, but in this case - for $2,500 - that R6 would be a great way to start out with out risking my bike - and keeping me on the street too.

[Ex Presidente]

Hey Andrew,
Look forward to seeing you this season, and at the NRC in March!
There are a couple of different opinions, as you can tell. One thing I haven't seen anyone post is, if your R1 is a daily driver than it might best suit you to buy a cheap 600 (I have one for sale by the way, RACE READY PM me if you are interested).
The other thing to consider is if you crash the R1 are you going to have the dough to get it back to street trim? Insurance companies do not cover damage from a Race Event.
I for one started racing on a 600, and have stuck with them since. I absolutley love them, not to mention that the racing is very close and you'll learn a lot, at least I did, but I was wicked slow when I started racing!

Luke
WMRRA President

[Darkside]

but I was wicked slow when I started racing!

Luke
WMRRA President


Aren't you still Luke? :D :D :D :D