I know, I know... another new guy... ha ha

[BerZerKer]

:cheers: Cheers all. I'm the new guy... for now. Just moved out here to Loveland, CO from O'side California. I've been here for about 5 months now. Can't wait to start riding, but am going to buy a new bike pretty soon. Just sold my old one to my brother.

A little background on my experience... I started riding about 4 years ago. First bike was a Yamaha Seca II '97. Sold it and bought a '92 Suzuki Katana 600cc. Just got rid of that and can't wait to get a new GSX-R!

So, I would love to start racing. I've never been to a race school, but am really interested in getting started. Any comments and/or suggestions would be welcome. I'll even accept constructive criticism. Thanks all!

-BerZerKer

P.S. Great thanks to "milehighgsxr" for recommending this site to me! 8)

[Lucky]

I have an '03 Katana and can tell that it's a little slow... I don't know that even for racing a 1000 would be necessary, a lot of people race 600's... even SV650's but they are real sportbikes... not like a Katana where it is a sportbike/cruiser. Hopefully someone can give you a little more advise! Oh, and welcome to Colorado!

[Brizz]

Welcome and good luck with that decision...

[Beotch]

BerZerKer? That reminds me of Clerks.. :lol:

Note, before I say this that I do not currently race. But, as with anything in life, you are going to want to start small..... i.e. not begin racing on a 1000cc bike. In fact, a fair number of guys I know who race, even after years of experience, don't feel any need to go up past a 600cc or a 750cc bike. I think the 600's are smaller, lighter, a lot easier and much more fun to handle on a track (and in my opinion, on the streets as well). The new 600's are going to blow you away in comparison to what you have ridden previously. I would venture to say probably close to double the horse power at the rear wheel, and lighter. If it was me, I would start on a 600 and go from there.
I have 6 years of riding experience at this point in time, and yes, I am a girl, blah blah blah, but even after 6 years of experience, the 600 is still so much more fun to ride than ANY of the R1 and 1000cc bikes I have had the opportunity to play with.

[King Nothing]

Berzerker, just know this. Purpgix knows everything about anything. She justs knows it all. Ralph is pretty smart too.

[99GSXR750]

I've never been on the track but I have a 99 Gsxr 750 and there is an incredible difference between that and my first katana and fzr 600s. I've had a chance to ride the new 600rr and that is pretty sweet as well. purpgixxerchic is right when she says the new 600s will blow away the old ones. Totally different bikes. For the track I'd stick with the 600-750 range. The GSXR 750 is nice because it has more mid power than the 600s.

[BerZerKer]

Well, first off I'd just like to say thanks for the warm welcome. Secondly, Purpgixxerchic, you're correct... that screen name/nick name is from Clerks.

Again, thanks for all the great input. I just want all to know that I was looking into the 1000cc bike strictly for street riding purposes.... but I will now look into not only the 750's but 600's as well. I know the Katana is not a "real" race bike. But the power jump from that Seca II to that Katana was impressive and I'm definately ready to move up, be it a 600cc or more. I must say, before this forum, I wasn't even interested in looking into anything under 750cc's, but I'm not negligent to opening options and others' experience.

As far as racing is concerned, I would most definately start off in the 600's. I am NOT above riding smaller litre bikes.... you have to crawl before you walk. I just don't know anything about getting started racing. AT ALL. No clue what-so-ever. Should I go buy a 600 bike and race it? How does one get sponsored? Should I go to a racing class/school? Where's the best one in CO? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks purpgixxerchic for your info. I've been told you're all knowing. I'll look forward to your replies in the future. Cheers.

[Bueller]

As far as racing, I would pick up a prepped 600 and save yourself a ton of money and headache, rather than trying to prep one yourself for a first bike. And then go get some track time, Thurs. nights at Second Creek are bikes only and there is usually always some of us out there. If you are really interested in racing the easiest way to get all of your questions answered is come to the races and watch or better yet you can cornerwork and get paid and be right in the middle of it all. After watching some racing you will be better able to tell if it's something you want to do. You can bring your streetbike to the track too if you don't have a race bike yet, I ride my street out there half the time.

And believe me a 600 is not slow bike compared to the bigger brothers, many of us race our 600's up with the liter bikes, and can keep up pretty good on these smaller tracks.

[BerZerKer]

Awesome! I'll check out Second Creek ASAP! I can't wait. I was thinking of doing some corner work... what do they get paid? Do you need medical training or experience? That would be excellent.

As far as buying a prepped bike, where's the best place for something like that? I still need to go to the MRA school. I guess I'll have to wait 'till next year for that.

Thanks for the info! :cheers:

[Beotch]

Ebay, www.craigslist.org , www.mra-racing.org (there is a classified section on there). For sale section on here (I think there is a newer gix 750 race bike up for sale there now). Umm....go to a race, I know last races I went to I saw three or four race bikes with for sale signs in the pits. Talk to Bueller...I think he had a race bike for sale, Bob did too.
I have been sorta kinda looking around at some race bikes myself...then crossing my fingers that someone who loves me wins power ball so that I can actually have a race bike :D

In the track days and races section on this site, there is a thread about a race school that some people here are putting on in August. It is full, but a list of alternates has been started so you might want to get yourself on that. Bob had also posted some information from the MRA on a few smaller school that will be going on this summer to get your MRA license. If I wasn't fat and lazy, I would find the links for you..... :D

And the only reason I know everything is because I am a woman :D

[BerZerKer]

Triple threat girl! Bike chic, smart AND funny! :lol: If only I weren't married.... ha ha.

Thanks for all the great info. I can't wait to get started. I think I'll go to a few races and get a bike b4 I start signing up for classes. That, and I don't have a job yet OR health insurance for that matter. There's a real MRA license stopper. Workin' on it though. Anyone know anybody that's hiring a former Quality Assurance Representative in the Helicopter Maintenance field? Or a local dealer or shop that needs someone that's mechanically inclined? I can start anytime. :D

Thanks again.

[nileator01]

600, 750, 1000 wont really matter so much for you to start racing. This whole '600's are safer than 1000's' stuff is a bunch of crap IMO. It's all about your ability to control the thing and a 600 can be a whole lot to control. If you ride a 1000, you just have to know that it is gonna put a lot of power down when you turn that throttle.
We have experts that are on 60hp SV650's doing better lap times than most the novice guys on 150hp 1000s.


Now, the 600 is ideal for racing because you are able to race more classes. You are able to race up a class and compete against the guys with liter bikes that are only able to race in the 'O' classes. This allows you to get more races in a weekend. I would bet almost half or more of the bikes in the liter classes are 600's.
Your best bet is to find the cheapest bike in good condition you can find that is already race prepped. (You are going to crash on this bike! I guarantee it!) Do some track days, take some classes with someone and do the MRA school when you feel ready.

Find a good job, this sport will suck your wallet dry.

[Beotch]

Keep an eye out in the jobs section, or post up your info and some resume stats and see who is out there who might know something job wise. With this many people in a club, someone usually knows something or can point you in a direction to get you started. It looks likes you are in Loveland, so that will make a difference too.

Don't let my posts in here fool you: I am a bitch. I am just sucking you in with false niceness so that I can more efficiently crush you later :D

And a fair number of people on this site are married, and quite a few with kids as well. This club is nice because there is a good balance of people from all ages, backgrounds, locations, etc. The bigger gatherings are kid and spouse friendly too.

[BerZerKer]

I had no idea that this website had so many resources. (I just found out there's a noob section, ha ha... sorry all) Anywho, Yeah.... I had heard that this sport costs a lot of money. That's kind of a drag... but I at least want to experience racing. And not in the stands, or corners, or pits. I wouldn't mind all that too, It's just that I wanna haul some ass and challenge myself with a bad ass bike. Man it'll be awesome! So, I'd better get started on getting a job then. Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it!

Just a quick question.... is there a way I can attatch a resume onto a thread, or post or something? If not, I'll just type it all out again. No biggie. Later everyone.

:cheers:

[BerZerKer]

Ummmmm, never mind the attatchment question.... heh heh. Cheers! :cheers:

[~Barn~]

Welcome to Da Club. There's a $5 cover tonight. :D

[Feathered upstart!]

Welcome to the club and GSX-R's are rolling yeast infections 8)

[Beotch]

And Honda Sucks (even my 3 year old will share that bit of info freely with you).

[Monkey]

Buy a yamaha imo..

[BerZerKer]

I don't know... I'm pretty biased towards Gixxers. Although I must say, I absolutely love the look of the Raven edition R1! That red trim on the rims kicks ass! If only I could get that Limited edition 2k5 1000 out of Canada!

http://www.suzuki.ca/en/bike/images/intro/g10l-lg1.jpg

[GSXRULEZ]

I have the 05 blk/yel and I agree the all black is sharp. Welcome to the club as I am new on the boards but know alot of you finally got to joining my self.

[Beotch]

All black is sexy... :drool:
When I got my bike, my options were pretty much red, yellow, blue/white until I found my happy little black and purple gix. Having a dark colored bike that is not the same as everyone else's bright flashy stuff is nice.
Again, of course, these are just my opinions...but being a woman, this does make my opinion worth far more than anyone elses.... :D

[BerZerKer]

Well, to my suprise, the all new 2k6 GSX-R 1000 has a darker color. It has a black and silver color scheme, and lost that red streak it had for the 2k5 year, but they kept the red "R" which, IMO, was a good idea. Check it out.....

http://suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/colorVariations/500/GSXR1000K6_Silver_6B717B.jpg

I think it's pretty bad ass. Of course, nothing else on it has changed... at least not that I'm aware of.