GO FOR IT, if you can swing it do it man, i promise you will never look at street riding the same again, and it sounds like it could save your life

i was like 29 when i started racing, im on temp hold untill im done going back to school but as soon as i can afford it ill be back racing, my father didnt race till he was 50+ and he loved it , it is seriouslly no brainer and i think you know that go racing,

1 piece of advice if your as competitive as you say you wont be happy on an old beater, you need to be on a bike that is at least somewhat competitive or you will sell it in short order to get something competitive

 

im thinking it may be a lot of money . ... little scared of that since im starting to settle down a little... seriously not sure what to do here

and competitive is not the word...its all or not, the person next to me will not beat me

 

so turn your 04 into a track bike and go for it!!!!

 

Start saving some money now since the it is the off season. Racing will burn a hole in pockets faster than a woman can. Keep the R1 you have now and just sell the plastics and headlights, provided they are in good condition. The money can get for a complete set of street plastics will cover full body work and a set of race tires to start with.

Once you start racing the streets will become a thing of the past.

 

eveytime i go to the track i get my ass handed to me by this pair of wrinkley old coots on race glassed 600's who gave up street riding long ago, its the way to go :thumbup

 

Just come to the track with us and see how you like it then go from there.:thumbup

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=143674

 

My opinion, for what its worth.




Sign up with Nesba. Do a track day with your current ride and see how you like it. Most definitley you will be hooked, but I see no sense in going full race bike, till you know for sure that's what you want to do. Do a few track days and phase out street riding. I think you be better in the long run, and you will have less regrets about giving up street riding. I did it and couldn't be happier.


Also for some safe fun, look into drag racing. It's cheap, fun , competitive, and harder than many think, plus there is money in it. That will help keep you satisfied between trackdays.

Good luck fro

 

im thinking it may be a lot of money . ... little scared of that since im starting to settle down a little... seriously not sure what to do here

and competitive is not the word...its all or not, the person next to me will not beat me

Sounds like you NEED some track time !!!!
I started like you.... Rode like a complete Tw4T on the road and thought I was really quick. I could beat all my friends on some twisty sections of road, who were all on larger bikes ( at least double the size of mine).
So my Brother sent me out on a race bike he had built to see what I could do. I was handed my ass on a silver plate !!! I saw one guy coming on a 600 Kawasaki so I moved to the outside of the track..... He still ran round the outside of me!! I practiced for a number of months before my first race meeting and was up to speed. My first race was in the same race as Carl Fogarty !!! I quickly got out of wanting to beat the guy infront at all costs. I settled down and learnt the art of racing. The guy in front is not a target he is an obstacle to get to the guy infront of him !! My riding seemed to get slower and my laptimes got lower !!! I was getting better results and even qualified for my National licence in my first season!!

Get yourself a 600 and learn to wring its neck and push your limits as far as possible..... That is my advice. You dont need to buy the latest bike as the laptimes the club and trackday riders run are still slower than a quick 600 was lapping about 3 or 4 years ago so you should still be able to beat 90% of the guys out there if you are as quick as you think.........Once you are at the front OR the bike cannot go any quicker then move up to newer equipment.
You will never look back...... It will kill the competitive edge of your road riding.... hell if your friends cannot keep with up you, you dont need to try and race them!!

 

so turn your 04 into a track bike and go for it!!!!

:iamwithst DUH!!

 

I agree with Jeff, take your current 1 to the track and do some track days. If you like to ride fast, you will most likely enjoy the track, but you must try first. If you realize you are riding that fast on the street, you are pushing your luck. Like Morepower said, you will be suprised how slow you are when you get to the track, no matter how fast you are on the street. Just go and have fun! Ask the track guys lots of questions, most are very helpful.

 

I say go for it! Im planning on getting another bike (keeping my street too) and using that for just the track starting in the summer as well. You may want to take your 04 on the track just to see if you really will like it and if its the right choice..

 

Take as many racing schools as possible and get involved with your local track day folks. Racing school will save you a lot of time that would otherwise have been wasted learning stuff that will keep you in last place. Believe me.

 

love all the feedback!... i think the comment on getting an older 600 catches my eye the most.. I mean I love my R1 and so doesnt my girl I just need something I can put money into and dont care what happens to it. I am def going to look over the NESBA site.. Actually one of my buddies that is still on the west coast does a lot of track days on a GSXR 750 and he loves it... SO next question.. what do I need to get started with a 2nd bike.. just drip cans, remove lights, safety wire, leathers and track tires?

 

love all the feedback!... i think the comment on getting an older 600 catches my eye the most.. I mean I love my R1 and so doesnt my girl I just need something I can put money into and dont care what happens to it. I am def going to look over the NESBA site.. Actually one of my buddies that is still on the west coast does a lot of track days on a GSXR 750 and he loves it... SO next question.. what do I need to get started with a 2nd bike.. just drip cans, remove lights, safety wire, leathers and track tires?

For your first track day all you need is leathers remove mirrors and tape up all the lights.:thumbup

 

Do some trackdays before just jumping in and buying /building a full-on race bike.

As far as turning your current R1 into a track bike, many race organizations prohibit beginners from using a liter bike for racing.

You can get your R1 trackday ready for a fairly decent amount of money.

As far as balls-to-the-wall riding on the street, I give you credit for realizing you're pushing it too far.

I ride with quite a few people, and there are times we get out and ride a bit crazy. I know the chances we take, but I also know the limits.

 

so turn your 04 into a track bike and go for it!!!!

:iamwithst
i'm in the same seat as you...and i'm 30. so if you're serious take your current bike to the track. that's what i'm gonna do in the spring. if you wanna roll with me and my friends gimme a shout. my friend has a shop in L.I....Xpowermotorsports, i'm going with them to the track. check their site for the schedule.