A n00b goes racing

[eatpasta]

Does anyone want to watch me get my ass handed to me??



Good! Then read on.

My grandfather was a professional race car driver in the 40's, and he was quite good. He always used to tell stories about how they didnt have seatbelts and how he won this race or that.
My dad wasn't really into any of that kind of stuff and therefore I never got into it, but ever since I was a little kid I have always day dreamed about racing. Ever since grade school my folks would take me up to Laguna Seca to see the Historical Races and I loved it. Somehow sailing through those corners in a GT-350 seemed so possible.



Anyways, after years of day dreaming it looks like its going to happen here next weekend. A total race n00b is going out for the first time on an Enduro and in an attempt to actually finish, Im going to be following another ADV rider.
This guy has been nice enough to hold my hand through all this so far and let me crash with his team.....a great example of the ADV spirit!



My wife and I currently belong to a weight loss program and what a goal to get in shape for; desert racing!

So here's is brakedown:

The Rider:

6'2 - 220 lbs - 31 years old

Riding experience:

15 years, 90% street. The last three years have been an attempt to get comfortable in the dirt via this board. I have been able to take a GS places most cant...is that JUST because of my weight....

The Race Bike:

2000 Honda XR650R

purchased from Rider914 a few years ago with the intention of not whaling on the GS off road anymore and actually learning how to ride in the dirt.







I kinda wish I had a GoPro to document the first outing.... that would be classic!



anyways - I keep up with the posting so you guys can see what happens to me....


oh yea...


Goals:

1) to not get hurt
2) to finish

thats pretty much good enough for me

[AngryShawn]

Enduro on a BRP? you are definitely jumping into the deep end of the pool
What organization are you going racing with? Since you said enduro and your in southern cal, I'm figuring its d-37. You may also want to check out US Desert Racing aka USDR as well (www.usdesertracing.com)
Good luck and have fun, looking forward to updates

[Pantah]

Good on you. What's the name of the enduro and where is it?

[5th-Elefant]

Race that?

You should really think about getting an enduro bike.

[rajflyboy]

EatPast >>> Good on you man for setting a goal like this!! Best of luck to you!!

The Honda is a fine bike for this. Don't need no stinkin "Meals on Wheels" BMW or KTM for an enduro!!

[Southest US Thumper]

Hungry Man -

Though not known for it's agility, the XR-R will get you through your first event and as many as you choose. Be warned, once you're bitten by the bug you'll probably start looking for a more capable enduro machine.

Have fun! Good luck! Keep us posted.

[DC950]

Good luck! I think you'll have more fun if you reorder your goals to:

1) to finish
2) to not get hurt

for me, thinking about getting hurt is a guaranteed crash! And yes, especially at your size the BRP will be just fine. It's not about the bike, it's about the rider.

Back to the Speed Triple voltage regulator ...

[Pantah]

Originally Posted by DC950

Good luck! I think you'll have more fun if you reorder your goals to:

1) to finish
2) to not get hurt

for me, thinking about getting hurt is a guaranteed crash! And yes, especially at your size the BRP will be just fine. It's not about the bike, it's about the rider.

Back to the Speed Triple voltage regulator ...

Good advice about the order.

GO BRP!

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by AngryShawn

Enduro on a BRP? you are definitely jumping into the deep end of the pool
What organization are you going racing with? Since you said enduro and your in southern cal, I'm figuring its d-37. You may also want to check out US Desert Racing aka USDR as well (www.usdesertracing.com)
Good luck and have fun, looking forward to updates

Yeah its D37 - and sadly I dont even know what BRP stands for...



as far as the bike is concerned - for my size and weight its about as small as Im going to be able to go for a street legal bike. At under 300 pounds for me, its light. At 220 Im decent at throwing this thing around.... any smaller it might just snap in half

Im so used to having the GS off road, anything under 500 pounds to me is a freakin feather.


yes, its not ideal for this type of stuff - but i have no more space for any more bikes in the garage.... this IS my dirtbike! someday when I have more space and time I can have a race bike.... maybe two.



so yes, please keep posted!

[airborndad]

Originally Posted by eatpasta

Yeah its D37 - and sadly I dont even know what BRP stands for...

BRP = Big Red Pig

Are you doing this


January 24
Desert MC
http://www.district37ama.org/offroad...10/2010dmc.jpg
National Hare & Hound
Johnson Valley

????

I just MIGHT go MAYBE ???


If you just go out and try to have fun you'll do good

Good Luck!!!!!

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by airborndad

BRP = Big Red Pig

Are you doing this


January 24
Desert MC
http://www.district37ama.org/offroad...10/2010dmc.jpg
National Hare & Hound
Johnson Valley

????

I just MIGHT go MAYBE ???


If you just go out and try to have fun you'll do good

Good Luck!!!!!

Yeah thats the one!

Big red PIG?!



I cant think of another bike that farther away from being a pig.... but if you guys say so....

[airborndad]

Originally Posted by eatpasta

Yeah thats the one!

Big red PIG?!



I cant think of another bike that farther away from being a pig.... but if you guys say so....

I'm not saying it is or isn't, I don't actually know?

I've never ridden one -- but i've seen it refered to that elsewhere more than a few times

I've ridden a CR 500 many years ago and liked it although it got a bit shakey around 100mph though (could've been me shakin too)

What bike # will you be

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by airborndad

What bike # will you be

a billion

[airborndad]

Originally Posted by eatpasta

a billion

Your gonna need some Lo,ooo,ooo,ooo nger number plates then

[barnyard]

I think you should change your priorities just a bit more.....

1. have fun
2. don't crash (I'll explain)
3. finish
4. don't get hurt.

#2 is important, as it will help to ensure #1 and #4. Also, crashing, even low speed crashing is EXHAUSTING. Think about it. Every time you crash, you have to pick up the motorcycle and you might even have to start it.

You need an idea of what why??????

Run around the block, once or twice. When you get to your driveway, pick up your bike (you laid it on the ground before you took off) and start kicking. All that exhaustion that you're feeling, you can avoid all that by not crashing.

And of course, the mantra for old-guy racing is, "faster is slower."

Save the high-speed antics for bench racing around the campfire or in the pits, that's where us older racers are the fastest.

Tom B