best bike for a noob?

[beerbellykelly]

just being at bonneville is enough-i got the fever as soon as i had got used the majesty of the place-

i was there to be a spanner guy,but our rider was good enough to give me and our crew chief a shot at licencing-which we did and are now 100%,proudly salt fever positive-

it was a huge amount to learn,but everyone we dealt with was helpful and even inspirational,the enthusiasm of those who have been involved even for decades is massively contagous.

there is a lot to learn from the black book,mine has been with me almost non stop since we got back-

for us there is no chance of going the easy way,we have to be aircooled,cant wait to get back and see how we go-

BUILD - ENJOY - IMPROVE -

[twinturbo496]

Buell.

Better bike to build on than a harley.

Cheaper than a Harley

Many many many records are amazingly low.

My good friend set a record his first time out in a 1000 class using an 883, and he was nearly 40 mph faster than the guy running 2 classes up...

[genghis]

Thanks for the reply's.  I've had several suzuki's over the years and will probably go with a 1300.  I just want something to get the feel of the salt and do some licensing runs.  At the same time, I want something that I won't "outgrow" in a couple of years.  I think my best bet will be an insurance claim bike.  All I have to do is get all my other projects finished so I can start a new one.

[Ole Yellar]

What about if you already have something that is TOTALLY not a top end bike. Like a Suzy M109R. Got the idea after I bought it. I know the record is way out of reach but they will let you go do personal bests right? You know get leathers and number plates all the cool stuff. That has to just rock. Run Stock class. Get use to the Salt. That has to be looser than asphalt. Then work on speed when I am use to the surface and the handling. Safety first, then speed.
Bob

[Flyboy]

Thanks for the reply's.  I've had several suzuki's over the years and will probably go with a 1300.  I just want something to get the feel of the salt and do some licensing runs.  At the same time, I want something that I won't "outgrow" in a couple of years.  I think my best bet will be an insurance claim bike.  All I have to do is get all my other projects finished so I can start a new one.

Get a Kawasaki ZX-14. The stock busa is about 15 mph slower and there are more records available in the 1650 class. The busa is like your Dad's Skylark-- Busa's are great bikes if they're opened up and a lot of money is spent. Ask John Noonan. He lives in a tent and use to own a cell phone--

[oz]

All the above are correct but the taking part is the main thing, unfortunatley there is no cheep option for us across the pond shipping and accomodation adds up to almost $20000 for a small team,beer costs a bit more as does our air fares.
I asked a similar question when we returned and the answers were more or less the same,

However use what YOU Like it is a very satisfying and yes a very addictive hobby/way of life, the work really starts after your first run down the salt it will probably go one of three ways.

A.(my comment after the first run)Damm we need more power.
B.Jeez that was fast.
C.Load it into the truck we are goin home

and depending on the result will define on your next step.


I would recomend it to anyone wether it be in a car on a bike or even a motorized skateboard, do it once on something it is the experience of a lifetime!!

I cant wait to get back
C heers Oz

[wobblywalrus]

Gengis, the photos are of an insurance claim bike.  It was totaled and I bought it back from the insurance company.  The frame was bent and this was the reason it was totaled.  Otherwise it would have been repaired.  The Triumpf has a carbon steel frame made from a strong alloy.  We straightened it to "good enough" using backwoods technology.

This horseplay can be done with steel tube frames.  Aluminum perimeter frames and swingarms are a different matter, especially if welding is needed.  This is a job for a specialist.  Personally, I would be real careful about buying an aluminum frame insurance claim bike with bends, cracks, or other frame or swingarm damage.  This does not mean I would not buy it if the price is right, it means I would have it examined by an expert before I bought it.

Good luck with your build.

[genghis]

I know what you mean, I'm not going to buy anything unless I can look it over firsthand.  Then, it's getting a total teardown.  In fact, I enjoy taking things apart so much, I may never get around to racing it.

[genghis]

Thanks for the reply's.  I've had several suzuki's over the years and will probably go with a 1300.  I just want something to get the feel of the salt and do some licensing runs.  At the same time, I want something that I won't "outgrow" in a couple of years.  I think my best bet will be an insurance claim bike.  All I have to do is get all my other projects finished so I can start a new one.

Get a Kawasaki ZX-14. The stock busa is about 15 mph slower and there are more records available in the 1650 class. The busa is like your Dad's Skylark-- Busa's are great bikes if they're opened up and a lot of money is spent. Ask John Noonan. He lives in a tent and use to own a cell phone--

I have thought about "going green" if for no other reason than everyone else seems to have a Busa.

[Stainless1]

I know this is like asking whether Ford's are better than Chevy's.  But, when starting out, what bike would you use to get the feel of land racing.  I'm not trying to set records, but rather do some licensing runs.  I'm not necessarily looking for something "off the shelf", as I think modding and machining parts is alot of fun in itself.

Well, you have evolved from getting the feel of LSR to off the shelf 200 MPH.  I guess I need to ask are you currently an experienced motorcycle rider, if you mentioned that somewhere in there, sorry I missed it.  You might want to sample the water in half to one liter bikes, lots of competition and record opportunities.  If you decide you want to work your way to 200, it is possible.  Be as sensible as possible, it is easy to let your racing dreams creep.  Have some fun, enjoy the ride.

[fredvance]

As Stainless says how fast you go how soon should depend on how much really high speed riding experience you have. I had a lot and my first year, last year, with a very lightly modified busa I got up to my B license and ran 192+. I spent about 7000 bucks including the cost of the bike. This year I built a nice motor and went a little faster.

  Fred

[genghis]

I've been riding for the last 30 years. I got my first bike when I was 12.  But as I get older, my bikes get slower.  One of the things that has attracted me to land racing is the ability to go fast without being stupid and doing it on the highways.  The reason I'm looking at faster bikes is so I can get the feel of racing and still have room to go faster without having to build another bike right away.  Plus, I'm a fairly good sized guy, so I want something that can handle me.

[fredvance]

A box stock 99-07 busa will run 180-185, 08, 09 185-190. You can pick up an '07 back for 5-7 thou. '08+ 8-10 thou. Thats a good start.

  Fred

[wobblywalrus]

A first bike capable of 180 to 200 mph?  That would be too much for me.  However, if I did it the busa would be a good choice.  Why?  It has a proven chassis and there are a lot of people out there who can help if I have problems.  There are a lot of aftermarket parts, too.

As for being different, the new BMW 1000 cc RR seems like a good bike.  There is not a lot of racing experience and hardly any aftermarket parts.  You would be a pioneer.