Newbie looking for starter motorcycle package

[300br]

Been researching motorcycle classes, probably leaning toward production classes to get started, in the 250-500cc range, suggestions?

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Well, well -- that's about as open a question as I've seen here in quite a while.  Give us some idea of what you've got in mind -- like maybe you've got a bike in mind, or maybe you want to have the fun and satisfaction of building something that's competitive. 

A new 250 - 500 bike will likely cost you in the 4 - 5 thousand dollar range.  Plan on another $500 - 1,000 to make it race-ready, for things like steering stabilizer and tethered kill switch and chain guard and leathers and a proper helmet and so on. 

A new bike will probably be able to run over 100 mph.  That's pretty much a given.  I see the record in 500 cc production is 148, in 350 it's 128, and in 250 it's about 137,.  Those are non-pushrod motors.  The pushrod records are, in the same displacement order, 116, 91, and 79.  Will any of the bikes you've got in mind run fast enough to make you happy - that you're at least giving it a good shot at getting close to the record?

Do some thinking out loud here on the Forum and let's see what you decide to do.  Welcome -- and Happy New Year.  Good idea to start out 2011 by deciding to go land speed racing.

Have you had your head examined recently?

[300br]

hey thanks, I raced about everything motorcycles except straight line stuff, always my passion, been into car racing since 1985 too, had some friends that got me interested in LSR, been difficult to get anyone to talk to, so I appreciate your response, was actually just on your webstite this morning.  Yea, had my head examined a long time ago....

the $$ isn't my big concern, 4-5k + extras you mentioned is reasonable, thinking production bikes is a good place to start to get some experience.  I've been looking into pushrod bikes but haven't gotten too far in that research, I've felt comfortable with that 150mph or below range to start? but haven't really been able to figure out what kinds of bikes to be looking for right now.  Found some Honda 500 Interceptors out there but not sure if they would be a good production class bike.  Found some already prepared LSR bikes once in a while, but still getting my feet wet.

Hey thanks, be glad to talk with you.

Bob   

[wobblywalrus]

A big factor is your size.  A big guy is at a real disadvantage on a 250.  The Ninja Kawasaki 500 is where I would start.

[nrhs sales]

My wife currently holds 2 AMA 500cc  pushrod class records at  Bubs using a Buell  Blast.  Our shop is just up the road from you in Longmont. CO and we would love for you to stop in and chat about what it takes to run at Bonneville.   We can either help build you a bike or perhaps sell you a completed one if interested as well.  Feel free to call me at 303-702-1600 during the week. 

[John Noonan]

You should buy a Turbo charged 250 Ninja, Jon any idea where he could get one?

[wobblywalrus]

In my grubby hands is an equally dirty copy of the brit magazine Classic Bike, November 2010.  An article describes in detail the Suzuki RG500 two stroke square four race bike.  It says, among other things, "Road RG500.  Road riders can get a taste of Suzuki's raw square for power thanks to the near-insane 140 mph RG500 Gamma sold from 1985to 1989."  "A relic of the period when Yamaha RD500 LC and Honda NSR 400R 'headbanger" two strokes were also available, the 90bhp plus 340 lb Gamma offers shattering performance at the cost of heavy fuel consumption and a little less comfy ride."

There is a gas truck at the races and one's mind is occupied so comfort is not an issue.  One of these little rockets would be the way to go.     

[firemanjim]

Production is the hardest competition wise as  it is the most restrictive, easier to pick a bike that can run in a number of classes,naked and faired, M or A. And remember, class is based on engine size,makes no difference if it is single or six cylinder,2 stroke or 4, so an old 3 cyl 2 stroke will run against the most modern 4 stroke 4 cylinder if they are the same size.

[Jasontmc]

The 350 production record was set on a rz350, the 500 on a rg500 and the 650 a-g record on a big bore rg500.
Riders were from canada

[John Noonan]

They had an unfair advantage Jason, they had more talent than their opponents...wishing you the best and hope to get to race with you soon..El Mirage or Mojave?

Happy New Year.

John

[Seldom Seen Slim]

"...so an old 3 cyl 2 stroke will run against the most modern 4 stroke 4 cylinder...".  Well, at Bonneville and El Mirage, but not at Maxton.  We've got 4-stroke, 2-stroke, and rotary classes at ECTA.  While not necessarily germane to the discussion, it's worth pointing out to a new fella that might run at Maxton.

[Old Scrambler]

You don't HAVE to run for class records...........You could take almost any bike and try to be the fastest on the salt for that particular model.  There is a lot of interest in running vintage grudge!  CB750 vs H1 vs Norton Commando.........Z1 or larger vs    Someone is trying to build the fastest Goldwing!  Burt Monroe did not initially go for a record, he just wanted to see how fast his bike really was with a goal of 200 mph!  If there was a small prize for the fastest sohc cb750 I think there would be several competitors in several iterations of that motor.........and dozens more competitors in a few years.  I am beginning with a pushrod 200cc Triumph Cub and will have about $3,000 invested in just the bike.  If it works.........I will move on to something bigger........maybe a CB750.  See you on the salt.

[metalracing]

Not to get off topic but i'd be very interested in setting up a bike for 2012 at Bonneville in a vintage grunge class if there was a few others doing it.

[ol38y]

I didn't know we had a vintage "grunge" class? 

[38flattie]

What exactly is a vintage 'grunge' class? Is this a two-wheeld version of a ratrod?