Tell Me What Bike to Get

[Wormgear]

I’m really interested in this and since I’m soon to be living only 20 min from the Katy track (where I could buy a membership) even more so. Thinking next year I would like to compete in the TMGP but only at Katy and when my schedule permits. I’ve done some reading but I’m totally lost as to what kind of bike to get. I have a lot of seat time on cruisers and sports-touring bikes. Got my first track bike near the end of May (Tracked out SV1000) became hopelessly addicted to track riding and have ridden 6 track days since. I think I’m doing about 2:06 laps now at TWS (ya, I know, but it feels fast to me!)and generally getting a little faster each time out. I’m 6’0 and 175 lbs of 51 yr old man. I was 18 the last time I rode a dirt bike. I’ve never even looked at a mini or tard up close so ok, I’m a total ignoramus.

What I want is a lot of fun and bike that will best help me develop my skills on the big track / bike. I guess multi class would be good too so I can get a lot of laps on TMGP days.
Suggestions? Or am I too big / old to even go out on the Katy track?

[BigComfy]

Your gonna love it!!!

Get a 4stroke motard...comfy:nod:

[mcd]

Take a look at the TMGP website, and look at the class structure. From what I have read (I have not been to any TMGP races yet) the F7 class has the most riders, and also has a Novice and Expert class. If you want to run F7, an XR100 motard would probably be a good bet. You could also get an NSR or YSR, but being 6', the bike might be a little cramped for you. That is my concern too, I am looking into an F7 bike also. If you don't care to run in F7, the kx65 seems to be the weapon of choice for TMGP.

I also only live about 30 min away from the Katy track, and have a membership. It is money well spent to get out there and ride whenever you get the chance.

[GABRIEL]

Can you run a CR85? If so I would ride that.

[NoFear]

Your gonna love it!!!

Get a 4stroke motard...comfy:nod:

:angry7:

Get a Busa now that is Comfy :thumb:

[mcd]

Can you run a CR85? If so I would ride that.

Yes, but you are limited in sprint classes, and cannot endurance race. I ride a KX85 and think it is a great bike for mini tracks, but doesn't really fit into TMGP.

[Wormgear]

TMGP aside what are the limitations (by rule or practicality) to the bike size for Katy? In other words, what’s the biggest bike I could play with there?

[mcd]

The track really has no limitations as to what bike a member can ride out there. One of the members here road a 426 motard out there on one occasion. It is really what you would feel comfortable on, being that it is a pretty short and tight track. A CRF150R would probably be about the biggest bike I would want to ride out there. My KX85 will go faster around that track than I have the skill to keep it on two wheels.

[Bagwell]

popular bikes are XR100, KLX110, KX65, NSR50, TTR 125 for the most part. I know there are some others just cant think of them right now.

[Moody]

Go to the races and scope a few rides out.

[RojerLockless]

Honda Honda... Faster Faster!... Honda Honda..

[BlackWidow]

Get this one....

http://www.motohouston.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61141

[Wormgear]

Get this one....

http://www.motohouston.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61141

Damn that thing is sic! That would sure be the one to get if I decide to go motard. MCD was kind enough to let me take his KX 85 for some laps at Katy Monday and it was a blast! I really enjoyed it and I have to get something for that track.
My 2 issues with the 2 smoke motard were …
1) I couldn’t really keep it in the power band out there and when I did, I didn’t know what to do with it in the turns. Lil’ thang wanted to jump right out from under me! I guess some seat time and better throttle control could cure that.
2) Body position wasn’t anything like a sport bike and while I understand that skills are to some extent, skills I wonder if going a different route might be better for developing my riding of the big TD bike.
So, this maybe stupid and ya’ll please feel free to tell me if you think so but I’m considering tracking out a ninja 250 to play with out there and use for TD’s at GSS. I know TMGP is out with that idea but I’m more interested in lots of practice laps right now.
Comments?

[BlackWidow]

Damn that thing is sic! That would sure be the one to get if I decide to go motard. MCD was kind enough to let me take his KX 85 for some laps at Katy Monday and it was a blast! I really enjoyed it and I have to get something for that track.
My 2 issues with the 2 smoke motard were …
1) I couldn’t really keep it in the power band out there and when I did, I didn’t know what to do with it in the turns. Lil’ thang wanted to jump right out from under me! I guess some seat time and better throttle control could cure that.
2) Body position wasn’t anything like a sport bike and while I understand that skills are to some extent, skills I wonder if going a different route might be better for developing my riding of the big TD bike.
So, this maybe stupid and ya’ll please feel free to tell me if you think so but I’m considering tracking out a ninja 250 to play with out there and use for TD’s at GSS. I know TMGP is out with that idea but I’m more interested in lots of practice laps right now.
Comments?

The cheapest way to hone your skills and get lotsa track time is - what MCD and I do.

Get a mini like a 65 (mine) or 85 (MCD's) and then get a $350 membership @ Katy (price of 2-3 track days), then ride their at your OWN schedule and as much as you want. MCD and I usually get to go 3-4 times a month (on our own schedules).

The upkeep is a heck lot cheaper, and crash costs are barely anything. You might need to spend $100 in parts per every 10th-11th crash (if that!)...lol

[Wormgear]

Ya well the Katy membership is a given once I move to that area. I’ll probably be out there at least once a week. And I understand I could hone my skills on a mini but (costs and such aside) would there be any reason not to run a ninja 250 there? The body position would be a lot more like my other bike but would it be so big (at Katy) as to be useless for developing skills?

[BlackWidow]

Ya well the Katy membership is a given once I move to that area. I’ll probably be out there at least once a week. And I understand I could hone my skills on a mini but (costs and such aside) would there be any reason not to run a ninja 250 there? The body position would be a lot more like my other bike but would it be so big (at Katy) as to be useless for developing skills?

I can tell you that you will not get out of 3rd gear. I can also tell you that you will not enjoy it half as you will on a mini.

I can also tell you if the Go Karters see you on a full size bike, they will probably report you.

Technically speaking the track is for minis only, a Ninja 250 is a full faired bike, thus when crashing will leave lotsa plastics and scrapes on their precious surface :D thus the reason its for minis only.

[Wormgear]

I can tell you that you will not get out of 3rd gear. I can also tell you that you will not enjoy it half as you will on a mini.

I can also tell you if the Go Karters see you on a full size bike, they will probably report you.

Technically speaking the track is for minis only, a Ninja 250 is a full faired bike, thus when crashing will leave lotsa plastics and scrapes on their precious surface :D thus the reason its for minis only.


Well those are some pretty good reasons. Especially “I can also tell you that you will not enjoy it half as you will on a mini.”

[BlackWidow]

wow that right there is somethign to consider... not a bad price at all for a member ship :eek3:

so what is a perk and negatives of a ttr125?

and would a noob to this motard stuff even need to bother with much more than the wheels/tires? i'm guessing that would be fine seeing we should be concerned about corners and not top speed... got me wondering now

Honestly you guys need to first drop the idea that a mini motard does not ride like a big bike - in terms of body positioning.

Most of the guys riding these KX65 all takes turns like a big bike, with the knee out, shoulder weighing on the inside, some like to hang more, some less. Just like a big bike.

So don't worry about the body positioning part - any experience on a track with a mini will help you hone your skills. I guarantee you that. :nod:

Now when it comes to which bike - I can help you a little in terms of classes:

For F7 - CRF100 or NSR50 is the best choice.
For F6 - Yamaha's TTR125 is the best choice.
For F5 - KX65/RM65/Lem RX65/KTM 65 - pretty much any 2 stroke 65 is the weapon of choice.
For F4 - KX85/YZ85/ RS 50 chassis with an 85/ NSR 50 chassis with an 85

Anything above that and you probably won't have any fun at all. Coz you'll be slowing down too much in the corner and you probably won't get out of 3rd gear!

Hope that helps you guys.

[Moto plus]

The minis are the way to go I would do klx110 or xr100 The TTR125 is very hard to make fast& it runs 1 class higher. There is Lots of cool stuff for the 110 & 100 .
Thanks
Phillip

[mcd]

Anything above that and you probably won't have any fun at all. Coz you'll be slowing down too much in the corner and you probably won't get out of 3rd gear!



I am only getting out of third gear on the long straight with my 85.

I think the bike you ride out there would depend on what you are comfortable with, and what you want to get out of riding out there. Yes you could ride a Ninja 250 out there, but I think it would be more difficult than riding a mini. A mini would be a lot faster around that track also. My only concern with the 250 would be that since it would be very difficult to ride fast around that track, it would be more difficult to carry cornerspeed, which is really what you are trying to learn on a mini track.

In the end though, as long as the GCKI will allow a 250 on the track, it is going to be what you are comfortable with out there, and what you want to ride. Since you mentioned you don't really want to race TMGP, then I would not worry about what bike for what class. I would however suggest that you give the mini motard a chance out there before you decide to look towards a bigger bike. I have learned a lot of skills on my mini that will/have transferred over to big bikes.

[Moto plus]

Try changing your gearing I ride a crf150r & I get in to 5 gear at all the small tracks. If your gearing is right the gear box will be closer together you will have to shift more but it will be better.
Phillip
Team Ninja TMGP

[Bagwell]

The Ninja 250 is just too big a chassi for the lil katy track in my opinion. I would go with some of the other choices ppl have mentioned. You get a lot more from a minibike than you think translates to big bikes. :)

[BlackWidow]

I am only getting out of third gear on the long straight with my 85.

I think the bike you ride out there would depend on what you are comfortable with, and what you want to get out of riding out there. Yes you could ride a Ninja 250 out there, but I think it would be more difficult than riding a mini. A mini would be a lot faster around that track also. My only concern with the 250 would be that since it would be very difficult to ride fast around that track, it would be more difficult to carry cornerspeed, which is really what you are trying to learn on a mini track.

In the end though, as long as the GCKI will allow a 250 on the track, it is going to be what you are comfortable with out there, and what you want to ride. Since you mentioned you don't really want to race TMGP, then I would not worry about what bike for what class. I would however suggest that you give the mini motard a chance out there before you decide to look towards a bigger bike. I have learned a lot of skills on my mini that will/have transferred over to big bikes.

Matthew,

I've ridden a CR85 out there. I get into 5th easily. I think you are geared too tall. Maybe regear your bike. Speak to Phillip above, he's pretty much as fast as you can get on a mini at Katy :keke: and the dude has his own chop shop so he can hook you up. He's the fastest 250 lb + dude I know! :rofl:

No seriously though - you should easily be getting into 5th gear and pulling before you get on the brakes in T1.

One other thing I would suggest is "Don't gear the bike to be comfortable - and less shift", gear it "for the track". Its better if you have to shift alot! Starting out the more you shift, the more you'll learn, it'll teach you to shift around the track more, body position, planning ahead, etc etc. You'll learn, probably not be comfortable, but you'll definitly learn alot more then just being in 3 gears the whole lap! :-/

I think I shift over 10 times in one lap on my CRF100.

[mcd]

I can get into 5th on the long straight, just before turn one no problem. The rest of the track is 2nd and 3rd gear though. And yes, I do shift quite a few times on that little track. I am definantly going to re gear though, and have the sprokets, just need a few links in the chain. I am going to try to push the rear wheel all the way back in the axle slot, to see if I can't make the bike a little more stable.

[Wormgear]

Ok I'm convinced to keep it small. Now to find something ready to go, or that I can make ready for about $1500.
And Thanks for all the input :thumb:

[Wormgear]

ok how about a RM125? I know, no TMGP but would it be too much for Katy? not enough for GSS?, or could I pull it off at both.

[Bagwell]

I think thats too much for katy

[BlackWidow]

I think thats too much for katy

and not half the fun as on a 65 or turbo`ed CRF/KLX 100/110 :nod:

[Wormgear]

Well after a lot of thought and good advice I chucked it all and got a Pitster Pro xjr90 mini motard. Why? cuz it's (and I am) cheap and good enough for now. I've had it out to Katy a couple times already and it's a hoot. I'll post up when I'm going in the future, maybe meet up with someone out there.

[mcd]

Good to hear you picked up a bike, and are enjoying it. No matter what you get, the minis always seem to be a blast to ride.

Let me know if you plan on going out to Katy in the next week or two. I got a kx65 that I am trying to get set up.