First year racer: any tips?

[shaggy01]

Well, I've been riding most of my life but have just recently decided that I want something more competitive than the usual cat-and-mouse chases I do with my riding partners. I'm planning on racing in "the general" at aonia pass in georgia and "big buck" in union sc.

Anybody have any tips or tricks? (riding, training, wrenching, mods...) Current ride is a '07 400ex with itp holeshots and not much else yet.

I've been trying to get as much seat time as my budget will allow, as well as doing alot of strength and endurance training to make sure I'm in top shape.

Thanks!

[Here 2 help]

Don't sweat the mods - Ricky Carmichael won on Kawasaki's and on Honda's - not because of the machine, but because of the rider.

Make sure to protect the bod - helmet, goggles, boots, knee guards, spine protector, etc.

If the machine is reliable and the rider is capable, you will have a winning combination. I am 60 years old - last Nov. I got a 3rd in a 3 hour hare scramble on a totally stock 250. After the race I found out that if I had signed up in the 40+ class instead of the 50+ class, I could have won a 1st place trophy. But, I don't ride to win, I ride to have fun. At my age I'm not going to improve and go pro - I'm just going to enjoy competing as long as I can. Good luck.

[shaggy01]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm hoping all the training and conditioning will let me stay aggressive the whole race (~2 hrs). 3-6 mile run and a about an hour of agility/weight training everyday. So I guess we'll see if it helps.

I always ride protected, seen/been involved in too many wrecks.

The quad stays pretty well maintained. Atleast general stuff. Oil/filter changed every 4 rides or so. Chain kept lubed and adjusted. Periodically I do a full check over on all the pivot points, bushings, ball joints, brakes, etc...as well as inspecting all the welds. So its usually remains in good shape.

Any advice on machine set up?

[Here 2 help]

Machine set-up is as individual as the rider. I had a lot of help from some other guys about set-up, 2 clicks this way - 4 clicks that way - change the weight of the shock oil - adjust the sag - then I did it my way . Now I ride with the clickers set full soft, 5 weight oil in the front, 7 weight oil in the rear, sag about 4 inches, I adjust tire pressure on the day of the race and sometimes adjust the pressures as condition change . Now, when I let the experts , who have told me I am doing it all wrong , ride my machine, they almost always come back with a smile on their face and say, "Man, that's a nice ride!" Then they want to know either who set it up for me or how I set it up . I just tell them it's just as it came from the factory .

Ride it, make adjustments and find what works best for you . Good luck

[bsmith]

Quote: Originally Posted by Here 2 help

Machine set-up is as individual as the rider. I had a lot of help from some other guys about set-up, 2 clicks this way - 4 clicks that way - change the weight of the shock oil - adjust the sag - then I did it my way . Now I ride with the clickers set full soft, 5 weight oil in the front, 7 weight oil in the rear, sag about 4 inches, I adjust tire pressure on the day of the race and sometimes adjust the pressures as condition change . Now, when I let the experts , who have told me I am doing it all wrong , ride my machine, they almost always come back with a smile on their face and say, "Man, that's a nice ride!" Then they want to know either who set it up for me or how I set it up . I just tell them it's just as it came from the factory .

Ride it, make adjustments and find what works best for you . Good luck

lol I like your response to their questions. Let them keep guessing.