$1000 Bike Class

Edited Date/Time 1/23/2012 1:17am
I've been getting into car racing lately helping my friend out with his 1983 Porsche 911. It's a whole lot of fun but this past weekend one thing I noticed while doing some research is that many racing series have price limit classes which serve as entry-level or low risk classes to get new people into the motorsport.

This got me thinking, why don't we do this at local motocross tracks?

Currently, anyone new to the sport has to compete against brand new bikes in every class. Even in the C class you have kids with full race bikes. But more importantly, how about people who want to keep racing in a competitive class without spending $10000 a year on bikes and parts? Many people come to the point where they either have too keep spending tons of money or give it up entirely as there is no middle ground.

Take my case for instance. Local B rider, probably C level nationally, but I can hold my own in the local B class on my 250 two stroke. However, the bikes keep getting faster and faster so now I find myself feeling like I need to buy a late model 450 to run up front. Minimum, that's another $4000 plus parts and suspension work, etc. Not to mention gas and entry fees for practice and the races. With buying a new house and possible kid on the way in the next year, it really becomes an all or nothing sort of deal and each year it gets harder to justify.

I really wish I could just go out, pick up an old 125 for $1000 and sign up to race against other B riders on similar bikes. I really think I would have just as much fun.




What do yall think?
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6/1/2011 8:16am
that would be called a 2stroke class.

i really dont think bikes will make a difference in local C and B classes.
Spartacus
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6/1/2011 8:17am
How would it be enforced?

The honor system?

"Yeah, I got this great deal, a 09 crf450 for $860......"
ehr400
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6/1/2011 8:20am
I was trying to get a fun class going in our area called the 125cc +200lbs. Basically you had to weigh atleast 200lbs and ride 125's. More fun then anything but it is a hell of alot easier racing guys that weight on 125's then a 130lb. kid. Like I said it was more of a fun class.
newmann
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6/1/2011 8:21am
I've been racing the same 1974 CR125 and 1974 CR250 off and on since 1992 and they are still basically the most competetive bikes in the class. I know, I know, it's vintage racing but still it can be a whole lot of fun. And I would actually jump stuff on the 74 CR250 that I hadn't jumped on my modern bike. I dogged the ever loving shit out of a $800.00 1980 CR125 from 1998-about 2007 still on the original bottom end racing against everything up to 81 Maico 490's. No need to ever buy a newer bike when the classes are structured.


Go find yourself a cheap low hour mid 90's 125 or 250 and go have some fun against the modern bikes. Nothing quite as satisfying as laying it to a new bike on an old scoot. Fun times.

The Shop

GrapeApe
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6/1/2011 8:23am
ehr400 wrote:
I was trying to get a fun class going in our area called the 125cc +200lbs. Basically you had to weigh atleast 200lbs and ride 125's...
I was trying to get a fun class going in our area called the 125cc +200lbs. Basically you had to weigh atleast 200lbs and ride 125's. More fun then anything but it is a hell of alot easier racing guys that weight on 125's then a 130lb. kid. Like I said it was more of a fun class.
IN!

We'd blow up a lot of bikes, though! The last time I rode a 125 it was on a loamy track and the bike was crying for mercy.
GrapeApe
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6/1/2011 8:25am
Spartacus wrote:
How would it be enforced?

The honor system?

"Yeah, I got this great deal, a 09 crf450 for $860......"
Claiming rules. Any bike on the line could be claimed for $1,500. I would sit there with checkbook in hand waiting for the first idiot that showed up with a 450 trying to be a champ for a day!
ehr400
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6/1/2011 8:27am
When I raced the Great Lakes GP they had a "clydsdale class" which you had to weigh atleast 200lbs. and be over 30 years old. That was tons of fun and they weighed you as well!

Like I said there might be alot of blown up bikes but I know there are alot at AHRMA events also and same if you did a $1000 dollar class. Obviously it wouldnt be a class for LL and it would be more for fun for us older bigger guys. Lol.
ehr400
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6/1/2011 8:28am
Spartacus wrote:
How would it be enforced?

The honor system?

"Yeah, I got this great deal, a 09 crf450 for $860......"
GrapeApe wrote:
Claiming rules. Any bike on the line could be claimed for $1,500. I would sit there with checkbook in hand waiting for the first idiot that...
Claiming rules. Any bike on the line could be claimed for $1,500. I would sit there with checkbook in hand waiting for the first idiot that showed up with a 450 trying to be a champ for a day!
Good call!
CR500Rider
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6/1/2011 8:28am
I've been riding and racing "under $1,000" bikes for years and it doesn't seem to drag my results down in the Over 40 class one bit. Amateurs that think they can climb on a 93' CR250 (for example) and ride it to it's potential are sadly mistaken.
-eagle-
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6/1/2011 8:29am
Better luck setting a model year, than a price range.

A bomber class with a 10-15 year old minimum would be a start.
Almost like a "mid school" to ahrma's "post vintage"
I know for a fact that racers could still go hard on a 92-96 cr250.
ehr400
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6/1/2011 8:30am
CR500Rider wrote:
I've been riding and racing "under $1,000" bikes for years and it doesn't seem to drag my results down in the Over 40 class one bit...
I've been riding and racing "under $1,000" bikes for years and it doesn't seem to drag my results down in the Over 40 class one bit. Amateurs that think they can climb on a 93' CR250 (for example) and ride it to it's potential are sadly mistaken.
X2. My buddy has been handing dudes there asses on his 1999 YZ 250 for years. Another guy I know has a "94 YZ 250 with the Noleen 360 kit on it, still racing all the time and doing well.
ehr400
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6/1/2011 8:31am
-eagle- wrote:
Better luck setting a model year, than a price range. A bomber class with a 10-15 year old minimum would be a start. Almost like a...
Better luck setting a model year, than a price range.

A bomber class with a 10-15 year old minimum would be a start.
Almost like a "mid school" to ahrma's "post vintage"
I know for a fact that racers could still go hard on a 92-96 cr250.
I have a 96 CR 250 and a '97 CR125, both I can go as fast as on as my new RMZ 450, plus they are tons of fun.
captmoto
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6/1/2011 8:41am
I have seen decade and 20 year classes out here, all skills.
I myself would be in on a 1/4 ton class. Bike and rider must weigh in at 500 lbs.
I missed out on a 04 CR250 for $1000 on Craigslist because I couldn't get away from work. As long as it was complete I think it would have been worth it. I would look for a 250 before a 125 because I think a 250 would be less hammered (But still hammered).
Rooster
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6/1/2011 9:28am
I think $1500 is too low for a claiming rule. Bump it up to $2500 and it would work. You have to let guys spend some dough on the bikes if they're going to be that cheap. You can buy a bike for $1000-$1500, but after you dial in the suspension and fix the regular stuff that goes, like swingarm bearings and whatnot, you're easily into a bike for an extra grand.

You don't want a roach class, just a lower cost of entry class.
6/1/2011 9:43am
Yeah, the price limit is debatable but the idea is that this would be different than a vintage class because some vintage bikes are not cheap, and parts are expensive. Plus most of those classes are practically vet classes, I'm talking more of like an A or B class for sub $1500 bikes. For instance, the A class riders could race their beater bikes in the B class, and the B beater class could race with the C riders.

I think it would be lots of fun.
6/1/2011 9:51am
TriRacer27 wrote:
Yeah, the price limit is debatable but the idea is that this would be different than a vintage class because some vintage bikes are not cheap...
Yeah, the price limit is debatable but the idea is that this would be different than a vintage class because some vintage bikes are not cheap, and parts are expensive. Plus most of those classes are practically vet classes, I'm talking more of like an A or B class for sub $1500 bikes. For instance, the A class riders could race their beater bikes in the B class, and the B beater class could race with the C riders.

I think it would be lots of fun.
At Hawkeye Downs in Iowa, I think I raced in a vintage per say class. If I remember right, there was a 10 year old and then 20 year old class or something like that. maybe even 5 and 10 year old classes. I can't remember. it was back in the 90's but fun. I had a 87 CR125 at the time that ran damn good until I chucked it into a 3rd landing off a triple. Broke hub, rim, bend forks. Broke sternum. That part, not so enjoyable.
CamP
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6/1/2011 10:17am
Our local vintage club has 10yo (Decade) and 20yo (Dos XX) bike classes. I paid $1k for the ultra low hour '95 CR250 that I race in the decade class.
6/1/2011 10:36am
Well if you want cheap racing just have a 250 or open 2T class, one's from 5-10 years are not too far off the new one's
Barrett57
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6/1/2011 10:43am
the beautiful thing about motocross, is that if your fast enough, you can win anything on anything. (within reason)
Sondy132001
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6/1/2011 10:46am
TriRacer27 wrote:
I've been getting into car racing lately helping my friend out with his 1983 Porsche 911. It's a whole lot of fun but this past weekend...
I've been getting into car racing lately helping my friend out with his 1983 Porsche 911. It's a whole lot of fun but this past weekend one thing I noticed while doing some research is that many racing series have price limit classes which serve as entry-level or low risk classes to get new people into the motorsport.

This got me thinking, why don't we do this at local motocross tracks?

Currently, anyone new to the sport has to compete against brand new bikes in every class. Even in the C class you have kids with full race bikes. But more importantly, how about people who want to keep racing in a competitive class without spending $10000 a year on bikes and parts? Many people come to the point where they either have too keep spending tons of money or give it up entirely as there is no middle ground.

Take my case for instance. Local B rider, probably C level nationally, but I can hold my own in the local B class on my 250 two stroke. However, the bikes keep getting faster and faster so now I find myself feeling like I need to buy a late model 450 to run up front. Minimum, that's another $4000 plus parts and suspension work, etc. Not to mention gas and entry fees for practice and the races. With buying a new house and possible kid on the way in the next year, it really becomes an all or nothing sort of deal and each year it gets harder to justify.

I really wish I could just go out, pick up an old 125 for $1000 and sign up to race against other B riders on similar bikes. I really think I would have just as much fun.




What do yall think?
Tri I like this idea, I might even use it for my races, but do you think $1,000.00 is reasonable?? maybe make it 2-3k???

Sondra
reded
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6/1/2011 12:35pm
$3000 will buy a 2-3 yr old 450. A cap of $1500 with a $2000 claiming rule could make for a great class.
-eagle-
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6/2/2011 6:14am
Age or Price its a great idea.
Not everyone can drop 10k into a sport just to see if they like it.
burn1986
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6/2/2011 6:27am
Cool ideas, heck, just a 125 class. Who cares about how much you weigh.
motomike137
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6/2/2011 7:27am
We have had a "non-current class" in d-14 for many years... bike had to be 5 years old or more. It was a good low budget alternative for sportmen type riders. I did it once upon a time just to get back into the sport. I had a pristine 89 CR250 that I raced in 94. When I first showed up i thought I was gonna be king sh-t but little did I know that a former state A class champ was going to ride also and he waxed me on his friggin ultra-sano 81 CR250! I finally got to where I could keep him in sight but it taught me a valuable lesson about MX... it is easily 80% rider 20% machine.
ehr400
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6/2/2011 7:50am
We have had a "non-current class" in d-14 for many years... bike had to be 5 years old or more. It was a good low budget...
We have had a "non-current class" in d-14 for many years... bike had to be 5 years old or more. It was a good low budget alternative for sportmen type riders. I did it once upon a time just to get back into the sport. I had a pristine 89 CR250 that I raced in 94. When I first showed up i thought I was gonna be king sh-t but little did I know that a former state A class champ was going to ride also and he waxed me on his friggin ultra-sano 81 CR250! I finally got to where I could keep him in sight but it taught me a valuable lesson about MX... it is easily 80% rider 20% machine.
That is true Mike. No one really rides it much anymore though.

Side note, are you going to the Baja race at that new venue this weekend?
braaap
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6/2/2011 10:52am
Dude I know races cars that have a $500 price limit excluding safety items. He said it's more fun than he ever had racing "real" race cars.

And get this... to keep you honest they randomly select one car at the half way point of the race, flag them off the track and then take the car and crush it. Really, they crush it with a dozer or something!

I think it's called the 24 Hours of Lemons. Yes, it is a 24 hour long race.
6/2/2011 12:53pm Edited Date/Time 6/2/2011 12:56pm
A class like that would be easy to create: simply call it the $1000 claiming class.

Add a rule to the book that says that anyone who took part in that class can claim any other rider's bike for $1000. So if someone showed up with a $850 09 CRF450 as stated above, he could ride it, win the race, then someone would claim the bike for $1000 and get one hell of a deal as well, and the first rider would make a profit (if it were true).

EDIT: I just read the thread in its entirety and noticed the claiming idea has been brought up. Sorry.
TX24
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6/2/2011 3:14pm
I think it's a great idea. I had heard of the $5,000 classes in car racing. If someone refuses to have their bike claimed they could be disqualified and not allowed to race in that class for a year or whatever. Bad news for the graphics companies.
mx400bee
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6/2/2011 3:23pm
Barrett57 wrote:
the beautiful thing about motocross, is that if your fast enough, you can win anything on anything. (within reason)
One of my buddies in his 50`s races a lot of Cross Country and MX events on a 74` Husky and more times than not beats everyone on the track.
6/2/2011 5:06pm
I brought this up to a track owner in FL. I wanted him to run an open class and the only criteria is you have to weigh more than your ride.

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