Getting into 250 racing: Difference between revisions

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The first thing to do is, of course, find out if there's a race series near where you live. The Ninja 250 is slow by most race standards, so being able to race exclusively with them is usually less intimidating than running in a mixed class. You should already have done some track days, so you will know where your local track is. Use their resources (phone, website) to find out which organizations hold races there. You can also follow the links under [[I wanna do a track day|Finding a track school]].

Then you'll need a bike. A [[How to build your own track bike|dedicated track bike]]. You don't want to (and usually can't) race your daily rider. It doesn't have to be a pretty bike, but it's got to be mechanically good, or you have to be able to make it that way. Remember that you're going to run through consumables faster than on a road bike. Up-front costs will include, among lots of other little things, new tires, a new rear shock, new fork springs, new fork oil, and whatever repairs will be necessary to bring it up to good rideable condition. Plan to replace the coolant with water (and change it back winter comes). ~~If your plastics are in pretty good shape (and you want to keep them that way) you~~ may want to get some secondhand fairings ~~for racing~~.

Then you'll need a bike. A [[How to build your own track bike|dedicated track bike]]. You don't want to (and usually can't) race your daily rider. Up-front costs will include, among lots of other little things, new tires, a new rear shock, new fork springs, new fork oil, and whatever repairs will be necessary to bring it up to good, rideable condition. It doesn't have to be a pretty bike, but it's got to be mechanically sound. Plan to replace the coolant with water (and change it back when winter comes). You may want to get some secondhand fairings. You will crash.

Factor in race organization fees, entry fees for races, and money for practice sessions, be it with your club or as track days. Other expenses depend on how much stuff you already have. Even the most basic [[Leather suit|leather suit]] is going to be about $500, and you may need extra gloves, boots and helmet(s). You will crash.

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 The first thing to do is, of course, find out if there's a race series near where you live. The Ninja 250 is slow by most race standards, so being able to race exclusively with them is usually less intimidating than running in a  mixed class. You should already have done some track days, so you will know where your local track is. Use their resources (phone, website) to find out which organizations hold races there. You can also follow the links under [[I wanna do a track day|Finding a track school]].
-Then you'll need a bike. A [[How to build your own track bike|dedicated track bike]]. You don't want to (and usually can't) race your daily rider. It doesn't have to be a pretty bike, but it's got to be mechanically good, or you have to be able to make it that way. Remember that you're going to run through consumables faster than on a road bike. Up-front costs will include, among lots of other little things, new tires, a new rear shock, new fork springs, new fork oil, and whatever repairs will be necessary to bring it up to good rideable condition. Plan to replace the coolant with water (and change it back winter comes). If your plastics are in pretty good shape (and you want to keep them that way) you may want to get some secondhand fairings for racing.
+Then you'll need a bike. A [[How to build your own track bike|dedicated track bike]]. You don't want to (and usually can't) race your daily rider. Up-front costs will include, among lots of other little things, new tires, a new rear shock, new fork springs, new fork oil, and whatever repairs will be necessary to bring it up to good, rideable condition. It doesn't have to be a pretty bike, but it's got to be mechanically sound. Plan to replace the coolant with water (and change it back when winter comes). You may want to get some secondhand fairings. You will crash.
 Factor in race organization fees, entry fees for races, and money for practice sessions, be it with your club or as track days. Other expenses depend on how much stuff you already have. Even the most basic [[Leather suit|leather suit]] is going to be about $500, and you may need extra gloves, boots and helmet(s). You will crash.