Moto-Brian

Price is too high and those guys have a sketchy history. You can buy them all day for about $1k more and you'll know more about how it was treated than if it were a salvage bike coming from those guys. If he wants salvage, there's a lot of other shops to choose from. I think it is too high... Here's a good story... Buddy bought a salvage bike. Had low miles on it, was in great LOOKING shape and only had minor scuffs on the bike plastic - could have ridden it home. Had been crashed the the case cover was busted... He bought it for a song and took it home and tore it down. Got it all back together and did a great job doing so. Rode it a few times w/o ANY issues and about the third outing on it, it chunked the rod out of the #3 spot... Probably had been overfilled with oil and stressed the rod and caused the blow up... Point is that sure, it could have happened even with a perfectly titled used bike, but when you buy crashed from someone that isn't going to go completely through the thing, you stand to risk a lot... I'd spend even up to $1k more if I can go and talk to the owners and look it over with a fine tooth comb... But, like I said, you'd never see the internals no matter what you bought, but chances are that a salavge bike is going to have less known than a titled non rebuilt one will...

Some Go Fast Juice! Thanks, man!

There's no "perfect" or totally "right" body position. You cannot teach someone that one way is better than another. Hell, it took me years to drag a knee. Even now, I do it minimally. The way I lean off a bike is considered traditional and almost textbook if there was such a thing, but there are others like Reuben who used to look like his head was sideways hanging off the bike... Here's three examples of some pretty fast dudes and note the differences... Point is this: 1) You need to ride to a degree that is comfortable for YOU. Trying to drag your knee for a pic is resulting in only going slower. You having to think about dragging your knee or where your arm is, your butt, your knee, etc is taking away from what matters - getting through the corner... 2) The key elements are that you need to hang off. That split up your butt has two uses. One to act as a guideline for where the edge of your seat needs to be. Two, well... I can't say here... 3) Elbows need to be relaxed. We are ALWAYS finding guys WAY too intense and holding on too tight. Loose is good. Relaxed is what you want. If it feels unnatural, it looks even worse... Being relaxed and comfortable will result in you learning what works best for you. Some guys ride the front. Some guys are point and shoot. Some guys are slide in, square off and hammer out. Some guys are traditional in and out and smooth. Some guys are elbow draggers. Some guys are knees close to the fairing and will drag at severe angles. Some guys are short. Some guys are taller than normal. It is so diverse and so extensive that there can in no way be a perfect position to suit everyone. The arms, elbows and ass are key. Where your head is as shown above can be different than the next guy's. See what I mean? Do what makes you feel comfortable and work from there. We can help you get better, but if you are tense and trying too hard, it won't come for a long time as you'll be fighting it all the way...

PM sent...

Ok, I am now running through Columbus, Ohio, Cincy, Ohio and through Indy every other week now for work. That being said, I can now deliver for you folks ANY motor, suspension, or parts you need to get to Reuben at 35 Motorsports. I can take and BRING back whatever it is needing done. Call it the 35 Motorsports economic stimulour plan or whatever... So, you need a motor built or have some head work done? Free shipping to and from. Need forks and shock revalved or refreshed? I can take them to and from for NUTTIN'! I can technically take whole bikes, but you'll have to pay for fuel. Taking my truck is tough as it costs so much in fuel, but it would also leave you w/o the hassle of having to drive to and from. Or, you can do one trip and i can do the other... Anyone wanting to take part in this idea, PM me your info and let's figure it out. FEEL FREE to contact Reuben with any questions pertaining to what you want done. Racers, remember that the benefits to a Supersport/Superstock build are tremendous and will help you get up front. There are few if any top running privateers w/o built motors to some degree whether it is top end work or the full monte...

NESBA is a business. They say they are non profit, but they still follow a business model. Otherwise, they wouldn't survive... What you need to realize is it isn't about filling group spots, but rather total entries. Whether it is fully filled in Novice (typical) or I or Advanced. It's looked at as more in total rather than per group. Sure, we fill up in say Intermediate and we will have some sign up in Advanced, but the way we structure it, we have wiggle room to move riders around where need be. As for what Brandon stated - couldn't have said it better. Kudos.

Rusty- I wasn't referring to anything you stated. I got upset with the asshat comments and the fictional/blurred reality that has been expressed. You are all good with me...

Here is a thread to show the costs as exampled by using Grattan from Columbus, Ohio... http://www.ohio-riders.com/showthread.php?p=400110#post400110

Hello, all... I thought about starting a ride share thread within our STT sponsor area. If you feel the need to post there, that works great. Here's the link: http://www.ohio-riders.com/showthread.php?p=400109#post400109 I had some ideas to make the rides to STT events seem more logical. It's easy to look at a venue and feel that it is closer and that it makes more sense to go there as opposed to trying out further distant tracks. What eventually happens is that you never get to those different tracks and therefore, do not seem to advanced your packet of abilities. Take for example, Grattan. We will use my truck and trailer setup for this example. Realize that this can take the number to whatever you have in your possession - two railed trailer and split two ways, three rail and split three ways, etc... My setup is a truck and trailer enclosed and can haul up to 6 machines, but only really can handle carrying 4 total people and possibly 5 if need be comfortably... Grattan from Columbus is 300 miles one way. A few notes about Grattan, too: -Grattan has a rain policy. We don't ride, you don't have to and you get a FULL refund. Not at every track we visit, but my example with Grattan is such. -Grattan has a huge swimming pool and allows camping. So, my examples below with hotels can be avoided up there. BBQs are common and up all night having fun going in and out of the track up until I think Mid-night... Monte can verify that one... -Finally, as a note for ALLLLLL our STT events. MOST are weekends. The totals below are also based on leaving after work Friday and being home late Sunday for work on Monday. No time off needed for the regular Joe who has a M-F work schedule. Days off work are a value as well and hard to total below, but just a note... So... -Grattan from CBus is about 600 miles round trip. That's about two tanks of fuel in total. So, 50-70 gallons at $2.75 (Figure gas will be more next year) is $137-$190... -Hotel is typically about $100 a night at most. That would be one night as we'd leave early AM on Saturday to get up there. Could go up late and stay which is what a lot of people do anyways... So, we will use $200. -Food is easy. Pack it all. No matter where you ride, if you do two days, you consume the same amount of food. Food is a wash and not figured... If you go out to eat, same deal. You will go out no matter where you travel... -Track fees and such are also the same. However, if we were to take a competing track, we could easily show where certain venues can be MUCH cheaper and that is fair to use against. However, I will not do that yet. So, there is a total of $400 MAX that you'd run into. On my setup, it would be $100 each person. Now, if we compare the closest track to CBus, it would be about 120 miles round trip. So, one tank of gas. You'd hotel it the same number of days so, that's a wash. Your total would be about (my setup) $50 in fuel and $200 hotel. That's $250. EVEN if you used another buddy to travel with - typically, most locals go by themselves and spend the money on their own - That would be $125 each. 4 guys, would be $63 each. So, if using 4 riders in the same trailer, same hotel, etc., you'd be about $37 cheaper to travel to the closest track. However, remember those track day costs when totalling up your amounts... If each rider saves $60 per day, that's a total savings that takes that $100 vs. $60 and actually SAVES you money to try out different tracks and take in different things to advance your riding ability... The other factors like it being on a weekend and not using vacation days, etc is a value. Not to mention a track like Putnam that's even closer to CBus and BG when it gets opened. Just some thoughts to keep in mind...

Post your ride share info here for STT events. Sharing the costs can easily create a value that allows you as a rider to experience multiple tracks around the country. For example, the cost to ride at Grattan can be easily shown to be less money than riding at a track only 60 miles from your house. With a little though put into it, we can help out fellow riders in getting to more tracks and learning more as track day riders. Not to mention if you are a budding racer! So, post here or create threads if you can. If you are not able to post a new topic here, PM me and we will get it started. The idea will be to post a month in advance for others...

I'm a little confused now with your responses. I understand you are a NESBA fan and I appreciate that. However, to make comments like asshats and such is pure stupidity. I suggest you come to one of our events and let us see what you are so concerned over. Intermediate group is obviously the most extreme in terms of ability level. Including NESBA. The fact is that beginners will jump early and there will be advanced riders who should jump, but do not. We are VERY proactive to that regard and move people when need be. My suggestion is that if you are as fast as you claim you are and your ability is as high as you feel it is, why is it that you are not A material for NESBA? The fact of the matter is that we use a self evaluation policy. Sometimes that isn't the greatest thing, but to call riders in "I" group asshats is ridiculous. Come to one of the events I am running or at and I can show you how much of an asshat you can made to look like. Calling our customers that is ignorant and not fair at all. I am sure there are PLENTY of riders I can pull from the I group that can show you a thing or two. One thing to also remember while you are bashing STT is that we do not make Advanced so extreme to get into. NESBA is VERY selective on who they allow in A group that you tend to get faster guys in I that shouldn't be in there. That makes I very intimidating and rough for the Novice rider stepping up. What we allow is a group that is friendly for all levels. I can attest for our abilities in each group. While I agree that sometimes the self evaluation is something that isn't the best thing at times - plenty of A group guys that should be in I or I group guys that need to be in N or A... But the fact is that we give MUCH more personal attention and more coaching. That is proof in the fact of our return customer % and the fact that STT is still going strong and doing well vs the other orgs. Customers drive our company like everyone else out there. That is the proof in the pudding. I also want to note that while I feel some of our customers shouldn't be in the groups they sign up for at times, we can help get them there, we can assist them to the point they will excel and for sure, we DO NOT feel any customers are asshats or in any manner will we refer to them in a derogatory manner. We also will not put up with people that are customers that talk nor act out in such fashions towards others. On a final note, there's a lot of mis-information being stated here and to allow that is not fair. We do not worry about offending people. Trust me when I say that I have upset a few customers when moving them down a level. We preach safety. Safety is peak on our list and we will remove or move riders as needed if it warrants it. We've done it quite a bit, but what I have found more advantageous is to take those riders and help them get better. Show them things and assist them to excel. But, at times, pride gets in the way and riders get pissed when moved. It's happened on numerous occasions. TRUSSSST me...

Just released the new site. Tire info and deals are forth coming...

We now have our new website up and running. We'd love to hear feedback on it from you all. On there, you will see a new schedule is posted and we have some other venues we are trying to get sorted. The thing about these schedules is that what you see on here is going to run. The schedule can have additions as we progress, but those will typically be added earlier rather than later. New website: http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/ 2010 Schedule: http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/Seasonschedule.aspx Discounts for Military persons and specials: http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/Specialproducts.aspx Please keep us in mind for your track day needs. We are improving our approach to how we do some things this coming season and I believe it will be all for the better. We have gathered some things we feel needing to be changed up a bit and I think it will satisfy the beginners to the advanced. We cater to all aspects of riders. First time riders - we have the best novice setup in the country. Classroom and one on one with you in smaller more intimate groups for the best teaching and coaching. Intermediate group riders can enjoy a more free atmosphere with certain restrictions and more coaching. However, the group is ran rather well and will be of great assistance to the rider either just coming out of Novice or ready to bump to Advanced. Advanced riders will find less restrictions and less coaching one on one. HOWEVER, please note that we have the ability to coach one on one, but the idea is that by this stage, if you have taken the steps to Advanced, you should be riding in a manner that is such that you have harnessed and understand the advanced techniques needed to ride well in this group. We have done on SEVERAL occasions, one on one coaching. This is more in depth with more advanced riding techniques. I personally have coached several new racers that come to our venues with the idea that they are looking for more speed and more efficient ways around a track. We also cater to the new Advanced rider in that we can talk how to get the most out of your riding ability and make the track work with you rather than against. All in all, we strive for the best possible results from new to advanced and will do whatever it takes to satisfy our customers. Anyone with any questions, please feel free to PM me and we can discuss. Cheers, STT

Consider a 29er. If you are wanting a HT, they are great choices. I just got a Paragon (09) and I can't wait. It'll get it's first ride here when the ground freezes... You can grab a Cobis or Mamba for under $1k...

It's open. However, the best time to ride is when the ground is frozen. Otherwise, you rut the trail and damage it. Frozen with snow is AWESOME!

Depends on your price. If it is say under $1000, stick with a good hardtail and look for good components. The problem is that many people say they will buy a cheaper component decked bike and change them out afterwards. Price the components and see that you'll spend more later than at the time of buying. SRAM which owns Truvativ and Avid are some of the best components out there. X9 and up are the best shifters and derailleurs available. Sure, they have junk, but so does Shimano... Essentially, look for X9 front and rear with X9 shifters as a minimum. Right now, you'll see X0 and XX and they are higher ranked than X9, but are for weight wienies... Avid Juicy 5 and higher (Now called Elixir family - Elixir 5, etc...) are solid brakes. Look for tubeless ready wheelsets - most are compatible and ready to be converted, but if not, easily done in a ghetto fashion... If you are looking at the bikes you listed, think Trek, Fisher or Specialized. Cannondale is cool, but they use a lot of proprietary components and makes it tough when needing to replace worn parts, etc. Rocky Mountain is no longer made in Canada so, they are made most likely in Taiwan like a majority of them are. If you are to buy a foreign made bike, make sure it is made in Taiwan - best welds and best building of frames right now outside hand built here... Try and stay with a complete family. It's tough at the lower priced bikes as they will mix SRAM, Shimano, etc. as they get better deals in bulk buying for certain items and mix them. If money is no issue, buy a boutique style bike where you choose a frame and a component family. That's the best. It allows you to choose everything and suit what you are wanting to ride... As far as trails go, you need to ride in the winter, too. Alum is open and is great when there is snow. No studs needed and is a great workout. Just my $.02 on it all...

No, no... It wasn't a bash. I was just saying that it is REALLY tough right now for the smaller shops. Hell, it's tough for the bigger ones, too... I'm just saying at the number of shops that have closed their doors, it isn't surprising at all... I think it sucks and trust me, it isn't going to get better anytime soon. I suspect that he saw what was going on and pulled the plug and hopefully will come back stronger than before when the time is right. I feel for the smaller guys. I really do.

Not a surprise, really. Running something out of a garage of sorts vs. a full run shop will have that happen sooner or later. There are a LOT of small time shops closing doors right now due to not being able to afford staying open...

I think it lasts until the 12th...

I'd say what typically occurs on here is when we get close to a date, people start setting up meeting at a certain date... Planning now will do nothing but get a bunch of people organized to only come and find out that half are not able to make it 6 months from now due to work, family, personal, etc... Also, if it is merely a meet up to a set event, that's cool - I am going to be setting up something on here to help with those who want to participate in certain events. With STT... However, if you are trying to organize a set event where it is only OR and AJ members, we've been down that road and it comes into a deal where insurance kills the thing and liability placed upon people that do not wish to have that burden. Monte and I have talked about doing something and we are going to pitch it to Ben once we release our schedule. Until then, I know it is winter and people are excited to get back at it, but unless you are talking Jan/Feb, it is somewhat a moot point...

Call right now and talk to Steve Shields. He owns Expertint in Amelia, Ohio. A bit of a drive, but a LOT of customers are from Dayton. A little background on Steve. He's a racer with WERA, he is a Staff member with us at STT. He actually does tint on street bikes where he tints the rear view mirrors in that blue tint you see on high end European cars... He's done every one of my cars, my dad's brand new car (Drove up for Thanksgiving and had Steve install it), he does the clear bras and full detail on anything. He also has a vinyl cutter and does race graphics and has sources for things like wraps and painted vinyl for cars... He's a motorcycle guy and supports our sport and helps with riders at the track. PHENOMINAL guy. Website: http://www.expertint-cincy.com/faq Contact him direct at 513-405-3488 Tell him I sent you. I'm trying to get him set up as a sponsor on this site...

Thanks, bro. When you coming with us to the track?

One, you actually have to come to an event to tag along. Second, it is 16' to the V and then the additional 17". MTI rates the length prior to the V... Plus, the V is not so aggressive like Haulmark does...

Easily. I am going to have MAYBE a tough time with 4 inside with the tire rack, but we can always stack tire in the front... I'm going to post a ride share thread in the track day forum when time comes. I have some ideas to help everyone out...