redkow97

at the risk of derailing this thread completely, what leads everyone to believe BeaveRun is in such bad shape financially? I was there in April, and track marshal Mike (one of TWO full-time, year-round employees at the track) shared some info over beers and camp fire: yes -BeaveRun has been running a tighter ship since the government/military(?) pulled out their FBI training stuff. But... as of April, the track was "booked for the rest of the 2009 season." So if they have the dates filled, they shouldn't be in the red. That DOES NOT mean they're as far into the black as they need to be. I wouldn't expect any improvements to the track this year, and track fees may go up by $5-$15 per day next year, but I can live with that. I just don't see the track closing while it's still booking every weekend... TPM and NESBA are at BeaveRun almost twice a month. no less than 5 times a summer for sure. and they run drift events on that skid-pad that don't even require corner workers... how can they lose money on those? finally, as a bit of 'trivia,' check out hte BeaveRun water tower. there's some company name painted on it. They were supposed to sponsor the track, and then pulled out. they haven't bothered changing the water tower.

the NSX looked great, and handled great, but it's price was too high and its hp numbers were too low to be the same car. a $90,000 car should have more than 270hp. bet it's fun on that road though

full info http://www.sttforum.com/sttforum/viewtopic.php?t=5759 i booked the April weekend for Bluegrass back in January. Glad I took my refund instead of their "reschedule" deal. this whole situation has been an unfortunate black eye for STT. I haven't ridden Putnam, but I hear great things. good layout, lots of grip, etc. It'll eat tires, but unless you're doing a lot of TDs at a reasonably quick pace, that won't matter.

i think it depends on the person checking the bike out, adn the distance they are or aren't keeping. kid under 16 - keep an eye on 'em, but stay silent. that's the vandalizing type. male over 18 (well-dressed) "hey! -be careful. the pipes might still be hot." (he knows you're watching) male over 18 (dressed like hooligan) "is that your bike? looks just like mine." female over 18 (check ID)... use your imagination. I checked out 2 bikes in the parking lot today on my way back from lunch. one was a 1000RR, and the other was a new Ninja 250. Didn't look funny parked next to each other. hat's off to Kawasaki.

even with a legal guardian signing the consent form? I have seen some tracks insist upon the riders being 16, but as long as their parent signed the waiver, it was no big deal. good to know about VIR i guess...

I've gotta pick up antifreeze for both bikes some time soon. it's rumored to get back near 60 this weekend and early next week, but my track season is over, so the water wetter needs to come out soon How hardcore does everyone winterize? I'm considering bringing my wheels/tires inside for the winter on the track bike. why risk cracking? plus it's a good way to rationalize buying a front-stand to my fiance... "it might save me from having to spend $270 on new tires in the spring."

"no-contest" is not an option for you. You've said it yourself a couple times, so believe it! "guilty" will give you the chance to say that the report is wrong. "not guilty" gives you teh same chance, but in the privacy of the prosecutor's office. Some judges (with a court room full of other people waiting for their pre-trial hearing) won't cut you as much slack as the prosecutor. if it were me, I'd say 'not guilty.' you can always agree to a guilty plea of a lesser charge after talking to the prosecutor.

you've got it mostly right here. you don't want to plead no-contest, because you'll be agreeing with 100% of the police report - even the parts that are wrong. The CHARGE (speeding) is correct though, so they couldn't throw this out based on that. Plead not-guilty, and work a deal with the prosecutor. You'll likely pay a small fine, but as long as you have insurance, and a clean(ish) record, you probably won't get any points. The prosecutor may drop it completely.

has there been any speculation as to when demolition begins? I have a weekend in October booked at NL. somehow i doubt they're doing any maintenance between now and then, so it should be an adventure.

Normally at stop lights, I roll up between cars and make sure i'm the first one through the intersection. Especially on the one way streets around my house where no one is clear as to which way they're turning, and I just want to go straight... So this morning, for whatever reason, I didn't pull up between any of the 3 cars stopped at the light on W41st and Lorain (W41 is one way, Lorain is not) Light turns green, and all 3 cars attempt to go straight (idiots... this is why i try to be out front), and wonder of all wonders, the 3 morons going straight aren't the problem. An Accord with a North Carolina plate comes through the red light and skids to a stop about 4 inches from the center of the 3 cars going straight. If it had been me through the intersection first, I may have accelerated quickly enough to be through before the car ran the light, but what a reminder not to trust cagers... Everyone stay safe out there.

europeans respect motorcycles more because there are so many more of tehm on the road. As gas prices increase to $6/gallon, you'll see more bikes on the road and fewer cars. Even the people who don't ride will likely have a husband/son/daughter/wife who does. By default, they'll be more respectful of bikes. It'll take 20 years or more, but it'll happen.

hey Lizard - I'd like to see a safety wiring requirement as well. for all groups. maybe you get a free pass your first track-day, but after that, wiring is required for at least the drain plug, filter, and filler-cap. I just picked up one of these to make the job easier: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SAFETY-WIRE-BLOCK-JIG-METRIC-RACING-MOTOCROSS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ34284QQihZ002QQitemZ120259839763QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

intermediate does not require safety wiring for STT - only advanced. Intermediate DOES require a back protector, and you cannot be running glycol-based coolant. Run water-wetter.

^ actually... there are two bikes in the chicago area I wouldn't mind looking at... If you and I could settle ahead of time which is buying which, that cuts gas and toll prices in half. I think my ranger could fit 2 bikes if it had to.

hahaha, thanks for the practical advice John. Might just be a LITTLE bit out of my price range (and when I say 'little,' I mean 5 times my price range). When are you getting your EX on the track? it's still tons of fun - just hard to keep progressing without sinking money into rearsets, a better shock, etc. the biggest problem i've had is that my body-position sucks because my bars are so high. I hang my ass off too far and my head isn't off far enough. and man is it annoying to have people who are slower than you in the turns out-run you on the straights. If you time it right, you can pass them coming OUT of the turn (simply by carrying more speed through the corner), but then they blast right back past you on the straight. It's great for learning, but it gets frustrating quickly. If i don't get any bites here, I'm going to take the first weekend gas actually goes DOWN try to bring something home.

second full track weekend, and too many instructors are telling me my bike is holding me back. I never planned on keeping my EX 500 on the track forever, but I didn't expect to find its limits so quickly. interested in CHEAP 600s. Older is expected - think Honda F3, or '97-'00 GSXR 600 (just examples - I don't care what make it is so long as it's NOT AIR COOLED) I've found plenty of bikes for $1100 - $1500 that I would be happy with, but they're all in Chicago, or Virginia, or Philadelphia (meaning $200+ in tolls and gas) I would prefer a TRACK bike, but I'll take a look at street bikes in need of some minor repairs so long as they are running. new clip-ons, I can install. New pistons, I can't. WILL LOOK AT BIKES WITHOUT TITLES - but having a title is a big plus. Know anyone getting out of track days, or moving up to a bigger track bike? send them my way, please. And on the off chance anyone is interested, I have a nice big Fender Bassman 400 combo amp and some STT credits I could trade as partial payment. My Ibanez SR405 could also go with the amp (for the right bike) EMAIL ME: radakchr (at) yahoo.com - I really don't check this forum as much as I'd like to. Thanks! - Chris

I live right off West 65th. on Franklin (between Detroit and Lorain)

Man, this thread's been going for a few months now and i missed it. I've been camping out on the NESBA and STT boards too much... most of my street riding is done to and from work, but I'd definitely be up for a 'spirited' weekend ride here and there. nothing squidly - the track time is supposed to get that out of my system I'm on the west side of cleveland, but i'm pretty familiar with the valley view and brecksville metroparks roads (grew up in broadview heights). the rangers are everywhere, but it's a nice fun little 2nd or 3rd gear ride. if only that 30 mph was 45... radakchr at yahoo.com if anyone is organizing something specific. I check that a lot more than this board (although I'll try to be better) - Chris

I read the article again, and I really think this has to be a typo. they meant to say 106. had to.

no chance in hell that HD hits 160. I have heard the CHP say their bikes top out at 113mph. THAT sounds reasonable to me. and I think they were using BMW bikes, or possibly Hondas.

also funny - I may be the only one who cares because I ride an EX-500, but there was exactly ONE "ninja 500R" and at least 3 of every other model. I am betting there won't be a 2009 model.

I spent about 4 hours at the show Sunday. Sat on every 600 there and was surprised by how much I like the R6. RE: the ninja 250 - Did anyone else notice that it doesn't say "250" on it ANYWHERE? at least not that I saw. I don't mind that it's still not FI, but it's also like 35 lbs HEAVIER than the old model. A+ styling, B- weight.

so what you're all saying is that a bigger bike allows you to be lazier, and can thus degrade your riding skills? sweet. I'm gonna be faster than everyone on here some day! ...except the guy with the 250. **sarcasm. Please don't debate my insolence.** (i will be shopping for a track only(?) 600 as soon as my student loans are paid off)

Physically I should be able to handle it. I know i will be sore in very new places, but I work out a lot, so I'm used to being sore... Mentally, I know i will be all over the map that first day. The excitement level will be at 11, and ability will be at 2, which is ok with me as long as that 2 doesn't stay 2 forever. I have not been on the track before; only read some stuff on race riding techniques. My 'strategy' is to shut up and listen to the people who know more than me. I am fairly cautious by nature, so I'm somewhat confident that I can avoid being a danger in any group, but I understand that being too slow is hazardous. I'm riding a 500cc twin right now. I'm going to get passed, and that's ok.

I haven't had the pleasure of being to court to find out, but I thought if you won, they waved court costs. If you mail in the ticket it's an "administrative fee." Now that I HAVE dealt with... you know those "fines double in work zones?" signs. The fine doubles, but the administration fees don't. Really shows you how much of your ticket is for speeding! my $150 speeding ticket was "doubled" to $230