Non-competitive crew?

[greenaero]

While I am a competitive person I no longer ride hard on the street. I channel my energy into being smooth, safe and efficent as I possibly can be. I did try racing briefly and while it was fun, I lacked the $$ and commitment at the time to pursue it effectively. Like most motorcyclists , I used to ride hard and fast almost all the time but as I matured I saw the risk and irresponsibility of doing this on public roads and focused on enjoying the other aspects of safe, responsible riding. Ultimately, we must realize that just like gunfighters in the wild west, there is always somebody faster out there.

I did start competing in motorcycle fuel economy competition ( Vetter Challenge ) and find this to be a good match for my interests and skill set. I've also been pretty successful at it too.

To the OP, it's OK to just enjoy motorcycling without the compulsion for pushing speed to the limit.

 

[russ69]

...Plus if you haven't been riding competitively since the age of 6 or so, you're never going to be the best anyway, so what's the point?

The point of racing is to find out if you are fast or just another slug but you have to do it to find out which one you are. The street is a fools game, it proves nothing.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

Anyone else here non-competitive? There are so many folks who love trackdays, watching racing, etc, but personally, I'm not all into that. I like to speed safely and push myself in the corners at all that, but I don't feel the need to compete with others.

Am I alone in this? Anyone else like to go fast, but doesn't think that being the "best" is something to strive for?


For me, I'd like to be "good" on 9, but I don't necessarily want/or shoot for being the fastest on the hill. Frankly, when the speeds get high, I start to get scared , and worry about what would happen should I go down. I ride as quick as I feel comfortable with, and I try to push myself to improve, but it's never a competition.

I'm not the least bit competitive on the street... or at a track day. I would really encourage you to do some track days, and see what they're all about... they are NOT racing, and should never be viewed as such. It's a place to hone your skills in a much more controlled environment... no guard rails, no cops, no Prius Assassin Squad... and you'll learn more in one day at the track with a good instructor than you will in 6 months riding the twisties by yourself or with your buddies.

Street riding is my stress relief... it's my happy place... and I love it. Meeting up with my core group of friends that I've ridden with for years, getting out on the gorgeous roads we've been blessed with out here, riding, hanging out, grabbing lunch... it's the best possible way to spend a weekend.
Well, except for racing...

As for racing, well, that's a whole different amazing ball of wax... holy crap I had no idea it could be so much fun... or that I would feel that competitive on the track!!

This is me as well. I have a high-stress job. Riding is to relax. If I am in a mood to push myself, it is for my own edification. I haven't gotten into trackdays yet, but I would only do so for the same purpose.

Plus if you haven't been riding competitively since the age of 6 or so, you're never going to be the best anyway, so what's the point?

You have NO idea what you're talking about. You realize that out of a field of 20, there's only going to be ONE person taking 1st place, right? That MOST of those racers are going to be nowhere near a podium finish?
Hell, MY big claim to fame when I first started racing was being literally the slowest racer in the AFM. And you know what? I didn't care. Being on the grid, watching the first wave launch as your bike is idling under you, your hands up off the bars... then it's hands on, in gear, watching the tower... the 2 board goes to 1... rpm's up for launch, slipping the clutch till the bike is pushing your footpegs against your legs... the 1 board goes sideways, and time slows down... you can hear your heart beat... and then there's a flash of green, and it's GO GO GO!!! The swell of sound all around you as the bikes are all launching... seeing them coming together, separating, jostling for position heading in to Turn 1... and then it's ON, and you're riding flat out as hard as you can, literally giving it 100%... seeing your nemesis ahead of you, trying to set them up for a pass... managing to get past them, only to have them pass you two turns later... then you pass them... and then finding yourself surprised by the checkered flag!
Did I win? Hell no... but I finished ahead of my nemesis this time, and that's good enough for me!

Racing is about a hell of a lot more than just being "the best"... the camaraderie, the sense of family, the amazing people, the personal growth... I'll never win a championship... and maybe all I'm doing is paying for the trophies for the fast guys... but it's an opportunity for me to ride 100%, and try to be the best racer I can be.
And that's good enough for me!

 

[kangaroo]

I'm w/ you Wolfie, I ain't competitive either; I just seek the Zen flow. arty
Yeah, ride'in w/ ff has helped me pick up the pace 'n learn sum, butt I still don't worry 'bout how fast I iz.

Perzactly, the really fast ones are gone in 2-3 corners. Others you can hang with. Just keep good distance and don't lock onto the rear. Keep a good eye on your braking and have fun!

 

[rsrider]

Ride The Pace, no competition involved, just smooth control and fun. Austin is suppose to be the best city in TX, and there is suppose to be some great roads in the hill country of TX, which I don't have a clue as to where that is. I would suspect more towards AK and the Ozark Plateau area.

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

You have NO idea what you're talking about. You realize that out of a field of 20, there's only going to be ONE person taking 1st place, right? That MOST of those racers are going to be nowhere near a podium finish?

It is 100% true that I have no idea; I have never raced. The OP asked for other people who are not competitive with their riding to chime in on their feelings about the issue, and I obliged. I did not expect this to be a debate, as we are discussing peoples' individual attitudes and choices.

I am of the opinion that of all the top athletes in any discipline of the last several decades, there are very few who did not start very early in life. This fact, which you may dispute, is one of the things that for me, personally, makes the costly investment of involving myself in racing significantly less attractive.

There are many things about track riding which do appeal to me, mostly for the reasons you mention. However, per my own individual tastes, I am only drawn to the parts about freedom and self improvement, not picking out my name on the leaderboard afterwards. Again, per the OP:

Am I alone in this? Anyone else like to go fast, but doesn't think that being the "best" is something to strive for?

 

[russ69]

...I am of the opinion that of all the top athletes in any discipline of the last several decades, there are very few who did not start very early in life...

Although there is some truth to that, starting young doesn't determine your ability to ride. Few motorcycle roadracers start young unless their parents are racers. So there are plenty of people that start when they are in their 20s and 30s. Fast guys are fast guys, it's something you have or you don't, it doesn't mater when you start.
That is why we called you out, it was a wrong statement, you aren't slow because you started too late in life, you are slow because you are slow. Not you personally, understand, generally speaking.

 

[corndog67]

Although there is some truth to that, starting young doesn't determine your ability to ride. Few motorcycle roadracers start young unless their parents are racers. So there are plenty of people that start when they are in their 20s and 30s. Fast guys are fast guys, it's something you have or you don't, it doesn't mater when you start.
That is why we called you out, it was a wrong statement, you aren't slow because you started too late in life, you are slow because you are slow. Not you personally, understand, generally speaking.

Very few of the really, really fast guys didnt start real young, whether on dirt bikes or the tiddler class. Not all, but most did.

 

[davidji]

I've been here in Austin for about a week. And I'm beginning to understand the slogan "Texas: It's like a whole nother country".

Careful when it rains. At least when I lived there some of the streets had a glassy smooth pavement that became slick as snot when wet. Parts could be like ice. Seriously.

 

[flying_hun]

I've been here in Austin for about a week. And I'm beginning to understand the slogan "Texas: It's like a whole nother country".

The rest of Texas will tell that Austin's, "not really Texas", and once you spend some time in Dallas and Houston you'll know that's true.

At least in the hill country the roads aren't string straight.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

It is 100% true that I have no idea; I have never raced. The OP asked for other people who are not competitive with their riding to chime in on their feelings about the issue, and I obliged. I did not expect this to be a debate, as we are discussing peoples' individual attitudes and choices.

I am of the opinion that of all the top athletes in any discipline of the last several decades, there are very few who did not start very early in life. This fact, which you may dispute, is one of the things that for me, personally, makes the costly investment of involving myself in racing significantly less attractive.

There are many things about track riding which do appeal to me, mostly for the reasons you mention. However, per my own individual tastes, I am only drawn to the parts about freedom and self improvement, not picking out my name on the leaderboard afterwards. Again, per the OP:

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. And there's soooo much more to racing than looking at your points standings. Lastly, you asked:

so what's the point?

I took the time to answer it. Seems to me that the "if I can't be the best at it, I'm not going to do it" is a lousy approach to anything... especially riding... but including racing. I may be just a backmarker... but someone's gotta pay for the trophies for the fast guys, and I'm having gobs of fun!

Lastly, if you're truly interested in bettering your riding, go do a track day. It's the riding equivalent of a seminar. Concentrated learning that will improve your street riding in amazing ways!

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

That is why we called you out, it was a wrong statement, you aren't slow because you started too late in life, you are slow because you are slow. Not you personally, understand, generally speaking.

I'm OK with this. I would love to discuss developmental psychology and the fine art of motor racing over a couple brews rather than in this tangentially related thread, so we can leave it at "I respectfully disagree."