Racing Tips

[rkhinkle]

First, I apologize if there is another thread like this out there, searched and did not find one, but here goes.

My wife and I are relatively new to quads. I have a 2003 Warrior and she has a 2006 Raptor 350. We are located in North Central Oklahoma and there is at least one Cross Country Racing Association which holds races nearby. We are thinking about trying this on because we are crazy and apparently going through a midlife adrenaline junky stage. I am 46 and she is a little older. We have an 11 year old daughter who has turned into a good little rider. She rides a Honda TRX250EX like she was born on it.
Does anyone have any tips, tricks, suggestions, etc. for us on our idea of cross country racing. As of this moment, our rides are stock, but we are in the process of at least upgrading to Pro Flow Kits with the appropriate jetting.
Also, I would like some thoughts on the GYTR Air Filter Kit similar to the Pro Flow. We have the Yamaha Extended Warranty on the Raptor and I was wondering if we would be better off to go with the Yamaha stuff instead of aftermarket due to the extended warranty.
Thanks in advance for all of your combined wisdom.

 

[98warrior]

To be competitive your gona need to be in really good shape and have a good bit of experience. I take it that you plan on doing it for fun and dont plan on winnning (no offense) I would suggest for cc racing to begin with protection. Get a good swingarm skid plate or even the full set (a-arm guards, belly skid and swingarm), handguards and maybe a bumper. I would also look into a good set of tires such as some razr's/razr'2s or some kenda klaws. After you make these mods go out and race, see how it turns out and decide if you like it or not. If you do like it then you might decide on a few more mods for more power or just keep it the way it is. Also if you dont have riding boots you might want to look into thoughs for protection, dont wana take a spill and end up with a broken ankle.

 

[rkhinkle]

Thanks for that. I put an XFR Jaws bumper on the Warrior, not sure how practical, but way cool looking. Understand the getting into shape aspect, first trip on a long trail at speed was exhausting. Have ridden motorcycles for years, I am really enjoying the differences in the 4 wheels from the 2. I have purchased a set of the Thor 50/50 boots. Have not had a chance to ride with them yet, but I am very impressed with the fit and feel. I intend to post a product review on them if I ever get to ride again.
As far as tires, I like the looks of the Razr 2's and think they will probably work best for the style of riding I do. Thanks for the input.

 

[bbbthreat]

Get a kidney belt. Not really for protection so much as you will feel a lot better after riding with one than without. Check with the rules for the racing you are doing, but a lot of times nerf bars and a kill switch/tether are required.

 

[yakuza]

Your fastest trail ride is only MAYBE 70% of the speed you'll be doing in a harescramble. You can ride five hours every weekend, but probably still run out of steam 15min into your first race. It's just that different. Your first time out the only goal to set for yourself is to finish. If you finish, you've accomplished something. Aside from having to be in REALLY good shape, the bike has to be ready. Bare minimum would be some good six ply tires, a swingarm skid, nerfs, and a nice bumper for when you hit a tree or the slower moving traffic in front of you. Tethers are mandatory in some series, not needed in others. There's a lot more you could do to the bike to be in better race condition, but that'll get you started.

 

[kawfox9]

also, if you are haveing a race and get more seriouse into it and it is muddy make sure you put some duct tape over things....for insteance the bumper...this way not as much mud collects......in my opinion (i got a raptor 350) dont go with gytr ****.........they are over priced and give you as much or less power then any other aftermarket company.......i have a pipe and uni filter so far on mine as performance and have not had any feedback from the dealer on some warranty problems........also swing aarm skid is a absolutle must!!!!!!

 

[pedro6767]

Im gearing up to enter my first race two weeks from now. I got a bumper, a kill switch and some safety gear. Why is a swingarm skid necessary, is the stock one that bad? I also plan to run stock tires.

 

[yakuza]

You bash your sprocket/chain or bend your rear disk and the race is over.

 

[98warrior]

Im gearing up to enter my first race two weeks from now. I got a bumper, a kill switch and some safety gear. Why is a swingarm skid necessary, is the stock one that bad? I also plan to run stock tires.

Hit a couple good size rocks in a race and you'll find out how bad the stock skid is.

 

[klutchbuster350]

First protect yourself, then protect the bike.
Get yourself all the gear you can, neck brace, knee brace, kidny belt etc.
Then you NEED steering stabilizer, you are crazy thinking you can get away without one, I race mx mostly but I do a littl ebit of xc on the side, for the bike you need skid plates, and a steering stabilizer, you can probably get away with stock tires for a while.

 

[gotwarrior]

when you racing XC never give up.. your going to get stuck or something you should never give up.. find the guy in front of you and pass him... if everyone stop you find another way around.. never ever stop and never ever give up...

 

[yakuza]

Also, take ANY opportunity to pass the person in front of you. If you're faster than him, but you just stay with him for a while, you're getting that much further behind first place. A lot of people pace themselves (which you have to do) but don't settle for riding at a slower riders pace.

 

[rkhinkle]

Thanks for all the great tips. I knew I could rely on this board for some good stuff. I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday who used to own the Yamaha shop and now owns the Honda shop. I was checking prices with him on pipes, air boxes, etc. He told me not to waste the money on pipes and air box on the Warrior and the Raptor. He said we not get enough bang for our buck justify the expense. He suggested nerfs, skid plates, etc. My wife's bike already has nerfs and skid plates. I got a set of nerfs for the Warrior and my daughter's Honda. What is everyone's thoughts on his suggestion that the pipe and airbox mods are not worth the money? I realize I don't have to do it to participate in a race. I am curious because whether we stick with racing or not, we would like to pump our bikes up anyway.

 

[klutchbuster350]

For xc speed does very little for you, maybe the holeshot, but thats about it, a pipe wont be doing much for you. I'd use that 100 bucks and buy a stabilizer.

 

[yakuza]

Yeah but in a XC race the holeshot is a HUGE part of the race because it can be very difficult to pass in the woods. Get good at your holeshots and you'll be ok. No joke, 100% truth here....I ALWAYS got the holeshot on my Rappy350. It had a pipe, jets, K&N/no lid, and 1 tooth up in the front. Dead engine start in the sand, second gear, rev the piss out of it and let 'er fly. I'd ALWAYS hit the woods before the 400s and 450s. Not saying to spend all your cash in motor mods, cause it will be a waste. Just trying to back up how important the holeshot is. Like I said, it's real hard to pass in the woods on some tight ass trails.

 

[gotwarrior]

one thing that I do.. is watch one tire.. when I am in a race I watch my left tire.. because if everyone ahead of you makes it.. so can you.. watch one tire it will make you that much faster...

 

[yakuza]

I'd wreck...lol. I'm watching as far ahead of me as I can see. Goes back to the sportbike days I think. Look ahead as far as you can possibly see cause you're going to be there in an instant.

Everybody can give you all the tips we want, and they'll all be different and work for the person giving them to you. The bottom line is you can ride or you can't. If you're fast, you're fast. If you're slow, maybe one day you'll be fast, but not a racer. Give it a shot, have fun, then decide if it's something you want to do again.