Retiring the Race Bike

[Kurt'sSV]

I had an epiphany when talking to Sandie about my crash up on ACH. She said that maybe I should stick with only riding on the track, but my response was between the two SV’s, the race and the street one, I’d rather have the street one right now. So then it dawned on me: Why have two 2001 SV650’s, one track only, when you don’t really feel like racing anymore? You can do track days on a street legal bike just as well. So that’s when I decided that I’d take the two out-of-commission SV’s and build one good one.

While I've made so many good friends from racing and have had a lot of good times, racing for me stopped being fun sometime last year. It just became all about scoring points and collecting trophies and that’s not a good way to spend $300-$500 in a weekend. I’ve just got bored of it. The facilities at Willow Springs are depressing. Spending a weekend there isn’t any fun. Buttonwillow is a little nicer. Sears Point especially and Thunderhill are nice, but they’re 6 and 8 hour drives.

For a while the racing was all that I had. It’s what defined me, but now my life is moving in a different direction. I finally have a real career and it’s taking more of my attention and efforts. I’m not working just to pay the race bills anymore. I also really liked riding the street bike to and from work. The commute really isn’t that bad in the truck, but averaging 15mpg is depressing when gas is over $3 a gallon. It just made me a lot happier getting 40mpg instead.

I’m ready to look into new interests and do new things. I haven’t taken much of a vacation since I’ve gotten out of high school a decade ago. I’d like to go to Yosemite again. Stuff like that.

The desire to really push it and try to go super fast has kind of waned, too. I’ll still do track days about every month, but you’re never riding at 110% at those. Hell, I may ride in the B group now and have fun at a lesser pace. I don’t feel like I need to prove anything anymore. I made a good, mediocre club racer and I’ve got the trophies and championship plaque to prove it. So now onto something else. :)

[HoolieB]

Very well-written, Kurt.

[J.Moto]

Word. Try racing a mini-bike?

[JaJaBinx]

So you hanging up the towel ?

[SVNerd]

Originally posted by Kurt'sSV
So now onto something else. :)

Like girls ? :D

j/k

Seriously, take a vacation (or three), and best wishes on all your new endeavors !

[TIFOSO]

Originally posted by Kurt'sSV
I had an epiphany when talking to Sandie about my crash up on ACH. She said that maybe I should stick with only riding on the track, but my response was between the two SV’s, the race and the street one, I’d rather have the street one right now. So then it dawned on me: Why have two 2001 SV650’s, one track only, when you don’t really feel like racing anymore? You can do track days on a street legal bike just as well. So that’s when I decided that I’d take the two out-of-commission SV’s and build one good one.

While I've made so many good friends from racing and have had a lot of good times, racing for me stopped being fun sometime last year. It just became all about scoring points and collecting trophies and that’s not a good way to spend $300-$500 in a weekend. I’ve just got bored of it. The facilities at Willow Springs are depressing. Spending a weekend there isn’t any fun. Buttonwillow is a little nicer. Sears Point especially and Thunderhill are nice, but they’re 6 and 8 hour drives.

For a while the racing was all that I had. It’s what defined me, but now my life is moving in a different direction. I finally have a real career and it’s taking more of my attention and efforts. I’m not working just to pay the race bills anymore. I also really liked riding the street bike to and from work. The commute really isn’t that bad in the truck, but averaging 15mpg is depressing when gas is over $3 a gallon. It just made me a lot happier getting 40mpg instead.

I’m ready to look into new interests and do new things. I haven’t taken much of a vacation since I’ve gotten out of high school a decade ago. I’d like to go to Yosemite again. Stuff like that.

The desire to really push it and try to go super fast has kind of waned, too. I’ll still do track days about every month, but you’re never riding at 110% at those. Hell, I may ride in the B group now and have fun at a lesser pace. I don’t feel like I need to prove anything anymore. I made a good, mediocre club racer and I’ve got the trophies and championship plaque to prove it. So now onto something else. :)

That's how I felt when I was kart racing a few years back. It was tons of fun in the beginning, learning to race, doing well, even crashing from time to time. Then I started to really look around and see who I was racing against. It was guys older than me that had money or kids who's parents had the money to be buying a new set of rubber for each race (I didn't), Engine rebuilds every season (not me), toy haulers filled with tools and spares (yeah right, I could afford that). I realized I wanted to compete, but even at the grassroots level it takes alot of money to compete for the top spots and I didn't have alot of money. It was depressing. So I sold the kart, and later bought the sv. Did you get the feeling that if you had started when you were a kid, this would've been your life? I did. Now I think, maybe someday...my kids....if I have kids that is.


I've been wanting to do a long to trip to Tahoe or to see the Redwood forest. What if we get a group together next spring and ride out somewhere?

[trey_loco]

Well...good luck in whatever you do to fill the void of racing.

I only regret that I'll never have a chance to dice it up with you in a race.

[steveb]

Dang Kurt, I think I know what you mean.

Very well said.

[racinteach]

there comes a point when we all reach this point. I did a few years ago with running and cycling. now I go back and do it just for fun..take a break and enjoy yourself..

[bristolbird]

Well I wasn't expecting that but that sounds like a good plan to me, a bit of track time, bit of street riding and vacations. That can't be bad.

It's also good to hear that you have a career that you seem to be enjoying, it's a necessary evil so you may as well do something worthwhile. Good for you Kurt.

[SurfCityHommie]

It takes a lot of soul searching and admitting to oneself that it is time to quit while one is ahead. Many times people want to go out with a big bang and one is not willing to face reality that this will not happen.

Congratulations Kurt,

I think you will have a hard time mentally letting go but stick with it. You will be better off in the long run.

You can then go back when you are ready on your terms or can decide that you don't want to do it any more.

[sr9004u]

I know how you feel man, I had the same feeling regarding porn....Why have a DVD collection and VHS? So I gave up that classic 80's stuff once and for all....

But really, if it's not fun anymore whats the point? You can only hurt yourself and it's not worth it for points or trophies good for you! I enjoy trackdays more and more with buddies and peeps from this site.

See you on the 30th

[racinteach]

^ :lol:

[sugart!ts]

:hug: *sniff* *sniff*

On a very special episode of "as the scsvr wheels turn... "





Our little kurty is growing up

[stingray]

So I gave up that classic 80's stuff once and for all....

you should rip those and put em on DVD before chuckin' em away.

[RATT!]

on an unrelated note, i'm looking into collecting classic 80s porn on VHS... any ideas? :D

[SurfMonkey]

Kurt,

I haven't known you long and I don't know you very well but I feel like you're growing up right before my eyes :sad: Young man, I'm proud of you. That takes a lot, you did good kid... :hug:

[Slaughter]

Shit Kurt, you still have DECADES of time to think about this racing thing!
:D

[Guzzigirl2000]

ahhh our Kurt continues to Mature.
I know for me having formerly been a daily commuter, Sat and Sunday canyon carver of 225-250miles each day and trackdayer 3-4x a yr - doing bike events a couple times a month, canyon rides once a month and a trackday 4 times a year is good enough these days/years.

Congrats on your successful stint as a racer, not getting yourself seriously f'd up or killed, and bravo to you for moving on.

[twf]

well,since nobody wants to say...you are pussy.:)
now back to that porn :D

[sunrisesvrider]

Now that you've given up racing I can raise your rent to support my motorcycle riding habit!!!:D
Be nice to my old SV. You've already abused it more than I ever did in the years I rode it. If they open another track here, I may want it back.:squid:

[Setter32]

...I don't understand the comments.......that he's growin up......just cuz he's not racin anymore.....

...don't see the connection....

..

...anyhoot.........things change......and this is one of them....

....and there shall be further changes........just make sure it's not gonna be a breast job or something equivalent....

....congrats!.......on your change...



:D

[morbidelli17]

I wrote the same thing every time I quit racing. And it was the right thing to do every time I quit. For me, there also came a time - every time - when it was right to start again.

If that time never comes, Kurt, congrats. Fuck that "mediocre" shit - you killed like a champion.

If that time does come, I'll be the first to say welcome back. And then I'll try like hell to beat you.

Peace
M

p.s. speaking of porn, anyone got a VHS of "Catholic High School Girls in Trouble?"

[sunrisesvrider]

Kurt's mother is glad he's decided to stop racing. She was a nervous wreck every time we went to the track. I'll miss it. I did some motocross and dirt track racing when I was Kurt's age with minor success. Never won a season championship. I will not be surprised if he's back racing in a couple years. Once you've done it, it never gets out of your system. If there was a track here, I'd get my license and go racing in the formula 50+ class.

[morbidelli17]

I, uh, was actually kinda serious about the video ...

Update: Nevermind, I found it. The clown midget with the whip is hilarious ...

[twf]

Originally posted by morbidelli17

Update: Nevermind, I found it. The clown midget with the whip is hilarious ...
thanks for link :finger: :)

[twf]

Kurt,you should come race old man retirement class :)

[nefarious-az]

He'll be back, he just needs a break.. I know so many racers who have "quit racing" only to come back in a season or two.

[curley]

Motorcycling is very diverse – you live in motorcycle paradise- try another type of riding/racing – buy a dirt bike or dual sport and check out the dez.
D-37 was (and maybe still is) the best organized AMA district in the USA. Through my life only two things have been consistent, my love of riding/wrenching/ racing bikes and my marriage (but wifey knew what she was getting into before the “I dos”) – head out to the desert with raceinteach and use the skill you’ve learned on the asphalt to help you in the dirt. Desert racing is the most challenging type of motorcycle racing there is – no practice (except for maybe the bomb run), no visibility, no crash truck, no short walk back to the pits….sign up and work “sweep” at a desert race. I think you’ll find that dez people are a lot like your friends at the big track, but most important- try and have some fun!

[HoolieB]

I doubt Kurt is any more or less grown up for deciding to take a break from racing. He just used proper punctuation and capitalization, which gives the illusion of maturity. Sort of like Dom these days. More of a by-product of having a so-called "real" job more than anything else, I would say. :p

[morbidelli17]

Originally posted by twf
thanks for link :finger: :)

Sorry. Here you go:

http://goodiebag.tv/odds/catholic_girls.htm

Maturity my ass ...

[since413]

Originally posted by twf
well,since nobody wants to say...you are pussy.:)
now back to that porn :D

+1:D

[Ikazuchi]

Originally posted by sunrisesvrider
Be nice to my old SV. You've already abused it more than I ever did in the years I rode it. If they open another track here, I may want it back.:squid:

Didn't you fling it off a cliff once or twice?




That's about how I felt when I got out of racing cars. I was never going to be racing Formula 1 and most of my time was being spent working on development cars doing test work. What used to have me excited about getting out to the track had become "work." After my big wreck I decided to leave the sport for a while.

[Jerm]

Well, since the racing is taking a hiatus, hopefully see you on more group rides :D

Originally posted by sr9004u
I know how you feel man, I had the same feeling regarding porn....Why have a DVD collection and VHS? So I gave up that classic 80's stuff once and for all....



:lol:

[sandie]

awwwww...i can always count on you to do the exact opposite of what i suggest ;)

have fun and be careful dicing it up with the cagers!!!

p.s. i'm planning a trip to tahoe in the next couple of weeks if you're interested

[Jerm]

http://www.socalsvriders.org/albums/albuz00/breakdancingrider.gif

:cool:

[codzilla70]

Kurt if you really want to get away you can stay at our place in Cz.
and you can come by and sit on my race bike any time you want.:p

On a serious note you will be missed on the grid and in the paddock come visit us sometime.:( Some of my favorite races where with you. :squid:

[Burst]

Originally posted by Jerm
http://www.socalsvriders.org/albums/albuz00/breakdancingrider.gif

:cool:

hahahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaa

Freakin awesome. :D

[SteveT]

:lol:

[sunrisesvrider]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ikazuchi
[B]Didn't you fling it off a cliff once or twice?


The bike didn't go off the cliff, I did the cliff dive. Unlike when Kurt crashes, after climbing back up the cliff I rode the bike home. :p

[MACHETE!]

Originally posted by Ikazuchi
Didn't you fling it off a cliff once or twice?

It more like he flinged over the bike then the bike followed doing the exact same thing.. He also looked like the animated pic of him..

[CrowLaw]

Originally posted by morbidelli17
Sorry. Here you go:

http://goodiebag.tv/odds/catholic_girls.htm

Maturity my ass ...

Thanks. I never realized how talented those clown midgets are....

....are there any available clown midgets around? Call me.

[SilverRider]

I know the feeling bro. I have raced various sports for the last half of my life. I have no other life than racing. My vacations are driving around the country going to races. Granted, I hit up other beautiful spots on the way to and the way back from the races for fun riding or climbing. But it is always about training and sometimes you just want to polish off a 6-pack of good beer the night before a good ride. You can't do that when racing at the Elite Level. It is expensive with all of the traveling and race fees. This will be my last season racing and then I will be able to kick back and do what ever I wish when the weekend is here. I have nothing left to prove. I have had success and know what I can do when I put the effort in. I will once again be able to take a long road trip with no set schedule. Just take it as it comes. Go ride. Go climb. Drink that 6-pack the night before and suffer the first 30 minutes into the ride and then have fun cruising the rest of the day at my own comfortable pace.

If you are having fun racing things then do it. If you are not having fun anymore take a break and get back to doing what makes you most happy. You loose no respect from anyone. Who wants to go for a climb or mtb ride? I am down, only 4 races left. Yeah Baby!!

[bwarbiany]

Originally posted by Kurt'sSV
So now onto something else. :)

I can teach you to make beer, if you're interested... Not nearly as expensive, you sit around drinking and smoking cigars, and end up with more beer than you started with!

Originally posted by nefarious-az
He'll be back, he just needs a break.. I know so many racers who have "quit racing" only to come back in a season or two.

I don't know... I look back to all the times I quit smoking... In all of those times, I was quitting because it was something I knew I was "supposed" to do, or that people around me wanted me to do. At the time, I didn't really *WANT* to quit... When I finally kicked the habit 3 1/2 years ago, it was only because I really didn't enjoy being a smoker anymore.

It sounds to me like Kurt wasn't even enjoying it. If he was quitting because he was worried about crashing, or because his mom was worried about him crashing, that's one thing. If he truly was starting to feel like it's a chore, and wasn't even enjoying it, then that's a reason that someone actually hangs up the spurs for good.

[trey_loco]

I'm going to have to say there is a *slight* difference between quitting smoking and quitting racing.

In fact...that's just plain retarded :p

[twf]

Originally posted by trey_loco
I'm going to have to say there is a *slight* difference between quitting smoking and quitting racing.

not really,it is same.I am not quiting either :D

[bwarbiany]

Originally posted by trey_loco
I'm going to have to say there is a *slight* difference between quitting smoking and quitting racing.

In fact...that's just plain retarded :p

Really?

1a. Smoking is dangerous, to the point that while you may not get lung cancer, it will definitely affect your health.
1b. Racing is dangerous. You may not ever have a really serious injury, but you're going to crash and hurt yourself at some point.

2a. Smoking, when you first start doing it, gives you a high. But as you continue, you find yourself doing it more out of habit, as you cease to get the "high" you once did.
2b. Racing, when you first start doing it, is an adrenaline rush. But over time, you need to keep increasing your level of competition to get the same response.

3a. Smoking is expensive, and there is very little long-term payoff.
3b. Racing is expensive, and there is very little long-term payoff.

4a. Smoking is addictive.
4b. Racing (adrenaline, actually) is addictive (note how many people are telling Kurt he's going to get back into it, and this is just a hiatus).

[morbidelli17]

Originally posted by bwarbiany
Really?

1a. Smoking is dangerous, to the point that while you may not get lung cancer, it will definitely affect your health.
1b. Racing is dangerous. You may not ever have a really serious injury, but you're going to crash and hurt yourself at some point.

2a. Smoking, when you first start doing it, gives you a high. But as you continue, you find yourself doing it more out of habit, as you cease to get the "high" you once did.
2b. Racing, when you first start doing it, is an adrenaline rush. But over time, you need to keep increasing your level of competition to get the same response.

3a. Smoking is expensive, and there is very little long-term payoff.
3b. Racing is expensive, and there is very little long-term payoff.

4a. Smoking is addictive.
4b. Racing (adrenaline, actually) is addictive (note how many people are telling Kurt he's going to get back into it, and this is just a hiatus).

1) You will crash, but most of the time, no injuries, and most of the time, they aren't life-threatening. Smoking, by its very nature, harms you every time you do it.

2) Lots of people I know race at a much lesser level than they once did, and get the same "high."

3) Racing has a HUGE long-term-payoff - you get to be a racer.

4) If you're really running on adrenaline the whole race, you're probably gonna suck as a racer. The addictive part is the cool, calculating demolition of your opponent under some of the most trying physical circumstances most non-military folks ever will find themselves in.

I've quit smoking and racing. I've never missed being a "smoker." I don't know who I am without being a racer - at least, right now ...

[trey_loco]

Plus...if I meet a girl at a bar and I tell her I race motorcycles, she goes..."Ooohhhhhh"

If I tell her I smoke, she goes..."eeewwwww"

And Michael...thank you for making sense for the nonsensical above.

[Monsterdood]

Originally posted by trey_loco
Plus...if I meet a girl at a bar and I tell her I race motorcycles, she goes..."Ooohhhhhh"

And then your girlfriend standing next to you punches you in the arm and tells you to stop talking to other girls at bars....

[trey_loco]

Haha...not with this girlfriend. If you only knew! :cool:

[Kurt'sSV]

Originally posted by trey_loco
Haha...not with this girlfriend. If you only knew! :cool:

. . . that she has a penis.

[codzilla70]

:eek:

[trey_loco]

Maybe...but I'm sure if she does...it's bigger than yours!:rolleyes:

[morbidelli17]

Where's that "sissy fight" smilie when you desperately need it?

[Kurt'sSV]

Originally posted by morbidelli17
Where's that "sissy fight" smilie when you desperately need it?

Who you calling sissy, pony tail?

[morbidelli17]

My ponytail is only my second-longest appendage, boy ...

:D

Seriously. That slap-fighting smilie was one of the funniest things I've seen in a while ...

And hey ... are we gonna do the, uh, ahem, "Ladies" of SCSVR calendar this year or not? I got a new schoolgirl outfit, and ZenSandy's got a fistful of cash to put down on the product ...

[SteveT]

Originally posted by morbidelli17
Where's that "sissy fight" smilie when you desperately need it?

http://ipastudio.com/forums/images/smilies/fight.gif

[TWSTIT]

I know that I will see you at the track and we will ride together again, brother!

[ianG]

Kurt, I know exactly how you feel. After spending x amount of years and untold thousands going to the track I came to a similar realization.

I'm still instructing with Z2, but that's more of a social outlet for me these days. Since I'm not racing now I have no desire to turn a fast lap. Track days are fun, but without racing as a motivator I just can't justify trying to go fast.

Good luck in your new direction.

- Ian

[NukleoN]

Racing can also make you a crapton of money if you go pro...smoking just kills you eventually, ruins air for everyone around you and sucks all the time. You can't make a ton of money from smoking, but instead it always costs money..and if you get lung cancer you'll probably go broke from the medical bills tho you can go broke from racing-related medical bills, but at least there is a very real upside to racing everytime you're able to do it. Racing is fun, at the very least, but works toward a possible goal of going pro and doing it for a living...huge payoff potential.

Smoking in the wrong places can also get you into fights (if yer a dick about it and if you smoke around the wrong person) and land you in jail.

Can't really compare smoking to racing! :D