Sorry, the error message said I couldn't post so I go back to reading and it comes up twice. Wish my deposits would do that.

the biggest advantage offroad bike racing has is participation is cheaper so the first hand experience fan base is larger. you can buy a bike and go ride in a field all day long for free. you can pay $10 and ride at a track all day. roadracing is expensive all around. you can't do anything for $10.

hi-zoot - 18 June 2008 10:59 PM

the biggest advantage offroad bike racing has is participation is cheaper so the first hand experience fan base is larger. you can buy a bike and go ride in a field all day long for free. you can pay $10 and ride at a track all day. roadracing is expensive all around. you can't do anything for $10.

Absolutely. When my friend told me he only paid $30 to practice all day while street riders have to pay any where between $150-$250 for a track day I was pretty jealous to say the least. And from what I hear for fastrack at least, now they require safety wiring and other stuff that is normal for the club racer but more work for the average joe that just wants to get of the street. I guess the days of simply taping your lights and mirrors may soon be numbered. Motocross guys don't have to worry about any of that stuff. Plus, they can crash their bikes several times, not break anything and keep going. For a street bike, since they are so much heavier, if you so much as accidentally drop it, you could break a shifter, peg, handlebar or brakelever and your day can be over.

hi-zoot - 18 June 2008 11:57 AM

kamoto - 17 June 2008 10:44 PM

I cannot figure out who these fans are and why they would like the new series more if we wouldn't? I think the current small fan base are the only people who care about road racing, period.

quite honestly i think a lot of the current "fan" base doesn't have a clue what they really want and i think they'll enjoy good racing if they're smart enough to see it. until it happens, nobody likes the prospect of unproven change and everybody likes to have something to complain about... go see the "where will nicky go" thread if you don't believe me

I agree not many embrace change. However I strongly disagree that the current fan base doesn't have a clue. When I attend the California AMA races (Infineon, Laguna and Fontana) I don't see many casual fans. Almost anyone you speak with has an in depth knowledge about motorcycle racing.

kamoto - 19 June 2008 12:03 AM

hi-zoot - 18 June 2008 11:57 AM

kamoto - 17 June 2008 10:44 PM

I cannot figure out who these fans are and why they would like the new series more if we wouldn't? I think the current small fan base are the only people who care about road racing, period.

quite honestly i think a lot of the current "fan" base doesn't have a clue what they really want and i think they'll enjoy good racing if they're smart enough to see it. until it happens, nobody likes the prospect of unproven change and everybody likes to have something to complain about... go see the "where will nicky go" thread if you don't believe me

I agree not many embrace change. However I strongly disagree that the current fan base doesn't have a clue. When I attend the California AMA races (Infineon, Laguna and Fontana) I don't see many casual fans. Almost anyone you speak with has an in depth knowledge about motorcycle racing.

oh i don't doubt that. most of this fan base is all over the statistics. they know who's going where in wsb, gp and bsb before the riders do. they know whos' getting the better tires, who's punched who in the podium stairwell and why rider 1 is getting the new frame before rider 2. however i don't think they fully understand what makes good racing. they are fans, mostly, not participants, so they miss some valuable insight. most of the racers are upset because it puts a long fought for career in question. very valid concern but that doesn't mean the new series will suck