Drag vs Road Racing: Rant!

Falcon23

Ok, so I got into a heated conversation with a coworker about motorcycle racing. I enjoy all styles of racing but I prefer both watching and participating in drag racing . He says anyone can go fast in a straight line. I am sure that a few of you here prolly agree with him though. This is my spin on why I prefer drag racing: In road racing, if you make a little mistake and slip a few seconds then you still have time to make up for that mistake. Whereas with drag racing, no matter how small the mistake, it usually costs you the race. There simply is no time to make up for your mistake. Now, I would like to hear your opinions on why your favorite is your favorite.

__________________
"The thrill of a good price fades far sooner than the pain of a poor product" 98 XX: Titanium Force Full Ti Exhaust (best exhaust ever!!!), Factory Pro Jet Kit, K&N Drop-in, Dynatek DRL-400 2 Step Rev Limiter, AFAM 16/46 Sprockets, Michelin Pilot Powers-120/190

CanadianBird

Road racing, unless I just want to spend 4-6 seconds watching a race. Dakar is my most favorite race. It used to be.

DragonXX

Lean more towards road racing because ....
1- I've done it competitively when young.
2- have done recent track days on my road bike (ZX9R).
3- It lasts longer (like good sex).

But anyone who suggests one is less skilled than the other is someone who has sampled neither. It's like every sport ! The cream rises to the top and practice makes you less imperfect.

Falcon ! ... Keep doing what you love and let the mere mortals stand and watch in awe

__________________
" 'Birds of a feather, flock together "

Quote of the month: "When the pupil is ready to learn, a teacher will appear." - Zen Proverb

DragonXX

BTW:
My favourite bike meet was the now defunct 12 hour production bike race at the legendary Mount Panorama, around Easter Time. Did it 3 years in a row and was better than going to Phillip Island.
To see those brake disks actually glow in the dark down the end of mountain straight was something else. You could actually see the riders 'crossing' themselves and praying the anchors would hold out

__________________
" 'Birds of a feather, flock together "

Quote of the month: "When the pupil is ready to learn, a teacher will appear." - Zen Proverb

tmk7c9

Road racing definately.

I've been to both types of track (nothing competive, just track days). Both are fun, but I thought the road course was much more difficult to master.

Yes, I can ALWAYS improve my trip down the dragstrip, it takes years and years to truly master the exact shift points, perfect launch, etc. But after 3 passes, I had the gist of it, the rest was simply practice.

The road course....after 20 laps I was still learning completely new lines around the track every time a more experienced guy passed me. I loved the different styles of riding, and creativity (maybe thats the right word?) that could go into a good lap. My best lap could be a completely different line than my best friends best lap of the same time.

__________________
If it doesn't fit....force it. If it breaks, well... it probably needed replacing anyways.

cbrbear

Well I have ridden in everything but the sand.. drag race, moto cross, road race, and I love them all however I have to agree with the fact that drag racing is like well sudden death overtime instead of having a game. If two teams came out to play and the first person to score was the winner well thats kinda like drag racing. I enjoy watching the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters, periods, halfs, innings, and so on just as much as watching the OT but if the games were played so that it was just the OT I dont think I would watch it. Yes I do watch drag racing and its awesome but do I think that a lot of it is just pure well luck yeah I do. Yes there is TONS of skill involved but in the end the winner is the person who was just a cunt hair (can I say cunt here?) luckier than the loser. When you get to a track dirt or road even the best rider can be un lucky and end up not finishing the race, then there is equipment failure so if a guy has a bad mechanic or a bad team all of a sudden he is a bad racer??? **** it lets all just have a beer and root for the guy riding the honda!

billypf

its like comparing apples and oranges, they are similar but completely differnt. I have personally only been an observer to both, but I don't see it as something that is comparable.

SilverBrd

Drag racing to me is something to get the adrenaline going. The burn outs, reaction times, noise, under dog winning, seeing the times posting on the boards makes it all exciting. Track racing (although I never have done it but would love to try) seems just a bit hum drum after the first 5 laps. Kinda like golf.... I love to play but not watch it on TV.

__________________
02 Silver Bird, Throttlemeister, HID's, Scorpion Carbon Fiber Oval Exhaust, Zero Gravity Double Bubble, Power Commander, Speedohealer, Corbin seat, Lowered foot pegs & more Mods to come!!!

Nutter67

I appreciate my racing, whether it be in a straight line, or around corners.

I love my drag racing (altho I really only watch the nitros). The noise, the excitement, the adrenaline rush, watching a bike run 7.8secs when it drops a drive chain at quarter track. The skill in knowing how to keep the engine in one piece when all it wants to do is blow up...

And after doing a couple of track days, my appreciation for what these circuit racers do at full speed is immense. To watch the SBK or MotoGP guys go around Phillip Island, I have an even greater respect for their abilities. Sometimes I just have to hold my breath to watch them go around corners at that speed.

I cant say that I prefer one over the other. There are aspects of both that I like and dislike. And if I was given the opportunity to do one OR the other, I dont know how I would choose.

__________________
Paul

Never let a motorcycle take you somewhere your brain didn't get to three seconds earlier

Maxx409

Can't believe the miscreant actually said "anyone can go fast in a straight line" That's like saying anyone can run fast and then watching my fat ass huff around a parking lot and comparing it to an Olympic Sprinter! ALL racing is great, but I agree with the apples to oranges comparison. They both have their own magic and though I don't race personally, I respect the guy just racing against his own time as much as I do the guy going for the record.

You might want to consider holding your water cooler conversations with the water cooler instead of the coworker, unless of course he wants to bring his wallet to the track with him next time you go

Partsguy

I love both.I love drag racing more because I can do it.I can't road race,I've done track days and have no desire to spend $1500 for 2 days of racing.The same money will get me about 3 years of drag racing,plus I can win money drag racing,can't road racing.
I love the absurd hp of drag racing,more so when done without wheelie bars.I get the most thrills beating faster bikes on time alone.
One is definately not better than the other,and sorry tmk but no one has the gist of it after 3 passes,I think it's just not your thing.I'm still learning after 7 years and hundreds of passes,the same can be said for road racing,they are both constant learning curves.

HANKSXXX

I used to really enjoy class C or dirt track racing.
The mile is really my favorite. It's a shame that the AMA just about killed it, but with a little luck over the GP weekend, the Indy Mile on Sat. nite will cause a resurgence in this purely American form of motorcycle racing.
(Sorry if I'm a little of topic...thought motorcycle racing was a good intro)
Hank

domor331

My son and I love the drag racing We live in michigan and found a track in SC at Darlington to run at to much snow in MI. there is so many things you have to do and it is not very easy to leave the same every time. but it sure is fun

AntXXG

I've RWYB (Run what ya brung) several times as Santa Pod, everytime has been a hoot, going to the "Main Event" there in May to see the top fuellers etc...going to the MotoGP & WSB this summer and Le Mans 24 hr car race..love all of them..would never argue against any of them..each has its own fantastic reason for loving...and its boring parts!!

waytooslow

RR.. still do it with cmra, though slowly of course. Drags are fun to watch, but i have yet to try that, quit giving me ideas...

domor331

just got back to Mi. from SC my son and I ran at the Darlington dragway It was a blast.1/4 mile is great we run 1/8 at home so the big track was fun both are bbs are pretty much stock and in darlington there all spraying but we still had fun have a good one

Sweetruss

I think it depends on what you enjoy more. If your into building engines and speed, then drag racing might be more of your sport, but if you enjoy the riding aspect of it then the road race might interest you more. I have a hard time tearing down an engine and putting it back together by myself so I enjoy more of he MotoGP. My friend builds motors and all he cares about is drag racing.

__________________
R. Matthews

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard"

DreDaDevil

To me it doesnt make a difference. I like Drag racing and love track racing. I do intend to learn how to do both. I would rather watch and learn these 2 disiplines than watch corny ass NASCAR anytime.

RodeRash

There is a big difference between going fast in a straight line, and being good at motorcycle drag racing.
That said......
As a participant, I would rather road race. You get in as much seat time during one track day as you get during an entire season of drag racing.

What was that scene in the movie Fast and Furious? "I live my life ten seconds at a time." Well, I'd rather live my life in bigger chunks, thank-you.

xx2wheelin

anyone that can beat me on similar machines in either has my respect. both are incredible experiences that anyone that calls themselves a motorcyclist should have. both are easy to go out and have a good time doing, however neither one is particular easy to go out and be good at.

lois

Yup

__________________
RED IS SIMPLY THE FASTEST COLOUR

Strek

I've done drag racing (both street and at the strip) motocross when I was much younger and a little on the track. I enjoyed them all. If I lived closer to a track and had a dedicated track bike I would love to do it more. I don't want to scrap up the bird and would want something lighter if I was going out there more often. There is a drag strip nearby. I've considered making a couple of fun runs down it with the bird but my bird is stock and I don't want to mod it out for the strip. Since it is stock all it would tell me is if I'm any good at launching it and using good shift points. Those are things that from my own experience I found I could improve with time and additional runs and would happen again if I made enough runs so I don't feel a strong desire to make runs for that purpose only. I do enjoy watching these days but have only made it out once this year.

modernbeat

I'm with Hank. I like flattrack.