| Author | Message | ||
     Blasted77 |
I have seen some club rules allow the blast in with 250 cup class. Does anyone have experience comparing lap times between similarly prepared/ridden Blasts and Ninja 250s? Would the blast be competitive in the 250 class? | ||
| Eeeeek |
A lot of people have put the efforts into developing the 250 programs and the little bikes are now flying around the courses. For perspecive, at Sears Point, Ninja 250's are running in the 1:55 range. A Blast just can't touch that pace. | ||
| Slaughter |
The Blast chassis is frightening when ridden hard. The only class that makes any sense would be a Formula Singles class that has no restrictions where you could put a Blast motor into an XB chassis and still have to do serious engine work. You'd have put another $10 grand worth of hardware and effort into your machine. There's a few of us crazies left but a stock Blast is going to be crucified in any singles class. | ||
| Fast1075 |
"The Blast chassis is frightening when ridden hard" I had one and loved it until I got good enough to push the chassis. My 2006 Ninja 250 would eat it for lunch. | ||
| Ezblast |
The new Ninja's are 3mph lower on top speed - how you figure? And Slaughter - you took a modified stock Blast out and won with it - it's first day on the track - and that was even before they had done much with the suspension - you forget that? EZ (Message edited by ezblast on May 07, 2014) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
You still have to be fast to ride fast. THAT hasnt changed! | ||
| Fast1075 |
My 250 Ninja is an older one. Faster than the new ones. | ||
| Jetlee |
I've got less than $10k in my Blast and I'm very confident it would eat a 250 of any year for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Shoot, before I went XB-swap and EFI (Yes, fuel-injected), I was paced by the local Sheriff doing 111mph down Hwy 99. That was the rev limiter at 7500rpm. Stock jug/piston/head w/ Ultima ignition, XB cams, open carb, Yost kit, custom exhaust, beehive springs and no plastics or streamlining of any kind. I'm now running 10.5:1 compression with XB9 jug/piston/head/cams/ignition/FI system with an 8k rev limit and an F3 rear shock. The front wheel lifts in 3rd gear without effort. Total cost of modifications? Less than $2000 and I eat 600cc sport-tourers for lunch going light-to-light or canyon-dancing. Had a couple guys on 250R's try to go light-to-light; I didn't go WOT till 2nd gear and still beat them. Have fun on your 250 ARRRRR!!!! (Message edited by JetLee on May 07, 2014) | ||
| Fast1075 |
I'm old-n-slow....I just used to be fast.  My old Blast. It wasn't slow, but it didn't handle all that great. I had a little spare change in it. The best parts are hidden inside. I traded it in on an XB12s. THAT bike handled. | ||
| Jetlee |
My Blasts 2001 Rat Blastard and 2003 Mothballs  (Message edited by JetLee on May 07, 2014) | ||
| Eeeeek |
There's a pretty big difference between "eating 600cc sport-tourers for lunch going light-to-light or canyon-dancing" and winning on a race track. I've destroyed people on R6's and GSXR1000 while riding a Triumph Sprint. It doesn't mean that I'm going to show up to the track and win Open Superbike or Formula 1 on it, though. And you guys realize this isn't about power (not that either bike is going to blow you away)? It's about corner speed and riding the bike on the edge. The lil' ninjas are holding up with bikes that have about double their power. (Message edited by eeeeek on May 07, 2014) | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
Jeez Vik where you been all these years? Good to see you posting. Bring back the Borg I say  Rocket in England | ||
| Jetlee |
If I had the money to do track days, I would, and I would have lap times to attach my posts. I'm well-aware that canyon dancing isn't a race track, but it's the closest experience I have. I also agree that corner speed plays a very big part in racing, however you can't carry speed through a corner that you don't have. | ||
| Ezblast |
Fact is - even the new 250 Ninjas have the same suspension as the old ones - no upgrade there, just some better tires. I'd say the 250cc riders are beating those guys by the simple fact that the simpler bike has taught them to be better riders, and know what their bike is capable of doing versus those riders. By that same token I've known the modified Blast to beat out "better" bikes as well personally - bonnies, sportsters, Ninja 500s, etc. - and I'm sure that's because I knew my bike's ability and the roads way better than the other person - but then who ever said racing is fair? - lol EZ (Message edited by ezblast on May 08, 2014) | ||
| Eeeeek |
Heya Rocket! Time and place. The BORG was good and fun, but it's the past. About the Blast on the track, This is like arguing religion and I'm just too tired to try to sway people who have already made up their minds based on wishes. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
The question wasn't "should I race a Blast?" The question was "does anyone still race a Blast?" That question hasn't been answered. For someone who doesn't own a Buell, you sure spend a lot if time talking about one (or against one). Yes, it's religion. Until the 1125R, (commonly available) Buells have never been comparatively fast bikes. But most (most) of the people on this site bought one anyway and the Blast is the extreme example of that. If anyone had backed the Blast like they have the Kaw 250's, they'd be a lot more widely competitive and more widely raced. (I did my part). Give me Willow Springs "Big Track" 250 lap times and I can tell you what you'll need to do Blast-wise to compete. and I've seen barely modified Blasts regularly lap much 'faster' bikes at track days. But that's a moot point since the person who asked the question hasn't done a track day (?). To reiterate, I don't care how much work you've done to any bike, if you ain't fast, you ain't gonna be fast! | ||
| Eeeeek |
The questions were: "I have seen some club rules allow the blast in with 250 cup class. Does anyone have experience comparing lap times between similarly prepared/ridden Blasts and Ninja 250s? Would the blast be competitive in the 250 class?" I answered based on over ten years of personal race experience, seven years owning and operating a large track day company and saddle time on both bikes. Lap times at the big track at Willow Springs on Ninja 250 drop below 1:40's. I know for a fact that Brian Bartlow turned a 1:39.8 in a race there. As for my own experience with Buell, check my join date. I was part of the great recall of '99, and have a little experience with racing them, from club to AMA level (as support). (Message edited by eeeeek on May 08, 2014) | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - and founder of sacborg - enough. Yeah - and Brian is just a club racer - lol - http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/sports/ci_20963084/bartlow-sweeps-races-and-sets-track-record-at?source=rss EZ (Message edited by ezblast on May 09, 2014) | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
May the Borg be with you!! I'm thinking, we could never recreate those heady days. But boy did we live 'em. Rocket in England | ||
| Eeeeek |
EZ, you are not presenting things acurately and club racing is an area where I am an authority. Say what you like about me, but this is an area where you will no no success trying to discredit me. Brian Bartlow is a club racer, not a pro. He's a very successfull one, but he's not what you respresent. He has won many championships in WERA, CCS and the AFM. He is very focused, knows how to market himself and an very talented rider. He also is not the untouchable rider you represent him as. Over the last ten years, he mainly raced 650 twins and 250 production. he won many times in each of the classes, he also got beat many times by other club races. People like Dan Sewell, Jason Catching, David Raff, etc. All club racers who whould sometimes beat him, sometimes get beat by him. He started to dominate 250 production and then other club racers rised to his level. He is always a threat for the win, but it's pretty far from a sure thing. He formed Feel Like a Pro a few years ago because he had a vision. The 250 class was dying and he wanted to make club racing affordable and obtainable to anyone. He worked a deal with Kawasaki to get Ninja 250s and rented them out for $250 a day. It was a great model that he presented very well. You could rent a bike for the whole race seasons and just show up. He brought the class back from almost nothing to one of the bigger classes in the AFM. He built up the company and then sold it. He now runs Feel Like a Pro Dirt. This does not make him the Rossi that you present. Brian has given the AMA a shot (as have many, many club racers). He is what I would call a very successfull club racer, not unlike Dave Stanton or Chris Siglin. He brings in more money racing than he spends when things go his way. At the same time, he has a day job (ALS EMT). A pro is something next level. | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - without even trying - you make my point for me - you are an authority because you yourself are almost pro level as well, and Brian is a pro as well, just not the highest caliber. I'm referring to the average club racer and their times - the guys who show up and do their thing and go back home to jobs and life. You and Brian both are of a different order - very successful in your hobby to such a level where you are both considered professionals - maybe not of the highest caliber, but pros none the less. That is why Kawasaki trusted him, your idea of pro may be even a higher level, but to us average joe riders - you guys are the pro's. Thank you for making my point for me. EZ | ||
| Eeeeek |
You know what, EZ, I'll grant you that. It could all be symantics. I consider a pro to be a facotry or satellite rider. I think back to when I started racing and I would have to say that my definition of who is "fast" or a "pro" has changed. I hadn't stopped to consider that. I do not consider myself a pro and I never reached Brian's level. (Message edited by eeeeek on May 10, 2014) | ||
| Firemanjim |
Hiya Vik, good to see ya back.  As we all know,Buell=fast, not so much. From another old Buell racer. | ||
| Slaughter |
We have a few XBlast projects. One Blast motor with the 08 bottom end (shhhh.... it's a cheater motor) but I would dare say that the only class it'd have a hope of competing in would be a Ninja 250 class - though NOT on the stock chassis - a horribly flexi-flyer. I won a couple 500 singles class races on a 600 Blast in an S1 chassis. Worked well but that motor was a grenade. Dyno'd about 48HP at sea level. |
