For those who race GSs, what would you guess that your budget is for a season?

I understand that a race budget varies wildly depending on a great many things. I am more interested in hearing what people are actually spending and what is chewing up the majority of the cash. (bike purchase not withstanding)

Any advice or things you would have done differently starting out would be greatly appreciated as well (including what bike to start with though I realize this is a GS-500 forum).

budget for season....not applicable
budget for a race in the SE....
wera license   100
transponder   260-330 or rent for 40/weekend....have to have to race in 04
tires 260-280     last most of a season
gate fee 20-30 per weekend
camping/electric fee 10-20
entry fee per race is 60-50-40-40 ....i think
gas to the track and for bike
food/beer for 1-3 days
if you have stock front end....the rotor WILL warp every 4-6 weekends

cost it out to 300-500 a weekend and you should have gas $ to get home

now how many weekends are you going to do?

my budget is light this year...2-3 trips to VIR and probably one or two to CMP

when i enduranced races 2 yrs ago it was about 1000 a weekend for the team....250-350 a person....with a built and prepped bike that we did not crash in 6 outings

racing ain't cheap...but what else do you have to spend it on

How many weekends... not sure. As many as money and Wife will allow.

Thank you Werase, great info to have.

advice.....everybody is the next nicky....
you will be slow
you will crash
you will feel like you could drive down the road throwing $20's out the window and piss less cash away
buy a 600 and start in the meat grinder class
those friggin ideots will take you out for 2nd from last place
this will keep you out of my races...i don't race 600 :mrgreen:

buy/build a GS/EX/FZR400 and learn the basics.  then go buy a nice expensive bike to crash
if you can't afford to fix it....you don't need to race it
most starter bikes are in the 1500-2000 range ready for a set of new tires

i'm old, slow and ride a POS   But, there is nothing like WFO and grabbing the brakes going into turn one and making it around for another lap

Quote from: werase643...this will keep you out of my races...i don't race 600 :mrgreen:

Probably won't be in the same races anyhow unless you plan on racing in Colorado on a regular basis.  

how much money do you have?
:mrgreen:

For me the biggest cost is tires, followed by fuel.
AFM membership= $100 yr (+ $125 fee for race school [ 1 time fee])
Race entry= $65-1st race, $45 for each race after that.
Transmitter fee= $200 (refundable when returned in 1 piece :mrgreen:
Tires= $365 a set- Dunlop slicks (approx 4 sets per season- 8 races)
Fuel= $50 per 5 gals. (VP ultimate 4) 5 gals. per weekend
Track entry= $10 for the weekend ( includes camping-no hookups)
Miscellanious=  :dunno:  depends on what breaks :lol:

That's for MY race bike. For a less modified GS you can get by much cheaper  on tires and fuel. Camp out at the track. BBQ instead of eating out.
Small trailer or pickup for bike instead of big truck and trailer.
Try to keep it basic at first. You DO need a canopy though.

Others have covered some of the details above. My yearly budget always seems to be $5,000.

The first year, you buy a bike and gear and learn to race. First year novices are usually relatively slow, so tire and fuel spending is less. Not only will you spend at the track on race weekends, but you'll spend small amounts here and there on things that you want to take to the track.

The second year, you spend money on improving the bike and maybe some new gear. You're more comfortable and perhaps will race more weekends so you'll spend more on consumables. You will continue to spend on accessories as you see the "need".

The third year, you think about a different bike. Maybe buy a different one, maybe improve the old one. The gear you bought the first year might need replacing. The third year is usually the make or break year. Between improving the equipment and racing more, it really stretches the budget and effort. Spend more on consumables and capital investment.

Fourth year, if you made it this far, you start to really focus on what you like about racing. Realize that you don't "need" certain things but still get them because you want them and are willing to spend the money.  You start maximizing value per dollar.

My description doesn't fit everyone's effort, but seems to fit myself and other club racers I know, both in MC racing and other forms of racing.

You can spend more. You can spend less. Every racer goes about it differently. Most important thing I learned is to have fun!

Here is what I spend, the track I go to is a little less then 4 hours away.

Gas for the van          = 50
entry fee for 2 classes = 140 Canadian (110 US)
beer and food             = 35
race fuel for bike         = 20
TOTAL                          $215 x 6 weekends = $1290

My tires last almost a season so they are not in the weekly cost. There are no camping fees or gate fees where I race. Add in 300 for a set of new tires at the start of the season, and the 90 canadian (65 US) for the race liscence, and the total is still only $1655.

Starting from scratch, a decent race prepped gs is about 1500
Leathers vary alot, but I got my first set brand new for 600
decent helmet snell approved 300
gloves 100
boots 200
add in a race school 150
TOTAL                            = 2850
weekend expenses
(6 weekends)                  =1655  (including one time liscense fee and
                                                 new tires)

TOTAL                             = 4505 (Starting with nothing)

You could add 50 a weeknd if you wanted to eat better or race one more class. OR 90 canadian if you want to do the fri. pratice day.