[ImhurdlerJr]

Ok, so I work a 12 hour overnight IT job. We are in our peak season due to the holidays, this means that nothing happens. I have close to 8 hours a night to surf the net and watch google videos.

I have stumbled across about a million hare scramble videos. Holy s$@# they look like fun. I am thinking about signing up for one in PA on 1/7/07. I have no clue how the 230 will do. I know that I wont be competitive, I am just looking to go out and have some fun and see if I can improve my lap times by the end of the day.

So my question. I have been looking at the class structure and I must be semi (if not fully) retarded. Can anyone tell me what class I would fall into? Male, 28, never raced and on the 230.

I get the feeling that I will be that lost guy on the trail that is getting passed by 20 12 year old kids on 85's.

Any advice, pointers or tips? (besides don't do it)

Thanks,
Dusty

[JAWS]

Wow, you are ambitious! Seriously, you are not leaving yourself much time to get into shape if you aren't already. Those things will wear you out if you are pushing yourself. On the lighter side, just have fun and try to stay out of the way. Watch the better guys that pass you in the sections you have trouble with and try and learn. The worst that could happen is dead last and that won't happen because some will crash out or break down.

Having never ridden a 230, I can't say how it will do, but I have ridden with guys on 230's. It is a good tractor and should account itself well if you don't push it too hard. The suspension leaves a bit to be desired for going fast.

Go out and have a good time. I'm sure some of the other active hare scrambles guys will chime in here and give you better pointers.

Joe

[nedirtbikr]

My son and I ran our first Harescramble and Enduro just this past summer...great fun even though we were dead on our feet when it was all said and done. I ran a 450 and my son ran a 230. My son is 6'1" @ 140lbs. I was in the "Big C" class and my son was in the "Little C" class. I believe they seperated the classes right around the 250cc mark. We, also, only ran for fun because we knew we'd be no competition at all.

The thing to keep in mind about the 230 is that it is underpowered, undersuspended, and overly heavy. My son's 230 was probably the weakest bike there. Mostly, we saw 125's - 250's and many were 2t's. There were several 4ts there, but I think we were pretty outnumbered. Don't get me wrong, we loved that 230...I think it's probably the best "fun bike" out there.

The HS we ran was a two-hour time limit, 8-mile loop through some pretty hilly and narrow single track (no, make that 1/2 track...at least it seemed like it at times .) The up-hills were quite a challenge for the 230 and my son as he only has a couple years on dirtbikes. However, the more level, single track stuff was good for the bike. The electric start was a life saver several times for him. He only got about 1/2 way on the first lap before he bent his shifter and had to call it quits.

If you have any mud or small water/creek crossings that might require you to gun the bike a bit to lift the front end so you don't end up like a yard dart in the mud...the 230 may have some trouble with that. There were no big whoops/jumps in either race, so the suspension did okay for these two particular races.

The worst part about the 230 is the underpower and overheavy aspects. Otherwise, if the HS you're thinking of running in is generally flat, with few BIG hills, I think you'd be fine. No matter what, I'd say go for it. It is a great experience and worth the effort.

I concur regarding staying out of the way of faster riders. Most of the guys that passed us were very cool. My son and I NEVER put ourselves in a position to wreck just for the sake of getting out of someone's way. We would move as fast as we could to a safe pullover area of them to pass. As far as I'm concerned, if they can't understand that...then they can just pound sand! Again, most of the guys were VERY cool about it.

Go do it...you'll have the crap beaten out of you by the end of the day...but it will be worth it. We're looking forward to next season and attending several more.

[nwoldnslow]

I agree that the 230 can be underpowered and too heavy, BUT the 230 can be an advantage given the right conditions. It is so user friendly that it can and will be an advantage, not a disadvantage, for a beginner. The last thing that any beginner needs is a bike that is too capable/powerful when they are totally wiped out...that is a recipe for disaster.

The goal should be that you try this with the goal of surviving/finishing your first event. You will know alot more about your 230, the future mods its needs, and yourself by doing this.

Use caution, it will likely be one of the most exhausting things that you have ever done. But after the first time, you will try it again and again. Eat light, good, and make sure you stay hydrated.

I am finishing building a morphed CRF150 with 230 wheels and swingarm, now 251cc kicker, for the tight woods. Remember that a XR200/CRF230 can beat all bikes with the right rider and conditions.

In the NW we have an old n' slow crew competing in all the racing venues aboard a EVO XR218 and they finish very well and were near the top in their class at almost every woods venue. The nastier the conditions, the better they finish...in fact they have won their class at times. Even took a silver medal at the Idaho ISDE Qualifier...pretty impressive for an old chassis with drum brakes front/rear.

Just do it!!!

[Z]

I say just do it!

After you do you may decide to move up to a CRF250X to be more competitive.

Since you're 26 you'll be in the regular classes ... at 42 I would be in the Senior class.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.

Where is the PA hare scramble that you plan to do located at? You may want to consider some of the HS in the south (AL) as the weather in January should be more to your liking.

[GhostX]

... at 42 I would be in the Senior class.

Holy %#@*, 42 in the "Senior Class!"

Is middle age now 25?

[ImhurdlerJr]

http://www.rocketraceway.com/

It is only about 100 miles away from me. Alabama is a f'n hall. I am not too afraid of the weather.

A 250x would be nice. I will have to see how some other life changing events pan out first. I may be a father here soon.

I am 28 years old, does that still put me in the same class?

Thanks,
Dusty

I say just do it!

After you do you may decide to move up to a CRF250X to be more competitive.

Since you're 26 you'll be in the regular classes ... at 42 I would be in the Senior class.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.

Where is the PA hare scramble that you plan to do located at? You may want to consider some of the HS in the south (AL) as the weather in January should be more to your liking.

[nwoldnslow]

The class depends on your displacement, racing experience, and your racing organization (+ age if you are old like me...you're not). I checked the results for previous hare scrambles and looked at the class structure.

Looks like Open C for you as it doesn't appear your organization breaks it down further, however check with the sanctioning body.

I will be racing 200B (although I qualify for Senior B, just have no need to run against a bunch of 525's etc as I am already out gunned) in my organization as 250F's race with up to 200cc 2 strokes.

Here is my sanctioning body:

http://www.omraoffroad.com

[madmax]

I raced a few times in SETRA. They have a "heavy trail" which is first timers on 250cc and over and a "light trail" for first timers under 250ccs. This would be a good class to start since it will be people in thier first race. After you get a 3rd or better you have to move up.

When i raced the heavy trail i saw a lot of different bikes, these guys did`nt have the lastest and greatest they just like to ride in the harescamble. Your 230 will be fine.


Most of the races were just supertight, handlebar width trails with a few big hills and mudbogs thew in. They usually had spotters there for help.

One thing to look for, if you see people standing at spot on the trail theres somthing really tough coming up, so be carefull there. And it will be the most tireing thing you will ever do, i can ride all day but could not finish my first 2 hour race, but it was a blast!!

http://www.setra.org/