Have We Discussed a GRM Moto-Challenge?

Since getting into motorcycles, I've discovered that they're FAR easier than cars to manage as projects. You can pick them up to move them around, you don't need a full garage parking space, nearly anything can tow them, etc. So I was wondering- wouldn't a motorcycle equivalent to the $20xx challenge be a great way to make a more accessible equivalent?

Here's my proposed rules:
-$10xx budget (half the wheels, half the dollars!)
-Still have drag and concours, but maybe substitute autoX for a hotlap on the local track?
-Basically everything else the same. No slicks allowed, but first set of tires free, etc.

Thoughts? Who else would be in for this?

I think it has been discussed before. I'd be in.

Just picture it, ratty sportbikes, street trackers, homebrew turbo drag bikes, supermotos, probably an insane moped or two, all competing for top prize...

How about holding it in the Pacific Northwest?

An event for the rest of us.

In reply to Trans_Maro:

Sure, why not? And with the easier transportation of bikes, GRM challenge regulars could (maybe) still haul out there to compete.

I'd be interested. Heck I might be buying a bike soon that meets the requirements.

I can see it now, 100hp(when new) UJM's fighting against rebuilt wreck 250's with turbos slapped on making 85hp. First person to show up with a k7 gixxer with the frame welded back together would probably win though.....

In reply to yamaha:

Would they? That gixxer isn't going to do well in the concours, and what if we make it a kart track (more equivalent to autoX)? Supermotos will waste it there. I'm sure the liter bikes would dominate the drags though!

Myself and several others would be in for this. Does GRM need to start yet another magazine that shares the same acronym? Grassroots Motorcycles?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: In reply to yamaha: Would they? That gixxer isn't going to do well in the concours, and what if we make it a kart track (more equivalent to autoX)? Supermotos will waste it there. I'm sure the liter bikes would dominate the drags though!

Most idiots that broke those didn't completely fubar the bodywork....it was Zuke's idea to match the '04-5 10r weight.....by saving a few pounds at the cost of proper welds.

clutchsmoke wrote: Myself and several others would be in for this. Does GRM need to start yet another magazine that shares the same acronym? Grassroots Motorcycles?

GRM2(squared)?

I had a 94 ZX6E that the frame was welded back together more than once.

My current bike is worth more than Challenge but I haven't dumped any more than challenge $$$ into it.

Trans_Maro wrote: How about holding it in the Pacific Northwest? An event for the rest of us.

I'm in. The CB 750 is still under budget.

Yes, yes, yes! Sounds like a blast! Not that I am a skilled rider yet, but I do love the portability, affordability, and ease of motorcycle projects, and PacNW is great for me!

So, uh, GRM powers that be- is there any way we can have a serious discussion of how to make this happen? If you need an organizer I'll do it, but then it'll end up in the Northeast...

We have competitors. Some of them have eligible bikes already!

Depending on tire rules my Honda Hawk GT is likely eligible for the half price ($1008) challenge.

Now I just need a van to transport it in.

Bikes are small- find a local competitor and carpool/truckpool/vanpool/trailerpool

I've got a Ninja 750 for $300. That thing will decimate all after I stick about $708 into it. I'll have to overnight parts from BikeBandit.

I'd totally be down for this. Still gotta get a new suit though. :(

I like this idea.

The venue would play a huge part in what gets bought and built.

Tight kart track, smallish MX based motards and modified scooters would be ideal.

Open kart track, big motards, mid sized UJMs and light sport bikes would have the edge .

AX style course or anything built for cars, the 4 cyl sport bikes & street fighters will taking all the prizes.

Maybe some of the sportier sport twins could be in the hunt too, but for half standard challenge budget I'd find that unlikely. Maybe someone will find a RD or RZ that only needs rings and a carb clean, or pick up an ugly but functional TL or SV from a salvage auction?

Running, ridable sub-$1000 4 cyl sport bikes from the late eighties and early nineties turn up on CL almost every day, the Bang for the Buck with them is pretty hard to ignore.

One more important question, would there be pro riders as equalizers? I could build a wicked fast gy6 powered scooter easily at half standard challenge budget, but I'm to fat to race it competitively unless everyone else is 250 lbs. Even if I went on a crash diet for 6 months, some 20 YO, 130 lb, intermediate road racer could probably still lap me on that scooter, even if I were riding a 500 MX bike.

Just a thought, to keep it a bit more sane, and force a bit more creativity and novelty, bikes over 590cc actual displacement should be excluded. That would keep all the cheap and easy 4 cyl sport bikes out, but still allow a lot of interesting stuff in.

I wouldn't put any rules just yet. See what the hell shows up, and the fine tune if for next year.

How much have I spent on Bandit project so far? Still under budget for sure.

I'm game, but let's run it 6 months opposite The Challenge and put it somewhere more geographically central... I propose Gateway International due to the presence of a drag strip and road course...

stroker wrote: I'm game, but let's run it 6 months opposite The Challenge and put it somewhere more geographically central... I propose Gateway International due to the presence of a drag strip and road course...

That would be a dream come true for me! I used to dodge cones there in my Scoob.

HappyAndy said: Just a thought, to keep it a bit more sane, and force a bit more creativity and novelty, bikes over 590cc actual displacement should be excluded. That would keep all the cheap and easy 4 cyl sport bikes out, but still allow a lot of interesting stuff in.

Unless you just want to make it a scooter race, I don't think there should be a cc limit. There isn't a horsepower or motor size limit at the Challenge, why limit it here?

I thought the point of the Challenge was to see what crazy thing people can build for $2015. Is this not the same idea for less $$$ with less wheels?

I agree with Appleseed have an initial one, and modify it from there. Who knows if the crazy thing would even work more than a year.

This sounds like a terrible idea from a safety standpoint. You'd also probably spend more on a suit and gear than you would on the motorcycles. Making it a tight course would probably just cause more wrecks. "Ah, the suspension on my 40 year old CB is just fine." I'm sure all the leaked oil and stuff will be a lot of fun on a track.