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At track power options

Go back and look for the part where i talked about the cost of ownership of a good gen versus a cheap one.

Im guessing you'll need two or three of those to get your 15 trackdays.
 
I legitimized the "$ per day" cost and bought a crappy generator (coleman)...... it lasted two days

It seems that, with generators, we all have to learn the hard way lol. I have yet to see someone listen and say "I appreciate everyone's advice and I will not buy this piece of **** and spend more money on a brand name inverter on first instance because I know it will be more economically efficient after only it's first year", because I believe you since you did the same and it worked out for you.
 
Corsara said:
My paint job is Tremclad and people apparently should wait until they save a couple of thousand dollars for top dollar equipment before they even think about stepping foot on a track...lol
Click to expand...

I was making a generalization, I wouldn't presume to say you were in that group. I wouldn't say people need to have top dollar equipment to first step on the track, but to caboose's point, if you've decided that you're in deep enough that you need warmers and a generator, it might make sense to get something that is expected to last a long time. Everybody knows this sport is a money pit, so why not get the best value for your money?
 
Also... Even if you just make it to 10 trackdays this year you'll be lucky if you spend less than $4000. Buying a used EU1000 instead of a cheapo would be a relatively small increase in the grand scheme of things.
 
I just drowned a bowl full of roast chicken in Sriracha and a dash of Sudden Death to warm it up a bit more.

Extra spicy.
 
Mr.Azim said:
I have yet to see someone listen and say "I appreciate everyone's advice and I will not buy this piece of **** and spend more money on a brand name inverter on first instance because I know it will be more economically efficient after only it's first year", because I believe you since you did the same and it worked out for you.
Click to expand...
I did... lol
 
doozerdave said:
I was making a generalization, I wouldn't presume to say you were in that group. I wouldn't say people need to have top dollar equipment to first step on the track, but to caboose's point, if you've decided that you're in deep enough that you need warmers and a generator, it might make sense to get something that is expected to last a long time. Everybody knows this sport is a money pit, so why not get the best value for your money?
Click to expand...

This is true, I'm just not deep enough yet and I admit it. It is going to be only my second season at the track. I'm new. But none of that means I don't want to properly care about my race tires, even if I don't get to use them up to their potential. At the very least, I'm trying to build the habit now, and then if I find the time and decide to get more serious with it later, e.g. racing, I'll definitely invest in better stuff. It is hard to justify thousands of dollars spent for goodies at this time, especially to my wife, when these dollars can certainly go into better suspension, more track days (which directly links to more days off work), good tires... my bike is not nearly as track ready as it should. Not to mention that the bike itself is probably not the best choice for this..

caboose483 said:
Go back and look for the part where i talked about the cost of ownership of a good gen versus a cheap one.

Im guessing you'll need two or three of those to get your 15 trackdays.
Click to expand...

I hope this won't be the case, but I do understand the high probability of this happening.

Mr.Azim said:
I legitimized the "$ per day" cost and bought a crappy generator (coleman)...... it lasted two days

It seems that, with generators, we all have to learn the hard way lol. I have yet to see someone listen and say "I appreciate everyone's advice and I will not buy this piece of **** and spend more money on a brand name inverter on first instance because I know it will be more economically efficient after only it's first year", because I believe you since you did the same and it worked out for you.
Click to expand...

This can be calculated differently. Assume there's a fixed budget $X for bike stuff to be spent before Spring comes. Then the priority list of things to buy, and there was this other thread that emphasized the importance of tire warmers. Then with the $X you gotta make trade-offs. Certainly an expensive Honda inverted gen is as good as nothing if you don't have the $ to buy warmers, correct? Then, why would you even need warmers if you spent a big chunk for a generator with nothing left to buy tires with. How about track days, no need of generator for the parked in the garage track-only bike, no? I don't know why all of you think I'm so ignorant and not thankful for your advice that a good genny is a good investment. I just want to get going with the means I have for this right now, and I don't think I'm making a bad choice with this context in mind.

Question: since most of the replies in this thread come from experienced racers, I can't help to wonder what generators did you guys use in your second season at the track when you first started with this.
 
Mina said:
I did... lol
Click to expand...

Ive been lurking on this thread and listened to the advice too. I bought a EU1000 for $700 all in last week. I figure going with a cheap genny was false economy. Id rather pay a bit more upfront and not deal with the hassles of noise and the possibility of it dying prematurely on me when I need it. Also, I always have the option to sell at a minimal loss later on.
 
I think something people take for granted is the availability of quality used equipment. You just need to know where to look and who to ask... if you don't, then ask who and where.

Race teams often sell old equipment every year.... a set of warmers that saw only 5-6 weekends.
 
I used a Hyundai HY2000 inverter. I got 1.5 seasons out if it before it started having issues then i got a Honda EU2000.

There is always a trade off of where to spend money to get the better product and where can you save money by using a cheaper product. Often the cheaper products work as well and there is no functional difference (Tremclad paint job for instance) but a cheap generator will likely end up costing you more in the long run. If that Champion dies half way through the summer will you buy another or fork over the cash for somethig good?

You could take the Champion back and pick up a used EF/EU1000 for $500-$600 or you can use it then buy another then buy another... Until you decide to buy a good one eventually anyhow.

15 trackdays a year is a fair bit... You will want reliable equipment.
 
Corsara said:
Question: since most of the replies in this thread come from experienced racers, I can't help to wonder what generators did you guys use in your second season at the track when you first started with this.
Click to expand...

I don't race, but have been riding in red since 2004. I only started using warmers in 2011. I bought a Honda EU2000i as my first generator. FYI, in 2010 I managed 6 track days on a set of Diablo Supercorsa tires, without warmers, running mid to high-mid (depending on the day) pack in red. SV650 is supposedly easy on tires though.
 
had a Hyundai hdd1250 i bought new. lasted 6 race weekends. the electrical panel fried itself. bought a used Coleman with a briggs and stratton 2500 watt motor on it. it lasted i think three race weekends before it seized up. oh, they both were loud as **** and gobbled fuel like crazy. now i have a yamaha 2000w inverted i bought new. well worth the upfront money. just wish i didn't waste 600 bucks on **** generators and suffer through the noise for a year and a half before i smartened up.
 
Corsara said:
This is true, I'm just not deep enough yet and I admit it. It is going to be only my second season at the track. I'm new. But none of that means I don't want to properly care about my race tires, even if I don't get to use them up to their potential. At the very least, I'm trying to build the habit now, and then if I find the time and decide to get more serious with it later, e.g. racing, I'll definitely invest in better stuff. It is hard to justify thousands of dollars spent for goodies at this time, especially to my wife, when these dollars can certainly go into better suspension, more track days (which directly links to more days off work), good tires... my bike is not nearly as track ready as it should. Not to mention that the bike itself is probably not the best choice for this..



I hope this won't be the case, but I do understand the high probability of this happening.



This can be calculated differently. Assume there's a fixed budget $X for bike stuff to be spent before Spring comes. Then the priority list of things to buy, and there was this other thread that emphasized the importance of tire warmers. Then with the $X you gotta make trade-offs. Certainly an expensive Honda inverted gen is as good as nothing if you don't have the $ to buy warmers, correct? Then, why would you even need warmers if you spent a big chunk for a generator with nothing left to buy tires with. How about track days, no need of generator for the parked in the garage track-only bike, no? I don't know why all of you think I'm so ignorant and not thankful for your advice that a good genny is a good investment. I just want to get going with the means I have for this right now, and I don't think I'm making a bad choice with this context in mind.

Question: since most of the replies in this thread come from experienced racers, I can't help to wonder what generators did you guys use in your second season at the track when you first started with this.
Click to expand...

Well said. My 2nd year. 3 riders and 3 bikes in the family. 3 times the track fees. 3 times the maintenance. All the more to explain to the wife.

I look forward to seeing you at the track. We can yell back and forth over the noise of our clunkers.

If yours dies. You can plug into mine until it dies.
 
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