General Discussion Forum

If anyone in here is a member on another forum and wants to point that forum's members to this thread and/or the announcement on the DR website at:

http://www.dirtrider.com/features/141_0609_2007_24_hour_torture_test_invitation/

please feel free to do so. Let them know that in order to get Jimmy's consideration to be picked, they have to post their pleas in this thread on this forum. If they don't already have an account here, they'll have to create one. They should identify clearly what website/discussion forum they wish to nominate and the reason(s) why Jimmy/DR should pick them.

We need to keep this as simple as possible. We wouldn't want Jimmy to get hurt.

Guys,

If you haven't read any of the previous 24 hour events please do so.  Like CycleRider said its not really a "race" as you normally think of it.

Right now after reviewing a couple I would tend to lean to a 4-stroke (with E-start) for better mileage and the fact they are easier to ride for longer periods.  Sorry YZWOODS but if I had to pick a Yamaha it would be a '07 WR450 (or a YZF-450 but it would end up looking like a WR so just start with one).  I like 2-strokes as you know but I think it would be at a disadvantage in this event strictly due to fuel consumption and tiring out the rider quicker.

This year, kinda like survivor; they eliminated a bike (read Jimmy Rigged in the latest 24 hour event edition of a few months ago).  Maybe more than one, not sure; during the event.

What ever we pick lets try and not be too much like anyone else less we would be easier to vote off. 

In that one a CRF230 actually did quite well.

Well I guess two stroke's are dead people wanting easier bikes to ride with diminishing riding skills I guess in a few years we can look forward to a market with only four stroke bikes with automatic transitions. That way you dont need to have riding skills there well be no need to know how or when to clutch. Then I guess Ill just be out of riding all the fun well be gone.  

Ok so with that thought why dont we go with the smallest bike on the market might be under powered and all but we can putt around the course at 5 mph and finish the test the spirit of the test well be gone but well ate least finish.

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OK, I will not post on any other thread, But now i have to go and look at them including my own to see what we are talking about! I hope every one listens to what you and CW said, Because this is already out of hand. Mabey you should post a thread saying The ONLY OFFICAL THREAD BY  you. And that no others will be read by you or accepted. Till then ill be here.  
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Ruff!

Also, We are worried about what bike we are going to bring to a event that we have not even been invited to!!! I will reserve my opinion on why we should be invited till i know that every one will be HERE, As i dont want to write it a 2nd and 3rd time! This is already Becoming a Enderence test, Its only been on the board for a few days, And im already exhausted!!!!! LOL.

You did this during the internet bike build.  I hate to say it but you need to grow up a bit.  At this stage we aren't invited; we haven't picked a bike (type or brand); we haven't picked riders; we haven't seen the "official" rules.  You are already upset that things aren't going your way.

I mentioned the WR because someone had posted in an earlier thread that they figured I'd be going for the YZ250 again, and because after reading some previous 24 hours the 4-strokes DO have an advantage in this event.  Whether we go with a 2 or 4 stroke, KTM, Yamaha, Kawasaki etc is fine with me if the group decides it.  I sold my 4-strokes last year.

I mentioned the CRF230 because it DID do well and I thought that it was interesting to note it, not that we should build a TTR-230 or the like.  It just shows this isn't a "race" in normal terms.

I am not pushing any bike yet but answering in this forum as asked to do.  When the time comes I will make an official vote for what I think is best as will the others.

GEE, I think we should be invited because we all get along so well and really know how to come together as a collectiv group and............  Really though, (I) think we should ALL focus on FIRST, GET INVITED! 2ND, VOTE on a bike. Then VOTE on parts ect...! The only one in CHARGE of this is JIMMY! And PETE is asking us to show him why we should be there, As he is our inside guy.

Yes, I am the inside guy, and I'm here to tell you Jimmy's not impressed.  I talked to him last night, and he told me a few things that I think will help. 

He wants us, since we are the official website of the magazine, to think bigger than our individual team.  What can we do, with regard to this 24 hour, that will make this site better, that will make this internet teams offer better, and that will will add something unique to the test itself. 

One thing I know right off is we can offer to spread the word.  What other sites are you guys members of that you can go into and extend this offer to so that we can get other sites fighting for a spot?  CycleWriter had the right idea above.  Show Jimmy here who will cover what other forums.  Who want to tackle the big ones?  Who wants to suggest some unique one's DR doesn't even know about?   

Also, you guys should not think of this as pleading.  Jimmy doesn't want to get sunshine, he want you guys to impress him and the other editors with some cool ideas that you can bring to the site and to this board.  If Jimmy gives us the invite, he's done as far as this team is concerned.  He'll see us at the event.  We will be there as a regular team just like all the others, not the 'magazine web team.'  This will be OUR team.  YOU guys will be in charge of everything.  Team owners, team riders, support team members.  Full ownership.       

Who wants to film it and post some video on the message board?  Anyone?  What other ideas to you have to share the experience of it here on the site?     

I was thinking it would be great if someone had the equipment and know-how to test our team's riders for fatigue throughout the event.  Any ideas on that? 

If you guys come up with a creative suggestion that Jimmy Wonka hasn't thought of...  That could be our Golden Ticket.  Let's dazzle him and be done with him. 

Put your brains together.  On a message board, that means put your head up against your computer screen as you type.  Let's nail down this invite and start moving forward on multiple fronts. 

Everybody please stop the bickering and listen to what Pete and I are saying: first we have to get invited. That isn't going to happen if we keep demonstrating that our personal agendas are more important than working as a team. Jimmy hates conflict and he'll pass us by if he thinks our participation will just be a headache for him.

We are in a unique position here. No other website will have two DR insiders working on their project. Neither Pete or myself will get paid anything extra for this project, we'll be doing it simply to represent this forum. Because of our connections, we'll probably have a little better shot at getting everything we want to make this bike a solid ride. If we can convince Jimmy to include us, we'll already be in an enviable position.

What we need to focus on right now is what we can offer as a group and what we can offer DR with our participation. I see a lot of very dedicated riders on this forum, but I only see a few making any effort at posting their thoughts in this thread. This won't work if we don't have more support from the forum. The riding and support team alone will take at least six members. Even if you can't be that involved, we still need cheerleaders to promote the project and generate excitement for it. Any of you can do that. And think of this: How bad will it look if we couldn't even get an invite to a shootout held by our own namesake magazine?

I'm donating my services (if you want me to) as far as building the bike and serving as project manager, but I have paying work that I'll probably be neglecting to do so. I can't do this just to make 3-4 guys happy. This has to be a forum effort all the way around and I expect anyone that can to step up and contribute. And those that can't I expect to be supportive nonetheless.

So put on your thinking caps and start coming up with some good reasons for us to be in this. I've already posted some, but I'm sure Jimmy wants to hear from a broader cross section of the forum. Let's show some pride and team spirit and get this show on the road! I guarantee you it will be fun.

how often does jimmy check in on this site to see if we "wowed him"? i thought my point was a good one. i wanna know what he thinks.

The difference between a dream and a goal is a "plan".  At the moment we have a dream but lack a plan.

To make the dream a reality will require a dedicated coordinated plan.

I suggest we elect a team captain (Cycle Writer has basically offered his services for that; since he has been involved in these before and has the resources to help with the build I am fine with that, but also am open to thers nominating themselves; but if you do also state WHY you would be able to do this).  The team captain would have the responsiblity of coordinating everyones efforts and keeping track of decisions.  He would also be tasked with coordinating rider selection and support crew (as well as criteria for selecting them).  He may not be popular at times; but he has to have final decision powers.  Pete could also serve as our DR rep.

Once this step is done, we prepare letters of intent to what ever manufactureres we decide upon (be it KTM, Yamaha etc) stating that we would like to use one of their test fleet for the 24 hours Dirt Rider event.  In this we should state our intentions to modify the bike for the event; and what we will do after the event (I would guess return it to stock and return the bike).  We should also make clear the credit will be given to them (publicity) for their assistence.  Keep in mind our actual bike choice may be dependant on who is willing to sponsor us unless someone is willing to ante up the cash.  If you look at the last Dirt Rider 24 hour, the costs of the bike entered was quite significant in some cases.

A similar step would be taken for all modifications we desire; letters of intent to each manufacturer.  (Thats why this step comes after bike selection, we need to know this before any parts are solicited.

Once we have answers back we will know where we stand on bike and necessary parts (and whats lacking will need to be accounted for by the forum by either donations of parts or cash).

Then, we can formally accept or decline the invitation that was extended to us in advance because we had a plan to turn our dream to a goal.

If you look at the teams in the last one and all the semi's and support vehicles; you can see why an formal approach is necessary to tackle this type of event.  Without it we would stand little chance and likely look foolish.

There is my thoughts on what it will take to get us an invite.  Submit the plan, get a tenative invite; use that along with the letters of intent to line up sponsors and go for it.  We will need to show potential sponsors why they would "invest" in us as well as Dirt Rider.

OK, well…I’ll post the news on off-road.com. I not a member there, but I talk to “woman over board” at least once a month. She writes a column for the site and I think she will help me spread the word.

But I really need the dates nailed down. Being in my position, I will have to take leave to attend, if the dates don’t conflict with other duties. The sooner I know when the 24hr is going to take place, the better chance I have of making it.

As far as my participation, I have said and I will say again, I will help any way I can. Be it pit, management or rider, or what ever, I will help. I will tell you all right now that I will be gone for 2 weeks in October. This will probably be a crucial time to be missing communication, but…

Pete, CycleWriter, I hear and understand what you are saying, but for the life of me I can’t figure out what it is Jimmy wants. I know, I just read it and I said I understand, but it just isn’t clicking in my head. Maybe my blood has been green to long. It will come to me I’m sure. I just have to switch gears. I’ll be away from work and on the bike all weekend so it’ll give me time to think.

To really liven this event up on the Internet; have updates, and pictures from the event posted on a regular basis as its happening.  Updates before and during the event.  Who is doing well and not, who crashed etc.  Maybe interviews with the different teams.

I am not sure about the location it will be and if its possible, but how about some streaming video of the event while its happening?  Or slightly delayed clips to give people a sense of being there.

That way; non-participating forum members from the boards can live the event somewhat real time!

Great Idea, Dave

I just saw on the web page that Blue Ribbon is involved. I think that is another excellent Idea. It will only help the event, I think.

Here's what I can tell you. The likeliest date for the 24 Hour is the first Monday/Tuesday in February. This has traditionally been when it happened in past years. The likeliest location is the Hungry Valley SVRA in Gorman with staging in the parking lot of the adjacent I-5 MX Park. That's been the location for a number of years since we lost access to the fabulous Petersen Ranch after the Primedia buyout. Of course, nothing is written in stone as yet, but if history is any indicator...

Whatever my role in this project I will commit to helping this forum put together a worthy entrant however I can. Personally, I don't see any reason for the forum to go out of pocket on any aspect of the actual bike build. If Pete or I can't weasel manufacturers into working with us, we both should be mowing lawns or picking fruit for a living. As far as the rider/support team goes, that's the only place where personal funds may come into play. Whoever is on that team will have to get themselves to the location ready to ride. I'll put up my old motorhome as DR.COM Central, but getting there with your gear and feeding your face is on you. And if you snore, bring a tent.

One positive that could come from this that maybe didn't from the Internet Bike exercise is that we can show all these manufacturers and pro riders that this website is a force to be reckoned with. Everybody complains about the antiquated forum software we use, the lack of style in the appearance of the forum, and the (relatively) small number of registered and regular users. Well, here's a chance to show the magazine readers and other forums that what we lack in size we more than make up for in teamwork, dedication and an ability to put together one kick-ass ride.