IT465 AT FINKE

[noisy toy]

Is anyone interested in a run at next years Finke desert race? I am not sure how i will hold up on my IT 465, but maybe a group of us silly old buggers on our old bikes might do some sort of social ride? Not out to kill myself, just sounds like fun and because it is there! Has anyone done such a silly thing in recent years?
Any thoughts, ideas, criticism most welcome.
Cheers, Shane

[LWC82PE]

Sounds like a good idea. Ive thought about it. think i would feel safer doing it on 3 wheels though I dont think you can be too lesuirely about it though  as they have a time limit for each day. I looked at the results and theres quite a few who were DNF'd because they were out of time. Its on the information on the webiste but i think they give you 4 hours to do each day? i cant exactly remember. Not sure on what your average speed is required to be just work it out by dividing the KM's by time allowed.

[Tex]

I'm definitely interested, albeit on something a little bit more 'modern'. I think Leith is right about the 4 hour time limit. If you had a complex mechanical problem it could see you exceed the allocated time, let alone being slow and unfit like me!

Any recent entrants able to shed some light on costs involved?

Tex

[LWC82PE]

Tex, on the website there is a booklet of info about it and it explains a lot of things like how many days your required to be there, reconnisonse trips etc. i think entry fee is about $500.

[Freakshow]

i though it was more like 8 hours ? some guys in our club do it every year, if i see them ill ask.  I do remember, the prolouge to get your starting place, refueling stops and its a there and back thing, and yer your right its $500 smackers.  You could also have a go at the Hattah as a lead up to see if you really want to do the finke.

[LWC82PE]

Yeah 8 hrs = 4 hours to finke on sunday and 4 hrs back to alice on monday.

[Tossa]

yep just read the regs, if your not in within 4hrs, no second ay, you're out.  Pity would love to have a go at that

[EBT]

You could also have a go at the Hattah as a lead up to see if you really want to do the finke.

I think Hattah is after Finke

[bigk]

A fellow forum member has just come back from his first Finke event. He finished 245th overall and 14th in his class, so a good first effort. He rode a 2008 KTM 450EXC. He says it cost the best part of $3,000 taking in emtry fee, fuel, food and accomodation plus 2 weeks off work. He said it was the hardet event he's ever done but wll be going back for another one when he turns 45.
Cheers,
K

[mxmaniac]

I will do Hattah on a vmx bike for sure...Finke is prob just a bit too much involved for me.
 i would love to do it on the 490 maico next year or the IT250k..

[PB]

You are on drugs if you think you can do the Finke on a Vintage bike. I have just come home from the Finke and it was one of the best thinks I have ever done on two wheels. However I will say it was the most physical thing I have ever done in my life and that was on a modern bike. I intend going back to do it again however I will train and prepare for this gruelling race so differently now I have done it.

You will need to take drugs before you hit the start line on a IT465. I have done Hattah too and it is pretty much the same. HARD on riser and bike.

How will the IT465 handle 80km on woops that can swallow a bike in between them?

By the way I finshed 245 outright & 14th in class

PB

[LWC82PE]

Hmmm..... you know the Finke has been around since late 70's and people actually rode IT's then. I know someone who did it on a TT500 a couple years ago too and finished. I just think your comments have now given people motivation to proove you wrong   I reckon it would be good if they had a class for old bikes up to pre 90

[TT]

I'm with LWC on this one. I know a guy that did it on a TT500 in '07.
The best thing I heard at the pub the night after, was a guy on a CR500 laughing at how he was passed by some old fart on a Yammy 500 through the whoops. 

Approached in the right spirit, an IT would be a good, fun ride, I reckon. Good luck with it! 

[Kane Mcguire]

hi noisy toy. i am interested in the finke. i would ride my 83 500wr husky. fit a steering damper for sure. I could only be away from work for a week. I am in Rockhampton.

[LWC82PE]

You know with all the modern shocks and fork upgrades like emulators, springs etc etc you can really make the old bikes handle really good.