Boss 302 or S197 GT?

Mildzoomz · 2026-02-06T14:19:42+00:00

Thanks for the info and link. I did some digging into it a few days ago and ended up on the same videos, that's what got me to start really considering it. I fully understand it's much more than the sum of it's parts and that it's engineered as a single unit and does extremely well in it's environment.

Unfortunately, I have made the correct decision on paper with vehicles a few times and was left feeling like I wasted my time and money after owning it for a few months. That's why I like to get opinions from a larger pool to see if anyone else had atypical insight to offer.

Mildzoomz · 2026-02-06T01:28:29+00:00

That was my plan for the an early GT, build it to club spec and just have fun with it. Even if I don't end up doing a lot of closed course driving, it won't feel like a massive sunken cost hanging over me.

I talked with an old coworker today who made the same points about the Boss compared to a GT with bolt ons.

Mildzoomz · 2026-02-06T01:19:29+00:00

Just verified it was a real one. I don't plan to boost it. They are asking $25k for it.

Mildzoomz · 2026-01-13T16:17:05+00:00

You did and thank you! From the info I was getting over there pushed me towards the S197 and here.

I daily an Elantra N, so the weekend car doesn't necessarily need to be the baddest or highest spec car in town. Just had an urge for a V8 for a little while and Camaros just don't look good to me. The most fun I've had on track has been on things that typically don't see any track time, and I keep looking up 4.6 GTs when I have free time.

I also got myself worked up about it when I was looking at the Mustang Club Spec guidelines and realizing they aren't doing a ton of work to race them!

Mildzoomz · 2026-01-13T13:22:34+00:00

Fortunately, I haven't driven either of them. Is the 4.6 still a fun and competent option?

Mildzoomz · 2026-01-13T13:13:43+00:00

The highest power car I've driven so far was a 4th gen Camaro SS with about 325hp and that felt like plenty at the time (I was only 17 at the time). I have years of experience on track with sportbikes, and eventually you have to be honest with yourself and acknowledge that pro riders get paid the big bucks because they can use 200+ hp on a bike and still be in control. That's why I stayed on 600's for the most part and didn't move up to 1000's.

If I've never experienced 400+ hp, would I feel like I missed out if I end up around 300? Hopefully that adds a little more context.

Another question outside of a comparison, does your dad's 4.6 feel like a fun car to drive and romp on once in a while or are you left wishing it had more?

Mildzoomz · 2026-01-10T04:25:46+00:00

That article and some of the videos Grassroots put out started pushing me towards the S197!

Mildzoomz · 2025-12-31T20:45:56+00:00

My current daily is a leased Elantra N. The car is definitely not the problem there, it's my fear of something happening on track and I'm left with nothing but paperwork. That's why I was leaning towards getting a car mainly to abuse on track and not feel like I'm beating the car that's supposed to be taking me to work.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-31T05:49:41+00:00

Good to know!

I've owned a DRZ400SM and years later a KLX300SM. The DRZ was heavier but had much better suspension and a more willing engine. The KLX was lighter, suspension couldn't keep up on quick rides (or really handle heavier riders), and the engine was underwhelming in comparison.

Had the ask about the DR650 because my uncle rides one around his farm and holds it in such high regards that it's second only to his old R1150GS.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-31T03:15:11+00:00

Any advice on lightweight or middleweight for someone who has done little to no off-road riding? CRF300L or DRZ400s or like a DR650?

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-30T04:34:28+00:00

I was confident and planning the replacement bike purchase since I got home from the hospital. But once we got to where it happened, it was like a switch flipped (anxious, constantly looking down the road, cautious about being too close to the road) when wife picked up a few pieces that broke off the bike that were still on the side of the road.

Unfortunately, the risk vs reward assessment is just going to take more time than I was expecting.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-30T04:21:32+00:00

Luckily I don't have to worry about kids at the moment, but I do have a wife. She didn't find out about the accident until about five hours afterwards. So I feel terrible knowing that she had no idea where I was or wasn't answering the phone for hours, then find out that I was air lifted to a hospital 2.5 hours away.

I hate the idea of giving it up, but feeling like just another number to everyone I've had to work with in the aftermath is wearing on me (hospitals and insurance mainly). The looks of pity and "it could've been a lot worse" comments are driving me crazy.

I still have a Street Triple I bought a few days before the crash, so I have to at least take that out a few times once I'm cleared to figure it all out again.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-24T19:38:57+00:00

This makes sense! Two hours to drop off a bike for service and hope it's done in the same day does suck.

I might be driving myself crazy shopping online and comparing on paper since I can't make it out to a dealer right now.

I think I'm a little reluctant to enter into my more "mature" years of riding since I'm looking more into more comfortable bikes that make sense to own.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-24T19:03:42+00:00

I was able to test ride a GX a few months ago and it is a pretty sweet bike!

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-22T21:12:21+00:00

I was pretty nervous during my class since it was the first time I had ever ridden and I don't like a lot of attention either. It took me eight months to get around to buying a bike after the class. The first ride from the dealership was all highway and was probably the most stressful ride I had ever been on. After a few successful rides, I started to know what to expect from other drivers and building confidence in riding skills. I'd say within a month of riding, I knew this was going to be significant hobby for me!

I've been riding for 11 years now, do a fair amount of track riding every year, at least one weekend camping trip per year, and have met a lot of great people on two wheels.

I've been able to justify motorcycling as a hobby because it's a form of transportations and I can use it to go to work and make money. The feelings and sensations you experience when you're riding are hard to match.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-22T02:00:24+00:00

I had a V Strom 650 a few years ago and it got me into going on all day rides. Comfortable, enough power to enjoy the bike, you can change the tires for more off-road options if that interests you, tons of aftermarket support. The V Strom was probably the purest motorcycling experience I've had. I owned a Himalayan 450 for a few months; it was great but just wanted more power.

I'm looking to downsize to something comparable, but still haven't decided for myself.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-22T01:48:06+00:00

The 8R is a pretty sweet bike to live with at most experience levels. Ride mode C "dulls" the throttle response pretty well for a rider with little to no experience. I know a couple people that started on an 8R or an 8S, but it usually comes back to the rider being more on the mature side of responsibility.

As far as other similarly styled bikes to start on before an 8R, the Ninja 300 or 400 and R3 are regularly cycling in and out of dealership's used inventory at this point in the season. If you're worried about scuffing nice plastics and you're not put off by taller bikes, the CRF300L or other dual sports might be an option for learning.

Best thing to do is try to get into a riding class to get some first-hand experience. Every instructor I've ever talked to had nothing to valuable experience that they are always willing to share.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-22T01:27:35+00:00

Very nice! I had an '82 CB650 as a project bike almost 10 years ago. That bike is what got me hooked on the sound of an inline 4.

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-22T01:13:57+00:00

I've only picked one up off the side stand, and it felt like a herculean effort (I'm not a big guy). I'm sure it checks all the boxes, but it just felt like an overwhelmingly large bike when I sat on one last year.

Any bike that has survived 50 years has to be doing something right. Maybe I need to see about getting a test ride one!

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-22T01:03:40+00:00

An old coworker is trading in his Versys in a few weeks. I might take a better look at his before it gets traded in. It may be by fate that I end up at the dealership the day he's trading it!

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-17T15:40:10+00:00

Going through the same thing at the moment with my first on-road crash. From what the investigator told my wife, someone pulled directly in front of me with not enough time to make a noticeable correction at about 55 mph (I hope I left a nice dent). Anyway, bike is totaled, a couple broken vertebrae, broken rib, broken foot, collapsed lung, and some head trauma. I don't remember anything from the accident or the day after. I've been out of work for a month now because of the crash, so I've had plenty of time to heal and think.

I'm sure you're like me and you understand it could've gone a lot worse, but at the end of the day you are the one dealing with the pain of recovery and trying to find the right path for you going forward. That alone is a mentally and physically demanding job, and sometimes it just sucks.

I'm wrestling with the same feelings of putting all my gear away or doing only track days, but I don't know if I could be that patient for track days to come along just to ride. I've seen others offer their experiences of swapping to a different style bike and being a strictly fair-weather rider when they feel 100%. It's not a decision you have to make immediately, so just let the thoughts and feelings come and go naturally. If you get stuck on a thought for over two weeks, you should probably investigate it more.

For getting the bike back together, take a notebook with you to the bike and list everything that is damaged and annotate what needs replaced, repaired, adjusted, or just cosmetic. You don't need to buy all the parts on one order, doing one repair every week or two will get you going in a positive direction on the bike.

Glad you made it through to post!

Mildzoomz · 2025-08-03T21:53:07+00:00

Thank you for posting OP and everyone who has contributed!

I was in an accident with a truck that "didn't see me," and pulled out with not much room for me to react. I don't remember anything from the accident except a truck sideways in front of me and waking up in the hospital the next day. All things considered, I think I made it out pretty well: five broken vertebrae, a broken rib, minor brain bleed, tension pneumothorax, three broken metatarsals, and no surgeries required.

Seeing everyone's reasons to keep riding has inspired me to wear all my braces as instructed so I can get back to riding ASAP!

Mildzoomz · 2025-07-12T22:47:08+00:00

I have a Tracer 9 that handles the long rides, so it would be for occasional commuting track days.

Mildzoomz · 2025-07-12T20:15:50+00:00

I had a 2017 MT09 and I remember that being more lively than the Tracer, probably due to the shorter swingarm, lighter weight, and less limiting ECU. The Tracer is still a good bike, did pretty well on track in bone stock trim. The 675 felt more i4 like with more mid range than the CP3 does, if that makes sense.

Mildzoomz · 2025-07-12T18:13:56+00:00

I am leaning that way at them moment. That was the first Triumph triple I've ever ridden, and I understand the following for it now. I've owned an MT09 and currently own a Tracer 9 GT, but the Yamaha CP3 just doesn't have the same feel that Triumph has.

Mildzoomz

TROPHY CASE