You've probably been there. You're tearing across the Toshara savannah, wind whistling past Kay Vess’s ears, when you see that iconic flickering holographic finish line. It looks easy. It isn't. Star Wars Outlaws speeder races are less about raw speed and more about how well you can wrestle a repulsorlift engine that seemingly wants to kill you every time you hit a pebble. Honestly, the physics in this game are a bit "floaty," which makes high-stakes racing a nightmare if you’re just holding down the boost trigger and hoping for the best.
Most players treat these like Mario Kart. Big mistake. In the Outer Rim, it’s about momentum management. If you lose your line once, the AI—which is surprisingly aggressive for a Ubisoft-massive title—will punish you. You aren’t just racing NPCs; you’re racing the terrain.
The Secret to Nailing Star Wars Outlaws Speeder Races
To get good, you have to stop fighting the bike. The Slicer's upgrades are non-negotiable here. If you haven't unlocked the Speeder Jump or the improved Landing Boost, you're basically bringing a spoon to a blaster fight.
When you’re hitting those jumps on Tatooine or the humid marshes of Akiva, the way you land determines your exit velocity. If you nose-dive, you stall. If you flat-land without the boost timing, you’re done. It’s all about that sweet spot.
Listen to the engine.
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The audio cues in Outlaws are actually helpful, something a lot of people overlook. There’s a specific mechanical whine right before the boost is optimal. Use it. Also, don't sleep on the "Nix Maneuver." While Nix is great for stealing grenades, in a race, he can occasionally be used to trigger environmental traps that slow down the leaders, though this is highly situational and depends on the specific track layout.
Upgrades That Actually Matter
Don't waste your credits on cosmetic paint jobs until your handling is maxed out.
- The Ion Engine is great for straightaways, but the Repulsor Beauty setup is better for technical tracks.
- Handling over Top Speed. Every. Single. Time.
Why? Because the tracks in this game are cluttered. There are rocks, debris, and random Scurriers running across the path. A bike with a high top speed but poor turning radius is just a very fast coffin. You want a build that allows for "micro-drifting"—that quick tap of the brake to swing the rear end around a jagged cliff face without losing your forward thrust.
Where to Find the Best Races
They aren't all marked clearly from the start. You have to earn your way into the underground scene. Talk to bartenders. Listen to the "Intel" snippets.
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On Toshara, the races are mostly about open-air navigation. It's the best place to practice your boosting. However, Akiva is the real test. The dense jungles and water-heavy paths mean you’re constantly dealing with traction changes. The speeder handles differently on water (once you have the hydro-upgrade) than it does on solid dirt. It feels heavier. Sluggish. You have to account for that drift.
Then there's Tatooine. It’s classic. It’s iconic. It’s also incredibly frustrating because of the sand dunes. The elevation changes can blind you to upcoming turns. Expert racers on Tatooine don't look at the bike; they look at the horizon line to anticipate the next dip.
Dealing with the Syndicate Influence
It’s not just about the finish line; it’s about who’s watching. Some races are tied to your reputation with the Pykes or the Crimson Dawn. If you’re in bad standing with the syndicate hosting the race, don't be surprised if the "security" along the route takes a few potshots at you. It’s rigged. That’s the galaxy for you.
Winning these races isn't just for the ego. The rewards often include rare upgrade materials like Actuators or BT-2 Ion Cells that are otherwise a massive pain to find or incredibly expensive to buy from scavengers.
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Why You Keep Losing (And How to Fix It)
Most people fail because they use the boost at the wrong time. In Star Wars Outlaws speeder races, the boost has a cooldown that feels like an eternity when you're in second place.
- Stop boosting on curves. You’ll just wide-swing into a wall.
- Save your boost for the "Landing Boost" mechanic.
- Use the terrain to cut corners. The checkpoints are more forgiving than they look.
If you can see a gap between two rocks that looks "mostly" bike-sized, take it. The game rewards bravery—or at least, it doesn't punish it as hard as you’d think.
The AI follows a set path. They are predictable. If you watch the lead racer, they will always take the same line. If you can’t beat them on speed, beat them on geometry. Cut the angle. Force them to collide with you if you have to; your bike can take a bit of a beating, and there's no "sportsmanship" penalty in the Outer Rim.
Practical Steps to Dominate the Circuit
If you're serious about clearing every race on the map, follow this progression:
- Visit the Slicer early. You need the speeder ability tree unlocked. Without the jump and the improved brake, you’re playing at a massive disadvantage.
- Farm materials on Toshara. The easy chests in the wilds often contain the basic mechanical parts needed for the first two tiers of engine upgrades.
- Practice the "Brake-Turn." Go to a flat area and practice tapping the brake while turning at full speed. You should be able to do a 90-degree turn without coming to a full stop.
- Check the Intel tab. Many of the high-stakes races are locked behind specific side quests or "heard" conversations in cantinas. If your map looks empty, go buy a drink and listen to some NPCs.
The racing in Outlaws is a gritty, dirty affair. It’s not a professional sport; it’s a desperate scramble for credits and parts. Keep your eyes on the horizon, keep your thumb off the boost until you're straight, and remember: second place is just the first loser in a galaxy that doesn't care about your feelings.
Focus on getting those handling upgrades first. Once the bike feels like an extension of Kay rather than a wild animal, those "impossible" Expert-level races become a cakewalk. Go hit the tracks.