Drag race launch pointers

1pcbr · 02-07-2005, 6:54 PM

I want to run some "test and tunes". I expect the bike to be really wheelie prone. I'm not getting any practice off the track, because I'm trying to protect a really good driving record.

Can anyone offer some launch advice, or post a link or 2 that might help?

I don't know if it's better (at first) to use a lot of clutch, or just launch at lower RPM.

Is there a dramatic power band that will surprize me in 1st or 2nd???

dattaway · 02-07-2005, 7:33 PM

Last year was my first experience. Remembering my adventure with traction, I should have used a lot less air pressure in my rear tire. I didn't need to clutch the start as my front end was light enough to begin with. One guy gave me a great tip to let go at the second yellow light for great reaction times. It worked.

Traction will be much less down the track than on the clean highway. You will be riding over bits of greasy rubber and the front will be bouncing up and down all the way over the finish line. That's why I suggest using less air pressure to help provide more contact patch.

I arrived at my track early, so I thought. I was behind a snake of a line over a mile long with cars belching non-emission compliant gasses. The whole warm sunny day I was in my black leathers, I would make 3 passes. That's not much more than 30 seconds of actual fun.

You will witness lots of burnouts. They use lead and antimony formulations in rubber to help with temperature control. You don't want to breathe that stuff. More powerful than paint chips.

Intimidator · 02-07-2005, 8:01 PM

Set your rear dampening to full hard and your rear tire to 22psi. This helps keep the front end down and gives you traction. Launching comes down to preference. Some like to get the clutch out early and ride through the rpm range from bottom to top. Others like to stall it up to around 5k and feed the clutch and throttle at the same time while trying not to let it fall below 5k when getting the clutch out. You should try practicing on a country road or somewhere remote as you don't want to waste your passes at the track learning how to ride your bike. You don't have to break the speed limit to practice launching and you can do it over and over again for free! :cue: the SB's

CBRBob · 02-07-2005, 8:07 PM

Good launches, low rear pressure, higher front. Hold rpm @9-10k and ease out the clutch to right before the engagement point. As you start easing the clutch out keep the bike just at the wheelie point as best you can. Preload the shift lever, quick roll off/on and your in 2nd. Try keeping the best drive you can without a LOT of wheelying from that point on.

SilverBullet · 02-07-2005, 8:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1pcbr

I want to run some "test and tunes". I expect the bike to be really wheelie prone. I'm not getting any practice off the track, because I'm trying to protect a really good driving record.

Can anyone offer some launch advice, or post a link or 2 that might help?

I don't know if it's better (at first) to use a lot of clutch, or just launch at lower RPM.

Is there a dramatic power band that will surprize me in 1st or 2nd???

The front is going to come up quick without being extended! Mine is 8-1/2" back and I leave at 5K-5,500K and ride the clutch out. You will just have to ride it out slower and start from 4K maybe. If the front starts coming up, hold the throttle where it is or release it some to keep the front under control. As you release the clutch, slowly give more power, I can hit mine hard after I fully release the clutch and I'm wot at the end of first and all the way down the track.

rocket954 · 02-07-2005, 9:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

The front is going to come up quick without being extended! Mine is 8-1/2" back and I leave at 5K-5,500K and ride the clutch out. You will just have to ride it out slower and start from 4K maybe. If the front starts coming up, hold the throttle where it is or release it some to keep the front under control. As you release the clutch, slowly give more power, I can hit mine hard after I fully release the clutch and I'm wot at the end of first and all the way down the track.

mine is stock WB with full yosh, custom map, 520 -1 up front. I usually launch at 7-9k. Is that way to high and would my times be better if I lowered my launch rpm my best times out of about 23 runs ever are also what is the best rpm I should be shifting at thanks
E.T. 10.7618
R.T. .5367
MPH 131.3634
60ft 1.7661
330ft 4.7147
1/8th 7.0491
MUST GO FASSSTERRRR

BUT HOW

Baketech · 02-07-2005, 9:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket954

MUST GO FASSSTERRRR

BUT HOW

Just curious, what is the altitude of that track...?

rocket954 · 02-07-2005, 9:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Just curious, what is the altitude of that track...?

I guess its sea level not any mountain or anything

Intimidator · 02-07-2005, 9:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket954

mine is stock WB with full yosh, custom map, 520 -1 up front. I usually launch at 7-9k. Is that way to high and would my times be better if I lowered my launch rpm my best times out of about 23 runs ever are also what is the best rpm I should be shifting at thanks
E.T. 10.7618
R.T. .5367
MPH 131.3634
60ft 1.7661
330ft 4.7147
1/8th 7.0491
MUST GO FASSSTERRRR

BUT HOW

You've got a helluva 60ft. time so sumpin's wrong going down the track since my fatass (250lbs) is running 10.50's on basically the same setup. Not sure what the problem could be but shift just a hair before the rev limiter and don't you dare let off the gas until you see the win light! Hmmmmm. Maybe it's you're shifting. I like to shift pretty much as you normally would but just waaaaay faster. I have done this since I was little, drag racing in sand on quads though. I dunno...... try it

Cowboy · 02-07-2005, 9:49 PM

I've only been to the strip a few times and only do it for shits and giggles but the one thing I learned quick is that traction is low w/ a cold tire. My first launch was w/o a burn out. I've never had an issue launching at the start of a road race so I figured this would be no different. Out of the hole the bike got pretty sideways and I had to back out. So now I do a short burn out.

SilverBullet · 02-07-2005, 9:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket954

mine is stock WB with full yosh, custom map, 520 -1 up front. I usually launch at 7-9k. Is that way to high and would my times be better if I lowered my launch rpm my best times out of about 23 runs ever are also what is the best rpm I should be shifting at thanks
E.T. 10.7618
R.T. .5367
MPH 131.3634
60ft 1.7661
330ft 4.7147
1/8th 7.0491
MUST GO FASSSTERRRR

BUT HOW

My times are as follows:

ET. 9.53-9.65 (all motor)
RT. varies ofcourse, but usually .5xx's
60ft. 1.49-1.56
330ft 4.teens
1/8th 6.teens (all motor)

Oh, mph...116-119 in the 1/8th...137-145 in the 1/4.

I have my shock settings all the way soft then back 1 towards hard. I need my bike to squat to get the most traction....as stated earlier, you may need to go hard to help keep the front down.

Intimidator · 02-07-2005, 9:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

My times are as follows:

ET. 9.53-9.65 (all motor)
RT. varies ofcourse, but usually .5xx's
60ft. 1.49-1.56
330ft 4.teens
1/8th 6.teens (all motor)

Quit yer braggin' asshole.

Intimidator · 02-07-2005, 9:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1pcbr

I want to run some "test and tunes". I expect the bike to be really wheelie prone. I'm not getting any practice off the track, because I'm trying to protect a really good driving record.

Can anyone offer some launch advice, or post a link or 2 that might help?

I don't know if it's better (at first) to use a lot of clutch, or just launch at lower RPM.

Is there a dramatic power band that will surprize me in 1st or 2nd???

Oh yeah I almost forgot. Make sure you do a short (2-3 seconds) burnout to clean off all the crap you'll pick up in the staging lanes.

SilverBullet · 02-07-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intimidator

Quit yer braggin' asshole.

SilverBullet · 02-07-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intimidator

Oh yeah I almost forgot. Make sure you do a short (2-3 seconds) burnout to clean off all the crap you'll pick up in the staging lanes.

I do about a 10 second burnout to really heat the tire up, but then again, it's easy for me to spin being extended so far, even with the Shinko, but I dont have a problem with the heat I build up in it.

Intimidator · 02-07-2005, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

I do about a 10 second burnout to really heat the tire up, but then again, it's easy for me to spin being extended so far, even with the Shinko, but I dont have a problem with the heat I build up in it.

Yeah YOU should heat it up for all of 10 seconds for sure. For his setup though, I don't think he really needs it. A buddy of mine has an 03 954 w/just a slip on and he weighs 140lbs. He does a 3 second burnout and keeps 40psi. He has no traction problems. Now that I think about it though he's probably just leaving the line like a pussy and that's why I'm currently kickin' his ass @ the track.

sonicsbomb · 02-08-2005, 7:36 AM

Launching at the track is nothing like launching on the street. The track will bog your bike down real fast if you don`t have a good clutch hand. The advice I give all first timers is to leave like your taking off at a green light and just work your way from there.

SilverBullet · 02-08-2005, 9:18 AM

I run between 15-20 psi.

sonicsbomb · 02-08-2005, 9:24 AM

I run 12 pounds in the rear.
I launch at 8k, as soon as the bike makes a move, full throttle and let the clutch do the rest. I`m usually full throttle and clutch all the way out before I pass the tree

rocket954 · 02-09-2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonicsbomb

I run 12 pounds in the rear.
I launch at 8k, as soon as the bike makes a move, full throttle and let the clutch do the rest. I`m usually full throttle and clutch all the way out before I pass the tree

What does everyone else leave at rpm wise

FullForce · 02-09-2005, 12:41 AM

i slip the clutch from 5k and cut a best of 1.697 60' on a 6.88 pass @ 106 in the 1/8

FullForce · 02-09-2005, 12:42 AM

that was 142 rwhp 929 with a 6'5" 245lb rider

FullForce · 02-09-2005, 12:42 AM

oh, and that was -1 front, strapped and lowered 2" with stock wheelbase

rocket954 · 02-09-2005, 12:58 AM

Is nitrous/drag racing and a 520 kit with -1 up front tough enough or will it break. I plan on going every Friday once the strip opens I CAN'T WAIT

66droptop · 02-09-2005, 5:40 AM

Clutch the hell out of it.

I hold the rear brake with my right foot, get the rpm up to like 4k, and feed in a little clutch until I can feel it catching and pulling at the brake. Light goes green, I open the throttle to about 3/4 and slip the clutch to keep the front tire no more than 6" off the ground. As your speed picks up and you're able to let out more clutch (remember the 6" rule- don't violate it), dial in more throttle. Full throttle at about 6000rpm. If the front is rising too quickly, use the clutch to compensate while you keep that throttle pinned back. Keep your weight forward on the bike.

When you shift, lift up with your boot on the lever and maintain pressure. Preload the lever. When you hit the redline, blip the clutch. Keep the throttle pinned. Aside from the first little bit of the launch, you'll have the throttle pinned the whole time. Be prepared for 2nd to come up. If it does, lean forward.

The more you practice, the more this will become second nature. Just remember that an ideal launch will have the front tire off the ground, but no more than six inches. Keep the throttle open, and modulate the balance with the clutch and your body. WHen you get better at it, you'll be launching from a full tuck with your chest on the tank and be riding it out. Go practice on a deserted street. Just 0-60 runs.

My cautious practice run netted me a 1.9 60', and I got booted for trapping 124mph. I'll be back at the track this weekend. I'll keep you all updated on the new times.

SilverBullet · 02-09-2005, 9:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket954

Is nitrous/drag racing and a 520 kit with -1 up front tough enough or will it break. I plan on going every Friday once the strip opens I CAN'T WAIT

Umm, not sure if the 520 will hold up or not...I would switch back to a 530 chain to be safe..but it's up to you.

I'm -1 front, +1 rear.

As I said earlier....1.49-1.56, 60' times for me. Normally I do leave at 5K-5,500K rpms and ride the clutch out will going to wot by the end of first, and I'm running 6.14-6.21 unless the track isn't hooking.

SonicB, leaves harder than I do, and I believe his 60' times are right around mine also, maybe he will chime back in and let us know.

I'll see what my 1/4 times are with spray before too long since I got my motor back together, but 9.56-9.63 on motor should put me 9.20's on spray.