Learning2race
Expert Class
Posts: 138
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posted May 22, 2008 08:50 AM
1/4 mile assistance please!
I've been following this board for awhile, but this is my first posting. My questions are directed specifically to improving ¼ mile times.
To preface - I had never ¼ miled on a motorcycle before the end of last summer. Needless to say, my times/speed were not that great - I checked some old time slips and saw I was in the high 14's. In addition to some stalls at the line, most of the runs were extremely violent as well; lots of big wheelies, rear wheel spins, etc. I'm now consistently at 10.8/10.9 at 139/140 but cannot seem to improve from there and this is where I am looking for some feedback.
The bike set-up is fairly simple: SMEG and map with PC3, rear tire at 22lbs and a strap for the front. Everything else is completely stock - sprockets, tires, wheelbase are as set up by the factory and I foot-shift. I do a good burnout before each run. I weighed myself and the bike last time out - 765lbs (260 of which is me)
I am currently launching around 4500 rpm and slowly releasing the clutch until it's fully engaged. I'm shifting at 11,500rpm for each gear change. I'll actually pay attention next time out, but I would guess that I am maybe 2,000 rpm off 11,500 in 4th gear when I cross the finish line. The runs feel smooth - the rear wheel doesn't spin nor does the front end lift. Start of run times are consistent - reaction time at 0.2 seconds, 60 foot at 2.0 seconds. (I'll look for a recent time slip if specific time/distance/speeds will help out here)
Am I at the limit of the time/speed I can expect to achieve with the bike as it stands plus my weight? Comment on technique would be appreciated as I want to improve my skills - please don't just respond with "get a turbo".
  
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aliveagain
Needs a life
Posts: 5033
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posted May 22, 2008 10:08 AM
60' will come down more.I can't launch for shit either ,always afraid the f*cker will flip.I way the same and need to work on going wfo when launching.Keep trying.
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I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
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zx12mark
Pro
Posts: 1654
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posted May 22, 2008 10:24 AM
you have to 60 foot at 1.6 something or better and get to wide open throttle as soon as the clutch is all the way out.crawl up on that tank and get pissed off at that motherfucker.get mad.you can beat it.
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smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted May 22, 2008 11:54 AM
zx12mark is right but for the pissed off part .... 2.0 60 is not going to cut it .. If you were to drop that to 1.60 you would drop 8 tenths of a second off your 1/4 mile times .. That will put you in the low 10.s ....Rule of thumb > For every 10th of a second off your 60 foot time you will double that number in the 1/4 mile ...
With out seeing first hand what you are doing or doing wrong it's hard to tell you what to do to repair the problem ...Seat time is the one way to get better and it takes a lot of seat time .. Two things that you can do > One is to go to the track and watch others and the other is to go to Ricky Gadson or Jason Miller school .. Biggest thing is not to give up because it will come in time ..Don't look at it as a job , just go have fun ..
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Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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KikonZX14
Pro
Novice
Posts: 1813
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posted May 22, 2008 12:40 PM
Always seen here bikes running 1/4 mile races but lowered, and strapped.
Here's a couple questions for the experts: How about in a stock machine (no lowered/no straps)?, how do you avoid wheelies or wheel spinning?
Thanks in advance.
Best Regards,
David
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Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
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smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted May 22, 2008 12:46 PM
quote:
Always seen here bikes running 1/4 mile races but lowered, and strapped.
Here's a couple questions for the experts: How about in a stock machine (no lowered/no straps)?, how do you avoid wheelies or wheel spinning?
Thanks in advance.
Best Regards,
David
A lot of clutch sliding and slowly roll on the throttle .Trust me you are NOT going to spin the tire at the track ...A strap is only 28 bucks so why go to the track without one ? ...
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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mcmmotorsports
Novice Class
Resident Mental Patient
Posts: 57
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posted May 22, 2008 03:08 PM
So a strap on the front should help eliminate the front end coming up on a launch?
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aliveagain
Needs a life
Posts: 5033
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posted May 22, 2008 03:18 PM
The strap helps a lot but also body position.Have someone take a picture of you launching and then see if you are laying down far enough.
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I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
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crazx14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted May 23, 2008 09:24 AM
Putting more air in the rear tire would probably help - my experience is that the stock tire hooks better closer to 38-40 lbs - plus you have less rolling resistance which should help trap speed. 16-20lbs of pressure works better in an aftermarket tire like a Shinko - which is what I currently run.
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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H0mr
Novice Class
Posts: 61
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posted May 23, 2008 09:43 AM
I just got my bike lowered last night and other then Heli bars, it's still all stock, hence I am not making as much power as it will someday. By lowered, I just got the back dropped and will soon be sliding the forks up in the tree. I hope this helps keep the front end down as lowering the back did'nt seem to help much at all. My problem is when the bike hits about 6-7 grand, it starts raising the wheel enough I have to back out, then when I gag back on it shifting into 2nd, the front comes up again. I have'nt went to the track yet, I used to drag race so I know how important 60 footers are. We only have 1/8 mi around here and I want to see it in the 5's. Right now, I might be just in the 7's since I can't keep the front down. Maybe I will waste some bucks this Memorial day weekend to see just how bad I am.
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2008 SE, Muzzy's M14, PCIII, Adj. lowering links, Heli risers.
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KikonZX14
Pro
Novice
Posts: 1813
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posted May 23, 2008 10:29 AM
quote:
quote:
Always seen here bikes running 1/4 mile races but lowered, and strapped.
Here's a couple questions for the experts: How about in a stock machine (no lowered/no straps)?, how do you avoid wheelies or wheel spinning?
Thanks in advance.
Best Regards,
David
A lot of clutch sliding and slowly roll on the throttle .Trust me you are NOT going to spin the tire at the track ...A strap is only 28 bucks so why go to the track without one ? ...
No proper 1/4 mile track here Smokin, just streets adapted as such.
The only tracks are racetracks like the one in the pics I've posted before.
Thanks & Regards,
David
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Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
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realn07
Novice Class
Posts: 87
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posted May 23, 2008 11:15 AM
quote:
So a strap on the front should help eliminate the front end coming up on a launch?
I only been racing for about a year, but i learned in that short time that the launch is all about the clutch hand. If its raising off the line then thats in the clutch hand. the strap will help a little but more when you get full throttle. Like HUmor said my prob was when i get on up in the rpms the front would raise. i would try to ride it out change gears the front tire would skim the ground and back up we go. it was like i was bouncing down the track and i weigh 240 walk around weight. the strap cleared most of that up, it still comes up from time to time but its more controllable now. and i know it sounds crazy but the strap also gave me a little more heart to twist sooner off the line.
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crazx14
Expert Class
Posts: 399
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posted May 23, 2008 12:27 PM
My 1st passes down the track last year were usually in the 10.70 - 10.60 @ 139-140 range with no mods (200 lbs (suited) rider). After exhaust, PC, and a strap, I managed to get down to a 9.89 last season. Most of that I contribute to what Smokin always says and I totally agree with - seat time and lots of it in order to master that 'throttle/clutch modulating relationship'! Another thing I've learned is that although a strap helps, it absolutely will not stop a ZX-14 from acting as a human fly-swatter if you really tap the bike's potential. Now I'm lowered and stretched to 63" in an attempt to tap more of that potential but am currently still launching like a bit of a sissy - how easily these things can wheelie in near-stock form is still etched clearly in my memory. I still suck, just not as bad as I used to thanks much to the good advice here and lots of practice. Good luck and most importantly - have fun!
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2003 L.E. Hayabusa
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smokinzx14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted May 23, 2008 02:53 PM
quote:
My 1st passes down the track last year were usually in the 10.70 - 10.60 @ 139-140 range with no mods (200 lbs (suited) rider). After exhaust, PC, and a strap, I managed to get down to a 9.89 last season. Most of that I contribute to what Smokin always says and I totally agree with - seat time and lots of it in order to master that 'throttle/clutch modulating relationship'! Another thing I've learned is that although a strap helps, it absolutely will not stop a ZX-14 from acting as a human fly-swatter if you really tap the bike's potential. Now I'm lowered and stretched to 63" in an attempt to tap more of that potential but am currently still launching like a bit of a sissy - how easily these things can wheelie in near-stock form is still etched clearly in my memory. I still suck, just not as bad as I used to thanks much to the good advice here and lots of practice. Good luck and most importantly - have fun!
( strap helps, it absolutely will not stop a ZX-14 from acting as a human fly-swatter )
Funny ...But very true ... 
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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