posted February 24, 2004 09:54 AM
Edited By: supraman95mb on 24 Feb 2004 09:56
Help with Roadracing the 12R. Need experienced answers WEll I finally got my ZX12R (Stroker motor) running. I was going to sell it but since I have a great job I am keeping it. I wanted some help from those that have roadraced their 12R. I was going to keep my 03 1000 for this but I was laid off end of last year.
P.S. Thanks to workman1000 for the map help!!!!!!!!!
My questions are geared this way. I want to be able to run pretty hard, however being conservative as I dont want to crash the bike in any way. I know some of you like your 12 on the roadcourse. I just want to be safe on it.
1.What tires should I run?
I currently have Diablo corsas in 190 and 120
2.What size rear should I run?
3.Would it be ok to run pump gas or do I need to run VP?
4.Suspension settings for track day? My bike is stock config.
5.Air pressure front and rear?
6.Gearing? I am currently running 16/44 on stock chain and swingarm.
7.Anything else I may have left out please make me aware.
I am a pretty adequate rider and tear up the back roads. I just want to go to a track were I can eliminate other cars, potholes, road debris, animals, etc and run hard without as many worries.
Thanks all.
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02 Stroked 12R
95 Supra Single Turbo 750+ hp
posted February 24, 2004 05:28 PM
Hey Supraman, glad to hear somebody else is taking their 12 to the track. I've been to 2 two day STAR track schools. What a freaking blast!!! You'll love it. People say the 12 is a pig and can't handle well, etc, but it does great. The only problem is that it's too fast. I actually just bought a SV to learn more on the track. My 12 was too much for me to start on. But screw that, you'll have fun on the 12.
Here's my opinions on your questions. I'm no expert by any means, but one of the few who had the 12 to the track.
1. Tires, I ran stock 207's the first time and Sportec M1's the second time. I was dragging my knee and never had any traction problems. They we stable as a rock, and I have no complaints. My opinion is that any good sportbike tire is better than most beginer racers. All the instructors (including Jason Pridmore) were on D208's street tires. They were going so much faster than me, it's not even funny. Steet bike tires are very impressive. Diablo Corsas are plenty.
2. I used a 200 rear the first time and 190 the second. I think I liked the 190 a little better from the agility, but it wasn't a dramatic difference.
3. Pump gas. horsepower won't be the limiting factor in your lap times. I don't know your riding level, and I'm not trying to critisize, but instructors can pass you on SV650's with no effort. I'd focus on the riding and not worry about a few extra hp. I almost felt like a poser when I blew passed Pridmore 2 up on the main strait and flew past me on the brakes before the next turn.
4. I can't really give you any suspension settings. I guess whatever you use for spririted riding. I had to increase the front preload to counter front end dive.
5. I thin I ran between 30-32. I forget which tire got what. Somebody there should be able to point you in the right direction.
6. I'd gear it nice and tall expecially with your power. The trouble with short gearing in trying to come out of turns on the gas in first and second gear. Leaned way over, rolling on the gas and trying to keep the front down is scary fun.
I recommend upgrading your brake pads. That made the biggest difference in my sessions. Stock sucks. I bought performance friction, and it helped tremendously.
Have fun! E-mail if you have any other questions. You'll love the 12 out there. I think the best way to be safe is don't try to outrun somebody faster, and don't try to show off. There's always somebody faster, and in my case, there's always somebody much faster. Oh yeah, and I highly recommend STAR school. It's worth the cost. I was one of the faster back road riders, and I was humbled at the track. I learned so much and had tons of fun. The streets are boring now. mark4ksu@hotmail.com
posted February 24, 2004 06:04 PM
Only thing is that if you toss it on the track you don't really have much options there for frame sliders.
Anyway, hope you have fun on your 12R. I was buzzing around a track on my little 600 on an BIG track that's an old NASCAR track, and this guy on a 12R was SPAHNKIN' folks. The 12 likes big, sweeping turns.
I second the brake pads (at least HH+). And get SS brake lines as well.
You'll need to set your static sag on the bike. I had a hell of a time getting my 12 dialed in where I wanted it. You'll have to take two laps, change a setting, then do it again. Trial and error - and some suspension tuning tips will help most.
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted February 24, 2004 06:06 PM
Hey SupraMan -
I roadraced my ZX12R for two years. It was a 1270, and that was way, way, WAY more power than I could ever use on the track. I would agree with everything Mark said there. It's amazing, but I also bought a SV650 and used that for a full time racebike, instead of trying to campaign the 12 full time. I would strongly recommend getting with your local suspension guru, or talking to some place like traxxion to evaluate what you are going to need. You didn't give your weight out, and that's critical to determining correct springs, etc. The best info you can get regarding tire pressure is to go over to the tire vendor and ask them what they are recommending for that day and then adjust accordingly. Brakes, brakes and yes, more brakes. If you plan on doing double duty with the bike, both track and street, consider two sets of rotors. One set of open-pore EBC rotors for the track, and your stock rotors for the street. That way, you can take the maximum advantage of HH pads on the track, and won't have to live with them on the street - they rust very easiy.
____________
82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
I am 200lbs suited up. I am going to stay with the stock suspension. However I just wanted to know what were some good settings to start with. Sport Riders website had some settings for all bikes except for the 12R.
I will do the pads and lines hopefully before I go. I would like to stay on stock rotors and I dont plan on killing them as I want to enter the turns a little slower than normal at first because this is a heavy bike.
On the pump gas issue, I was not wanting more power for the track, I was just wondering if I need to run higher octane for the hard stints due to my stroker motor's compression.
____________
02 Stroked 12R
95 Supra Single Turbo 750+ hp
posted February 24, 2004 09:12 PM
If you run in the dry,the SUPERCORSAS are for you, 190/55. On the AMA track rears go away in 3-4 sessions. (Down to the steel) Have extra wheels at the ready to change out @ lunch. The 12 likes sweepers,and long straights(stretch her legs,you know!) 29 PSI if warm day(BOTH). Get out there and have fun with it. My gearing is 18/42. Yes, it's tall but my 12 has the steam to pull those gears...
____________
A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK TO A BLIND HORSE
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted February 25, 2004 06:14 AM
Ya know Norty, I ran that exact same gearing to help 'calm it down' a bit...Would still carry the front end through 2nd, 3rd and 4th down the front straight, but was much more civilized on the back of the track with the hairpins and hills. Sounds like you been having fun! ____________
82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
posted February 25, 2004 09:48 AM
ok my expierence on the track with my 12....tires i would run Supercorasa's with a 190/55 on the rear and a 120/70 on the front. Adjust the compound and air pressure with due to the track surface and temp, I would start around 30 psi fornt and rear, and go from there. I run one tooth down on the front. The SS brake lines and hh+ pads are a must....espicially on a track where you are hard on the brakes...I am not sure what my suspension is all set at, I took mine to a shop and had it set up, and the tech came out to the track and fine tuned it for me and some others...The biggest issue I have with my bike is that I need more ride hiegth in the rear, is that I need to install an adjustable link in the rear suspension, to put more weight on the nose...I thought about going to a 65 series front tire, but dont want to lose ground clearance, so the back needs to go up. And on a 12 if I were serious about it being on the track wouls have to have a good steering damper....
Every tire you use will require a different amount of air pressure to owrk its best...even the same tire will need to be adjusted as the temp outside changes, or as the track surface changes.....30 PSI is a start point....example, I usually use 29F/30R with Dunlop 208 GPA's.with Metzler M-1's I run 31F/33R, with the dunlop 208 GP I ran 30F/33R and with Pirelli Dragons I ran 29F/32R. all of those were on the same track, and on the same bike. Except the 208GPA's. and all the temps were about the same. On a colder track ya might drop the PSI a pound at a time until you get the tires good an hot at the end of the session, but not so low as to make it handle funny, or overheat the tires. If the tires are getting really hot, you can go up a pound at a time until you get it just right.
The brakes are mostdefinatley the most important thing, adn then my 2nd focus would be a steering damper....you can run most any good supersport tire as long as they are in good shape. Most fun I had ever had on a track was on a 600 with OEM tires on it.
Just my .02 worth....the best advice I could give ya though is dont fall down.....lol
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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posted February 24, 2004 09:54 AM
Edited By: 
I actually just bought a SV to learn more on the track. My 12 was too much for me to start on. But screw that, you'll have fun on the 12. 
