pbrutman
Parking Attendant
Posts: 17
|
posted April 13, 2007 01:37 PM
12R advice for 1/8 dragway
I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice about running at my local dragway. I have been riding for over 20 years but have never actually raced at a dragstrip. I just want to know how you guys launch your 12 from a dead stop. My hope is to improve my first experience. I consider myself a good rider but this is not something that I have done. I have a stock setup and a weigh about 200. I have watched for years but now I want to get in on the action. I feel its best to ask you experienced 12 guys. Thanks...
  
|
shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
|
posted April 13, 2007 03:33 PM
I am not great at it, but my first suggestion would be a $20 front lowering strap so that you can control the tendency to wheelie. It really helped me.
|
buddy
Expert Class
Posts: 335
|
posted April 13, 2007 04:05 PM
One thing that stands out in my mind is when I first took my 01 12R to the track when it was totally stock is, I took off fairly easy from the start, ran it up to about 11,300 and shifted. When I hit 2nd, the bike stood almost straight up. Fortunately, I was able to get out of it before it went over backward.
I didn't take it to the track again until I had a longer swingarm and lowering devices. Just be cautious and work your way into it. The lowering helps, but not so much as extending the swingarm.
|
pbrutman
Parking Attendant
Posts: 17
|
posted April 13, 2007 06:32 PM
I will just take it easy the first few runs. I know the track surface is different than being out on the road. Besides I only have about 200 miles under my belt with this bike. I had a modified Bandit that always had its front wheel off the ground so I am used to that. It was a big change from the ZX-11 and my current 12. The Kaws seem to keep the weight where it should be. Not that I didn't have fun on the Bandit. It was the easiest / most fun bike to wheelie on. I can never remember having a hard landing. Can't say that about my old 11.
|
shiphteey
Needs a job
Posts: 2529
|
posted April 14, 2007 06:41 AM
Stock gearing may have you on the rev limiter in 2nd at the traps, give or take, depending on how you launch and your weight.
Supersafe: Start at 4k and just feed it out.....
Let it cool down a lil while....get back in line and try to duplicate it with 4.5k rpms....
and so on and so forth. I can't launch higher than 5.5k or so w/stock wheelbase and shorter gearing.
Count on low-mid 7s and then most likely into the 6s as you get comfortable.
A.
|
g_right
Novice Class
Posts: 84
|
posted April 15, 2007 10:40 AM
shiphteey, good point about the cool down....the 12 is known for a weak clutch...I try to run mine three back to back passes and then let the clutches cool down while I think about what I just did and see where I can improve...
|
pbrutman
Parking Attendant
Posts: 17
|
posted April 15, 2007 09:00 PM
Thanks for all the information. Our local strip had a low turn out last year with the bikes. This year the MMDRA (Maine M/C Drag...you know the rest) is trying to get things going better this year. I plan on getting involved with my 12. I certainly appreciate the tips from you experienced racers. I think that I am going to strap it but wait to do any other mods. I have to work on being consitent more than anything considering it is elapsed time bracket racing.
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC