Ninjamissile
Expert Class
Posts: 222
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posted May 09, 2002 04:38 AM
Average Progress or not?
Just wanted some HONEST opinions from the experianced drag guys here on my progress at the strip. First time I went to the strip period was last October on my 12. Best time was 11.3 and a sixty of 2.10. Due to the English winters that was the first and only event that year. This year from the start of March I have managed to fit in 6 events and an average of 8 passes per event. The times have come down almost every week and last weekend I did my best so far of 10.42 @ 141mph and a sixty of 1.83. What I really want to know is this average progress from a complete novice or should I be expecting better times. Bikes Mods: Akro, K&N's, Muzzy dog bones,
Ninja Missile
  
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entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
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posted May 09, 2002 05:23 AM
Mr Missle,
since you are looking for real input and I just startd dragging last year maybe some of my experience would be helpful.
2 questions:
1. how much do you weigh in leathers?
2. do you have the front strapped?
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ninjamissile
Expert Class
Posts: 222
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posted May 09, 2002 06:11 AM
entropy
I weight 230-235lbs with full leathers and YES in the last two meets I have used the front straps. That has cured the wheelie problem but now I have rear traction pboblems. The strip's here are really cold so I have very low tire pressure, maybe 10-15lb. I am running the 17-47 combo. I dont have a pc.
Ninja Missile
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entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
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posted May 09, 2002 07:47 AM
some numbers for comparison
NM,
I weigh the same as you and had my bike set up like yours when I first started:
10.562 136.73 20mph headwind
10.666 136.23 20mph headwind
10.492 137.18 20mph headwind
11.672 131.66 spun in 1st, 2nd
10.961 136.97 spun in 1st, 2nd
10.447 138.40 20mph headwind
10.542 136.18 20mph headwind
11.258 ??? missed 3-4
10.270 140.31 20mph headwind
10.212 133.39 missed 3-4
10.218 140.43 20mph headwind
10.445 138.66 20mph headwind
10.428 138.17 20mph headwind
10.299 140.50
10.391 141.49
11.159 123.35 missed 3-4
10.667 132.67 missed 3-4
10.228 139.36
10.240 140.23
10.298 140.01
after a 230 passes of practice and adding a electric button shifter I made very good progress:
9.895 141.03
9.785 146.81
9.638 146.85 BEST ET & MPH YET!!!!!!!
10.016 145.05 long wheelie. Up-down-up
9.723 145.38
9.742 145.59
9.847 145.91 clutch going south
9.829 145.03 clutch completely bottomed out, won't disengage
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jessz1
Expert Class
Half the wheels, twice the fun
Posts: 373
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posted May 09, 2002 08:04 AM
I weigh 265 and have been to the track three times in my life. Lowered strapped with HMF, and all the other bolt ons went a best of 10.24 at 141 with a 1.78 60 Worst ever was a 10.6 something@136 with a 2.02 60
Practice and pay attention to what you are doing. What is your launch RPM? I still run 40 LBS of air and my track sucks too.
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beaulauber
Novice Class
Green Blood
Posts: 51
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posted May 09, 2002 08:42 AM
I am right there with you.... I have only made about 8 passes and my best is a 10.36@139mph with a crappy 1.85 60'..... this was with stock gearing and lowered and strapped. I weigh 220 with gear. 40psi in the tire.
Next week..... 17T front and going to lower the tire pressure if needed. Its probably time for a muzzy clutch hub and new clutches too.... 7700miles on the stock frictions.. 
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hott-rodd
Novice Class
Posts: 96
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posted May 09, 2002 12:53 PM
lower the rear with dog bones and put pressure back
in the rear tire. You loose a lot of mph with low tire pressure.
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ZX12Girl
Pro
Adrenaline Junkie
Posts: 1740
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posted May 09, 2002 01:09 PM
 Edited By: ZX12Girl on 9 May 2002 14:10
Well I am not a guy....but what the hell!!!
I know that I am a lightweight....but I kept getting better the more I ran. It's looks like you keep improving your times....
This is how It went for me -
11.20's then 10.80's then 10.20's and then 9.90's
Same mods as you.... - 70-80 lbs suited!!!
Do you have the front strapped???
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krexken
Zone Head
Posts: 732
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posted May 09, 2002 01:49 PM
I'd say you're progressing pretty well. The main improvement I see you can make is in the 60' time. With your limited traction, a stickier tire may be necessary. I've seen Entropy 60's in the 1.6s so I'm sure you can get there also with some practice. A shift cutout device or air shifter, cable shifter, can shave off a little time also.
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RAC4IT
Needs a job
Bergie
Posts: 3009
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posted May 09, 2002 03:04 PM
Good Progress
I suggest trying some of the basics and practice each of them independantly until they become second nature and you don't have to think about them. Some of these you may already be doing- others might be new for you so I hope they help:
Tuck; your helmet should be touching the tank and you should be looking through the windscreen. Lift your butt slightly off the seat on the top end to create a smoother aerodynamic profile.
Preload the foot shiftlever; shift without the clutch by blipping the throttle slightly.
Shift just under the limiter (the higher your shiftpoint the more mph you will gain).
Use the clutch heavily at the launch; elbow up high and use the clutch off the line to regulate the front wheel.
Check your rpms when pre-staging.
Keep your weight forward and weight on the bike when launching; some people have a tendancy to stand off the seat slightly when staging.
Your progress is good, just practice a couple techniques at a time until they become natural; then concentrate on the next technique. You'll be turning 9s in no time!
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted May 09, 2002 04:03 PM
Angie, 70-80lbs suited, come on now... your taller then that, maybe not though???? shit Im jelous I think one of my leg's weighs almost 70lbs.... but you know what hmmmm... if you come to a race some time!! I will let you make a pass on my bike I would love to see an 8.50...LOL... yea baby...!!!
Mad Mike...
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ninjamissile
Expert Class
Posts: 222
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posted May 10, 2002 05:49 AM
Thanks guys and girl for your input and advice. I will keep you posted after each event and let you know the times. My aim this year is to get under 10 seconds. I know I am miles away but if I can find some rear wheel traction and improve those 60's who knows.
Many thanks
Ninja Missile
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ZX12Girl
Pro
Adrenaline Junkie
Posts: 1740
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posted May 10, 2002 06:04 AM
MadMike
Look back up there....That was a - (minus)70-80lbs lighter than ninjamissle!!!!
Damn...If I was that light, I would not be able to hold the bike up!!!! LOL
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safe4now
Parking Attendant
JUST BRING IT !
Posts: 30
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posted May 11, 2002 06:54 PM
rac4it - when you say " tuck " right off the line? OR
after you get into 2nd gear? I am 6'4" and tucking
in is alittle easier said than done, but I
have been trying it more and more.
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entropy
Moderator
Posts: 8671
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posted May 12, 2002 02:06 AM
saf4now,
I don't know how Bergie does it, and I'm no expert like him, but I'm 6'3" and I launch with my chest on the tank, looking at the tree thru the windshield. If I don't get all the way down (full tuck) its an automatic wheelie right off the line.
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BA
Pro
Posts: 1592
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posted May 12, 2002 11:30 AM
I'd say you're making good progress for the limited amount of time you've got so far.
Consider this, Look at all the runs that Entropy has made....it's a freakin' bunch.
I've been racing every week for about 3 years and I probably have 350 runs to show for it.
It's like someone said above,....it really is best to work on just one or two things at a time. One week it's the body position at the launch, then the next week, it's the "complete" tuck after 1st gear, the next week it's clutchless shifting, the next week you do them *all* and re-focus where you need to.
Then there's a dozen other things too, shift rpm, shifter preload, R/Time, getting deep into the throttle as absolutely soon as possible, burn-outs, BIKE PREP, etc.
Eventually, all these things become more habit-like and natural, you just need someone to watch you, or video, to see what needs improved upon next. I've been very lucky to have that the past 3 yrs.
So, I'd say you're doing well, and pay attention to what RAC4IT said, those are definitely good tips! (like someone said about 60' times too, aim for some 1.7's)
Download video of other 12Rs racing or Busa's, and listen to their launch RPMS, etc. You can even learn that way!
Sorry to ramble, but you're doing fine. Hope you continue to get that track time! I see some 9's before the end of the year for sure......
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