posted September 03, 2009 04:25 AM
Any tricks to stay forward? Went for a long ride last night. I have not tried launching hard since I pulled the flies so I went to my favorite dead end road. After a few attempts I can tell you it is 10 times easier to launch with the flies out then in. 4500 seemed good for me as the front would come up a couple inches and just stay there. Throttle control is a dream now so keeping the wheelie under control through 1st was way more manageable. Only problem I had was I kept sliding back in the seat no matter how hard I tired to stay forward. Once I slid back I had to let off a bit to keep the front end down. Any tips?
posted September 03, 2009 04:32 AM
Were you wearing leathers Rich? You WILL slide about in jeans. Sit towards the back of the seat before you launch and lean forward over the tank, with luck you will stay put.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
posted September 03, 2009 04:35 AM
Just jeans, that is why I would only go through 1st. Good point with the leathers, I never thought about it but I am sure they stick more then denim. Maybe I should try again with my corturoys on tonight Thanks Bob!
posted September 03, 2009 05:04 AM
I had the same problem with leathers on. That's why I got a catalyst seat. Now my problem is bending down and getting my head behind the windscreen. Damn stomach... I need to go on a diet.
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
posted September 03, 2009 05:14 AM
Ha Ha, I need to stop pumping iron, my chest stops me from getting flatter on the tank. ____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
posted September 03, 2009 05:15 AM
I have some real sticky rubber that is thin with adhesive on the back. I am going to try sticking it to my seat tonight and see what happens. It never crossed my mind unitl Bob's post but this stuff is SO sticky I think it will help drastically. I wanted to get a custom seat made anyway so if it damages the top when I peel it off no big deal. I will try it tonight and take pics if it helps. Maybe even try it on the sides of the tank??
posted September 03, 2009 05:29 AM
Velcro pants and seat cover? ____________
2007 Bad to the Bone ZX-14 flies out, full Muzzy exhaust system, PC III, BMC race
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
posted September 03, 2009 06:07 AM
Mines okay for 50 miles or so but I don't have the catalyst I have a stock seat that was cut down. for everyday riding I have a stock seat.
posted September 03, 2009 06:12 AM
An added plus is that the Catalyst or similar gets you real low on the bike. Definitely not for the street, but depending on your build, fine for short trips around town.
posted September 03, 2009 06:16 AM
Edited By: rich s on 3 Sep 2009 14:17
My problem is the track is an hour away. Not sure I could go that far on one without a pillow :O
posted September 03, 2009 07:22 AM
Edited By: smokinZX14 on 3 Sep 2009 15:31
This is a big problem for some people ...If you slide back at all the bike will wheely ... I have talked to a lot of top racers and all say the same thing about a zx14 " if you move back just one inch it's wheely time .. For some reason the zx14 has this problem more than the Busa or other bikes ...
What i do is two fold ... One : I use my arms and pull myself forward till i hit second gear , after i hit second gear i slide back and tuck in .... Two : I use my legs to pinch the gas tank and frame and that helps to keep me in place ... Get your head as far forward as possible , chest on the tank ... Biggest problem with this turning the throttle , because you are pulling yourself forward you tend not to twist the throttle .. .. It takes some time but you can over come the problem and learn to twist the throttle ....Done right your 60 foot times will drop ...
I have hit 1.34 60 foot times doing it this way .. Is it easy ? No it's not easy but it can be done with seat time ..
I should tell you i have the stock seat ( not cut down ) I have tried the race seat and didn't like it .. While it does put you lower in the bike it also keeps me from tucking in because the tank is now in the way ..I have not tried this but a hump added to the seat like Tobin uses may help ....
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
posted September 03, 2009 07:34 AM
Thanks for chiming in Smokin! Watching the vids of you launching got me thinking how in the world you stay forward with a stock seat (I believe). Thanks for the info, I will keep working on it. It amazes me how like you say, 1 inch back and the front starts to immediately come up.
posted September 03, 2009 07:46 AM
I did not see the second part of your post. When I do my custom seat I might just have them put in a hump just for this purpose and then I can custom where it is. There is a seat place real close to me that will do this.
I took some of the rubber I mentioned earlier and put it against my leg. It sticks very well so I do think this will make a big difference depending on how the adhesive sticks to the seat.
posted September 03, 2009 08:54 AM
Here is a good example of what happens when you slide back on the launch. Watch the bike wheelie as soon as I hit the back of the seat:
Soon after that video I got my drag seat. As you can see, getting locked in solid is important.
posted September 03, 2009 10:32 AM
Yes, I can definitely see the difference! Makes me want to buy another 14, one for the street and one for the track. Throw in an R1 for the other track and a Vette for Racing in Miller Park and I got it made. Hey Stalwart, can I borrow some money?
posted September 03, 2009 10:38 AM
I had a horrible time with the stock seat, and I am one that the catalyst drag seat helped tremendously. I am still at stock wheelbase so the wheel tends to want to come up anyway. At launch with the stock seat, I would immediately slide back to the seat cowl which prompted the wheel to want to come up harder. To compound the matter, I am footshifting, so the moment I would pull my legs up to shift, it trys to come up just that much harder. Not good. I am 6'4" and 230, so the drag seat really lowers my tall center of gravity and I feel very planted when I take off. I've loved it, but of course I wouldn't want to ride around with it for any distance. It also broke a part of the fairing under the seat.
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2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
posted September 03, 2009 10:47 AM
I am curious what kind of times you are able to get at stock wheelbase if you don't mind me asking. We are somewhat close on weight. Also, how much time did you take off when you lowered your bike?
posted September 03, 2009 11:05 AM
Edited By: smokehouse4444 on 3 Sep 2009 19:08
I am at 10.01, but understand its been triple digits in Texas for almost three months. Even with the heat, and the long time between outings, I felt I was heading into the nines the last two times and the track just went away. A bummer, but the way it is. I would make a guess that strapping it and using the drag seat helped by at least half a second. More importantly, because I feel so much more confident and sure of the feel, I am fairly consistent. I was hoping to get into the nines before I stretched it, but this Texas heat might not let up in time.
____________
2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
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posted September 03, 2009 04:25 AM
Thanks Bob!
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