Lokati
Parking Attendant
Not-a-squid
Posts: 9
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posted October 24, 2010 05:25 PM
Drag Racing 101
I am going to be going to be going to a drag racing event with a bunch of my more casual rider friends for the first time 11/12 in Houston.
I read over Drag Racing 101, and was wondering if anyone had some more specific advice on how to prepare for my first set or runs. I expect to have time to get in 6-10 launches.
I have some 3 hole dogbones to lower the bike a bit and I am primarily concerned with working on my launches and keeping the front wheel down. When we go on spirited riding runs I tend to have a lot of issues keeping the front wheel down during anything close to WOT (80%+) from 1st through 3rd. I've been riding her at the highest adjustment on the dogbones for cornering purposes so that may be part of the issue. Also, I know this might sound a silly question. How should I be shifting down the strip? Snap and slide with throttle pinned wide open? Or easing off the throttle a little and matching it with clutch control?
I currently have a Shinko 005 to start out on. And probably have a budget of a <300$ to play with for anything else minor to get started on.
So what would you suggest I pick up?
What is a good checklist to run down in prep for it?
Other than the drag racing 101 sticky, what else should I be thinking about?
  
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted October 24, 2010 06:21 PM
 Edited By: smokinZX14 on 25 Oct 2010 02:22
Spend a few bucks and get a front strap and lower the bike, that will help with the wheelies ..Take note : it will still wheely even with the strap !!! ... For your first time to the track just take off like you would from a stop sign with your buddies .. Nothing fancy, no hero shit ... With each new run you will learn a litte something about yourself and the bike ..You can't learn this shit from reading about it , you have to get out there and spent loads of time to learn the skills ..I can give pointers but i can't ride the bike for you ..You have to get your feet wet and take baby steps ..There is no getting around this .. Take your time and take it easy and most of all have fun ..
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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Lokati
Parking Attendant
Not-a-squid
Posts: 9
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posted October 24, 2010 06:36 PM
Any suggestions on a front strap in particuliar?
Should I adjust tire pressure for the track?
Should I adjust suspension for the track?
Mmm.. I don't wanna kill myself or my bike, and I am for taking it easy and learning. But I was hoping there would be a more vast resource of knowledge than "get 'er done!" heh.
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted October 24, 2010 06:42 PM
quote:
Any suggestions on a front strap in particuliar?
Should I adjust tire pressure for the track?
Should I adjust suspension for the track?
Mmm.. I don't wanna kill myself or my bike, and I am for taking it easy and learning. But I was hoping there would be a more vast resource of knowledge than "get 'er done!" heh.
Go here for you strap > http://www.schnitzracing.com/ .. Put your rear tire down to 28 to 32 .. Pressure depends on track prep ...Most tracks 32 will work fine .. Set you rear shock by turning in both adjustor screws all the way in ( clockwise ) then back them out each 1/4 turn out ( counter clockwise ) ...
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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Lokati
Parking Attendant
Not-a-squid
Posts: 9
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posted October 24, 2010 06:45 PM
Awesome. My biggest concern is shifting, I've never "raced" before and I've been a fairly casual rider for 10 years. But I picked up a ZX14 as my first "big bike" and its got be really interested 
(previously, my biggest bike was an 02 R1, that I only saw one trackday on)
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TH1RT3EN
Zone Head
Trial And Error Control
Posts: 722
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posted October 25, 2010 05:31 AM
Agree with the front strap, Schnitz can hook you up pretty reasonably price wise for the strap. Or look in the classifieds and you may be able to find a deal on a used one.
The lower you can get the bike the better you will be for the strip.
From personal experience try to get to WOT as fast as humanly possible with the clutch out and front wheel on the ground. Dragracing 101 sticky is totally correct but i am still haveing a difficult time accomplishing this task.
As far as shifting while running down the track, I keep constant upward pressure on the shifter lever and blip the throttle when i want to shift. I am holding the throttle wide open down the track except for the split second when i need to shift. after you shift lower your foot and then hold upward pressure until you hit your next shift point and repeat.
If you want to get comfortable with shifting that way you can go out on a back country road (if any of them are around you depending on location) and give it a try. I live out in the sticks enough i have a few roads i can screw around on with minimal issues.
If you think you will get more into the drag race scene and race more often than a Catalyst Drag seat would not be a bad purchase either. If your just planning on running every now and then i would spend the money elsewhere.
HTH
Patrick
____________
There is a fine line between Fear and Respect
When I was a kid i used to........... Wait I Still Do That!
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