On Friday I took my bike to the track for the first time. Since I learned you don't have to have full leathers if you have a 600cc or smaller or don't trap higher than 120 I figured I'd give it a shot. I wasn't trying to break any records as evident in my video. I definitely need practice but I really just went out to have fun. I only got 5 runs in the whole night.

Things I've learned from watching my video. I'm not revving it high at all, I think the highest I went was 3.5k. And I'm putting my feet up way too early. I kept getting anxious and just wanted them up. lol I basically leave at idle almost except for a few runs towards the end. lol Oh well...I do love the way my exhausts sounds. It's the only bike you hear in every run.

Enjoy my slowness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbIEcN7c5oI

 

can't see your vids, what was your ET/trap?

 

My best E.T. was a 12.63@113 I also had a 12.69@117. I don't think I had better than a 2.5 60'ft. Pretty bad. I did better than that with my F-150. lol I'm 6'2 around 230lbs with all my gear on.

 

looked like fun! keep practicing

 

It's all about getting that launch down. Just practice. Not bad for your first time

 

not too bad. my first time on my 675 i did like a 13 and a few runs later got a 11.4. probably couldve improved

 

I usually launch at 5.5k-6k and abuse the hell out of the clutch to get the best 60fts. I try to keep my feet off the pegs as long as possible too.

The best bang for your buck for drag racing is buying a strap if you don't already have one. I dropped 3 tenths off my 60ft just by strapping my 919 and it made launching soooo much easier. Definately worth the $30 is costs to buy one.

 

that's not bad with those 60' times. nice

 

Indeed... you need to feather it around 5.5-6.5k to get really good launch... and you'll feel it when it's right.

Props for taking it to the track where you can do it safely and get good timed feedback

 

That looks like fun, I want to learn how to launch, I'm just afraid of an accidental loop if I get cocky :/

 

you were having fun and learning! so its all good! i wouldnt be too worried about what you do with your feet, but if it helps you to lean more forward on the bike then maybe?

consider yourself lucky, theres only one race a year where i live.
i entered in 2007 (at a cost of about 300 dollars) and when i got there i was disqualified instantly cos the helmet i had was over 5 years old.
i got a loan of a helmet sticker from someone and went out and lined up! managed to get one, untimed practice run before i was spotted and banned from all racing for a year ha ha!
i didnt mind cos theres only one track in this country (!!) and i dont really race.
so yeah, looks like you had fun!!

i have the flu and im half asleep, so when you tell me what a strap is, i'll probaly know, but, whats a strap?

 

Straps compress the front forks, in effect lowering the front of the bike for drag racing.

$25

 

jeez i never seen those. seems like a great idea to put some weight forward, while reducing upward inertia from the forks!
and, the front of my civic is sitting a bit high i might do a bit of research!

 

[QUOTE=kneeslide]
consider yourself lucky, theres only one race a year where i live.
i entered in 2007 (at a cost of about 300 dollars) and when i got there i was disqualified instantly cos the helmet i had was over 5 years old.
[QUOTE]

Damn that sucks. Bithlow has open street drags every Wed. & Friday for $15. Only problem is it can get kind of crowded sometimes. I'm definitely going to become a regular once I get a full suit. And I had heard of straps before but I didn't really know what they were. I might have to look into that. Definitely a blast to rip down the track and not have to worry about cops.

 

Will those straps cause premature failure to the shocks or are they to be taken off as soon as you are done running?

 

You wouldn't want to use them on the street, they're limiting how much your suspension can move. Wether or not they cause the seals to get damaged (a concern for people who strap the front end of their bike down for transport) seems not worth worrying about when your slipping your clutch a 5K rpms.

 

sweet. now make it turn at those speeds

 

Straps are really easy to remove(2 bolts) or loosen so I just tighten the strap when I'm gonna race and loosen it when I'm not at the track. It makes launching sooooooo much easier.

 

practice, you'll get better, that bike is capable of high 10's with practice.