[busdriver]

I have been drag racing cars since I was 16, recently have been bitten by the sportbike bug. Rode dirtbikes when I was younger and consider myself to be an intermediate rider.

Took my 04' GSXR 1K to the track to make a pass or two and discovered it's not as easy as the regulars make it look. The bike is basically stock w/ a slip on, PCIII and is lowered about an 1" in the front and 1 1/2" in the rear.

Here's my best pass so far, watch the video and let me know what I can do to improve my launch etc.... Thanks in advance....


http://videos.streetfire.net/video/GSXR-1K-1080-Pass_682947.htm

Here's some video of my first passes a couple weeks back...

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/1320-Twist-2_681761.htm

 

[Exit Wounds]

Gear it (-1+1 or +2), strap it and with some practice you'll be in the 9s . Get down on the tank.. literally put your head down in the crouch position, up in the gauges, elbows up in the air and try launching at 3-4k then move up 500RPM at a time. Need to get 1st gear wide open before the 1st to 2nd shift. Practice... practice... practice. Might also be good to keep your feet forward when ready to launch, not back behind you. Putting them behind you makes it difficult to get your feet forward on the pegs when the Gs kick in. All the above worked for me... Good luck!

 

[busdriver]

Gear it (-1+1 or +2), strap it and with some practice you'll be in the 9s . Get down on the tank.. literally put your head down in the crouch position, up in the gauges, elbows up in the air and try launching at 3-4k then move up 500RPM at a time. Need to get 1st gear wide open before the 1st to 2nd shift. Practice... practice... practice. Might also be good to keep your feet forward when ready to launch, not back behind you. Putting them behind you makes it difficult to get your feet forward on the pegs when the Gs kick in. All the above worked for me... Good luck!

EW, Thanks for the reply. Picked up the strap Mon, I'll have it on the next time I get to go. Rain is here almost every afternoon right now, I hope to get out there Wed after next and apply your advise.

Stock gearing now, considering the +2 option in the near future. Want to improve my technique first, and break the short shifting habit. Thanks again.... Sean

 

[jimbogsxr11]

The gearing change will make a huge difference, the cheaper route is to go -1 on the front sprocket and see how that affects your time. A tenth lower 60 foot time will make a huge difference overall and you can improve that with practice, the strap and the sprocket. Post the progress.

 

[busdriver]

Thanks Jimbo, How much preload should I be putting on the front strap? :headscrat

 

[pswamp605]

work on your launches. and when you feel like your not getting any faster as the bike gets louder (usually when you redline) now is the time to shift. run the gears out all the way, something i caught my self doing was not using all the throttle helped me quite a bit me>:infrandom <me

 

[crash9116]

+1 on using the throttle, I ran about 12 passes before i realized that i wasnt fully using the "go tube" I dropped 4 tenths once i figured that out.

 

[Exit Wounds]

If you're not against to swapping gearing w/o changing the chain going -1 +1 will let you keep your axle in the same spot. Now... if you're swappin the chain you want the axle all the way to the back. Cut the chain long. Might need to buy new adjuster bolts, I did. I'm not with the -2 on the front idea but if you are and you can still adjust the chain after its on without shortening it then you should be in good shape. When you strap it, crank it as far down as you can get it to go. You can always release it inbetween runs if it wont sit on the stand right. Careful walking away from it while strapped, it'll sit straight up and down sometimes.

 

[busdriver]

Thanks for all the help guys. When it gets time to replace the rear tire, (currently a Michellin power pilot) what would you suggest, keep in mind I still ride on the street quite a bit.

Anyone have pics of how they ran their front end strap, I know it seems elementary but I don't want to make any rookie mistakes that may damage the bike or get me hurt.....:thumbup:

 

[pswamp605]

no question is a stupid question, most ive seen have just been run over the frame, i ride pirelli' diablo's

 

[busdriver]

Ok, went out to the shop tonight to install the front end strap. Bought one from the local shop packaged by Brocks Performance. My problem is now it appears that I will also need some adapters to attach the fricken thing to the calipers.

My question is are there any simple alternatives to the $50 CNC'd ones Brock sells, I don't want to booger up the bike and I know from what I've been reading on here some of you guys are pretty innovative. I just feel like I'm over thinking it, it's a curse..

I started making a template to carve some out of 3/16ish aluminum plate but prototype is a little ugly. I also have some concerns about the strength at the caliper bolt area. I will have to cut them down so thin to get them to seat properly around the radius of the bolt head....Blah Blah Blah... Whadda you got 4 me?.....

 

[Exit Wounds]

Look again.. the billet ones are $100.

http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=4781528

 

[busdriver]

After rechecking I caught that, even more reason for me to fab something up. I think I can copy the $50 version they sell in an hour or two and probably have the stuff laying around

 

[busdriver]

Update

Got out to the track tonight finally after 2 weeks of rain. I want to thank you guys for the advise, ran a new personal best of 10.22 @ 137 with a 1.70 60ft, previously 10.80 @ 131 w/ a 2.0ish 60ft.

First pass was a 10.74, track was not the best, had to hunt for the groove. Each pass got progressively better, using a bit of everyones advise, focusing specifically on the launch procedure.

The strap on the front makes a big difference allowing me to launch it harder and harder as the night went on. Looks like a gear change and a bit more practice should put me in the 9s...Thanks again... Peace Out.......:bowdown:

 

[Exit Wounds]

Woot!

 

[pswamp605]

good runnin

 

[Kanerivera]

After rechecking I caught that, even more reason for me to fab something up. I think I can copy the $50 version they sell in an hour or two and probably have the stuff laying around

I used 2= 10x1.25x75mm bolts and 10 small washer.
I took the Top Caliper Bolts out and replaced them with these. It cost me $3 about 2 mins to install. But anyway Glad you got it worked out....Keep up the good work

 

[Danl]

I like to ride shinko. They are more flat in the middle than pilot power, great for a street ride and the strip.

 

[busdriver]

Got runner up Wed night at the local track, red lit in the final against a very consistent 14.50 Aprilia.......AARRGHH! Hard to watch somebody roll out for 4 sec. it was a 015 red... Gonna try to get my NHRA license this Wed on my buddy's ZX14, can't wait!....

 

[pswamp605]

dang eager beaver couldnt wait? lol thats real good, good luck on wednesday, keep us informed