keep-up's 1/4 mile diary

Well tonight was my 1st time drag racing. For central Texas folks they have test-n-tune just about every Friday night at Temple Academy Dragway from 6:30pm to 11:30pm for $5 to get in the gate including onlookers and $10 additional to make as many runs as you can get in. Its located on Hwy 95 about 7 miles south of Temple, Texas. Here's the website: www.templeacademy.com (http://www.templeacademy.com) So I guess I'll post my results for tonight and add to the thread each time I make it out to the strip....kinda like a diary. Good news: My times improved just about every run. Bad news: Out of the 10 runs I got in, 6 of them I was shutting down early cuz I didn't realize the finish line was another 100 yds further down the track. So I won't count those. That sux! Summary: my best reaction time was .616, my 60 foots ranged from 2.08 to 2.23. Here are the results of my last 4 runs: Run #7: 11.9177 @ 125.69 mph Run #8: 11.7999 @ 129.19 mph Run #9: 11.5254 @ 116.00 mph Run #10: 11.8182 @ 124.48 mph Everything is stock except what you see below. Basically, zero engine and gearing mods except exhaust. Lot's of fun. I HIGHLY recommend to everyone.

nice times. funny to see that your best time was your slowest speed?

Yeah, I wondered the same thing. Doesn't seem to make sense. Here are the detailed comparisons of my 2 best runs: Fastest-------------------------------------2nd Fastest 1.1060---------------Reaction---------------1.1593 2.0800-----------------60 ft------------------2.2282 5.1927----------------330 ft------------------5.5632 7.5566----------------1/8 ET-----------------8.0211 106.18 mph----------1/8 mph---------------101.74 mph 11.5254--------------1/4 ET-----------------11.7999 116.00 mph----------1/4 mph---------------129.19 mph The only thing that could explain it unless the timing system had a glitch is that I really was on it really hard and then slowed down at the very end cuz the 1/4 mile speed is the average speed over the last 100 yds, right? I don't know. How can there be that much of a discrepancy in speed and yet the time is faster??? Any thoughts?

1/4 mile times are all about the 60 ft times, unless you screwed up on shifting or something along those lines, I would guess that your best 60 ft times correspond with your best 1/4 times.

Originally posted by gtg727g 1/4 mile times are all about the 60 ft times, unless you screwed up on shifting or something along those lines, I would guess that your best 60 ft times correspond with your best 1/4 times. 100 percent true for et. Mph can be a little tricky though. As for the 116 mph trap speed my theories. You maybe hit the brakes before the line... it doesnt take much, it'll scrub off more speed than et. System glitches happen. don't worry about it. Often times it is just one number that gets screwed when this happens.

There are two(2) lines at the finish line. the first line is your et line. the second line is your mph line. i dont know the exact distance between the two(its not 100 yards), but i think its between 10 or 12 feet. this is where your mph is calculated. if you where to come off the gas raght as you pass the first line then your mph would be low. stay on the gas untill after the second line and you would get a true reading of your mph. Your right about your 60 ft times having something to do with your et. the better your 60 ft times the lower your et will be(leave harder).

If your having fun at the drags and figure you'll do a little more I gotta reccomend getting a strap for it. My bike is a 00 bone stock everything including the stock pipe and my best run to date was a 10.69@132. Got a strap and went to the drags, made at least 10 passes. First one was a tester as I never tried a strap before and ran a low 11. second run got a little more serious and ran a 10.65. Made 3 runs in the 10.4s with a best of 10.42@134mph. The rest were 10.5s-10.6s. 60ft times are all in the 1.7s-1.8s I gotta say the shnitz strap is the best bang for the buck mod for the drags. Oh I'll add that I checked my rear tire pressure and it was 42psi cold, never bothered lowering it as traction wasn't a problem. Should've dropped it though wouldn't hurt.

Excellent input folks! I need all the education I can get. I've seen the Schnitz straps on tobefast.com. I think I'll check them out again...... So how is it they make you launch better. If I had to guess, since they compress the front end it won't rock back on you as much. Thus creating less pitching momentum to the back, meaning harder to wheelie, meaning more hp can be applied to the rear tire resulting in faster launch. Come on. After that kind of thought process I gotta be right, right?

Yeah I'd say your spot on with the rock back theory. With the front strapped I found it just stays hunkered down and you can really get on it. My best run of 10.42 actually could of been a 3 easily as I really got out of shape and had to straighten it back up so I'm sure it cost me a little and I was surprised to see how good it was. Now I gotta get me a sprocket and a lowering link. I may just try the sprocket first and I'll let you know how it works. On another note I backed the rear preload right off as I had a theory about that as well. I figured I'd get a little more sag and lower it a little as well I thought it may just setle back rather than wheelie too. I may try it with my street set up next with less tire pressure. You know this drag shit can be addictive. I love the twisties more but this is pretty good fun with the added advantage of no speeding tickets. Good Luck on your next trip to the strip.

Backmarker, Can you post pics with your Schnitz straps on? What I'm afraid of is that I'll have to remove my Scott's damper since they go over the top triple clamp, right? It's not a huge deal cuz it's only 2 screws but I'd like to minimize taking it off due to the locktite on the screws.

I would definitly do it for ya if I had a Digi or at the very least a scanner but I used advice I got off here and elsewhere. Most people say over the headstock right behind the top triple clamp. I didn't want to do it that way as shnitz says around the lower triple but the R1 has a bunch of cables and a plastic shroud in the way. I just went with what I was told and it works fine. I did see a guy with a top mounted hyper pro and he route the strap in a way that came up and over the fairing stay where it mounts on the front of the frame. I'm not sure but with the damper you have the strap should still be able to be fitted right behind the bracket that actually attaches to the lever sticking out of the damper. Hope this helps you out if you can even understand what I'm talking about. PM spidermanss I think it was him that posted a pic of his strap on or even do a search as I'm positive I saw a pic of his and this is what I went by. I thought it would make steerin impossible but it really just makes it heavier and still permits lots of controll

i've ran a 11.30 at 123.9 on my 2002 r6. ts.

PM spidermanss I think it was him that posted a pic of his strap on or even do a search as I'm positive I saw a pic of his and this is what I went by. I had no idea that this was a gay bar...

Hey I didn't even notice that. HA HA pretty funny, I guess you have have to have an eye for gay porn lol

Alright. 2nd time to the strip tonight and I took your advice and got the Schnitz lowering straps. Wow, what a difference. Very confidence inspiring. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get very many runs in because of 1hr shutdown. Some drunk idiot pulled out in front of a truck on the highway at the driveway entrance to the drag strip and had to get medevac choppered out. Sucked sitting there for an hour. Anyway, I was able to get 5 runs in, each one improving. 11.66, 11.33, 11.22, 11.06 (best of the night, and then they shut the track down for an hour), and then a miserable 11.34 (wheelie just before shifting from 1st to 2nd) Quite an improvement from my 1st night a couple months back. Still haven't broken into the 10's yet but I'm confident it'll happen next time out. Reaction ranging from 1.00 to 1.32, 60 ft ranging from 1.90 to 2.23. This is where I need to work. I'm so afraid of looping her that I'm a little too conservative out of the hole. Practice and repetition will cure this malady. Here's my fastest run: Reaction 1.0002 60 ft 1.9042 330 ft 4.9670 1/8 ET 7.3440 1/8 mph 104.14 1/4 ET 11.0603 1/4 mph 129.90

11.06 on a R1? You arent serious are you? My best friend has a lowered bone stock 2003 r6. His best time is a 10.79 @ 129. He stays in the high 10's every pass. His first pass ever on the bike was an 11.30 but i dont remember the mph right off hand. I can post a time slip if anyone is curious. :fact If you get your 60ft's down in to the 1.7-1.8 range your e.t. will drop tremendously. Good luck and keep practicing, it will come with time.

There is a guy that races at Atco every Thursday on a red and white R1, all stock, no straps, stock exhaust, stock height(he's stays on his tippy toes when he launches.............he runs 9.90's all day long...............its all rider folks, it don't matter how much horsepower you have, if you can't launch a bike, your ET will suffer BIG TIME..........................I see guys on Busas that run in the 11's.

We got a couple of genius' here! 1 or 2 posts and already talking sh1t! Seriously, take some time to get to know a few folks before running your mouth. I started this thread for my benefit, sort of a record keeping or diary as the title mentions. I appreciate constructive criticism, no need for insults here Mr. Talksh1t from you lofty computer somewhere. This was my 2nd time to the drag strip and I do it purely to for entertainment. Never claimed to be a badass. Lot's of little punks at the strip think they can ride. And I'll take ANYONE through the twisties. I know I can make a mean run if I want to ride on the envelope but guess what: I don't. I already looped my baby at 80 mph and that was no fun healing and putting the bike back together with limited funds. I have no interest in doing something similar. So yes my launches suck. But I have no need for both of your sh1t talking while I'm out having a little fun after long a$$ weeks at work. If you don't have something nice say or constructive details to give then keep your fokking traps shut.

Don't know why I waste my breath on idiots like that.......guess I just needed to release some steam from other stuff. Ok, deep breath, now I'm back to normal again.

I wasn't talkin' sh#t, I was merley trying to explain what it takes to lay down good 1/4 mile times.......................Most people get caught up in those magazine test, then take there bikes to the track and get pissed off because they are 1.5 seconds off what they run in the magazine, then they go out and spend tons of money on exhaust, ignition, airbox mods, then go out on the highway for a blast and say, "Damn this thing runs like a champ now"......then go back to the track and run the same times or even worse, but still blame the bike, I tell these guys, go ask one of the pros at the track to take your bike for a pass, some do some don't, the ones that d, end up putting the heads down in shame when they read the timing tower.................proper clucth sliding will prevent you from looping the bike, if you dump the clutch, then yes you will be landing near by aircraft.

There are two(2) lines at the finish line. the first line is your et line. the second line is your mph line. i dont know the exact distance between the two(its not 100 yards), but i think its between 10 or 12 feet. this is where your mph is calculated. Actually the 2 lines are 66 feet apart, they each contain a beam, the 1st one is you mph beam, its measure your time time between the 1st beam and second beam to calculate your mph.................the 2nd beam is your et beam. it works in conjunction with your starting beam............

600 are easier to launch the the high torque R1.a stock r1 can launch about 3 or 4k vs 13k for a 600. even the gixxer 1k i have rode i can launch about 9k cuz the power is much higher in the revs the my R1. its all about the rider and 60ft. i run a turbo busa in SBS class and most places are bracket classes, so it doesnt matter how fast u run. i have seen 9.50 outta 600s. no matter who u are or where u go there is always someone faster that has more $$$$. its really all about having fun isnt it??????

Below are a couple of time slips from my last time at the track. My bike is a 2000 R1 lowered a little in the rear and strapped in the front. The swingarm has been extended 6 inches. The bike is capable of alot better runs but this was only my third trip to the dragstrip.

You can run a Schnitz Tie Down Strap with a Scotts Damper. You run the strap in front of the mount that attaches to the frame and underneath the extended piece from the damper itself, the pieace that goes over the pin..... Hope the makes since... I installed one at the shop for ducatiwv a few weeks ago.. Maybe he can take a snap shot for you.... I saw a few of you touched on the 60 ft... times and that's right on... The 60 foots are everything at the drag strip... Two things that I wouldn't go to the strip without.. Tie down strap and Speedlink adjustable link... Within a few minutes you can return the bike to stock height and still enjoy the twisties.... The right mix of clutch slipping and throttle... (more clutch than throttle) will dramatically lower the 60 foots and you will bring the times down big....!

Look man i in no way was trying to make fun of you.... Everyone has to start somewhere, and yes its all for fun anyway.. If i would have been trying to make fun of you i would have said something about your ridiculously slow times. I didnt mean it to come across that way. I was trying to tell you that if you work on your 60ft times, lower e.t.s would come. Thats it....point blank... Im sorry you coudnt take it the way i said it.. Next time ill try to word it differnent so i dont offend you. I take it i must be one of those punks that just think i can ride? So what superbike titles are you holding? All i was tryin to do was let you know where you were lacking......So if thats not constructive criticism......i dont know what is..... Like i said at them end of my last post..... GOOD LUCK and it will come with time....... Later.....

Originally posted by 01gsxr1k 11.06 on a R1? You arent serious are you? My best friend has a lowered bone stock 2003 r6. His best time is a 10.79 @ 129. He stays in the high 10's every pass. You're right. I definitely over reacted. I've been working some ridiculous hours and took my frustration out the wrong way. But seriously, how would you react if someone said what I've quoted above to you? Maybe you wouldn't have gotten as upset as I sounded but how can you not take some offense to that? Anyway, arguements over the internet are a waste of time. No offense taken now that I've cooled down and realized how much I over reacted.

Look no hard feelings here..... I understand about the working late thing....trust me. I guess i could have said that first part of my post a little differnently. Now that i think about it... that was a little harsh...i apologize also..... but on a serious note, keep workin on it and you will get it. Good luck to you.

nice times, not bad at all considering the altitude you're at, that makes a big difference, also if you are going for quick et's stage as shallow as possible. we have really good air here in ca, my best on my lowly F4i is: 60ft 1.9016 330ft 5.196 1/8 7.749 at 97.6mph 1/4 11.790 at 122.3 mph

f4i your trap speed is about right for f4s. the 60 ft will result in quicker ets for u ,but it will slow trap speed as well. so lets say u 60 ft @ 1.75 ur time might be like 11.62@121.9. 60 ft is everything in dragracing. the 600 ss ridden by ryan schnitz have 60fts in the low 1.40s and running 9.90s. now there biikes have the addition of countless hours of work and tuning on them not to mention adjusted cam timing and undercut trannys probably with ceramic bearings. they are some nice ceramic bearings for wheels that are suppose to be good for .1 or .2 alone, but they come at a nice $500 plus price tag. very respectable times for your bike. several f4is here at 4000-4500 ft elevation are running similar times stock. tooo bad its winter now and no racing till february!!!!

ive been racing every bike ive ever had at the drags for a good many years, a few of these posts are right on the money, you have to have no respect for the clutch, and pretend the race is for the first 60'. the launch is absolutly the most important thing in a low et.. by bike is bone stock(well has a full exhaust..big deal) and i ran a 10.5@134mph(3 runs). practice, practice, practice... by the way on dec 13th at fontana there having a bike show and drags...

Originally posted by spongebob750 ive been racing every bike ive ever had at the drags for a good many years, a few of these posts are right on the money, you have to have no respect for the clutch, and pretend the race is for the first 60'. the launch is absolutly the most important thing in a low et.. by bike is bone stock(well has a full exhaust..big deal) and i ran a 10.5@134mph(3 runs). practice, practice, practice... by the way on dec 13th at fontana there having a bike show and drags... Haha! I like that...."have to have no respect for the clutch". Not a bad strategy I'd say. Cuz I know I'm babying mine. And I know that's why I suck.

Those look like Harley times..sorry could not resist.

Well, sorry you couldn't resist but from my 1st night out to my second I improved by 1/2 a second. How 'bout you Superman?

First drag night of the new spring season: 9 April 2004 Configuration: BDE Hindle PC3 Map, Front strapped, rear shock at softest/lowest preload, mirrors removed, no knee sliders. Run-----Dial In-----Reaction------60 ft------1/8---------1/4-------Speed #1 ------ N/A ----- 0.6478 ---- 2.0031 ---- 7.3074 ----11.0204 --- 129.64 MPH #2 ------ N/A ----- 0.6884 ---- 2.0746 ---- 7.4767 ----11.2125 --- 129.12 MPH #3 ------ N/A ----- 0.5627 ---- 2.0483 ---- 7.3547 ----11.0363 --- 130.54 MPH #4 ---- 10.90 ----- 0.9177 ---- 1.9728 ---- 7.3090 ---- 10.9856--- 130.58 MPH #5 ---- 10.90 ----- 0.9614 ---- 1.9269 ---- 7.1615 ---- 10.8176--- 131.34 MPH BREAKOUT!! PR: 10.8176

Second drag night of the new spring season: 14 May 2004 Configuration: Front strapped, rear shock at normal ride height/preload, mirrors removed, no knee sliders. Run-----Dial In-----Reaction------60 ft------1/8---------1/4-------Speed #1 ------ N/A ----- 0.6486 ---- 2.0149 ---- 7.4221 ----11.1056 --- 130.39 MPH #2 ------ N/A ----- 0.6535 ---- 2.1911 ---- 7.9380 ----11.6619 --- 129.45 MPH Lifted front end TWICE off the line trying higher throttle hand wrist position. #3 ------ N/A ----- 0.5006 ---- 1.9039 ---- 7.1415 ----10.8179 --- 131.11 MPH #4 ---- 10.80 ----- 1.0298 ---- 1.9131 ---- 7.1064 ---- 10.7401--- 132.43 MPH BREAKOUT!! Another PR: 10.7401 All I want for Christmas is an adjustable "dog bone" suspension link.....

keep going. your 60 ft still off by little. u have a strap??? its getting better. keep at it.

You ran some excellent times for your FIRST TIME EVER at the track! It's much harder than it looks..! I wish more people (not you) were more educated regarding E.T. and MPH. So many people think "My bike can do 9 seconds in the 1/4 mile so it will KILL your car that you run 11's in". Most people think E.T and mph are realated in some way. Like some1 posted above.. E.T. Is ONLY YOUR FIRST 60' of the race. The rest perhaps means a few tenths (shifting speed, skill, technique).

I think we all could use more practice. They recently opened a track here and for the first time out I ran 11.2@129. I wanted to break the 11 sec mark but I just couldn't. I haven't been back since but I think I will take some advice and get a strap and lowering link. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm sure it'll help out.

Originally posted by 1longR1 keep going. your 60 ft still off by little. u have a strap??? its getting better. keep at it. Yeah, I do strap the front now. Used a strap the last 4 times out I think. Still want to see what a lowering link and swingarm extensions will do though but it sure is fun if they'd actually let you get in more than 1 run per hour. Pretty ridiculous. This outfit is under new ownership and as you can see I was able to get 10 runs in my 1st night but lately I've only managed to get half that...... I'm pissed. Almost asked for my money back last time.

Originally posted by Puppypushr I think we all could use more practice. They recently opened a track here and for the first time out I ran 11.2@129. I wanted to break the 11 sec mark but I just couldn't. I haven't been back since but I think I will take some advice and get a strap and lowering link. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm sure it'll help out. I hear the new track in Valdosta is nice! They are running the full 1/4 now to i guess? Let me know what nights are good for bikes. Thanks...

Originally posted by Nukedog I hear the new track in Valdosta is nice! They are running the full 1/4 now to i guess? Let me know what nights are good for bikes. Thanks... It's really nice..They spent some money on it and it shows. Every Friday night is Test and Tune. The 1/4 mile has been up and running since opening night.

With the right clutch slipping you can smoke your clutch plates wearing them out enough that you should adjust your clutch cable free play.. I didnt adjust my clutch and now am waiting for parts. Live and learn. I'm a newbie to drag racing. And at a disadvantage with my weight and Altitude. But it is still a kick ass good time.

My bad 11.551 @ 130.80 mph Bandimere More test and tune to come

Originally posted by Uzi Rider My bad 11.551 @ 130.80 mph Bandimere More test and tune to come Ooh! Bandimere! That's right in my back yard. I grew up in Arvada but only made it out to Bandimere once. That place is lush and makes our little drag strip look like a shit hole by comparison. Still fun though. Man I want to take my bike to where the REAL twisties are.... I miss Denver sometimes....

Nice times and keep trying you will get it with practice. Everyone is a 9 sec rider behind the computer but when people show up at the track we have 11 sec Busas and R1's which are the same times my dead F4i ran. Look at it this way if you had no room to improve what fun would it be.

Once you get your 60' times into the 1.7xx, you will be really happy with your time on the big end. For now, don't be too concerned with the trap speed. Drag racing is about being quick, not fast. Your trap speed will be a little lower (until you get consistant) as you are running the track quicker. Ran 10.7's consistantly on my ZX-9 (Big Heavy monster, especially with my 225lbs on it) I haven't yet ran the Gixxer in the 1/4, but my 1/8 mile times are in the 6.7's. Should turn some mid 10's. Also, remember, 10lbs = .1 seconds in the 1/4. Maybe I should go on a diet;-)