How to launch
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DRAG RACING
Rev to 4k rpm, lean forward on the tank (I actually lay on the tank). When the SECOND YELLOW light comes on let the clutch out untill it starts to enguage, then roll into the gas. It is important not to get the bike revving too high at this point. You want to get the bike rolling with the clutch and get it accelerating with the gas. It all happens pretty fast, and takes ALOT of pratice to do well.
The most important number on your timeslip will be your 60ft time. That tells you how well you got off of the line. When you are doing it right you will be pulling 1.8something 60fts. 2.0 and up means you are either using to much RPM on the line and spending too much time on the clutch because of it, or you are launching to soft.
Rev to 4k rpm, lean forward on the tank (I actually lay on the tank). When the SECOND YELLOW light comes on let the clutch out untill it starts to enguage, then roll into the gas. It is important not to get the bike revving too high at this point. You want to get the bike rolling with the clutch and get it accelerating with the gas. It all happens pretty fast, and takes ALOT of pratice to do well.
The most important number on your timeslip will be your 60ft time. That tells you how well you got off of the line. When you are doing it right you will be pulling 1.8something 60fts. 2.0 and up means you are either using to much RPM on the line and spending too much time on the clutch because of it, or you are launching to soft.
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1,769 Posts
Here's how I do it.
roll up to the staging line, keep your body weight over the front wheel as much as possible. to prepare for the launch I usually have my left foot on the peg and ready to shift. Some guys like to keep both feet down, it feels a little more stable when you're launching.
I bring my revs up and hold the throttle steady while I release the clutch. The trick is finding the right rpm where you can release the clutch and the bike wont bog or pull the front wheel. A good launch is one where the front wheel might come up an inch or not at all. You want to avoid having to let off the gas because the front wheel is 2 feet in the air.
As with anything practice makes perfect. The more launches you do the more consistent you will become.
The R1 isn't the easiest bike to launch hard is has a pretty short wheelbase which makes it hard to keep that wheel down. Once you get her launched its all kids stuff, anyone can gas and shift.
roll up to the staging line, keep your body weight over the front wheel as much as possible. to prepare for the launch I usually have my left foot on the peg and ready to shift. Some guys like to keep both feet down, it feels a little more stable when you're launching.
I bring my revs up and hold the throttle steady while I release the clutch. The trick is finding the right rpm where you can release the clutch and the bike wont bog or pull the front wheel. A good launch is one where the front wheel might come up an inch or not at all. You want to avoid having to let off the gas because the front wheel is 2 feet in the air.
As with anything practice makes perfect. The more launches you do the more consistent you will become.
The R1 isn't the easiest bike to launch hard is has a pretty short wheelbase which makes it hard to keep that wheel down. Once you get her launched its all kids stuff, anyone can gas and shift.
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9,259 Posts
put it up to about 4 or 5k and slide the clutch out.at the same time roll on the gas.this is the tricky part...too much clutch too fast wheelie...not enuff bog. the more you can give it the gasgas and modulate the clutch the better launch you will have. careful on those clutch plates though!! they are right ...more practice makes better!!also strap your bike down with a schnitz tye strap and you can whip your buddies on their 954 or 929s!!
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I didn't know these things were also built to go straight. Ha Ha
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Ok Ive been practicing launching from stop signs, lights, middle of the road ect. I rev between 4-5k then start letting out the clutch. I give it more gas and let the clutch out more. and i ALWAYS wheelie, ill be laying on the tank, and wheelie...am i giving it toomuch gas or letting the clutch out too fast?
Ok Ive been practicing launching from stop signs, lights, middle of the road ect. I rev between 4-5k then start letting out the clutch. I give it more gas and let the clutch out more. and i ALWAYS wheelie, ill be laying on the tank, and wheelie...am i giving it toomuch gas or letting the clutch out too fast?
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3,988 Posts
Looneybomber, Try starting out @ right about 4000 and slip the clutch alittle more. If your still having problems try starting out at 3500 as you get the hang of slipping the clutch while throttling up. then start trying back at 4000 but for me anything over 4500 it just wheelies to much.
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9,259 Posts
it does not matter if you launch at 2k or 12k... its all clutch modulation. i ride alot of bikes at dragstrip. one easiest to describe is busa or zx12. an experience guy exsctly my size made many passes and said go make a pass. never on the bike i made one pass .3 sec quicker than his. he said did you spin??? i said no!! he said how. simple......bikes like this if you slide the clutch and in the middle of sliding the clutch you apply more throttle.....more power, the clutch locks up and wheelies or spins. so launch at 4k or whatever. slide the clutch as hard as you can to launch hard and not wheelie...when your clutch hand is done(all the way out) apply throttle. fast guys use good hand coordination to make this happen without delay. they slide clutch and quickly apply throttle. thats the start. if it bogs raise rpm. if it spins(or wheelies) use more clutch or less throttle. the 60ft is critical in winning a dragrace and going faster. after that its all bike and no rider involved. on 600 i launch at rev limiter. and modualte the crap out of the clutch to keep it from bogging.... and its alll about practice and replacing a few clutch plates in between!!! good luck
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good thread! :rock
I been going to drag strips this season. Its afreakign rush and I love it! I can't wait for next year..
anyways.. what everyone above said, its very true. 60ft is THE KEY. I still have problems with launching. Then when I do, I am on one wheel and the front one is only 1-2 feet from the ground. It scares the shit out of me and I let go off the gas.
We were taping most of our runs and its good thing to see how you launch.
my buddy and his 99 900RR can whoop anyones ass because he is excellent launcher. He took his friends 600 F4 and just took off on me on the start and it was all over.
Once you get the starting part down, its all shifting.
Also I shift without cluth. Its much smoother. I shift just before the needle gets to the red line.
After I saw the tapes, I noticed that my big problem is the I am in "race"position right of the start. I am tucked in right on the line which I think its bad since I don't have any weight on the front...
I been going to drag strips this season. Its afreakign rush and I love it! I can't wait for next year..
anyways.. what everyone above said, its very true. 60ft is THE KEY. I still have problems with launching. Then when I do, I am on one wheel and the front one is only 1-2 feet from the ground. It scares the shit out of me and I let go off the gas.
We were taping most of our runs and its good thing to see how you launch.
my buddy and his 99 900RR can whoop anyones ass because he is excellent launcher. He took his friends 600 F4 and just took off on me on the start and it was all over.
Once you get the starting part down, its all shifting.
Also I shift without cluth. Its much smoother. I shift just before the needle gets to the red line.
After I saw the tapes, I noticed that my big problem is the I am in "race"position right of the start. I am tucked in right on the line which I think its bad since I don't have any weight on the front...
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