You guys can flame me and tell me I have the "wrong tool" for the job, I won't care. I'm just a speed junkie whether it be straight line/corners. I race everything I own :P
I've searched and understand that dragging a RC is usually frowned upon or laughed at. I am posting for those few who enjoy doing to same. or are just curious in general. I am open minded so all comments are welcome and advice is always appreciated!
Now i've dragged cars at the track but that was years ago. Dragging the bike down the 1/4 is a whole different story. The only thing constant between when I race cars/bikes is my lack of consistency, LOL.
I had a lot of fun on my first night. I learned a WHOLE lot about the bike, and myself. I figured if I can't go fast in a straight line consistently that testing my limits in the corners was not a good idea yet. Anyhow, from my first night-
My traps were anywhere from 104-117
60's anywhere from 1.9-2.5
ET was anywhere from 11.9-17.3 (don't ask, HAHA)
My best was the 11.9 @117, with a 1.9 60, that was lifting to shift too.
I went back the following week and was a lot more confident. My times were much more consistent. I managed an 11.7@120, with a 2.0 sixty. I know it can still do better but the track will be closed for awhile (winters pretty much here). I got to race another twin (tiller) for some reason they always want to race me. But the guys are always cool and its in good fun so I am up for it.
They kicked me off due to NHRA rules (running traps 120+ requires leathers) one of the reasons I have not gone to a "real" track is I don't have leathers. so now that I have to buy full leather I will have one less excuse for not going to an actual "track." To be honest I am a bit intimidated of racing the bike on a course. Ill have to ask the locals on the best time for a track noob to show up would be.
nothing wrong with dragging an RC, as long as its done at the track. i have seen several at the local track bike nights.
from what i have heard is the hydo clutch is not good for dragging, might want to look into thorstens cable clutch conversion.
dont worry about lap times on the track, that should be the least of your worries, worry about hitting you lines, corner entry and exit. most importantly have fun with time and experience you times will come down.
get some leathers and have fun
Despite the RC51's torque producing abilities, it takes too long to spool up and get into the real power making rpm ranges, when compared to I4s at the drag strip.... Limited at 999ccs and not a plethora of "drag racing" type engine parts available, I'd prefer other makes or models for the task.
If you enjoy drag racing, you'll LOVE the track..........
forgot to mention the track is I want to say, 5200, or 5500 ft above sea level, which does not help.
txrc- When you going to be in the springs? I would love to meet. I have not decided what I am doing about the fairings yet, which is why i havent got back to you. are you still interested in picking up extras for track fairings?
I dont see too many RC's around. I dont ever see any dragging. I heard there was one up at bandi awhile back doing 11.9's so I guess I am on par.
rigor- I cant wait to get to the track. hopefully next year, once I have leathers, more experience, and confidence. like I said, hopefully there is some sort of noob track day I can attend so I dont get in anyones way.
No flames from me, I'm an ex drag racer (NHRA #J394, Super Pro ET) and would love to take my RC to the strip. My friend, Steve Hill (road races a GSXR750) & I grew up drag racing our street cars. He went into the military and I went racing with a 440ci Duster! To this day, he is the first off the line and into turn one at the road races, 100% due to the drag racing background!
Have fun and be safe. If the rules require leathers, get leathers. The rules aren't there to be dicks, they are there because you should have them going that fast. Put a big rear sprocket on the bike (44-45ish) and drop the tire pressure. Soften the crap out of compression damping and the spring in the rear (not to the point of instability though). Practice your launches, I'm sure you know, those short times are dismal, but they are the hardest part to master on a bike launch. Once you get these into the 1.40's, the ET will come around and you should be in the 10's in no time.
phx yeah im still interested, came through sprgs on sat. went down to canyon city and ran hwy 50 up monarch pass and then back down. fun ride. monarch was wet so had to take it easy.
couple of RCs around we all need to get together
Rigor- Thanks to a generous offer from a certain someone I may be at the "Track" sooner than I thought.
beaugator- I've been told it was geared, and I have been told it is stock. rear is extremely dirty otherwise I would look a number. and I dont feel like counting teeth. front I have no clue as it has a full cover so cant see anything. I've never ridden another so i have no comparison. I have a 520 set up with 15-43 sprockets to go in whenever I have time.
Fishyhead- exactly. and at this particular track at the end of the drag (which is the main straight for the road course) there is a huge banked corner. so after you drag, you can practice one corner they don't like that too much though.
Smokngun- its always safe. and besides for not doing it, the track is the safest way I know to go about it. I hope I did not come across as bitching about leathers. I know its for safety and everyones well being. they wouldnt let me race anymore after I got consistent and kept hitting 120 traps. Thanks for the tips. I will try softening the dampening on the rear a little. and also maybe dropping the pressure a couple pounds while at the track next time. the first two times i was more worried about keeping the front down on launching and smooth shifting, I was more worried about my riding then the bikes set up. I am catching on pretty quickly. I still just have troubles getting it off the line, with some more practice I am sure ill get the hang of it.
TXRC51fatboy-hit me up next time and we can meet up. eat. ride. do whatever. let me sort out my pile o parts and see whats going down and we can go from there. cool?
CBR400RR- Im trying to find the middle finger smiley, LOL. that is pretty damned good for first time at the track. Im guessing this was out in cali, and near sea level? another reason why I hate living on the damn mountain range. give me low altitude and beaches any day of the week. ill write you a sponsor proposal for my bike so that way you can get more exposure out here, and I can get more trick parts for the RC sent ya a pm back BTW.
i got no complaints about it i took mine to the drag strip (1/8th mi) around here the other weekend. my best run was a 7.3 at 104 mph but i was running between 7.3 and 7.4 except for on 7.9 best trap speed was at 104.5 and best 60 foot was a 1.9 best reaction was a .654
it was a great way to learn to launch the bike as someone said before. i am comfortable carrying the front tire barely off the ground though first now and it popping a little in shifting to second.
not to jack your thread but anyone else run 1/8th mile or can tell me if thats a good time?
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Not everyone like RC51s..... only those who like twins messing around between thier knees
'02 RC51
-- Jardine RT-ONE race baffles
-- undertail that i dont like, but cant afford a new one
i got no complaints about it i took mine to the drag strip (1/8th mi) around here the other weekend. my best run was a 7.3 at 104 mph but i was running between 7.3 and 7.4 except for on 7.9 best trap speed was at 104.5 and best 60 foot was a 1.9 best reaction was a .654
it was a great way to learn to launch the bike as someone said before. i am comfortable carrying the front tire barely off the ground though first now and it popping a little in shifting to second.
not to jack your thread but anyone else run 1/8th mile or can tell me if thats a good time?
I ran my bike once at the drag strip a few years back, and it went 7.0 at 103. Density altitude was crap though. My 60' was 1.80. These aren't drag bikes, but I'd say anything in the high 6s low 7s is decent for an RC51. I remember my hydraulic clutch protesting quite a bit.
I ran my bike once at the drag strip a few years back, and it went 7.0 at 103. Density altitude was crap though. My 60' was 1.80. These aren't drag bikes, but I'd say anything in the high 6s low 7s is decent for an RC51. I remember my hydraulic clutch protesting quite a bit.
I did a 6.92 at 108mph on a VFR800 1/8th mile of course. Its all about the launch. The hydraulic clutch was screaming for mercy after a few runs though.
No, you didn't come across as bitching about the leathers. I could just see someone else construing that as "If I lift at the 1000 foot clocks, I wont go that fast and won't need leathers". Just didn't want anyone to get that impression. The only way to keep the front on the ground (and still launch hard) is to spin the tire a little or put wheelie bars on it. I never had much luck feathering the clutch (this may be the hydraulic clutch thing) so I'd hammer it hard enough to spin the tire on my old Hurricane. This was alot heavier bike with about 6" more wheelbase than the RC. It was easy to get over the clipons and keep the front wheel down.
Get some pic's from the local track photographer next time your out!
ok I know it's the wrong tool (drag)
Linear Mode
