Launching your bike

[killersrt]

So in an attempt to liven up the new sections, I've decided to add a thread. I've launched tons of cars at the track and got pretty damn good at it...now my skills go to waste. Launching a bike seems to be a whole new ballgame. So for those of you who drag, preferably stock wheelbase, how do you do it? Seems to me that I have 3 options.

1.) Let out on the clutch too quickly or lack the proper throttle needed. Resulting in tediously slow bogging launch.

2.) Let out on the clutch too quickly and give too much throttle. Resulting at a painfull glance to the sky.

3.) Let out on the clutch too slowly and roast my $1k+ slipper clutch. Resulting in even more debt and depression due to down time in my bike.

So lets here your input

[n.c.rider]

what size bike?

[killersrt]

Originally Posted by n.c.rider

what size bike?

Im on a zx-10, but I'm trying to leave this generalized for all bikes

[supaskunk]

I haven't done much track time but the best way i find to get my bike moving quickly is:
gently squeeze the front brake just enough to stop the bike rolling forwards
build up the revs to peak torque (for me thats about 9-10k)
let the clutch out so its just riding and the bike is trying to ride forwards a bit
when your ready let go of front brake and let the clutch out quick but dont just let go of it.
If you do get boggin from lettin clutch out too quick, cos your at peak torque it wont be as bad but obviously not what you want.

Then gas it.

[ttlkaos]

now don't take this question off base it will vary on what you answer.....

how do you launch your car? and is it fwd or rwd

do you pump the gas?
do you get to the sweet spot in the rpm's and hold it there?

for me on the bike, best way i can say i've learned to do it is get the rpm's up around 9k ish and get the clutch to the point where it starts to grab pretty good, go about half throttle till the clutch is fully engaged and then open it up. i've only had one time that my fingers slipped on the clutch and i saw what color the sky was, initial reaction was 'oh shit' close the throttle and i slammed down on the tank, racked myself pretty good, looked retarded and had to basically get laughed at while still 'tried' to get down the track as fast as i could.

[killersrt]

Originally Posted by ttlkaos

now don't take this question off base it will vary on what you answer.....

how do you launch your car? and is it fwd or rwd

do you pump the gas?
do you get to the sweet spot in the rpm's and hold it there?

for me on the bike, best way i can say i've learned to do it is get the rpm's up around 9k ish and get the clutch to the point where it starts to grab pretty good, go about half throttle till the clutch is fully engaged and then open it up. i've only had one time that my fingers slipped on the clutch and i saw what color the sky was, initial reaction was 'oh shit' close the throttle and i slammed down on the tank, racked myself pretty good, looked retarded and had to basically get laughed at while still 'tried' to get down the track as fast as i could.

Hard to ride a quarter mile on black and blue babies, let alone not drop to the ground in the fetal position As far as the car question, I always feathered the clutch (unless I was on slicks at the time) at the rpm that I knew the tires could take. I've raced a slew of cars. Turbo 240's, built srt's, trans ams, evo's, 350z's, etc etc. I think launching a bike is most similar to launching the evo, without the chance of busting your ass and your bike. Too low, you bog and look retarded. Too much feathering, you fry the clutch. Do it just perfect, one step closer to having a shot transfer case I've pulled 1.8 60' footers on a 450hp fwd car on 225 street tires. Most of my hard launches were with a two-step on my turbo cars though

[r1 daveone]

I'm no expert at the track but I've been schooled by the best in the industry and what I've been told to do is pointer finger on the clutch and roll it out when clutch is completely disengaged then full throttle gas it's just shifting after that at the "right" RPMs right meaning at the best point for ur particular bike but seat time and practice will determine that. Drag on guys!

[Mad Kaw ZX10R]

i have grew up around drag racing and have a zx10r myself my best advice to you is to hold the clutch however u fell comfordable some people use thier whole hand and some use one two or some times three myself once u get find out what fingers on your hand give u best control start sliding the clutch u didnt really have to change your clutch the zx10 already has a great slipper clutch from the showroom start at atleast 4,000 rpms since u are a begginner on the bike and i just cram the throttle from the line and let my clutch hand do the work at stock wheelbase i have been a 1.67 60'' leaving at about 5,000 rpms but your clutches should last pretty long