Where to start???

[Guernica]

ok, so i'm considering getting into drag racing motorcycles (been riding for 2 1/2 years on sportbikes in traffic). I honestly never thought i would even consider this but i just moved about a mile from an 1/8 mile drag strip where i used to drag cars and haven't been there for about 6 years and the last 3 weeks my fiance and I have been heading down there to watch the races as it's a blast and FREE. Well as we've been watching the pro stock bikes I've really been considering it but I also don't want to jump in WAY over my head.

She has an 05 ninja 250 that i'm thinking about taking down to the strip just to get a feel for it at a more "controllable" speed than on my F4 or on her old bosses 82 GS 1150 Drag Bike (that he offered up for me to try in a test and tune).

What I'm wondering is, will it really make a difference if i start on the 250 or the 600? I mean i'm probably going to run them both anyway (not necessarily on the same day) just to see what each bike will do.

Also is it possible to turn an F4 into a REAL drag bike or would i be better off selling it when i move up and putting that money towards an already built like GS 1150?

thanks everyone

G

[Guernica]

also where can i find reasonable leather pants that will zip into my jacket?

G

[TRaGiK]

Personally, I'd skip the 250 altogether....maybe let the girl take it and race it for shits and giggles.

I used to run my old 01 F4i, and got a best of 11.7x at around 120. I'm a lardy, and am not a great bike drag racer by any means, so take that time for what it's worth.

Start your launches like you're at a stop light. Take your time, and work your way up.

Last few times I ran the F4i, I was launching around 10k rpms, and slipping the clutch for about 20 to 30 feet. Front wheel would come up about 3 feet, and I'd clutchless up shift into 2nd. The front wheel would then smoothly, and slowly come back down, touching down just before shifting into 3rd.

Is it possible to turn your F4 into a "Real" drag bike? Well, with enough money, sure....but not really worth it. You could big bore it (up to around 636 cc's), and put a turbo on it (which would have to be 100 percent custom since no one makes such a thing for that bike), and probably get the bike to around 150 - 160 hp with some tuning. Even with this setup, you'd likely never be as quick as a "real" drag bike.

Personally, I'd go with a late model liter bike, 'Busa, or ZX14 and start from there if I wanted to get serious. I'm not familiar with the old GS's, so I can't comment on them.

[768-Ryda]

i take my 04 636 to the track here and its a 1/8 mile track, best time to date is a 7.20 with slippin clutches launchin at 8rpm, mph is usually at 101 when i cross the finish line, best 60ft was a 1.75, bike is swb, lowered, front end straped and geared -1 +2 and im 6'3 230 pounds, just installed new clutches and going to up my launch rpm to 10 grand and see if i can put it in the 6's in the 1/8 this yr

[SPOOLN GSXR]

Growing up we drag raced whatever we had, from mopeds, scooters, dirtbikes, 400's, 600's, to whatever we had at the time. I say anything legal is a great start that will allow you to improve on the fundimentals. Just getting out there is a feat in itself. The local guys would always laugh when I would bring out my SM or an enduro then to shut them up I would bring out the 1K turbo.

Start with what you are comfortable with and that will be suffice. Good luck.

Also, not all leather pants will zip up into the company jacket that you own. Start with the same company and if that isn't good enough look at ebay or an SBN sponser and get a set.

[Guernica]

thanks everyone for the replies, i have just put my new chain on and my new tires so i'm just "practicing" my launches and getting used to the pull that my 600 has and will be out on the track soon.

thanks again everyone. and i know that pretty much all you see in drag racing (or atleast all I have seen) is kawasaki or suzuki. is there anyone on here thats running a honda or aprilla or anything other than kawi or suzuki?

G

[SPOOLN GSXR]

I use to run my 04' R1. The clutches suck for drag racing and Yamaha doesn't really support drag racing at lower than professional levels. Also, the parts are rediculously expensive and you have to fabricate parts being that their isn't and wasn't much availible at the time. That's still is the case. Honda's are becoming more popular only to those that are factory backed like Kent Stotz or people with deep pockets.

The reason why you see so many Suzuki's and Kawasaki's is because there is a complete list of off the shelf parts availible and contingency money. They send their bikes to competent tuners and race teams prior to release to exploit their potential, unlike Yamaha. Honda is getting there though, but only to a select team. It doesn't pay to ride Yamaha nor Honda if you are a privateer in drag racing.

I have never seen an Italian bike enter nor place and just imagine how much it would cost to upgrade. V-twins are not desirable in a class of inline fours. It's just the way it is.