Gauges on a race bike?

endoracing · 03-29-2006, 12:32 AM

I have an f4i that I bought wrecked and I guess in the wreck somehow the gauges were ripped off...

I'm wondering if it is worth getting an oem set off ebay for 150ish dollars or if there is even a practical use for them on the track. The main thing I like about oem gauges is that there would be standard warning lamps like low oil pressure and temperature. I'd like the tach also and I wouldnt mind knowing how many miles I put on since doing certain maintenence, etc.

Just looking for some input; for the time being I think I will leave it with just a lap timer and I don't know if I will ever get around to buying gauges or not.. 150 could be better spent on track time!

Süsser Tod · 03-29-2006, 09:27 AM

Hmmm, I would definitely get them. $150 will get you no track time if a bad oil pump or overheating goes unnoticed. Also keeping track of the engine speed can help you choose better gears for the turns.

Speed/milleage I couldn't care less, it is not like the manteinance intervals are good for a bike that only sees track action.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 03-29-2006, 10:40 AM

MPH is unimportant and actually should be taped over since it can provide a distraction. RPM's and the idiot lights as TOD said are important, I even saw a case where a bike wouldn't run if the instrument cluster was not connected, but that usually isn't the case. The RPM's is by far the most important, the idiot lights may go un-noticed during a race, but if there was some type of problem hopefully you would have noticed the lights when going to pit out or when on the grid. Another issue is aftermarket tach's and such usually require aftermarket brackets as well, which is more added cost. If you can still mount the stock stuff that might be the cheapest way to go.

SPDKLLS · 03-29-2006, 11:10 AM

I'd take a look at how smoe pro race bikes are set up. As for stock gauges, no it's a waste of $$ for a track bike. Most orgs make you tape over them anyhow.

Idiot lights and a Tach is about all I ever find usefull.
Shift Light - Oil Temp - Water Temp - Maybe a gear indicator.

Few people use an actual programmable shift light, personally I have to or I blow engines. I'm to used to racing V8 cars.

hybrid · 03-29-2006, 04:48 PM

I almost never look at the cluster.

If the red oil light comes on and you really have a problem........the damage is done its a idiot light for a reason. It wont keep you from having an engine blow up it tells you that its blowing up.

I dont need the dash...........Id like a tach and shift light. at the maximum.

Süsser Tod · 03-29-2006, 05:17 PM

I agree that an aftermarket tacho + some idiot lights could get the job done. However just take a look at what an aftermarket tachometer, of the same quality as the OEM, costs, plus you need to come up with something to mount it. I really doubt something of the same quality and convenience can be found for the same money as an OEM dash from e-bay.

hybrid · 03-29-2006, 06:44 PM

Im actually saying I dont care if I have a dash or not. Its a wast of space, time and money for the most part.

You have a rev limiter..........use it until you get the feel of it.

Most bikes will soften up a bit before the revlimiter when the horsepower has peaked.........shift.

Its not worth the money Ive busted more stock gauges in a pile up than I want to ever buy.

Now I just have the AIM datalogger on my shit.

endoracing · 03-30-2006, 12:32 AM

Thanks for the advice .. I think I may end up getting the gauges if I find a decent deal on some. I need to call up gp tech and get the mounting plate sent out that they forgot to send...