Wanted: more power - zxr 400

[westie]

Have just had first track day on my zxr 400 '89. Was awesome.
But I want more power.
The reason is I passed a zxr750 but it kept passing me on the straights, then I would have to go real slow through the corners till I got a good shot at passing, lead a bit then another straight:doh:

So I want to know the means of getting more power out of my engine.

Have played with the air box and it leaned out too much so replaced that. Hopefully no engine damage.

Will be pulling it down completely if the compression is out. Could do with some contacts for parts new/second hand.

I'm looking for engine mods advice?????????????

[Sketchy_Racer]

first thing first.

Its your first track day. You won't be riding anywhere near your personal optimum. Learn to ride faster first

Second

The bike passing you is a 750.. it should be faster than your bike will ever be

Thirdly

To make 'real' hp, you better have deeeep pockets! and whats the point unless you are actually racing? Unless ya just feel like it as something to do, then go for it

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

do a track day at a tight track like taupo and you can lead the medium group on a standard CBR250!! At puke you will always be beaten by horsepower so my advice would be to buy a bigger bike

[westie]

I've done two track days at taupo.
First day was on my blade and second on this zxr.
Been riding a little while.
I was getting held up by the 750, very frustrating.
I do almost all engine work my self and would only need to go to a workshop for dyno or tuning.

I only need a little more power to take the said bike/rider. But of course as greedy as I am, more more more power:woohoo:

[westie]

The bike passing you is a 750.. it should be faster than your bike will ever be


Well it was less than a couple of meters from my front wheel for each round and sometime behind me. I get what you are saying.
Possibly could be ridden faster.
I just aspire to have a clear track ahead of me so I can have some fun, it pretty much ruined my day but I took it as a challenge.

[Tim 39]

I was getting held up by the 750, very frustrating.

sounds like you need to learn to pass better, you'll always have people on faster bikes doing that to you so if you can easily get past them then there is no problem, I'd say leave the bike how it is and do more riding... worry about that later

[westie]

sounds like you need to learn to pass better, you'll always have people on faster bikes doing that to you so if you can easily get past them then there is no problem, I'd say leave the bike how it is and do more riding... worry about that later

I agree with you. It was wierd tho.

On the same corner four times.........

First I went in and stuck to the inside white line. as he was going way wide after the corner(passed him)

Second he went in and stayed close, as if taking the line I took previousely and he didn't want me to pass.

Third he just took up as much track as possible

I almost ran into him on the fourth.

I figure if I have more power then I can take the inevitable inside line exiting the corner and beat him to the next then I'm off!

[Tim 39]

I agree with you. It was wierd tho.

On the same corner four times.........

First I went in and stuck to the inside white line. as he was going way wide after the corner(passed him)

Second he went in and stayed close, as if taking the line I took previousely and he didn't want me to pass.

Third he just took up as much track as possible

I almost ran into him on the fourth.

I figure if I have more power then I can take the inevitable inside line exiting the corner and beat him to the next then I'm off!

yea I once had that view, I slowly learnt that it never happens like that though.
Once you get faster you'll be riding with better riders that take proper lines, so will be more predictable

[westie]

yea I once had that view, I slowly learnt that it never happens like that though.
Once you get faster you'll be riding with better riders that take proper lines, so will be more predictable

I would definately like to take proper lines myself. Who/ where can I learn these(apart from watching rossi etc)

[Sketchy_Racer]

Ever heard of the books Twist of the Wrist??

Worth every penny mate!

[Tim 39]

I would definately like to take proper lines myself. Who/ where can I learn these(apart from watching rossi etc)

if you were in the south island I could say plenty more ways...um basicly you want to find someone who knows what theyre doing to show you lines and why they work etc. Where to find that someone you may go to training /coaching days, you may get talking to someone willing to help and of course if you're not lucky enough for those options just ask someone. You'll be amazed how many racers will be more than happy to help you out! racers on the whole are great people.
Down here I run a training program through the Otago Motorcycle club, that is aimed at turning interested / new racers, into safe and fast racers. It works quite well and maybe there is something similar up your way.

someone on here may even offer to help..hint hint to racers in this guys area...

[boostin]

It works quite well and maybe there is something similar up your way.

someone on here may even offer to help..hint hint to racers in this guys area...

There is an AMCC rider training day on the 7th of October, I assume it will be at Puke. Not sure of anything else about it but will be hoping to go for some tips and track time.

[westie]

There is an AMCC rider training day on the 7th of October, I assume it will be at Puke. Not sure of anything else about it but will be hoping to go for some tips and track time.

Cheers bro I will try and be there:niceone:

[Tim 39]

see.. told ya racers were good people and someone would help you! :cool:

[FROSTY]

Westie--its not about the power its about making best use of the power you have.You will NEVER outrun a 750 on the straights even if ya pour 10000 at your motor. If you do you'll have an extremely highly strung 450 poking out 80 odd HP. as is youve got 60-65 hp --Put this in prospective unless his is a jap import he's putting out over 100hp at the back wheel.
So you need to do a couple of things
1)optimise the gearing to suit THAT track -I'd suggest given the nature of taupo you want to gear it so it is revving out in top by 3/4 of the way down the back straight. Ill stand corrected but its so twisty I think punch out of corners is gonna give you more overtaking opertunities.
2)learn the bikes capabilities as far as lean angles braking ability and power delivery are concerned
3)Learn the track so you can pass in lots of places with confidence.

Of course what you COULD do is say fuggit and back off for half a lap--let him piss off into the distance and enjoy ya ride

[westie]

Westie--its not about the power its about making best use of the power you have.You will NEVER outrun a 750 on the straights even if ya pour 10000 at your motor. If you do you'll have an extremely highly strung 450 poking out 80 odd HP. as is youve got 60-65 hp --Put this in prospective unless his is a jap import he's putting out over 100hp at the back wheel.
So you need to do a couple of things
1)optimise the gearing to suit THAT track -I'd suggest given the nature of taupo you want to gear it so it is revving out in top by 3/4 of the way down the back straight. Ill stand corrected but its so twisty I think punch out of corners is gonna give you more overtaking opertunities.
2)learn the bikes capabilities as far as lean angles braking ability and power delivery are concerned
3)Learn the track so you can pass in lots of places with confidence.

Of course what you COULD do is say fuggit and back off for half a lap--let him piss off into the distance and enjoy ya ride

Thanks frosty you are right as usual. I guess I got stuck in a rut with my frustration on the track.
I know I will never beat these bikes on the straights, thats not what I think I said.
I want to beat them around the first corner and then make a good lead on them throughout the corners, before the straight.

My bike was topping out at about that area of the straight. It hda awesome power in the first round but lacked power towards the end and never came back. I am worried about the state of the engine after that. Will do some checks and go from there.

Your last piece of advice is what I should have done. Or gone out infront from the start.
Cheers

ps Tam has got the bike road ready and going for her frist warrant

[roadracingoldfart]

Get the handling sorted to optimum and grow some bigger balls and then you wont be held up by a 750 in the corners as you can just ride inside / round them. Play with the gearing as FROSTY says and the gains are plentiful.
A ZXR400 is never going to run with a 750 at any track with a straight long enough to have a run on you but i have regular battles with a Makintosh 1100 on my CBR 400 and i get flashed past on the straight but if i have had enough space at the previous corners he takes most of the straight to wind up so i can outbrake him into the corners or just ride round him in the tighter stuff.
Take full advantage of the fact you have a small bike with alot of nimbleness and you can find the limits of both the bike and your riding ability.
Be a bit more keen at riding against other 400s and then you can fairly judge your bikes power.

[westie]

Get the handling sorted to optimum and grow some bigger balls and then you wont be held up by a 750 in the corners as you can just ride inside / round them. Play with the gearing as FROSTY says and the gains are plentiful.
A ZXR400 is never going to run with a 750 at any track with a straight long enough to have a run on you but i have regular battles with a Makintosh 1100 on my CBR 400 and i get flashed past on the straight but if i have had enough space at the previous corners he takes most of the straight to wind up so i can outbrake him into the corners or just ride round him in the tighter stuff.
Take full advantage of the fact you have a small bike with alot of nimbleness and you can find the limits of both the bike and your riding ability.
Be a bit more keen at riding against other 400s and then you can fairly judge your bikes power.

Fair enough paul.
I was on his tail at the end of the straight on the first or second corner after, i think.
Bigger balls hmmmm any known remedies or ointments?
Thanks for your advice

[westie]

I think I am posting in the wrong section. I will start another in the mechanical section.
Thanks

[westie]

.


Westie--its not about the power its about making best use of the power you have.You will NEVER outrun a 750 on the straights even if ya pour 10000 at your motor. If you do you'll have an extremely highly strung 450 poking out 80 odd HP. as is youve got 60-65 hp --Put this in prospective unless his is a jap import he's putting out over 100hp at the back wheel.
So you need to do a couple of things
1)optimise the gearing to suit THAT track -I'd suggest given the nature of taupo you want to gear it so it is revving out in top by 3/4 of the way down the back straight. Ill stand corrected but its so twisty I think punch out of corners is gonna give you more overtaking opertunities.
2)learn the bikes capabilities as far as lean angles braking ability and power delivery are concerned
3)Learn the track so you can pass in lots of places with confidence.

Of course what you COULD do is say fuggit and back off for half a lap--let him piss off into the distance and enjoy ya ride

Thanks for your advice.
I did a double trackday weekend. First with motott and then with kb(thanks frosty)
Had a ball and the bike (against all odds) did really well.
The gearing was crucial. From I took it from 15/43 to 14/46 made it so much better and the power easier to use. Still wasnt getting into 6th gear tho.
Any further advice would be greatly appreciated
Fynn

[imdying]

Bikes are cheap, buy an 89 ZXR750 to match your 400, it'll keep the 400 company in the garage, and let you whup the other guys butt :yes:

[98tls]

if you were in the south island I could say plenty more ways...um basicly you want to find someone who knows what theyre doing to show you lines and why they work etc. Where to find that someone you may go to training /coaching days, you may get talking to someone willing to help and of course if you're not lucky enough for those options just ask someone. You'll be amazed how many racers will be more than happy to help you out! racers on the whole are great people.
Down here I run a training program through the Otago Motorcycle club, that is aimed at turning interested / new racers, into safe and fast racers. It works quite well and maybe there is something similar up your way.

someone on here may even offer to help..hint hint to racers in this guys area... Can you tell more more about what your doing there mate,im an old basterd whose just bought his first race bike and as i am only up the road a bit am interested.

[westie]

Bikes are cheap, buy an 89 ZXR750 to match your 400, it'll keep the 400 company in the garage, and let you whup the other guys butt :yes:

So by any chance are you trying to sell a zxr 750 89??:clap:

[westie]

Not paying attention sorry
Mis post