Race Starts On a 600??? How???

**Two Smoker** · 16th February 2006, 20:24

Hey everyone,

Ive got my first race in a couple days... And i still dont know how to do good starts... Ive done a few practices on the road 600, and it doesnt feel right...

Im putting around 6 grand on the tacho, and slipping the clutch. The good thing is it isnt bogging, but i think im slipping the clutch too much... the final part of slipping the clutch is fine, its the initial launch that doesnt feel right...

Any tips on clutch movement, revs, motions and actions... signs of a good launch????

Maybe i need to race someone a couple of times... or give me a definate start rather than me saying in my head "ok do a start now..."

Not so keen on doing it away at lights... only in quiet low populated areas...

Cheers, Chris

**Sensei** · 16th February 2006, 20:34

Would be looking at 8000rpm + & just riding it so it is just about fully driving not slipping heaps ,keep over the front & when your speed is fast enough let her drive fully & hold it on Full .

**Two Smoker** · 16th February 2006, 20:37

Originally Posted by Sensei

Would be looking at 8000rpm + & just riding it so it is just about fully driving not slipping heaps ,keep over the front & when your speed is fast enough let her drive fully & hold it on Full .

Cheers mate...

When i engage the clutch enough on the start, should i give full throttle, or increase the throttle at a steady pace???

**Timber020** · 16th February 2006, 20:45

Depending on where I was on the grid I used to launch differently. If I was in front I would launch near the red, only barely keeping the front wheel on the ground. If I was more towards the back theres more chance of a bike stalling, another rider going around him and you collecting them all so I launched a little less hard so to keep my front wheel down for control.

**Sensei** · 16th February 2006, 20:51

Originally Posted by Two Smoker

Cheers mate...

When i engage the clutch enough on the start, should i give full throttle, or increase the throttle at a steady pace???

Increase steadly this way you have less chance of hitting the rev limiter & losing ground .

**nadroj** · 16th February 2006, 20:54

The art of a good launch is having the front wheel just bobbling on the surface, the rear gripping & being able to release the clutch as smoothly and quickly as possible. All clutches feel different but adjusting the lever travel can help. Start with lower revs & launch without bogging it then gradually increase the launch revs. Only practice will make perfect but starting at high revs will take longer to get it right. Ultimate launches are usually at at the start of the powerband rolling the throttle on as the clutch takes up. Best find someone to practice against somewhere it won't attract unwanted attention - you'll be surprised how quickly you will get the feel for it.
Even guys like Darryl King used to race at the local dual sprints to perfect their launches & look how often he is beaten into the first corner.
Good luck
ps I do have drag racing experience.

**Two Smoker** · 16th February 2006, 20:55

Originally Posted by Timber020

Depending on where I was on the grid I used to launch differently. If I was in front I would launch near the red, only barely keeping the front wheel on the ground. If I was more towards the back theres more chance of a bike stalling, another rider going around him and you collecting them all so I launched a little less hard so to keep my front wheel down for control.

The front is already off the ground from using only 6 grand... i did 9 grand once, and shat myself because it wheelspun then wheelied... Not too keen on getting anywhere near the redline...

**Pathos** · 16th February 2006, 21:01

Methinks you may be riding a different breed of 600 than some of your advisors...

**Two Smoker** · 16th February 2006, 21:01

Cheers everyone,

everyone is giving in wicked input and im taking something from everyones comments... I think i need to find someone to race, as i dont have much time to practice

So in summary... around 8 grand, let the clutch out to where it starts to engage. When the flag drops, let it out that extra 3-5mm for the power to engage. As the clutch is engaging increase throttle as well as releasing the clutch more...

I hope thats right??? If only it was as easy as writing it down hehehe...

**nadroj** · 16th February 2006, 21:08

QUOTE]As the clutch is engaging increase throttle as well as engaging 'RELEASING' the clutch more...

**Two Smoker** · 16th February 2006, 21:24

Originally Posted by SpeedMedic

Why dont you ask Shaun, I reckon he knows how to launch that bike of yours?

He's a busy man, and i need to know now, to get in some practice... I will talk about it to him on saturday though...

**Motoracer** · 16th February 2006, 21:37

Come practice with me. You'll kick my arse around a race track now but somehow launches seem to come natural to me. In most of the races I used to back off after the starts to let the faster guys through to not mess up their championship points. People far faster than me, and that's no bull.

I may have forgotten how to, but it's worth a shot, if you want.

**R6_kid:Me** · 16th February 2006, 21:38

i read in a bike mag that you should rev it up to where it produced max torque (have you got a dyno chart?) and slip the clutch, using a light pressure on the back brake (i found this wierd) to stop wheelspin or wheelies... but honestly i wouldnt know myself.

The only things i have raced off the line were cars, and they didnt have a shit show anyway.

**Sensei** · 16th February 2006, 21:38

You should do Ok Two Smoker . Took me awhile when I dragged my
GSXR 1100 but ended up the fastest bike in NP at most of the Drag's
10.2 standing 1/4 was my best with 172MPH flying . Will say hi when up there this Sunday .