Wanted: more power - zxr 400

**westie** · 4th September 2007, 07:00

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 4th September 2007, 07:14

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** · 4th September 2007, 21:25

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 4th September 2007, 21:26

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

**westie** · 29th October 2007, 18:12

Originally Posted by boostin

.

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 30th October 2007, 12:26

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

**98tls** · 30th October 2007, 12:43

Originally Posted by Tim 39

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.