Horsepower and Wangas...

[slowpoke]

...or "Why TV is bad for you!"

Ok, so I'd pretty much decided I was only going to do the Manfeild leg of the Tri-Series as I wasn't too confident about Wanganui and I hate the nadgery short circuit at Taupo.

Then I made the mistake of watching TV the other week and they showed a couple of incredibly inspirational disabled people that simply refused to back down from a challenge. If you fall down you just get up and have another go, right? In short I felt like a total fuggin' pussy. A quick chat to my better half later (she confirmed my initial self assessment) and I'm on the phone to Leighton at Cemetery Circuit who had room in the Superbike field to accept a late entry, good bugger that he is.

So, as a complete Wanga's noob, and on a Superbike, I'm just wondering how you experienced fast fuckers handle that joint if you've got a bit of horsepower at your disposal.

Given the short circuit and relatively low top speed do you gear your bike right down for the full "bull in a china shop" experience? Do leave it with something like Manfeild gearing and just surf the torque, pretending it's a 4 speed 'box?

I've read a few race reports but there's precious little from anybody on a big bike. As tricky as riding say an SV is around there I'm thinkin' a big bike is gonna present a whole different set of problems and any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[Tony.OK]

Was thinkn the same thing Spud, just put my bike back together with its new gadgetry in the front and new rubber, took it out for a wee spin to test, my current gearing at lower speeds makes it a bit of a wheelie monster which might not be so flash when gutters and lamp posts are part of the track.

Am thinking after that ride about putting my smaller rear sprocket on which in turn will extend the wheelbase, and hopefully make it a tad less prone to lifting the front. 1st and 2nd gear will probably do the whole track

[Shaun]

...or "Why TV is bad for you!"

Ok, so I'd pretty much decided I was only going to do the Manfeild leg of the Tri-Series as I wasn't too confident about Wanganui and I hate the nadgery short circuit at Taupo.

Then I made the mistake of watching TV the other week and they showed a couple of incredibly inspirational disabled people that simply refused to back down from a challenge. If you fall down you just get up and have another go, right? In short I felt like a total fuggin' pussy. A quick chat to my better half later (she confirmed my initial self assessment) and I'm on the phone to Leighton at Cemetery Circuit who had room in the Superbike field to accept a late entry, good bugger that he is.

So, as a complete Wanga's noob, and on a Superbike, I'm just wondering how you experienced fast fuckers handle that joint if you've got a bit of horsepower at your disposal.

Given the short circuit and relatively low top speed do you gear your bike right down for the full "bull in a china shop" experience?

I've read a few race reports but there's precious little from anybody on a big bike. As tricky as riding say an SV is around there I'm thinkin' a big bike is gonna present a whole different set of problems and any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Short shift, 2-4 gear changes only, "2strk
or 4strk "

" Go with the flow you have on the day" RELAX- It might not be today? but next year is another! We were all Virgins once

Focus On Reference points that "Natuarally grab your attention" They are now your stop and go points to work/practise/reference/explore-Simple!

Could dribble more, but think this is enough from me, XGixxer may add?

[Shaun]

Was thinkn the same thing Spud, just put my bike back together with its new gadgetry in the front and new rubber, took it out for a wee spin to test, my current gearing at lower speeds makes it a bit of a wheelie monster which might not be so flash when gutters and lamp posts are part of the track.

Am thinking after that ride about putting my smaller rear sprocket on which in turn will extend the wheelbase, and hopefully make it a tad less prone to lifting the front. 1st and 2nd gear will probably do the whole track

Keep thinking and trying and planning dude, you do say some good shit I think

[slowpoke]

Short shift, 2-4 gear changes only, "2strk
or 4strk "

So you'd still run fairly tall gearing (Manfeild rather than Puke) to minimise gear changes and give a reasonably broad speed range per gear?
" Go with the flow you have on the day" RELAX- It might not be today? but next year is another! We were all Virgins once

Flow? With just a few laps to learn the joint the only stuff flowing is gonna be down my leg!

Focus On Reference points that "Natuarally grab your attention" They are now your stop and go points to work/practise/reference/explore-Simple!

Yup, I'll write a note to myself in huge letters for race day.

Could dribble more, but think this is enough from me, XGixxer may add?

Thanks mate.

Gawd, I was just imagining 160-180hp geared for just 180-200klicks....all you'd see is sky!

[roadracingoldfart]

Thanks mate.

Gawd, I was just imagining 160-180hp geared for just 180-200klicks....all you'd see is sky!

Whats wrong with looking at the sky ???
Short gearing at Wanganui is a bitch and great for running wide from the apex.
I think the TV interview with Craig and Andrew last year stated they were using up to 3rd only and that was only for a nanosecond.
I know my old 600 i only used to 4th for a very short time and the 400 i got half way through the rev range in 4th.

[Toast]

Short gearing at Wanganui is a bitch and great for running wide from the apex.

Can you explain all of the reasons why of that one, please dude?

[roadracingoldfart]

Can you explain all of the reasons why of that one, please dude?

Easy. Short gearing means powerband is reached at low response regions and that makes for a lite front end . All the road surface at Wanganui is cambered (like a hump) and a small amount of wheel lift off the approach hump means coming down on a negative camber at exit.
I dont have to explain the perils of that surely.
Most falls are due to front end loss, and the occasional highside (its was once ok , let it go ) .
There is only really one line at that circuit so if you run wide and have to get off the gas you will be passed and its crucial to keep a smooth lap to link the corners together on that circuit. Run off line and you cant achieve that .
But hey , ive only done Wanganui a few times .

I agree with Shaun lol We are all virgins there at some time and i started doing much better after my 3rd visit. The track is now so changed , its much faster and that means smoother is even more important as bad lines can be very unforgiving.

Paul.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Easy. Short gearing means powerband is reached at low response regions and that makes for a lite front end . All the road surface at Wanganui is cambered (like a hump) and a small amount of wheel lift off the approach hump means coming down on a negative camber at exit.
I dont have to explain the perils of that surely.
Most falls are due to front end loss, and the occasional highside (its was once ok , let it go ) .
There is only really one line at that circuit so if you run wide and have to get off the gas you will be passed and its crucial to keep a smooth lap to link the corners together on that circuit. Run off line and you cant achieve that .
But hey , ive only done Wanganui a few times .

I agree with Shaun lol We are all virgins there at some time and i started doing much better after my 3rd visit. The track is now so changed , its much faster and that means smoother is even more important as bad lines can be very unforgiving.

Paul.

With 180hp at your wrist, the gearing isn't going to make sweet bugger all difference to the issue you have raised. Wether your at 5k or 10k those bikes will have more than enough power to do what you mention. It comes down to the pillock pulling the throttle at the end of the day

[scrivy]

Only 180 Hp?? Meh, childs stuff............

[roadracingoldfart]

With 180hp at your wrist, the gearing isn't going to make sweet bugger all difference to the issue you have raised. Wether your at 5k or 10k those bikes will have more than enough power to do what you mention. It comes down to the pillock pulling the throttle at the end of the day

Wanganui is a unique track and as such i personally feel it is a smoother / taller gearing circuit. You can go out and try the point and sqirt between corners but a well set up bike will do better with a tame powerband. You can achieve that with gearing, unless you have a budget to have diff cams and carbs and all the paramaters you can adjust its a safe simple way to do it.

How many times did a Ducati 600 beat anything put up against it ?? it was smooth on the power as twins are and it was able to get out of corners way easier. I saw many laps with it against superbikes and they just couldnt get the power down due to the nature of the corners.
Hell even if im wrong it dosnt hurt to have another opinion does it. Its what was asked for by the original poster and it worked for me so its relivent.

Paul.

[roadracingoldfart]

Only 180 Hp?? Meh, childs stuff............

Yer but you have a sack of spuds on board to compensate for so of course you need more power . Ohh yer and is it true Bob ate all the pies ?

[Sketchy_Racer]

Hell even if im wrong it dosnt hurt to have another opinion does it. Its what was asked for by the original poster and it worked for me so its relivent.

Paul.

It certainly doesn't. It would be a hellishly boring world if we didn't have differing opinions!

[wharfy]

This is going to be my first go at Wanganui any other good advice ?
Anybody got a good on-board video I can use as a training guide ?

[Kickaha]

Ohh yer and is it true Bob ate all the pies ?

He couldn't, that fat prick Scrivy beat him to it