Author Topic: Launching the Bandit (Read 3993 times)

okbandit · « **on:** August 13, 2007, 10:15:30 AM »

Took Blackie to the stip Saturday night for the first time. It was the first time I really tried to launch a b12 from a stop and I must say it's a touchy thing. Anyone have advice on this one? Current best was an 11.13 @124 with first gear wheelie. I tried to launch at around 7k, but the pro light and short staging time made it tough to be sure. Test and Tune is Friday so I am ready to try again for the 10's.

Dragbike · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2007, 11:28:25 PM »

Boy you must be a light rider! I try to launch mine at 6500 rpm. But some people say 4000 to red line! The theory behind red line, or close to it, is it will force you to slip and get a feel the clutch to get best results. You will do much better when you practice with the full (5 tenths tree). You will also gain about 2 tens if you strap down the front end, but have at least 2 inches of travel. How much air pressure did you have in the back tire?
What was your 60” time?
The only time I have run my bandit is with full 35 PSI in the back tire.
I run my drag bike @ 8-9 PSI but I have a wheelie bar. I think it would be best if you run full pressure in the back tire (on a street bike) until you get the feel for it. It will also be a lot easier on the on the clutches; have done 11.089 on my 2001 Bandit (165lbs full suited) the only time I have taken it out to the track. Bandits are torque masters with a short wheelbase and wheelie very easy.
Maybe I can get off in time to come to TNT this Friday.
Brent

okbandit · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2007, 09:49:26 AM »

I am 180 dressed and the bike is a lightweight by Bandit standards at 480 lbs. If it doesn't make the bike go or street legal it's in a box in my shop. Tires at street pressure (36) and suspension at street settings. Thinking about dropping the bike an inch or so and dialing the rebound up. Don't have a strap but I am planning on getting one VERY soon. No 60' times, I was at the midnights. Hope you can make it out for the TNT, I need all the pointers I can get.

StangMATA · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2007, 05:17:21 PM »

That is a pretty good time!

I hold it at about 7k. Once staged, I let the clutch JUST barely grip. As the 3rd yellow light turns, I start working the clutch out. This gets you your excellent reaction time.

Let the clutch out just fast enough to keep the front wheel under a foot off the ground. If it starts lofting too fast, just hold the clutch position until it starts sinking, and then continue to let the clutch out.

I let my feet drag behind me a bit and as soon as I need second, the left leg comes up to bang into gear. Once I'm in second, I bring up my other leg and am in full tuck.

Once that front wheel comes down, never let off the throttle.

Practice makes perfect.

txbanditrydr · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2007, 11:55:07 AM »

In a vain attempt at lowering my pitiful R/T while trying to remember everything that needed to be done, THIS was my result......

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My worst run of the night.... and skert me too!!!

pmackie · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2007, 12:55:55 PM »

Quote

My worst run of the night.... and skert me too!!!

Looks cool though. Nice to be right beside a Busa, with the front wheel in the air. You might have skert him too

okbandit · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2007, 12:26:36 PM »

Test and tune was a blast. Need to bleed my cluth as I suffered a rash of missed 2nd gears. Best run was 11.19 @ 124. My 60' times are the problem as they are in the 1.91-2.1 range. 6500rpm still bogging a little and then hard to hold the front end at the top of first. On the 11.19 pass, ran on the back wheel and barely hit the rev limiter at the top of first. Getting a strap and trying again in a few weeks. I will be building a drag bike this winter, I officially have the bug.

Bob Holland · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2007, 05:00:09 PM »

The higher you have the rpms, the less it tries to wheelie. Slip the clutch in first, and if it wheelies in 2nd, ride it out.

StangMATA · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2007, 07:22:18 PM »

I wish the video started earlier, but you can hear my RPM's on launch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpeFulHmU_4

okbandit · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2007, 09:50:20 AM »

Got an invite to the pmra event at Thunder Valley (Noble Oklahoma) Saturday for some impromptu lessons. Anyone else going to be out there this weekend?

okbandit · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2007, 04:28:12 PM »

Thunder Valley and the people there are great. A wonderful atmosphere of friendly people and relaxed officials. It is the first track that has invited me into the tower and apologized for making me wait in the lanes. The PMRA event was without a doubt the best motorcycle drag event in my memory and a great place to learn the trade. Be aware that an NHRA track will boot you if you run over 120mph without leather pants. I didn't have any and ran an 11.11 @ 125. After that I ran 1/8 miles to work on the 60' which I can proudly say will the help of John my gracious host is now in the 1.80's. If I had run it out it would have been my 10 second run. If you'r in the area it is worth checking out. Some very impressive bikes were there, many in the 8 second and a few in the 7's @ 180mph. So far launching the stock wheelbase seems to be best at around 3500 to 4k rpm and getting on the throttle as soon as possible and off the clutch. Still waiting on my strap so I will post the results when they are realized.