Vids, Photos, Time: My Motorcycle @ the Drag Strip in MD

[GhostDakota]

My buddy and I took our bikes down to Cecil on a gorgeous 80* Friday night. He brought his Ducati 748 w/ a big bore kit, and I had my Interceptor. He didn't race, just took photos (clutch is slipping bad). This was my first time 1/4 mile dragging a motorcycle. I've been to the 1/4 mile before in my former Camaro Z28, Dodge Dakota 360, etc, and been to road courses (NJMP) on my Hawk GT prior. So I figured why not try it. Some photos:

My first launch was an epic failure. I was by myself on this "race" as well, so everyone saw it. I stalled. Awesomely. Restarted, then took down the track for a lovely 14.87 @ 116 (eww). Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2jGQl8NS68

The rest of my runs that night were pretty good. I was working mainly on my launching. At one point, I got quite a bit too comfortable, and that almost ended up costing me BIG time. I nearly flipped back and off the bike. The left lane was better traction all night, so I had to adjust my launches accordingly. I forgot... and the end result was this wheelie & 13.3 @ 116:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DShRoMvbtFc

My two best runs of the night were both 11.6's @ 118 and 119 MPH.

Here's the slightly slower one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zccp74WRrsk

And the slightly faster one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvE9kbrW92I

And same one as above, only on-board:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tgk-wkFaTQ


All in all it was a great night filled with lots of fun. I was figuring the VFR would be running low 12's all night, but I was rather happy with what it ran. I just have to work on my launching skills and maybe I'll be able to pull some low 11 second runs!

 

[in4aride]

Wow I expected the VFR to run mid 12's there. That's pretty good times.

What rpm are you leaving the line at? Completely different bike but I would take my 04cbr1kRR to about 6500 and immediately after slippin the clutch ( didn't just dump cluth and didn't ride it out. Released a lot the same way you would clutch a wheelie up) I would open it WOT.
Are you clutchin your shifts or just preloading?

 

[GhostDakota]

Wow I expected the VFR to run mid 12's there. That's pretty good times.

What rpm are you leaving the line at? Completely different bike but I would take my 04cbr1kRR to about 6500 and immediately after slippin the clutch ( didn't just dump cluth and didn't ride it out. Released a lot the same way you would clutch a wheelie up) I would open it WOT.
Are you clutchin your shifts or just preloading?

The wheelie I did was at 4k and quick release. The other launches were 2-4k and a slow release 'til I was underway, then clutch all the way out. I still came off the ground as I got on it during each gear. It was definitely a new experience, and nothing like launching a car or truck at the track. I talked to a friend who spoke with a pro motorcycle drag racer, who gave him some pointers for me. I will try them next time I go. I did have a ton fun!

 

[in4aride]

Ya that vfr has a good bit of torque. Cool stuff man :thumbup:

wish I still had my Honda scoot

 

[GhostDakota]

Ya that vfr has a good bit of torque. Cool stuff man :thumbup:

wish I still had my Honda scoot

Yah, I wasn't expecting to run what I did - but talking to guys on the forums, if you get a good launch, you can do 11.2's. Something to work on!

I love Honda bikes. All 4 bikes I've had have been Honda:

1982 Honda CB750SC Nighthawk
1982 Honda CB450SC Nighthawk
1990 Honda NT650 Hawk GT
1998 Honda VFR800 Interceptor

Love me some Honda Powersports.. hate the cars lol.

 

[in4aride]

Ya I'm with ya. Had 3 f4i's, 600RR, 954RR, 1kRR. Just can't vet enough of em. 600RR still my fav one tho. Just a nasty bike

 

[GhostDakota]

I almost bought an '02 600RR from my boss (He got an '11 - and has Ducati's, KTM's, etc.). Thing is, I wanted something comfy for me on my long hauls (I do 250 miles a day some weekends in summer), as well as comfy 1 up since my g/f loves to cruise as well. I still wanted power, I still wanted decent looks, and I didn't want to worry about a ton of maintenance. I narrowed my choices down to a Ducati ST4 (Sport Touring) and my Interceptor (Also technically a Sport Touring). Those I spoke to had dealings with the Duc's said it's 6k mile valve adjustments/service ($400-$1000 each time), etc. Those who worked for Honda dealerships told me they've had Interceptors comes in (my gen) with 100,000 miles without having 1 valve adjustment. I put from 7000-12000 miles on my bike in a year - so I guess you can see why I chose what I did. I am quite happy. Now I just need a Ducati for some non-daily riding and I'll be happier!

 

[in4aride]

Ya my dumb ass put a ton of (sometimes painful) miles on my RR's. My 600 was brand new and had 28k after 6months lol. Rode it from Vegas to CO a few times. That's a rough ride on a RR. I think I put about 40k on my 954 before losing a cylinder. And the 1kRR got almost 55k miles in a little under a year. Needless to say my body took a beating from the ride. But I'd do it all over again, but maybe get a vtx for daily riding lol

 

[vincepru]

Ya my dumb ass put a ton of (sometimes painful) miles on my RR's. My 600 was brand new and had 28k after 6months lol. Rode it from Vegas to CO a few times. That's a rough ride on a RR. I think I put about 40k on my 954 before losing a cylinder. And the 1kRR got almost 55k miles in a little under a year. Needless to say my body took a beating from the ride. But I'd do it all over again, but maybe get a vtx for daily riding lol

holy crap thats alot of miles for 6months! ive had my R6 since 07 and only put 3k on it haha. but then again i got in alot of trouble on it and havent touched it since. track days were always fun though

 

[in4aride]

Ya I know all about trouble. Been arrested a few times for antics on bikes. Hence the reason I don't have one any more. Can't ride one and not get in trouble.