will be going to the track for my first time this weekend with my 954 does the bike stay in the grove also what happens if it comes out of the grove

 

It depends, are you racing in an orange grove or a grapefruit grove?

 

sorry spelling sucks groove

 

youll be fine. just try to keep it as straight as possible and dont clutch it. youll shave alot of your time that way.

 

careful bikes hook so different from the street then on the track. when launch slip the clutch at first then go all out and stay str.. remeber the track is stickier you tire will hook and the bike will come up fast. when your staging keep one foot on the foot peg and one the ground stay still keep your body laid out on the tank. slip the clutch at first and let it rip body movement is bad. remeber on the burnout not to get the ront tire wet. i see so many ppl go threw the burnout box with there front tire. do a dry hop after your burnout coming out of the box. just watch some racers first then you'll understand good times at the track but be safe alot different then the street. i see so many street riders come in and launch the bike like on the street and the wheel goes str. up!! good luck and post times when your done...

 

what about getting out of the groove what will happen if i do that

 

I am not sure what you are worried about when you are asking about this groove thing. I am not an highly experienced drag raver but I have been there a few times with a couple different bikes and I have never had anything happen that I would call getting out of a groove.

I have had the nose come up a little too much on a couple occations but in general I think your bike will track nice and straight unless YOU do something to make it not do so.
Clutchless upshifts will shave some time like someone else said, just be sure to be up near redline and to give a good yank when you shift especially on the shift from 1st to 2nd.

I have never gone through the waterbox with either tire when pulling up and staging. I have done a burnout from time to time, usually just the first couple runs till the tire temp is up or if anytime it has been a while since the last run. Bikes hook up damn good especially if the track is prepped with VHT. I have only ever had the rear brake free one time and that was the first run of that day.

Good luck and post your times.

A friend of mine ran a 10.55 @ 133.8mph on his 2002 954 so there is a good judge on how your doing.
My personal bests are:
10.67 @ 130mph on my '95 ZX9R
10.14 @ 139mph on my '98 ZX9R

 

Don't do a dry hop, it doesn't do anything except waste a lot of rubber. If you choose to burnout, only do it in the water box.

When you stage, look where you want to end up on the track and walk your bike up to the staging area -- this will ensure that you are pointed straight. It's all about target fixation.

Go on the last yellow light.

Race yourself, not the dude next to you.

 

First of all if you're riding a stock height sportbike, you can forget about burnouts all together. The bike is going to wheelie out of the gate if you leave too hard and the chances of you spinning the tire are slim if the track is properly prepped. You'll be much faster if you leave the line with a smooth controlled roll on than with the motor at red line with the clutch smoking. If you are serious about racing then I suggest investing in a set of straps for the sorks and a set of adjustable dog bones for the rear suspension. Both can be found at Schnitz Racing among other places. Ideally you want to carry the front tire about 2 inches off the ground for the length of first gear ( not an easy thing to do ). Practice leaving on the last yellow light and practice shifting without the clutch. Just keep slight pressure on the shift lever and blip the throttle shut to engage the next gear. Spend some time at the track watching other riders techniques and you'll see what to do and what not to do.

 

I'm not sure what you're referring to as the groove, if it's when you hit the trap (the light bar at the end of your "time" on the run or whatever. You just go from the start to the trap as fast as you can (this does not mean shift as fast as you can, this means shift when you get into your peak range - speed/horsepower).

What everyone else said is correct.... do not dry hop of the start; you'll wheelie up or worse. You want to rev the bike to your peak range, then feather the clutch out easy. Try it a few times on a test and tune night.

Don't worry about anyone else watching, all these people started off the same way and you'll look stupider you get too much adrenaline pumped and wheelie over at the start, than if you don't get a great time.

Once you pass the trap just let off the throttle and hit the brakes gently or you can just kill the engine altogether (but leave your lights on). If it makes you feel better take a walk to the end of the runoff (the part after the trap) on the side of the strip to see just how much space you actually have to stop within.

 

I agree ... good advice.
I would say also just take it easy your first time! get the feel for the track and your bike...you can always hit it on the next run or two!
I recently saw a guy at the track have the bike flip back on him when he was going into 2nd it was very freak! his feet never left the pegs it just came right back on top of him. so watch the front wheel and try to keep it down!

 

i ride a gsxr 600 at the dragstrip and my last run was a 10.38 at 131.6mph i did not do a burnout at all .......all i have done to the bike is tied down in the front and dropped 1 tooth on the front sprocket and up one in the back oh yea a k and n air filter.....i leave the hole at 8500 once i feel i am going about 25 and the wheel is about 10 inches up i will gun it and ****** second....now be carefull doing the snatching ..this is where you could have a roll back it has happened to me well allmost i was holding the throttle open and when i snatched second it caught funny and jumped up to almost 12 but dont be scared to lose the race if this happens just let the throttle go

 

hey im not calling you a lier or anything. but i think your time may be off a little bit on that 10.38 at 131.6mph i know guys who ride prostar on gsxr600 and have there mapped and jetted and dyno tune. with extending there swingarm and dont wheelie (wheelies kill times) who dont even run them times there very close to them times but not that far down..

 

hey man i understand that it is a little hard to believe ...but that is how we do things in va ....the bike i was racing in that race beat me he ran a 1032 ...on a 02zx6 with an exhaust system tied down and dog boned....oh yea do you drag race often? i dont think i have ever left the hole with both wheels on the ground....for that matter i dont think i have ever seen anyone do it ....even with ex swingarms your going to come up a little and if your not coming up then you are not giving enough power.when you are coming up then you no you are giving the bike as much power as you can and still ride....if i can find the old drag run slip i will post it

 

Forget the burnouts, with street tires it is useless. Some tracks might not even let you roll through due to the fact that you will track water down the track. The groove will not even effect you with a 180/55 ZR17, That plays a part with track slicks 9" or larger. I also do not even use the clutch after my 2nd gear change, that knocks time off my ET. Don't expect to run 10's for a few weeks of running, it doesn't happen. Ohhhh, most important, do not run coolant in your system!!!!! Track requires strait water.. Just go and try different styles and see what works.

 

to answer your question...all that will happen if you get "outside the groove" is you will proly spin the tire more...because you will be off the rubber and onto asphault...
i run mid 7's on the 1/8 and i work at the drag strip also
i drag a stock setup on a 500lb bike so i'm used to spinning...but yer 954 is gonna wheelie cuz it's so light...lean into it and dont be afraid to lose while yer getting used to how YOU run...and remember it's 80% rider when drag racing...yer not gonna run yer best times until you get used to it...my opinion is to roll on the throttle and not slip the clutch too much...assuming you want yer bike to last for street use...and if you clutch yer gears yer either gonna wheelie or lose traction...blip the throttle instead...and don't look at the crowd or where the other rider is...jsut look ahead...and it depends on the track if they let you run coolant...if they do street races,they will most likely let you run coolant
oh yeah and don't forget to try yer run in both grooves in each lane and find your "sweet spot" to run...

 

My 1st time up the track, I ran a 10.706 on my 02 R1. I just rode the **** outta the clutch through the gate & put the hammer down. My launch time coulda been better - hard to launch a Litre bike at 160 lbs and w/ out much experience.

Good time though - they threw me out fast w/ no leathers & kill switch - i told the guy i was gonna run a 12.