how to beat people off the line

[deuce big]

all,
i keep getting beat off the line by cars and other motorcycles. i've only been riding since september and i've got the feel for the friction zone when it comes to starting smoothly but i can't seem to make the jump to blasting off when the light turns green. the gs500 is quick and i'm a light guy so i know its something i haven't got coordinated yet and i probably need more practice. any tips?   also, probably not the safest thing for me to be doing yet but i still would like to know how....

peace

[chinox22x]

usually i lean towards the tank.

clutch hand ready and trying to find the "bite" zone,  once the light turns green i halfway let go of the clutch so i don't stall but pulling the throttle fairly quickly.  once i'm safe from stalling which takes literally a second, i let go of the clutch.  

gotta be careful with it though, don't wanna pull a wheelie by accident.  make sure you lean against the tank and don't jerk the handlebars.  takes practice but you'll be ok.

[Jace009]

my main suggestion is to let the engine spool up..I see alot of MSF rookies switch gears at 3k rpms and wonder why the bike bogs so much.....Don't be afraid to let the engine whip out to 8k...in terms of time that's 1st gear at 8k rpm should put you across the intersection and you should be grabbing second gear just as you cross the line between you and the light pole...8k again your in 3ard....by now speeed will be in the 40's so make sure your not breaking the law  The best place to attemp this would be idealy comming onto the on-ramp to a highway [after you go around the turn of course] then let it rip from 3ard gear..that will give you the "power switching" into gears.

engine revs pull in clutch just so that power stops
click up and as you hear the click...
give it gas and let the clutch out at the same time...the clutch should move hardley any when your good because you know the exact spot where the engine is dissengaged  

WARNING THO
you can expect to see less clutch life
hefty fines
replacing tires sooner

[JetSwing]

just redline it all the way!  

gotta be careful with it though, don't wanna pull a wheelie by accident

hmmm....funny...i didn't realize gs was capable of doing a wheelie  

[2xs]

First a question...is it a new GS500F?  If so, how many miles on it?  Why do I ask?...the RPM break in period.

Second, best advice...try working on your skills and knowing your bike before trying to race someone.  With time, your bike should beat most cars off the line and many smaller CC crotch rockets, and most same CC and many larger CC cruisers and standards.

As my one MSF instructor said, "a skilled rider with a small CC bike will smoke an unskilled rider with a larger CC bike in a race any day".

Scott

[JetSwing]

As my one MSF instructor said, "a skilled rider with a small CC bike will smoke an unskilled rider with a larger CC bike in a race any day".

that might be true...unfortunately it doesn't take much skills to "gun it".

[2xs]

As my one MSF instructor said, "a skilled rider with a small CC bike will smoke an unskilled rider with a larger CC bike in a race any day".

that might be true...unfortunately it doesn't take much skills to "gun it".

True...but some drag racers might beg to differ.  There is timing and method in the clutch release, knowing the right RPMs, knowing your traction situation, weight distribution, etc.  I know...I know...but pro drag racing is different than gunning it light to light.  True.  

Just trying to offer some helpful advice...practice makes perfect.  Lol.

[deuce big]

its a 99 500e
sounds like i just need to find a big empty parking lot and go practice, practice, practice.  after that, i'm probably gonna wanna try taking everybody off the line.  

a lot of people can smoke me off the line right now but not a lot of people can do the california dmv circle.  

thanks! keep the posts coming.

[chinox22x]

just redline it all the way!  

gotta be careful with it though, don't wanna pull a wheelie by accident

hmmm....funny...i didn't realize gs was capable of doing a wheelie  

well, yours might not, but mine sure as hell does when i want it to.

[JetSwing]

well, yours might not, but mine sure as hell does when i want it to.

could we trade...please?  :mrgreen:

[Dom]

Buy a 15 tooth front sprocket and it'll make it easier to pop the front up.

[chinox22x]

Buy a 15 tooth front sprocket and it'll make it easier to pop the front up.

amen  :mrgreen:

[JetSwing]

amen  :mrgreen:

:guns: cheater!

[Dom]

A 14t is even faster off the line than a 15 but you'll be running mega rpms at high speeds and just aren't great for fast roads or long trips.  A sprocket is around $12 so I would say just buy one of each and then you can choose which one is best for the type of riding you do.

[Anonymous]

First of all, as everyone before said, don't be afraid of the RPMs.   Keep it in the max HP range as much as possible.

Especially with our little engine, your RPMs NEED to be way up there as you take off and let the clutch do the work.  You need to learn how to slip the clutch just right to keep max power and traction when taking off.  Once you're moving DON'T use the clutch again.  You ARE aware that you can shift without the clutch?  Just pre-load the shifter and quickly come off the gas and then pop it in.  You can shift MUCH faster without the clutch.

Oh, did I mention that all your drivetrain parts don't last very long when racing?

Did I also mention that you won't be able to beat MOST bikes?  A 100hp 600 is going to eat you for lunch.

Your bike isn't made for beating people.  It's made for fun.  Just have fun.

Did I mention how many people wreck racing between lights?

[Pam G]

its a 99 500e
sounds like i just need to find a big empty parking lot and go practice, practice, practice.  after that, i'm probably gonna wanna try taking everybody off the line.  

You may not want to do that repeatedly at one time.  Like someone already mentioned, this shortens clutch life.  Your clutch plates will heat up a lot & unevitably will warp.  And there is a chance of breaking other things in the clutch too.

[davipu]

for those of you that have seen my bike you know that I busted up my tail section doing a 12'o clock from a light,  and when you smoke your clutch let me know I have a spare that I'll sell ya dirt cheep.

[TeBo]

just redline it all the way!  

gotta be careful with it though, don't wanna pull a wheelie by accident

hmmm....funny...i didn't realize gs was capable of doing a wheelie  

dude...  if you didn't know your GS could pop up, hahah..  u ain't tried much yet :mrgreen:  Just got new tires finally, and my front could go up after snapping off the clutch.  IF I switch to the 14T front sprocket, I'm for sure I could whip it up longer.  It's not Liter bike, but I can still put it up=)

[Hi-T]

Buy a bigger bike.

It took me almost $600 in upgrades and a couple hours of tuning to get my gs to come off the line faster than most cars.  And even then it wasn't by much.  Most real rice rockets would put me in their rear view...  I got sick of it and bought a bigger bike.  

And if I had to bet against a squid on a supersport riding against a great rider on a gs- I'll go with the supersport...  These guys are pro's when it comes to straight lines and the bikes REALLY are that much faster.

But lets face it- speed isn;t the real reason behind owning a gs...

[JetSwing]

It took me almost $600 in upgrades and a couple hours of tuning to get my gs to come off the line faster than most cars.

geez...you must be in a neighborhood with lots of fast cars... you did mean minivans and suv by "most cars", right?  :lol:

These guys are pro's when it comes to straight lines.

whether they are pro or not and whether you are a pro or not, there's no way you can make up for the hp disadvantage period.

But lets face it- speed isn't the real reason behind owning a gs...

yea, i always insist on taking the twistiest roads when i'm riding with my friends with crotch rockets  :lol: