Nice job, glad you enjoyed it. Question...what is a perfect reaction time? I just started bracket racing and I thought a perfect r/t on an amateur tree was .500 and .400 on a pro tree?

Don't feel too bad about losing on that time either. My first run I broke out with a 17.49 on a 17.53 dial (stock V6 Dakota P/U) with a .597 reaction. I was going to back off at the end and probably would have hit my dial, but the Mustang in my mirror was coming fast and I thought he was going to catch me. He hit a 13.85 on a 13.85 dial with a .621 reaction. That's tough to beat! Anyhow, with a little luck I'll have my GS at the track next spring.

Perfect reaction time depends on the scoring system. This year, the NHRA has dropped the .400/.500 perfect reaction time and changed it to.000 for both. I assume AMA/Prostar has followed suit. Your scoring system must be on the "old" system.

Bikes the same as cars where you go on the last yellow or a different launching technique? How does one launch a bike at a drag strip?

I was thinking about bringing mine to the strip but dunno the rules on leathers and all that stuff. Most bikes there are 8-9 second ones that I saw from this weekend but I came late so maybe the slower bikes had left?

Quote from: Greg GabisPerfect reaction time depends on the scoring system. This year, the NHRA has dropped the .400/.500 perfect reaction time and changed it to.000 for both. I assume AMA/Prostar has followed suit. Your scoring system must be on the "old" system.

Hhhmmmm...I didn't know NHRA changed their system. My local track runs IHRA rules.

Jason,

Bikes same as cars. You'll get a Sportsman tree where the amber lights countdown 1-2-3 at 0.50 sec intervals. Yes, you launch as soon as you see the last amber flash.

Launching consists of revving it up and feathering out the clutch with the goal being to keep the front end from flying up or the rear wheel from spinning. Generally, you don't have to worry about wheel spin on a GS. The front can come up and get out of hand, tho'.

As for how far you should rev will take some practice. I didn't have a tach on the 450 so I just went by ear. The target revs should be the peak of the torque curve which, going from memory, is probably in the 7500-9000 range.

Generally, the rule on leathers is that they are not needed unless the bike exceeds 125 MPH. If you have a sub 125 bike, you'll need helmet, leather jacket, gloves, boots, and jeans. Boots can be work boot style if you don't have specific m/c boots. I wera leathers cuz I have them.

I have a textile jacket and leather pants, guess I got my leather backwards!

I am looking to buy a new jacket anyway I guess its gonna be a nice leather one.

When staging, you go on the last amber light, otherwise, by the time you drop the clutch, they're past the 60 marker.  You gotta be careful though, cause if you stage too deep, it's real easy to get the red lights.  Keep the clutch in the friction zone, rev it, and drop the clutch while rolling the throttle open.  Shouldn't have to worry too much about lifting the front wheel on a GS, but be weary of it.

Bix

Quote from: JBixShouldn't have to worry too much about lifting the front wheel on a GS, but be weary of it.

Bix

Probably no worries if you have a stock shock on your GS.  If you have an aftermarket or some other Suzuki shock, be wary.  Don't ask me how I know!