Launching your roadster

[Claviger]

Just wondering what everyone's technique is for fast/hard drag launches.

Personally I am a bit nervous about really launching it hard as I would on my 'Tona. Really, just concerned it will loop rather than come off the line hard.

I raise the question as I was doing a quick but not real hard launch today and the clutch slipped out of my hand just as I was leaving the line, and the bike jerked forward MUCH harder than anything I have ever ridden on or in but no lift and no spin, just GO!

So, 2k, 3k? Higher? Do you lean forward to keep the wheel down or keep weight centered to mitigate wheel spin?

Just looking for some pointers on the R3R from guys who've got a lot more miles/power than I do for reassurance.

 

[TRIIICK]

Practice practice and a lot of money $ for repairs

 

[Claviger]

Actually, watching his clutch hand answered my questions lol. Clutch looked to bout out in about 10 feet, so a quick release but not a drop.

 

[CanberraR3]

All in the timing. There should be no spin and little if any lift.

 

[Boog]

I am not a racer per se, but my goal is to move out without any wheel slip. If the front wheel comes up, it won't be by much and will touch down in a few feet. I lean forward but push my butt back. On my Touring rig, it is not easy to lift the front whel as it is and I don't like changing tires so I try to keep the back one in traction.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

And my favorite !

 

[Eric Noel]

I've got a couple of videos on YouTube..one vs a 954rr..and a vtx1800. .can't figure out how to put them up but I was laughing at 3000 rpm..and barely slipping it..a guy there told me I'd be quicker launching in second at 4000 rpm...look up the videos..I've got rear facing gopro..and front ..actually beat the CBR in the 1/8..my best was a 7.3 at 98mph I had a really bad .90 reaction time..couldn't quite figure out how to launch..Kind of slipped the clutch for a split second and then dumped!

 

[Eric Noel]

I've got a couple of videos on YouTube..one vs a 954rr..and a vtx1800. .can't figure out how to put them up but I was laughing at 3000 rpm..and barely slipping it..a guy there told me I'd be quicker launching in second at 4000 rpm...look up the videos..I've got rear facing gopro..and front ..actually beat the CBR in the 1/8..my best was a 7.3 at 98mph I had a really bad .90 reaction time..couldn't quite figure out how to launch..Kind of slipped the clutch for a split second and then dumped!

Stupid auto correct. .launching. .although I was laughing!

 

[Claviger]

After getting my dyno done today, I decided, to hell with it I'm gona launch it

3000, VERY slight slip and then release, all within about 6 feet of where I started. As soon as the clutch was fully engaged I went from about 1/2 throttle to WOT. Front tire came up about 6 inches and hovered there while I rode it out through 1st gear at WOT.

Ok couple points:
1: OMFG I love my rocket
2: I have ridden in a lot of fast cars in my life, and NEVER had I experienced such a violently fast hole shot, unbelievable.
3: New redline lets me shift just after hitting 60 mph, so the 0-60 is redonkulous lol!
4: Holy trying to rip itself out of my grip lol, seriously actually had to try when holding on, never felt that before and I think leaning my upper body forward so the back of the seat was holding the vast majority of my weight did most of the work.

 

[ThingKing]

I was rehearsing to launch hard too, today. My best try was 2500 with slow clutch release.
I think this is not the quickest way to do it, but at least I finally figured out how to shift: in the beginning I was balancing with both legs on the ground when starting, but that way I actually didn't make it to move my left leg to the footpeg quick enough to shift to 2nd on time. So I finally kept it on the peg when launching. Front wheel came up 2-3 inches in 1st.

That way I was able to leave a Bandit 1250 far behind a little later, so it seems ok for the moment (my rocket is still a tad under 140hp, looking forward to the wintertime project).

Actually I also had the opportunity to really wring it out on the highway, it ran into the limiter at 200 with ease, in 4th and in 5th. Current setup includes big windshield and Triumph leather bags, but I have Wilbers shocks front and back. So it actually felt pretty stable and planted at top speed.