Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Kazairl on June 11, 2011, 02:10:58 PM
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The short straight one. The curvy ones are hard to find in this area. This is my first time drag racing any bike.
Made about half a dozen passes. My best run was 11.57@118. But I had several in the 12-12.6 range.
2010 with Bags off, Leo Vince Slip on and K-Trc disabled.
I had a couple runs where I tried to launch too hard and the back tire just went up in smoke :o That was exciting.
How many of you have taken your C14 to the drag strip and how did it do? Does anyone have some tips they would like to share on how to get my times down and more consistent?
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Start slow, don't think you can get on the starting line, launch a .00 light and hit 10.5 sec 1/4 mile.
Start with the RPMs at 3000 and get a good launch without lifting the front tire and without spinning the rear, then work up from there until you are just getting the front tire to start to come up without having to lift on the gas. Try to get into an exact routine EVERY time so you can slightly adjust next time, consistancy is the key.
I was invited to the 1/4 mile strip in Myrtle Beach last fall, but I wrecked the C14 in Florida and was unable to make it to the track. I was hoping to get a few passes in this year, but there are only 1/8 mile tracks near me and they don't allow motorcycles.
I have dragged cars and bikes (LONG ago, lol) but even with that I would be doing really good to break into the 10's (Full AreaP Exhaust, PC-V, BMC Air Filter, Dyno'd 151 rear wheel HP). I am shooting for low 11's.
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I have to admire your guts here lol. I've never drag raced a bike, and I still haven't worked up the balls to take my Connie to the strip. If you're having trouble with traction off the line, you could try riding "through the clutch", slowly engaging the clutch as you come out of the beams. There are some videos on youtube of a guy racing his C14 with a claimed best time of 10.8. If you could find those, you could watch his technique and see if something stands out to you.
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When the bike first came out there was an article in one of the journals about Ricky Gadsen making a 9.86 run on a bone stock '08 with the bags on. I tried looking for it but couldnt find it again. Maybe one of the old dudes has a link?
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Someone will definitely have to find that. With 135ish HP stock and the OEM tire, I cannot see this bike in the 9's.
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When the bike first came out there was an article in one of the journals about Ricky Gadsen making a 9.86 run on a bone stock '08 with the bags on. I tried looking for it but couldnt find it again. Maybe one of the old dudes has a link?
IIRC, the article shared info between the C14 & the ZX14. He ran the C14 at the drags, but the 9.86 was on the ZX14. I don't recall which bike was in the article and which was in the sidebar.
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A good rider on a stock ZX-14 can run high 9's, but I don't see the C14 doing that without forced induction or nitrous.
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When the bike first came out there was an article in one of the journals about Ricky Gadsen making a 9.86 run on a bone stock '08 with the bags on. I tried looking for it but couldnt find it again. Maybe one of the old dudes has a link?
Old dudes?
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A good rider on a stock ZX-14 can run high 9's, but I don't see the C14 doing that without forced induction or nitrous.
I'd doubt turbo, super charging or N2 would get you in the 9's.
Guys, this is a heavy, shaft driven bike. 11's or high 10's are excellent. Think of all of the expensive auto's asses you can kick! ;D
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Old dudes?
He he. That's what I was thinking. Just what DOES constitute as old?
I would be happy with mid 11 mate. Nice run and lots of fun
Aussie
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I think next time I go I'll work on consistency first. When I can run a pretty constant 11.5 I'll try going faster. The hardest part is rolling on the throttle and releasing the clutch in the same manner every time. Dropping the rear tire pressure a couple pounds would probably help too.
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First time ever on a 1/4 mile. 08 with Leo Vince, flys out, no cat.
11.542 sec 123.89 mph
11.579 123.13
11.872 119.64
12.046 115.23
First run on the bottom, last run on the top. I was 800 miles from home at the time and still had another 1600 miles to go on my trip so I was being very gentle on the clutch. I have not the sightest doubt someone who knows what they are doing can get 10s.
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What elevation was that at? I was running in Julesburg, CO which is around 3400 ft and we had a head wind the entire time that dropped my trap speeds down a little.
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2010 with Bags off, Leo Vince Slip on and K-Trc disabled.
good decision there. This system is extremely conservative and calibrated for a touring bike, so when it kicks in it takes a looong time to release power back to the wheel, which would basically kill the run.
I base this comment on a recent article on a German magazine where they compare 4 traction control equiped bikes: BMW s1000rr, Ducati 1098, something else and the C14. In the same time that the C14 recovers from a slip, the s1000rr (the best of the bunch) switches on and off 3 times and offered the best performance both in driveability (safety and feedback) and acceleration times.
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When the bike first came out there was an article in one of the journals about Ricky Gadsen making a 9.86 run on a bone stock '08 with the bags on. I tried looking for it but couldnt find it again. Maybe one of the old dudes has a link?
gadson is a great drag racer but i dont think there is any chance in hell the c-14 got down the strip that fast .
Way to big and not near enough power.
Even with pro rider you must consider the not so good power to weight ratio
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According to Motorcyclist Mag the C14 should run a 10.84@127.7. But that is a corrected 1/4 mile and probably on the optimistic side.
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It was at Top Gun Raceway just outside Fallon NV. 4000 ft. Kind of a kick. I can see how the sport could get addicting. My niece lives in Winnemucca and was running her drag car at the track for the weekend. It was a run-what-you-brung on Friday evening. I was on my way to San Fran from Missoula MT so I was a bit neurotic about my clutch. I have no idea how much abuse a Connie clutch can take and I was not about to find out that far from home on a road trip. I am glad there is not a 1/4 track near Missoula or would try to get under 11 seconds.
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http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/newsview/07-11-26/2008_Kawasaki_Ninja_ZX-14.aspx (http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/newsview/07-11-26/2008_Kawasaki_Ninja_ZX-14.aspx)
gadson is a great drag racer but i dont think there is any chance in hell the c-14 got down the strip that fast .
Way to big and not near enough power.
Even with pro rider you must consider the not so good power to weight ratio
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Wow! From the above article.: "Then, to prove what a pro could do, Gadson hopped on a shaft-drive ZX-14 Concours, with saddlebags mounted. And did a couple of passes in the nines."
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Wow! From the above article.: "Then, to prove what a pro could do, Gadson hopped on a shaft-drive ZX-14 Concours, with saddlebags mounted. And did a couple of passes in the nines."
Just finished the article, and all I have to say is, wow! If it really was a Connie, that's awesome!
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I found it on the internet so it must be true, right? This is the one I remember from the old site.
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So for some strange reason I figured last month I took the bike to the track for a track day and had an absolute blast so tonight I took it to the drag strip for my first time ever and I was so nervous!! But I had a blast with my best time of 11.298 at 123mph :) (Left Lane on the time slip)
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Good job wild! The drag strip is a lot more fun than most people give it credit for. It also takes a lot more skill and consistency than most people think.
Now about the magazine article, I would have to see it before I believe it. I'm not saying it's false. Gadson is an amazing drag racer. I just find it tough to believe. Good find reesedp.
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It is alot of fun at drag strips,, Have taken numerous cars, and my old 2000 Ford Lightning pu, to B.I.R. (MN.) but never any of my bikes.... ::)
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It is alot of fun at drag strips,, Have taken numerous cars, and my old 2000 Ford Lightning pu, to B.I.R. (MN.) but never any of my bikes.... ::)
Funny you should mention a Ford Lightning cause that is what prompted me to take it to the track.... Some guy in a white lightning with the plate of fasttrk or something like that decided to run me from one light to the next on my way to work.... haha what a joke... I heard him behind me chirping into 2nd gear but he stood no chance of keeping up with me and I wasn't even trying very hard since we were on city streets... So that night I got to thinking about what it would do in the 1/4 mile and low and behold the drag strip about 5 miles from the house was running "run what you brung" Friday night drags for $20... So that's where I finished the night.. Great day started with dusting a Lightning then ended at the strip wasting a Yamaha R6, Cobra Mustang, a Vette and a bunch of other vehicles.. I lost once to the R6 cause I got a really bad launch but other then that it was win lights for me all night :) Now I'm thinking about a little 40 shot of NOS hidden away in the bags... Not sure how much that would help though...
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A 40 hp shot of nitrous on a 700 pound bike would likely drop around 4 or 5/10ths of a second off your e.t. and add almost another 10 mph to your trap speed.
A buddy of mine runs nitrous on his ZX-14 and he went from 10.7 at 132 to 9.9 at 144 and he is by no means a pro rider and he also weighs 220 pounds so that puts his total weight at almost 750 on the bike.
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Ya,,, any body in a car or truck should not waste there time with anybody on a motorcycle, on the street or track! the best my Lightning did was 13.5 @102.5 At Topeka park KS. back in 2003
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A 40 hp shot of nitrous on a 700 pound bike would likely drop around 4 or 5/10ths of a second off your e.t. and add almost another 10 mph to your trap speed.
A buddy of mine runs nitrous on his ZX-14 and he went from 10.7 at 132 to 9.9 at 144 and he is by no means a pro rider and he also weighs 220 pounds so that puts his total weight at almost 750 on the bike.
I like the sounds of that... So I should be in the 10.6 to 10.7 range easy and perhaps a little better after I have some experience under my belt. With a stealth install in the bags :) lol a Concours beating a ZX14 or Busa the look on the other drivers face would be priceless :)
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So for some strange reason I figured last month I took the bike to the track for a track day and had an absolute blast so tonight I took it to the drag strip for my first time ever and I was so nervous!! But I had a blast with my best time of 11.298 at 123mph :) (Left Lane on the time slip)
Wild - congrats on the racing (and winning) @ Firebird. I live up in Flagstaff and need to head South and enjoy a track day and some drags! Couple questions, after reading some info on the Firebird website, do they require 2 piece leathers at the drag and for track days?
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Wild - congrats on the racing (and winning) @ Firebird. I live up in Flagstaff and need to head South and enjoy a track day and some drags! Couple questions, after reading some info on the Firebird website, do they require 2 piece leathers at the drag and for track days?
Yes and Yes... Two piece that zip together or a one piece, I picked up the Sedici brand at cycle gear 50% off about a month or two ago... Pretty decent for the price I paid... $329 for the two piece and then some nice Alpinestar boots on Craigs List for $100. They had a nice Alpinestars jacket in craigs list as well but one size to small for me :(
Let me know when your coming down and maybe we can do the track together... would be nice to have some Connie Company :)
This upcoming Friday I think Firebird is doing it again according to there website... Oh and also on the track days with Xcel they have Leathers you can borrow for the day no charge... you have to leave a fully refundable deposit but that's all.
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thanks for the feedback WILD - I will be looking for deals on leathers etc. As far as hooking up at the track, I will deffinately get ahold of you when I get set up.....I will prolly bring my buddy down w/ me, he wadded up his FJR last year - came out of the deal w/ a new (used) C14 that we found in Vegas
OK - are there any COG events in Arizona or the SouthWest? How does one go about signing up for COG?
thx,
dave
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OK - are there any COG events in Arizona or the SouthWest? How does one go about signing up for COG?
thx,
dave
You have to go over to the other site for this.
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Thanks!
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I ran 10.8's on my '08. Here is a helmet cam video thread I posted a while back:
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9570 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9570)
Can't believe how much fun it is to open her up!!!
Aaron
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I ran 10.8's on my '08. Here is a helmet cam video thread I posted a while back:
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9570 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9570)
Can't believe how much fun it is to open her up!!!
Aaron
Very nice... Thanks for sharing :)
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You have to go over to the other site for this.
dues paid - thx to all on this forum that make it such a great resource