Adventure to a 2023 2.5 Liter Rocket 3 GT

Good luck! That’s where I went today! Finally broke into the 10’s! Not by much, but I’ll take it! Launching at 3K. And there’s a bit of bogging-down. Not much, but it’s there. Next time I’m going to try 3.5K and a little bit quicker to the clutch full-release. No spin/slip with 30psi in the rear and if that holds with the higher 3.5RPM and quicker clutch release I may go up to 32-34. I am very thankful to Kevin for getting me out to the 1/8 mile track a couple of years ago for my very first time drag racing. It is pretty amazing that you can do as many runs as you want for $25, seeing how much work goes into making the day happen and everybody at the track is so nice. Try it! You guys will have a blast!
Edited to add, I’m 68yo and I wish that I had tried doing this 50 years ago!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2411.jpeg
    131.3 KB · Views: 20
Last edited:
So I road out to the dragstrip this morning. It did not go as well as hoped. Remember our dragstrip is at 2800 feet elevation. In the last 2 seasons I have only been at the track 1 time due to my cancer treatments. I am rusty to say the least. Taking a new bike I've only riden just a little over 100 miles doesn't help either. Anyway, I wanted to do 2 runs with the stock tune and 2 runs with the unrestricked tune I made. I did get 3 runs today as the track was very crowded.

It took over 2 hours in line just for the first run. I had some fear launching an unfamiliar bike, so I was a little reserved on the 1st run. I forgot to set my hand a little higher than normal riding position, so it took me until 3rd gear to get the throttle fully open. And I hit the rev limiter in 2nd before shifting to 3rd. Buggers ! 12.4/112 MPH. Fearing time would not allow 4 runs, I decided to install the unrestricted tune between run 1 and 2. The unrestricted tune was deffinately an improvement. I like it. Run 2 was a better, but I still made the same 3 mistakes. I had to stretch the clutch a little longer as the front wheel was very lite with the new tune. 12.1/118.

I waited around hoping for another call to the track for motorcycles 3rd run. While waiting I was helping a fellow racer make a repair to his cluth that failed on our 2nd run. Finnally just before the end of the day, they called us up. So run 3 went a liitle better. I did a little better launch but still made the same mistakes. 11.8/117.

I think I need to have another 5 to 10 runs on this bike to get it where it should be. However, I'm thinking this is good enough. The altitude here is never going to allow the great ETs you guys get at lower elevations. I am happy with the results of the unrestricted tune I made. The ride home was ripping fun.
 
thanks for sharing. when you say timing trim, how much and where?
 
Fun! The unrestricted map really opens up the bike! Elevation makes a big difference really quick. When I got stationed to Fort Carson back in the early 80s we didn’t even have to do PT for the first two or three weeks just to be begin to adapt. I’ve had the front end come up on me a couple of times and it is not a good feeling on a 700 pound motorcycle. It didn’t help that the very first time I went to race I watched a stretched-out gixxer do a loop at the starting line. Nope. I like working on my technique and all the little things one can do to go faster but I am not looking to get on the ragged edge and potentially hurt my bike or myself. Just out there to have fun. Sorry you had to wait so long between runs, that would get old quick. I hope you kicked cancer’s butt and good to see you out there enjoying yourself!
 
Congratulations, never to late. Higher rpm launches help, control with the clutch.
 

I'll put a the runs on the Flat Cap Cafe Racer website in a couple weeks

I thought the first run the the stock tune was a safe one at 12.472. The 2nd run with the new tune at 12.113 was significantly better. I think the 3rd run at 11.802 was about as good as you should expect.

Given Saturday when the temperature was 46 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit with winds from the the rear combined with a sea level density of altitude made it almost ideal circumstances. Most of the time the density of altitude at this track is between 4000 and 5000 feet with a head or front quartering winds which makes me think while your riding on the bike will probably be better the nature of this track will offset those experience gains.

A .670 second improvement over three runs huge when drag racing. As the bike is currently configured there might be a .1 or .2 in it which sounds great to me.

Bill you didn't look rusty to me, it just is a different bike that revs a bit quicker than the generation one.
 
Do you think a 160lb person that knew how to drag could get my 10.9 bike down to under 10 seconds? I weigh 230 and really don’t know what I am doing, other than just having fun. My ticket is posted earlier. One second is a bunch.
 
Nashvegas said:
Do you think a 160lb person that knew how to drag could get my 10.9 bike down to under 10 seconds? I weigh 230 and really don’t know what I am doing, other than just having fun. My ticket is posted earlier. One second is a bunch.
Click to expand...
Your 60 foot on your 10.9 ET indicates to me you have real good idea about launching a motorcycle. A 1.75 60 foot time would move your ET down significantly.
Reduction in the 60 foot time is a huge mulipler for cutting the ET down the track.

I'm not familiar with your mods but I suspect your bike is pushing significant more horsepower than a stocker. Sure a rider weighing 70 pounds less (gains 7 or more hp) with equal or slightly better riding ability should be faster not only weight but aerodynamics.

I think with some serious aerodynamics help would be more cost effective than adding more horsepower. Suspension setup might help on the launching and dropping the rear tire pressure also helps...but you probably already done these two things.

I'm very impressed with your ET with this bike.
 
Thank you for the kind words. She has a Woolrich racing tune, Viking header/exhaust, Wilburs rear shock and I don’t remember the air filter. It might be DNA? 182hp and 152tq. I have never adjusted the rear shock. I have lost 38 pounds in the last few months so it is probably stiffer now anyway. I was running 30psi on a Cruisetec rear, 42 front. I might go higher on the rear pressure because it was hooking up fine and I think a harder tire might go faster? Konrad (tuner) was telling me last year that the front wheel a little off the ground is usually a fast run and to not let off throttle like I was doing, but to keep the momentum and shift to the next gear if I am worried about a big wheelie. One of the things that I know I can do is get my lankey 6’3” body down tighter on the gas tank, helmet down more, just looking up at the tach and not trying to look down the track to the finish line. She tracks straight and true. And move my left hand tighter to the tank/risers after the clutch is out and get that left shoulder down/tight. I have a Quickshifter. There are so many small things to remember in such a short period of time. My apologies to the OP for derailing this thread.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BT Moto Tune Review - 2024 Rocket 3 GT
2
Replies
12
Views
394
Idaho Red Rocket 3
Tried HD Breakout and it reminded me of my Rocket 3 GT
Replies
2
Views
639
A1A Rider
Installing mid R controls to Rocket 3 GT Storm.
2
Replies
13
Views
2K
Idaho Red Rocket 3
Rocket 3 GT oil leak after 6000 km
Replies
4
Views
931
RockMad
TRIUMPH ROCKET 3R GT EBC Rear disc rotor is finally out
Replies
1
Views
245
biker1059
Menu
Log in
Register