better take off power

[Guest]

I love my 05 katana but lets be real. Its take off at the signal is lacking. I knew there was a problem when an old a** ford escourt beat me to the next signal. What can I get to give me more power or torque at the signal

[ekim]

Your Kat should beat almost any car on the road stock. A 05 Kat should run a mid 12 second 1/4 mile with an experienced rider. Heck even a squid should be about to run in the low 14 to high 13's.
If you still need more change your gearing.

[Anonymous]

Yes, if a ranger beat you, than you need to learn to ride your Kat better....

Then if Porsches are beating you off the line, then get a sprocket change

[donmega]

Or a z06, had one of those gimmie a good run on the freeway, those damn cars never stop pulling.

Anywho change the front sprocket down 1 tooth, not to be a dick but I just think you need more experience.

[md86]

Maybe your only running on 2 cylinders . Damn , my old-a$$ Escort ain't nowhere NEAR fast enough to keep up with may Kat even on a bad day for the Kat and a good day for the car .

[mikemcw]

That sounds like the problem right there. Experience. I am not experienced my self but damb. An 05.

Or are you in first gear?

[The CyberPoet]

If you're still in the break-in period and following the book, don't sweat cars beating you... once you get past that break-in period and can open her up, it won't be an issue.

If, on the other hand, you're past the break-in period, had the oil change and valve adjustment at 600 miles like you should, and still are having cars beat you off the line, you need to learn to wind that puppy out... 1st gear to 5k RPM, 2nd to 7.5k RPM, 3rd and above just wind it on. Nothing shy of a corvette or better should be able to beat you away from a light or from any set-speed under about 120. Unless of course you are weighing in at over 350lbs (no jesting -- as the rider weight goes up, the power to weight ratio goes down, reducing performance).

KNOW THIS:
Motorcycle transmissions are not built like typical car transmissions. The motorcycle wants you to shift with a hard, quick snap and not slowly push the lever into gear.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[Guest]

better take off

Thank you for the info. I am a new rider so everything is new to me at this point. I now realize the shift zones are much different on a bike than a car. I was using a car shift zone, so by 3500 to 4000 rpm Im coming out of 1st gear when I can accually ride it longer. The engine sounds as if it was straining so I upshift to soon. Thanks.

[tylerc]

why would you only go to 5k in first gear? am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

It's an 05 Kat...meaning he's still probably in break-in mode for the engine... and on motorcycles more than cars..it's extremely important that this is done 'correctly'

[The CyberPoet]

why would you only go to 5k in first gear? am I missing something?

The primary reason for new riders to do so in 1st is torque backlash... the gearing in 1st is strong enough that if you abruptly close throttle in 1st at high RPM's without use of the clutch, you can easily strain various components in the tranny, chain and even some engine components due to the torque backlash. It can also cause loss of rear wheel traction under some conditions. This is why the owner's manual says to shift out of first (and 2nd) early... Going in the other direction, shifting down out of 3rd or 2nd at very high RPM's can easily cause the engine to over-rev (go past redline), and may also result in loss of rear wheel traction, as well as possible damages to 2nd gear. Remember, the advice is intended for all riders, and the group "all riders" includes newbies...

Once you've been riding the bike for quite some time, you'll know what it is willing to do, what's dangerous, etc...

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[skasner]

hmmm... i shift early going out of first... not so much from second.

as far as downshifting goes though... sometimes i downshit early on purpose because i like it when the rear skids like that. i didnt realize it could hurt the engine... it never has hit the redline... always breaks loose first.

[tylerc]

If you really want it to skid the back brake will do wonders. i know engine braking to that point is bad on the clutch as well.

[mystahagy]

... sometimes i downshit early on purpose because i like it when the rear skids like that...

haha wow thanks I needed that, it's been a rough day here at work.

[zleviticus]

hmm yeah wind that puppy up...there is little that should beat you light to light (cars that is) ... I was timid at first as well becaus ei am not use to an eninge winding that tight... but taht is what motorcycles are for... heck the power band for the kat does not start until after 5k... I prefer the 7-11k myself