Tire pressures and RPM

[BadLuck]

I realize it's winter in most places, but I am starting to prepare for this seasons drags. I bought my 96 750 Kat a few weeks ago to run the 1/8 mile at our local strip. What do most run for tire pressure to avoid spinning the rear tire? Also, how high can I tach it up for launch without flipping the bike or spinning? I know there are quite a few variables in that question. I am just looking for a general number and can tweak it from there depending on circumstances. I have no mods on the bike and will run it stock since its my first year racing.

I will be practicing the launch for a few months in a large lot before I hit the track, so practice time is not an issue. I will start small and work my way up.

TIA

[PepeBouchard]

I have found just slightly lower tire pressures are adequate. The Kat is pretty heavy and with stock gearing, I don't have much lifting or spinning problems at the strip. Bear in mind I am at 5000+ feet so HP is down, I can turn about a 12.5 in the quarter

Be careful practicing in a lot, I can easily spin the rear tire on concrete or asphalt but the strip is treated and you will have a lot more traction

[BadLuck]

I have found just slightly lower tire pressures are adequate. The Kat is pretty heavy and with stock gearing, I don't have much lifting or spinning problems at the strip. Bear in mind I am at 5000+ feet so HP is down, I can turn about a 12.5 in the quarter

Be careful practicing in a lot, I can easily spin the rear tire on concrete or asphalt but the strip is treated and you will have a lot more traction

Thanks for the info. I will take it into consideration when practicing.

[scottynoface]

Drop it to about 30 and go from there. Drag racing is a personal preference type thing, whatever set up you can get the best launches from etc...

[JHONNY_ICE_420]

For a drag launch, I usually sit at the light at 5k-5500 once the pre-stage is lit.
get a feel for your clutch's "grab point" by using it to pull into the "staged" beam.
Once both lights are lit I go to 8500 or so.
When it's time to go, I hammer it and use the clutch to hold the engine down at 8k to 9k untill I can dump it without flipping the bike, then it's all shifting.
As for tire pressure-depends on how sticky the track is

[JimG4652]

With the stock clutch, I wouldn't go any higher than 5-6K launching....any higher you have a higher chance of smoking it, especially since you're running a 750. Get a Barnett clutch and lower the bike and you'll have no problem launching 8K-8500 RPM with no fear of flipping the bike.

As for tire pressures, I run 40 psi in both tires...but I'm running a 600 so it doesn't make enough horsepower for tire pressure to make any difference, traction-wise. I run a higher pressure to make the tires have less tread contacting the road for less rolling resistance. How much difference it makes, I have no idea....but it makes me feel better

Good luck at the track and let us know how it turns out

[BadLuck]

Good luck at the track and let us know how it turns out

First practice day is April 24th. I'll have a better idea how the bike will react then. I had it out last weekend for a bit since we had a break in the weather and found a nice straight, deserted road. Only took it up to 100, but the bike felt very stable at that speed. I dont think I'll get up that high in the 1/8 mile.

I'm really looking forward to getting to the track. I'll update once we get out there. Since its my first year racing I'm expecting inconsistent times for a while.