[Pittenger5]

How do you guys launch?
I started out with both feet on the ground, but on my ex with its short first gear Id have to get my left foot up as quick as possible and usually caught it on the peg (which fold) and then Id hafta worry about shifting and getting the peg back down.
Then towards the end of the year, I started launching with my right foot on the ground and the left on the peg, but its tough to hold the bike back with the RPMs up and stuff.
Any opinions one way or another? It seems most drag racers do 2 feet down, or is it just whats most comfortable

[Doc]

I saw Ricky Gadsen do some instruction once and he advocated the 2 foot down approach so that is what I go with.

Weight forward, revs at about 6500 and drop the clutch when I see green. Usually the front tire is a little off the ground until I hit second (GP shift)

[Honclfibr]

It's an EX. Dump the clutch at the five board and go make a sandwich.

[Pittenger5]

Hahah, well the end of the year starting wasnt my problem, it was keeping you off my ass come 7-8-9

[Pittenger5]

But seriously, everyone seems to say the 2 foot model works, but I was having trouble with it, and dont wanna get into bad habits if I cant help it.

[RyanNicholson]

serious drag racers also use air shifters...they dont need their feet.

I go with both feet down, never really had a problem shifting....i just have trouble finding the sweet spot between being a pansy and keeping the front wheel down enough.

[Paul_E_D]

leaning forward doesn't have much effect when your feet are off the pegs. It's a short lever from seat to head. Plus, the weight of your legs is counterbalancing your upperbody. Put your feet on the pegs as soon as possible.

Drag bikes have entirely different geometry.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

anyone start with just their right foot down? or will that upset the bike at all?

[Pittenger5]

Thats what I do, and why I was asking if its bad form or not. I find it easier like i say to get into second quickly without worrying about snagging my foot on the footpeg or something. Ill probably keep that up seeing the responses here and how much easier it is for me.

[Paul_E_D]

Whatever works quickest for you. BUT...Both feet down will prevent you from veering to the side as you struggle with a wheelie. Mishaps can be deadly.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Originally Posted by Paul_E_D

Whatever works quickest for you. BUT...Both feet down will prevent you from veering to the side as you struggle with a wheelie. Mishaps can be deadly.

2 feet down it is then - i obviously have no preference at this point - thanks

[Pittenger5]

I ride an EX, I dont think its physically possible for it to wheelie. Yay!

[l3uddha]

Originally Posted by Pittenger5

I ride an EX, I dont think its physically possible for it to wheelie. Yay!

no way man, i saw a guy almost loop his GS500. it's downright scary how much power these things have...

i did seriously see that though.

[RyanNicholson]

Originally Posted by Paul_E_D

Whatever works quickest for you. BUT...Both feet down will prevent you from veering to the side as you struggle with a wheelie. Mishaps can be deadly.

thats why I use two feet, I've never really had a noticeable problem with the veering when I've tried it with one...but it feels a lil off balance or something for sure.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Originally Posted by RyanNicholson

thats why I use two feet, I've never really had a noticeable problem with the veering when I've tried it with one...but it feels a lil off balance or something for sure.

its funny i was practicing starts at jennings... first time pussy, 2nd time lofting the wheel, next time too pussy, next time wheelie.... you get the idea - haha grrrrrrr -tough stuff

[RyanNicholson]

Originally Posted by Denno

its funny i was practicing starts at jennings... first time pussy, 2nd time lofting the wheel, next time too pussy, next time wheelie.... you get the idea - haha grrrrrrr -tough stuff

yea I suck at starts....and it KILLS my results. My first laps are a good second and a half off of where they need to be.....thats a big goal of mine for 08. I've heard practicing on a dirt bike is good practice (all the guys with dirt racing bg's seem to have amazing starts as well).

[Paul_E_D]

Where's that infamous start line wheelie vid of the guy on the EX weaving and pivoting through traffic in a 12 o'clocker? funny stuff, I don't care who you are!

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Originally Posted by Paul_E_D

Where's that infamous start line wheelie vid of the guy on the EX weaving and pivoting through traffic in a 12 o'clocker? funny stuff, I don't care who you are!

post it up plz!

[Pittenger5]

+ YouTube Video

[l3uddha]

hahah i love that

[BLACK SQUIRREL 441]

Originally Posted by Pittenger5

How do you guys launch?
I started out with both feet on the ground, but on my ex with its short first gear Id have to get my left foot up as quick as possible and usually caught it on the peg (which fold) and then Id hafta worry about shifting and getting the peg back down

You are going have rigid pigs next year, Probem solved there, I always launch
with my right foot on the peg. And as said before you have to get BOTH feet on he pegs to keep the front end down. all your weight on the tank and one foot on the peg will do nothing for you until that second foot is on.

You launch really well on that lawnmower anyway

[Ken C]

I've launched my MZ both ways, but in the end I chose to have my left foot on the peg to grab the shift that was required VERY soon after launching on the big single.

I also found that the front wheel would stay down better with my feet on the pegs mostly because it kept my butt from sliding backward.

The best practice is to get to a drag strip. I drag raced for fun for a few years and it makes a HUGE difference. It's cheap and relatively safe, too.

[gmdboston]

Originally Posted by Paul_E_D

leaning forward doesn't have much effect when your feet are off the pegs. It's a short lever from seat to head. Plus, the weight of your legs is counterbalancing your upperbody. Put your feet on the pegs as soon as possible.

Drag bikes have entirely different geometry.

That may be true on a 125, but on my 750 I have to lean forward and keep my face in the tach to keep the front end down. I balance on both big toes, lay on the tank, and hold the revs at 6000. When the flag moves I pin the throttle, pause about a half a second, then let clutch out hard and fast to about half way. That will launch the bike hard enough make it lurch forward and lift the front wheel. From that point on all the work is done with the left hand. The throttle stays pinned all the way to turn one. Both up shifts are done wide open with an electric shifter. Like Paul does, I get my feet on the pegs ASAP.

[Crash Dummy Denno]

Originally Posted by gmdboston

That may be true on a 125, but on my 750 I have to lean forward and keep my face in the tach to keep the front end down. I balance on both big toes, lay on the tank, and hold the revs at 6000. When the flag moves I pin the throttle, pause about a half a second, then let clutch out hard and fast to about half way. That will launch the bike hard enough make it lurch forward and lift the front wheel. From that point on all the work is done with the left hand. The throttle stays pinned all the way to turn one. Both up shifts are done wide open with an electric shifter. Like Paul does, I get my feet on the pegs ASAP.

thanks - easier said than done though! need to practice that

[SVRACER01]

right foot down for me. shift points come pretty fast on the SV. if you didnt know i was in a race it would look like i was sitting at a red light. i sit with the bike at idle until i see green. then again..idle is 3500