Suzuki Cruiser Drag Racing - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

slick_kipper · 01-03-2006, 04:00 PM

Hi everybody. New here. Sure is neat to see so many people on the newer cruisers. Wondering if anybody else has taken their Suz.Cruiser to a dragstrip, and if they enjoyed the experience, what kinds of times they got, whatever.

I was on a pit crew for a couple of seasons (HD "Pro-Mod"), and had a lot of fun doing that, but never went down the track till last Summer; one of those "test and tune" nights. There were a couple of other guys there who were 1st-timers. They'd "borrowed" their dads 78 KZ1000 not wanting to use their own bikes. I squared off against one of the two each time down the track, and did a total of 6 passes in about 2 hours. We were all having a good ol'time.

Could go into more detail, but don't want rant and rave if no one else is really interested in the topic. If y'are though let'er rip!

SK

tlwisner · 01-03-2006, 04:20 PM

Sounds like fun to me. If you're gonna wring out your bike, a drag strip is a great place to do it, old people don't pull out of side streets in '87 Ford LTDs. I used to drag race a '71 Ford Torino back in the dark ages at the Bluegrass Dragway. The Dragway is a 1/4 mile long strip mall now...

cjjtulsa · 01-03-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwisner

Sounds like fun to me. If you're gonna wring out your bike, a drag strip is a great place to do it, old people don't pull out of side streets in '87 Ford LTDs. I used to drag race a '71 Ford Torino back in the dark ages at the Bluegrass Dragway. The Dragway is a 1/4 mile long strip mall now...

Not to hijack, but cool car. I've got a '70 Cobra.

**drgibson** · 01-03-2006, 06:12 PM

No, But I'm willin'

traysvega · 01-03-2006, 09:54 PM

I just may have to give in and try it.....I kinda wanted to this year but ,,chickened out.......I really didnt want to be disappointed if it only ran low 13.'s .....

slick_kipper · 01-03-2006, 11:39 PM

TL: Ever go to Beachbend Race Park in B.G. K.Y.? I went down there (from here in Michigan) a few times with the Harley crew. They really liked that track; said it had "good air." You couldn't be more right about "taking it to the track" though. In addition to being more safe, I think there's something about knowing that you can just peg it without any concerns about cages and cops and, oh, deer for instance. Before my first time down the track, I really didn't expect it to be all that much different that doing a little "spirited riding" on the street, but man, it's so much more thrilling than stoplight to stoplight or whatever else one might dare to do on the street. Too bad about that Bluegrass Dragway. Guess you could say they paved paradise and put up a parkinglot (couldn't help myself, sorry.)

drgibson: If y'do try it, get ready for for some serious fun. If possible, bring a buddy with you whose a 1st timer too, preferably with a near-equivalent bike. That way you guys can race together, and you won't have to call your buddy on the cell phone trying to explain what the thrill of your lifetime felt like. I got lucky and met two dudes who were also trying it for the 1st time too. Their KZ1000 whooped me every time, but it didn't really matter; apples and oranges comparison, but once they realized they'd always beat my ET and MPH, they started trying to compete with my 60' times (which they never beat, due to the low-end grunt of a V-twin vs. their inline-4's higher powerband. In an attempt to beat my 60-foot time, they noticed that I was holding an off-idle RPM at the line, so they started doing that too, and it helped a lot with their 60' (I knew I would rant if anyone replied to this post.)

TRAYSVEGA: You're next. Yeah, I know about chickening out. You definitely shouldn't do it if you've got reservations. Sometimes when I'm at home, or at work, I get to thinking about getting hit by a car on my bike on the street or something. Start questioning the wisdom of riding altogether, but when I get on the street, those concerns seem to dissipate every time; probably because I'm too busy watching out for cagers to worry about it. Could be the same thing for you with the dragstrip. Either way, you'll do what you want to eh?
As for being disappointed with your times? Can't say I've ever been down the track in a car, and 9.73 is haulin' a$$, but I'd bet the carbon fiber exhaust cannister (by Borla) I'm putting on my bike this winter (don't ask why), that you'll have a different experience on your bike, and I really don't think you'll need to do 9's on your bike to have as much, if not more fun. Just my guess. Comparatively speaking, my times really sucked, but it was just too much fun for me to care. Online, and in magazines, I've found the average ET for my Marauder to be about 14.25. I've seen low 14's and 14.75's for stock bikes. Well, I was doing 15's, pretty much flat, but sheesh, I was running a 17-tooth front sprocket (stock is a 15-tooth), and I'm a big guy too.

Incidentally, here's a link to a simple list of my timeslip data for the night www.blastmat.com/tracktimes.html

Whelp, girlfriend fell asleep waiting for me to come cuddle. I guess you could say "mission accomplished;" time to hit the fridge.

SlickKipper out.

Danr · 01-04-2006, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwisner

Sounds like fun to me. If you're gonna wring out your bike, a drag strip is a great place to do it, old people don't pull out of side streets in '87 Ford LTDs. I used to drag race a '71 Ford Torino back in the dark ages at the Bluegrass Dragway. The Dragway is a 1/4 mile long strip mall now...

Had a 68 Torino GT, 390,factory 4 Speed, 750 double pumper Holly, Woo Wee

Englishtown Raceway back in the 60's

wayout1 · 01-04-2006, 12:19 PM

Englishtown Raceway back in the 60's[/quote]

One of my favorite tracks. Great family running that operation. I used to be the Operations Manager for NIRA and NMCA back 5 or so years ago till NHRA bough one and the other kinda died. I miss those old tracks and the smell of VHT in the morning, it smells like.... victory.. someday, this race is gonna end son....

**drgibson** · 01-04-2006, 03:41 PM

I had a '76 Grand Torino 351 Winsor, automatic, dog...

Danr · 01-04-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

I had a '76 Grand Torino 351 Winsor, automatic, dog...

There were lots of Dog's in the 70's, Gas Crisis, EPA mandates with the technology not there yet, So the big 3 put out a lot of junk. Without a doubt, the worst decade for the auto industry.

cjjtulsa · 01-04-2006, 05:35 PM

How true...and I've never been a big fan of the 351W. Cleveland, baby! Mine has a 429CJ, and runs pretty good for a car the size and weight of an aircraft carrier. Now as for the topic - I'm too skeered to take a bike to the track. Don't even flog it real hard on the street, either.

traysvega · 01-04-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjjtulsa

How true...and I've never been a big fan of the 351W. Cleveland, baby! Mine has a 429CJ, and runs pretty good for a car the size and weight of an aircraft carrier. Now as for the topic - I'm too skeered to take a bike to the track. Don't even flog it real hard on the street, either.

I'm not much on fords,,,,I like -em just dont own any...Buy off topic,,,,I rebuilt this motor for a customer a few years ago...I thought it was the toughest ford factory motor I had seen...The guy blew a adaptor to oil filter gasket ,,keep driving! burnt up 2 rods and fried the the motor...Geez...Anyways its a Boss 302 ,Factory 4 bolt mains,Factory steel crank..Cleveland 4v heads....That car was so neat to drive,,4 spd ,detriot locker 3.90 gears,,,,After I fixed it,,,,He sold it for 28,500 ..Car had 64k original miles 2 owners...and was a 8.5 out of a 10 being perfect...Took me 2 months on the net to find and buy 2 factory rods to match......

Danr · 01-05-2006, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traysvega

I'm not much on fords,,,,I like -em just dont own any...Buy off topic,,,,I rebuilt this motor for a customer a few years ago...I thought it was the toughest ford factory motor I had seen...The guy blew a adaptor to oil filter gasket ,,keep driving! burnt up 2 rods and fried the the motor...Geez...Anyways its a Boss 302 ,Factory 4 bolt mains,Factory steel crank..Cleveland 4v heads....That car was so neat to drive,,4 spd ,detriot locker 3.90 gears,,,,After I fixed it,,,,He sold it for 28,500 ..Car had 64k original miles 2 owners...and was a 8.5 out of a 10 being perfect...Took me 2 months on the net to find and buy 2 factory rods to match......

Saweeeet!!!!!!!

**drgibson** · 01-05-2006, 07:40 AM

Nice 1 year too new though, My fav mustang is the '69

slick_kipper · 01-05-2006, 08:43 PM

What's become of my beautiful motorcycle-related thread!? I leave for a couple of days and you guy's turn it into a hotrod show?? Kidding. Anybody need another beer while I'm up? Dang! Lookat that 'stang!

Danr · 01-05-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick_kipper

What's become of my beautiful motorcycle-related thread!? I leave for a couple of days and you guy's turn it into a hotrod show?? Kidding. Anybody need another beer while I'm up? Dang! Lookat that 'stang!

Ill take a Bud light !

Scott58 · 01-06-2006, 11:23 AM

Nice mustang. I'd love to put a toyota engine in that.

slick_kipper · 01-06-2006, 04:38 PM

Now Scott, let's be reasonable: How about we compromise and put that toyota engine in your Rebel? I swear to G0d, every time you drink you get fixated on those dammed Toyota motors!

wayout1 · 01-06-2006, 06:20 PM

and how about TRD running in the Cup in 07. Mikey Walltrip and Bill Davis Racing already signing deals. Predicted that when DEI said he was gone.

when TRD enters an event they throw MAD money at it. Ive watched it happen to NHRA and other events first hand.

Then again they dont get all wrapped up in leathers and grab on to the handle bars for a pass on 2 wheels.

slick_kipper · 01-06-2006, 08:20 PM

Know how you start saying something, go through a long explanation, then forget your point. I think I've arrived, so here's a link to a lo-res 12-sec "video clip(?)" (I don't know what any of these high-fallootin' file extentions and formats are anyway). Ain't much, but it's gritty. It's a 113" Pro-Mod Harley doing a test&tune run. Can't say for sure but I think it's at Beachbend Dragaway in Bowling Green KY. That weekend was particularly memorable because our shoestring-budgeted team made it to final elimination. Although we lost, it wasn't by much, and we lost to a team that was truely sponsored; by S&S. They put in a whole new motor just for the pass against us. What we had: an ancient motor in an ancient and untrue frame, a footpeg hastily welded back on after the wheelie bars broke, sending our driver to the sidewall in the previous round. Did I mention our head gaskets had been leaking all weekend? Oh yeah, we also went into that weekend in need of new pistons. No dough for new ones, and the ones we had were a little on the small side after honing the cylinders to remove SOME of the damage from the gauled pistons we were still going to use. Oversized rings would have to do.

What we did have going for us as a teenie tiney pilot. 125 lbs he was. And our bike was pretty light too.

Like i said; lo-res clip with lo-res sound. Still, you can clearly hear the bike coming up to the RPM launch limiter and it sounds good to me. Take a look if you'd like.
www.ironeagleusa.com/pass.htm

Here's a link to the so-so burnout he did before the pass. Try as we might he just wouldn't give us the big smokies!
www.ironeagleusa.com/burnout.htm

01-03-2006, 04:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
slick_kipper Newbie Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 01 Suzuki Marauder Location: Caledonia, MI Posts: 15	Suzuki Cruiser Drag Racing Hi everybody. New here. Sure is neat to see so many people on the newer cruisers. Wondering if anybody else has taken their Suz.Cruiser to a dragstrip, and if they enjoyed the experience, what kinds of times they got, whatever. I was on a pit crew for a couple of seasons (HD "Pro-Mod"), and had a lot of fun doing that, but never went down the track till last Summer; one of those "test and tune" nights. There were a couple of other guys there who were 1st-timers. They'd "borrowed" their dads 78 KZ1000 not wanting to use their own bikes. I squared off against one of the two each time down the track, and did a total of 6 passes in about 2 hours. We were all having a good ol'time. Could go into more detail, but don't want rant and rave if no one else is really interested in the topic. If y'are though let'er rip! SK __________________ 2001 VZ800 www.blastmat.com/rauder.html

01-03-2006, 04:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	Sounds like fun to me. If you're gonna wring out your bike, a drag strip is a great place to do it, old people don't pull out of side streets in '87 Ford LTDs. I used to drag race a '71 Ford Torino back in the dark ages at the Bluegrass Dragway. The Dragway is a 1/4 mile long strip mall now... __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

01-03-2006, 06:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	No, But I'm willin' __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

01-03-2006, 11:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
slick_kipper Newbie Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 01 Suzuki Marauder Location: Caledonia, MI Posts: 15	TL: Ever go to Beachbend Race Park in B.G. K.Y.? I went down there (from here in Michigan) a few times with the Harley crew. They really liked that track; said it had "good air." You couldn't be more right about "taking it to the track" though. In addition to being more safe, I think there's something about knowing that you can just peg it without any concerns about cages and cops and, oh, deer for instance. Before my first time down the track, I really didn't expect it to be all that much different that doing a little "spirited riding" on the street, but man, it's so much more thrilling than stoplight to stoplight or whatever else one might dare to do on the street. Too bad about that Bluegrass Dragway. Guess you could say they paved paradise and put up a parkinglot (couldn't help myself, sorry.) drgibson: If y'do try it, get ready for for some serious fun. If possible, bring a buddy with you whose a 1st timer too, preferably with a near-equivalent bike. That way you guys can race together, and you won't have to call your buddy on the cell phone trying to explain what the thrill of your lifetime felt like. I got lucky and met two dudes who were also trying it for the 1st time too. Their KZ1000 whooped me every time, but it didn't really matter; apples and oranges comparison, but once they realized they'd always beat my ET and MPH, they started trying to compete with my 60' times (which they never beat, due to the low-end grunt of a V-twin vs. their inline-4's higher powerband. In an attempt to beat my 60-foot time, they noticed that I was holding an off-idle RPM at the line, so they started doing that too, and it helped a lot with their 60' (I knew I would rant if anyone replied to this post.) TRAYSVEGA: You're next. Yeah, I know about chickening out. You definitely shouldn't do it if you've got reservations. Sometimes when I'm at home, or at work, I get to thinking about getting hit by a car on my bike on the street or something. Start questioning the wisdom of riding altogether, but when I get on the street, those concerns seem to dissipate every time; probably because I'm too busy watching out for cagers to worry about it. Could be the same thing for you with the dragstrip. Either way, you'll do what you want to eh? As for being disappointed with your times? Can't say I've ever been down the track in a car, and 9.73 is haulin' a$$, but I'd bet the carbon fiber exhaust cannister (by Borla) I'm putting on my bike this winter (don't ask why), that you'll have a different experience on your bike, and I really don't think you'll need to do 9's on your bike to have as much, if not more fun. Just my guess. Comparatively speaking, my times really sucked, but it was just too much fun for me to care. Online, and in magazines, I've found the average ET for my Marauder to be about 14.25. I've seen low 14's and 14.75's for stock bikes. Well, I was doing 15's, pretty much flat, but sheesh, I was running a 17-tooth front sprocket (stock is a 15-tooth), and I'm a big guy too. Incidentally, here's a link to a simple list of my timeslip data for the night www.blastmat.com/tracktimes.html Whelp, girlfriend fell asleep waiting for me to come cuddle. I guess you could say "mission accomplished;" time to hit the fridge. SlickKipper out. __________________ 2001 VZ800 www.blastmat.com/rauder.html

01-04-2006, 12:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
wayout1 Puddle Runner Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 05 M50 (blue) Location: Tempe AZ - suburb of Hell! Posts: 391	Englishtown Raceway back in the 60's[/quote] One of my favorite tracks. Great family running that operation. I used to be the Operations Manager for NIRA and NMCA back 5 or so years ago till NHRA bough one and the other kinda died. I miss those old tracks and the smell of VHT in the morning, it smells like.... victory.. someday, this race is gonna end son.... __________________ Got myself a one way ticket. Going the wrong way. ~~AC/DC "Ride On"

01-03-2006, 09:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
traysvega Seat Tester Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2006 Victory Jackpot Location: Hebron,Ky Posts: 64	I just may have to give in and try it.....I kinda wanted to this year but ,,chickened out.......I really didnt want to be disappointed if it only ran low 13.'s .....

01-04-2006, 03:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	I had a '76 Grand Torino 351 Winsor, automatic, dog... __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

01-04-2006, 05:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
cjjtulsa Third gear and cruising Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2004 Marauder 1600 Black Location: Collinsville, Oklahoma Posts: 507	How true...and I've never been a big fan of the 351W. Cleveland, baby! Mine has a 429CJ, and runs pretty good for a car the size and weight of an aircraft carrier. Now as for the topic - I'm too skeered to take a bike to the track. Don't even flog it real hard on the street, either.

01-05-2006, 07:40 AM	#14 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Nice 1 year too new though, My fav mustang is the '69 __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

01-05-2006, 08:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
slick_kipper Newbie Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 01 Suzuki Marauder Location: Caledonia, MI Posts: 15	What's become of my beautiful motorcycle-related thread!? I leave for a couple of days and you guy's turn it into a hotrod show?? Kidding. Anybody need another beer while I'm up? Dang! Lookat that 'stang! __________________ 2001 VZ800 www.blastmat.com/rauder.html

01-06-2006, 11:23 AM	#17 (permalink)
Scott58 Puddle Runner Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 05 Honda Rebel and 05 Suzuki S50 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 394	Nice mustang. I'd love to put a toyota engine in that.

01-06-2006, 04:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
slick_kipper Newbie Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 01 Suzuki Marauder Location: Caledonia, MI Posts: 15	Now Scott, let's be reasonable: How about we compromise and put that toyota engine in your Rebel? I swear to G0d, every time you drink you get fixated on those dammed Toyota motors! __________________ 2001 VZ800 www.blastmat.com/rauder.html

01-06-2006, 06:20 PM	#19 (permalink)
wayout1 Puddle Runner Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 05 M50 (blue) Location: Tempe AZ - suburb of Hell! Posts: 391	and how about TRD running in the Cup in 07. Mikey Walltrip and Bill Davis Racing already signing deals. Predicted that when DEI said he was gone. when TRD enters an event they throw MAD money at it. Ive watched it happen to NHRA and other events first hand. Then again they dont get all wrapped up in leathers and grab on to the handle bars for a pass on 2 wheels. __________________ Got myself a one way ticket. Going the wrong way. ~~AC/DC "Ride On"

01-06-2006, 08:20 PM	#20 (permalink)
slick_kipper Newbie Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 01 Suzuki Marauder Location: Caledonia, MI Posts: 15	Know how you start saying something, go through a long explanation, then forget your point. I think I've arrived, so here's a link to a lo-res 12-sec "video clip(?)" (I don't know what any of these high-fallootin' file extentions and formats are anyway). Ain't much, but it's gritty. It's a 113" Pro-Mod Harley doing a test&tune run. Can't say for sure but I think it's at Beachbend Dragaway in Bowling Green KY. That weekend was particularly memorable because our shoestring-budgeted team made it to final elimination. Although we lost, it wasn't by much, and we lost to a team that was truely sponsored; by S&S. They put in a whole new motor just for the pass against us. What we had: an ancient motor in an ancient and untrue frame, a footpeg hastily welded back on after the wheelie bars broke, sending our driver to the sidewall in the previous round. Did I mention our head gaskets had been leaking all weekend? Oh yeah, we also went into that weekend in need of new pistons. No dough for new ones, and the ones we had were a little on the small side after honing the cylinders to remove SOME of the damage from the gauled pistons we were still going to use. Oversized rings would have to do. What we did have going for us as a teenie tiney pilot. 125 lbs he was. And our bike was pretty light too. Like i said; lo-res clip with lo-res sound. Still, you can clearly hear the bike coming up to the RPM launch limiter and it sounds good to me. Take a look if you'd like. www.ironeagleusa.com/pass.htm Here's a link to the so-so burnout he did before the pass. Try as we might he just wouldn't give us the big smokies! www.ironeagleusa.com/burnout.htm __________________ 2001 VZ800 www.blastmat.com/rauder.html Last edited by slick_kipper; 01-06-2006 at 08:27 PM.

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