How to Drag Racing a Harley Davidson V-Rod!

By Rob Lewis - AKA the UPSMAN

So, you want to experience drag racing your Harley Davidson V-Rod, but you aren't quite sure what's involved? You've come to the right spot. We are going to do a step by step walk through of a run at the track, so that you can understand what is involved, how to prepare, what is needed, how to do it safely and have some great fun!

Preparation: First things first, preparing your V-rod. Before making the trip to the track, be sure your bike is in safe and good running condition. Check to make sure that all of your nuts and bolts are on and tight. Make sure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated .Also, check that the bike doesn't have any leaks from the engine, transmission, radiator, etc..  The reason for this is because if the starter thinks that your bike is leaking fluid, he will back you off from a run and ask you to repair the leak before coming back for to run. Another good idea is to make sure your bike is clean (top and bottom) so that when you leave the starting line your bike doesn't dump any foreign debris.   A good once over of your bike is always a good idea before you head to the track. Doing all of this will not only help you to get more runs, but your fellow racers as well. Most of these instructions were written with a stock street VRod in mind. If you have a modified scooter, from mild to wild, check the tracks regulations. Also, you need to check to see if there are any special safety requirements at the track that you will race – common requirements include, leathers, boots, a Snell 2000 approved full face helmet and a tether kill switch on the bike.

At the Track:

 Pitting: Now it is time to go to the track. Many riders prefer to trailer in, with plenty of room for tools, shelter in the event of rain and accommodations to charge clothes and hang out.  Another option for the street worthy is to ride to the track, many street riders favorite way to race. When you arrive at the track there is usually a booth where you will need to sign a liability waiver and pay ($20 to $30 typically). Note: This is an enter at your own risk full release of liability – and your insurance for your bike probably has waivers - so realize that you are on your own. Now that you have paid, you will receive a tech card. It is time to enter the track – keep your tech card in a secure place. Now proceed into the pit area. Please keep in mind the low mph speed limit in the pits, typically 5 or 10 MPH. Also, burnouts, dry hops, or other displays of your racing prowess are usually not allowed in the pit area and may be considered cause for an early departure. Ask for direction to the bike pits or drive around and look for where there are some bikes parked, find an open space and park. After you've parked, fill out your tech card. Be sure that it is complete and written legibly. This is also a good time to remove anything you may want off of the bike for racing such as mirrors. and to adjust your tire pressure – 28PSI is a good starting point for rear tire pressures - front at standard pressure.

Tech Inspection: Now it is time to go for technical inspection also called getting “teched” or “teched-in”. Introduce yourself to your neighbors in the pit. Don’t be afraid to share that this is your first time, if so. Racers are a close group and you will likely find a helpful friend to show you the ropes. Ask one of the regulars where the tech area is and if there is anything you need to know about their process. Put your tech card in your helmet or somewhere else where you won't lose it. Tech inspections vary from one track to another. It can range from a simple visual glimpse to see if your bike appears safe to feeling like your bike is being put under a microscope. Take your riding gear such as leather jacket, pants, helmet, gloves and boots with you as these are often required to pass the tech inspection, especially for someone not a regular at the track. Note: The regulars often have privileges that you will eventually earn – for example they may pass tech almost sight unseen as their machines, safety gear, maintenance record etc are well known by the track officials. Seniority has its privileges

Waiting to Run: Now relax in the pits, meet new friends, grab a burger and pay attention to the announcer.  You can also get someone to tell you about the general procedures and run order for the various classes. Some of your new friends that are track veterans are good for this.  Typically, the announcer will start calling bikes to the staging lanes about 10-15 minutes before racing is supposed to start. Once you hear the call for the bikes, head to the staging lanes with your bike, safety gear and tech card if required. Pay attention to the announcer, as he will usually let you now which lanes are being used for the bike class. Once in the staging lanes a track employee will be around to pick up your tech card and put your number on your bike. You can also buy temporary numbers from a hardware store if you prefer it to the water-based shoe polish that the tracks tend to use – these numbers can also be used later for dial-in time required for racing.

Staging Lanes: Anytime your bike is in the staging lanes you need to there as well. Do not leave your bike unattended in the staging lanes. When it is time to run a staging director will begin directing bikes to the track. Once you near the front of the lanes pay attention to the staging director, do not leave the lanes until he has instructed you to do so. He will motion to you which lane of the track to use.  It is important that your VRod is warmed up prior to racing as the ECM will lower the rev limiter if the engine is cold – about 5 minutes will do the trick  Also the rev limiter will be lower for 40 second after starting the VRod even if it is warm.

Racing:

Time to run: When you pull onto the track you do not have to drive through the water box The preferred method is to drive around it. This will keep your front tire dry – important in the burnout and pre-staging routine.  If you drive around the water and you plan to do a burnout then you will need to back your bike into the water – be sure that it is aligned properly – straight down the track. The water box man will motion you to start your burnout once he has determined that the pair of bikes in front of you has made it sufficiently down the track. Do not start your burnout until instructed to do so.

Now this is where opinions differ greatly. Some people feel that with a regular set of street tires, little or no burnout is required. Others prefer a light 'em up and  with  good smoky  burnout.  Really it is up to you. If you plan to do a burnout then it is time to light them up. Whether you chose to do a burn out or not it is a good idea to do what is called a dry hop to knock any debris off of your tires. To do this, pull the bike forward to about half way between the water box and the staging area – pointed straight ahead and in the dull appearing inside tire track.  Now rev it up to about 6,000 RPM and drop the clutch – sort of like you are rehearsing your launch. This should be limited to a quick jump, about 5 feet in all – disengage the clutch and stop the bike.

Pre-Staging: Once you have completed your burnout and dry hop then watch the starter. If he is holding his hands out with his palms flat towards you, stop and wait for him to motion you towards the starting line. Pull forward in the inside tire track marks with your V-Rod pointed straight, perfectly aligned down the track. Note: Avoid the slippery center of the track – the tire tracks have lots of sticky rubber on the track from the cars. As you approach the starting line watch the Christmas tree. On the top of the tree on each side there are four yellow light bulbs (as pictured below), the upper most set of lights is the pre-stage lights. Slowly creep forward until you light the first set of little yellow bulbs on the top of the tree. This is called pre-stage and indicates that you are only about 6 inches away from the stage beams. If your opponent has not lit his pre-stage, then patiently wait until he does.

Staging: OK take a deep breath and clear your mind. The game is about to get going and you need to be ready to play. Lower your face-shield, and begin to slowly creep forward a couple of inches.  You should be holding your clutch slightly beyond the point where it will drag.  Stop and turn the throttle to your desired launch rev point; 6,000RPM works well, at least for experienced racers. (Note: If this is your first time you may want to launch at 4,000 RPM – a safer approach – you can gradually raise the launch revs as you become comfortable) Now SLOWLY creep forward until the second set of little bulbs comes on. Position your feet forward near the pegs, lightly balancing the bike on your toes – and leaning slightly forward. You are now staged, with your engine roaring at a high RPM and you are seconds from launch.  The starting sequence on the tree will begin about a second after both riders are staged.