Ninja H2 banner
Cancel

This launch control business...

10109 Views 21 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  BobC, 
Cliff Secord
It's new to me and seems unnatural - however - the way it works is you hold the throttle wide open, it keeps the revs at 4K, you dump the clutch, then the bike manages the throttle to keep the front wheel down while all you do is sit there? Am I getting that right? Because that seems crazy.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
OKH2
H2R said:
It's new to me and seems unnatural - however - the way it works is you hold the throttle wide open, it keeps the revs at 4K, you dump the clutch, then the bike manages the throttle to keep the front wheel down while all you do is sit there? Am I getting that right? Because that seems crazy.
Click to expand...


That's it, just like launch control on the new Vette and Mustang.


Oh, and I imagine you just can't sit there. There's probably some interacting with the bike taking place. :p
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
OKH2
Actually I can't wait to try it out at the local drag strip.


There's two things I absolutely want do on this bike, the drag strip and then a track day at Heatland Motorsports in Topeka, Kansas so I can open her up down the strait.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Bazza
OKH2 said:
That's it, just like launch control on the new Vette and Mustang.


Oh, and I imagine you just can't sit there. There's probably some interacting with the bike taking place. :p
Click to expand...
Step 1: Twist wrist
Step 2: Hang the fuq on...(that's what the adjustable bolsters/speed stops are for ;))
Reply
Save
Like
G
The clutch release is still something you have to do yourself ...

Years ago, when I started roadracing, there was another new racer who had an RZ350 (which were a dime a dozen back then). The question of what to do at the start came up. Someone told him "Hold it at 10,000 rpm and when the flag drops, dump the clutch and pin it" ... so he DID that!

I don't think the back wheel moved. The bike did an instantaneous 180 degree flip around the back wheel and landed on top of him!
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Cliff Secord
GoFaster said:
The clutch release is still something you have to do yourself ...

Years ago, when I started roadracing, there was another new racer who had an RZ350 (which were a dime a dozen back then). The question of what to do at the start came up. Someone told him "Hold it at 10,000 rpm and when the flag drops, dump the clutch and pin it" ... so he DID that!

I don't think the back wheel moved. The bike did an instantaneous 180 degree flip around the back wheel and landed on top of him!
Click to expand...
Holding the tap at 100% and dropping the clutch (regardless of where the computer has the rpms set) seems a lot like playing Russian roulette. What's the ecu gonna do after the clutch is out? I think I'd feel more comfortable just laying on the tank and feathering it myself...

This fly by wire stuff scares me a little too. Something this powerful should have a manual off switch.
Reply
Save
Like
SilverbirdH2
"Something this powerful"....according to the boosted 14 crowd...this bike isn't all that powerful....
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
T
Yea, you don't just sit there. You hold on tight!
Reply
Save
Like
Cliff Secord
SilverbirdH2 said:
"Something this powerful"....according to the boosted 14 crowd...this bike isn't all that powerful....
Click to expand...
Isn't that like funny cars coming over to make fun of nascar? Like an army tank picking on a hummer? Like Rosie calling Ellen a lesbian?

I've also seen exactly zero boosted 14's out riding around (seen a few on the back of a truck though). I think my Friday night's are safe. :D
Reply
Save
Like
RidgeRacer
H2R said:
It's new to me and seems unnatural - however - the way it works is you hold the throttle wide open, it keeps the revs at 4K, you dump the clutch, then the bike manages the throttle to keep the front wheel down while all you do is sit there? Am I getting that right? Because that seems crazy.
Click to expand...
Actually its 6,500 rpm. Some other interesting points...

When the engine coolant temp is above 100C you can't use it.
Between 40C and 100C you have to wait 150 seconds between launches.
Under 40C there is no wait between runs. The wait clock doesn't start counting down till the bike slows below 50kmh.

I haven't figured out yet if you can cancel the wait by cycling the key on/off/on
Reply
Save
Like
Somefun
H2R said:
Isn't that like funny cars coming over to make fun of nascar? Like an army tank picking on a hummer? Like Rosie calling Ellen a lesbian?

I've also seen exactly zero boosted 14's out riding around (seen a few on the back of a truck though). I think my Friday night's are safe. :D[/QUOTE









HAHAHAHA TOO FUNNY MAN!!!!!
Click to expand...
Reply
Save
Like
Larry Seratt
Won't ever be a problem if you are using it at the strip...You'll never get through the queue faster than that. ;)

Street - all bets are off, but it does provide a level of protection.
Reply
Save
Like
T
Hi guys, new here. Picked up my H2 on Monday and so far have 100 miles on it. I'm going from a brock/guhl gen 4 zx10. I recently took my 10 to the strip and noticed a few things. 1. Even using traction control it was a nightmare to keep down but i have noticed the H2 TC seems much better. 2. The clutch on the 10 isnt that great for drag racing. My question is anybody know much about this clutch? Obviously it's much beefier. Anybody have any clue on the difference between launch control 1,2, or 3? Or the TC 1/2/3 +-? The manual seems to be lacking in a few things when it comes to the electronics! Thanks guys!
Reply
Save
Like
SilverbirdH2
The TC 1,2,3 and the plus/minus numbers are nuances to the levels of KTRC input.Guess you'd just have to play with em to see just what is working best for you personally.Not sure a guy would actually feel much difference between a plus/minus number and a plain old setting of 1,2 or three.You'd have to be railing pretty good I'd imagine to get the rear to slip out depending.I mean....throttling that is.She'll step out at some low speed hard throttle applications I'm quite sure of that.Really not gonna try and find out on the street...too many variables.Wrecking my bike is just one.
Reply
Save
Like
P
so just to confirm here..... lol sorry for the stupid questions but I want to be sure what's gonna occur before I try this on a road myself too...


1. launch at full throttle by slipping the clutch smoothly while the bike keeps itself to 6k rpms,
2. once the clutch is all the way out the bike then lets it go past 6k rpms manages the power itself to control wheelies ? so you keep the throttle set to 100% all the way through ?


im not sure I get it, does that mean the launch control is just like having your traction set to level 3 to prevent lift and all that actually happens is the bike holds the revs at 6k in first until the clutch is fully out ?
Reply
Save
Like
NOLA
You are correct. It holds it in LC mode till either you hit 93mph or 3rd gear.

NOLA
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
BobC
Has the launch control been refined since the 2015 model?

There's mention above of controlling a wheelie and as we know there is no IMU on the early H2 so it doesn't actually have a wheelie control, just different levels of traction control from the ECU reading the wheel speed sensors.

For LSR I turn the TC to OFF, I proved very early on in 2015 that the bike is faster over the mile with ME controlling things, rather than the electronics interfering. It might not suit everyone, some may prefer the safety net the TC offers but it works for me.

For the same reason I have never used the launch control either as I strongly suspect I can get it off the line faster myself.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
NOLA
@BobC

You can get it off the line faster with human intervention only, but LC is really fun and safe in comparison to the potential for drama with launching hard with no electronics. I'll take a bit slower to not go to 12 o'clock....

NOLA
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
S
I know a very good drag racer without launch control will beat someone using it but I love the way it works. Hold the throttle open release the clutch and launch control keeps the front end down all you need to do is shift. Your 60 foot times will suffer but you won't end up on your back side either
Reply
Save
Like
BobC
The thing with the H2 and bikes with similar power and short'ish wheelbases is that you simply cannot open the throttle to 100% on launch or in the lower gears. It's a fact.

However, the thing about the H2's launch control is that you cannot switch it on (like ABS, traction control etc) and have it there all the time. An H2 rider must use throttle control.

Launch control is a gimmick. They did it because they could with a fly-by-wire throttle, not because it's a vital tool to safe riding.

A friend of mine went to the 2017 Brighton Speed Trials the other week. Being a dealer he decided against taking his H2R or his Turbo Busa, he decided to showcase the new Suzuki GSXR which has launch control. He switched it on and tried using it for the practice run and then turned it off. As much use as a chocolate teapot.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Ninja H2
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Ninja H2 motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, riding gear, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Ninja H2 General Discussion New Members Introduction Ninja H2 News Ninja H2 Appearance & Modifications Engine
Top