New to club racing for 2019

[Moto5150]

Could questions for the long standing racers here, your input is much appreciated.

What lap timers are you all running. I know there are multiple types and styles, but I want to make sure I get something that will last and not crap out on my mid race.

Thanks in advance! :ride

 

[FourThreeSix]

I use an AIM Solo 2, but I've only ran it during practice and qualifying. I found it more of a distraction for me during races.

 

[Moto5150]

I use an AIM Solo 2, but I've only ran it during practice and qualifying. I found it more of a distraction for me during races.

Would it be the mounting location of it? I have seen a lot of them installed right on top of the triple, s oits right oin your face during full tuck is my assumption?

 

[FourThreeSix]

Would it be the mounting location of it? I have seen a lot of them installed right on top of the triple, s oits right oin your face during full tuck is my assumption?

Definitely. I'm not quite savy enough yet to utilize the Solo2 for its data capabilities, so the top of the clamp was best for me. I was using it strictly for the timer and the +/- feature of best lap.

 

[eeeeek]

I never looked at a lap timer while racing. I put all of my focus into either getting in front of the guy in front of me or keeping the guy behind me there.

 

[stangmx13]

u want a GPS lap timer because they work at any track without a beacon and provide a lot of extra functionality.

The best product is definitely AiM's Solo or Solo2. They just work. And even if it doesnt, their customer service is great and they are in CA. XT Racing is closing down, so AiM is losing their main competitor too.

I mounted mine to the key hole. having times and split data during a race can be helpful, especially if you are accidentally riding slower than u should be. but its up to the rider to take advantage of stuff like that.

 

[afm199]

I never looked at a lap timer while racing. I put all of my focus into either getting in front of the guy in front of me or keeping the guy behind me there.

:laughing This

 

[thedub]

I never looked at a lap timer while racing. I put all of my focus into either getting in front of the guy in front of me or keeping the guy behind me there.

I mounted mine to the key hole. having times and split data during a race can be helpful, especially if you are accidentally riding slower than u should be. but its up to the rider to take advantage of stuff like that.

I could see how having your times on-board would be useful in a 20 lap MA race.

But in a club sprint race I don't see the value. Just put your head down and go as fast as you can for 6 laps.

 

[stangmx13]

I could see how having your times on-board would be useful in a 20 lap MA race.

But in a club sprint race I don't see the value. Just put your head down and go as fast as you can for 6 laps.

if u saw the value, ud probably already be doing it

ever had those races where your laps varied wildly or where u weren't right on your PR?? data can help with that. the cool thing is that data doesnt lie. but "go as fast as u can" or even "try as hard as u can" often does. its not uncommon in racing to go slower when "trying harder", with or without the rider noticing. of course, a lap timer could provide some feedback for that.

 

[trey]

if u saw the value, ud probably already be doing it

ever had those races where your laps varied wildly or where u weren't right on your PR?? data can help with that. the cool thing is that data doesnt lie. but "go as fast as u can" or even "try as hard as u can" often does. its not uncommon in racing to go slower when "trying harder", with or without the rider noticing. of course, a lap timer could provide some feedback for that.

Totally agree. My fastest laps felt like my slowest laps.

 

[Moto5150]

if u saw the value, ud probably already be doing it

ever had those races where your laps varied wildly or where u weren't right on your PR?? data can help with that. the cool thing is that data doesnt lie. but "go as fast as u can" or even "try as hard as u can" often does. its not uncommon in racing to go slower when "trying harder", with or without the rider noticing. of course, a lap timer could provide some feedback for that.

Good to know and that was my thought. It gives you an idea of what your doing and how much room for improvement you have within reason and talent that is. :thumbup

Totally agree. My fastest laps felt like my slowest laps.

Agreed, I have been there thinkin im railing to find out, I was on the slower end of the pace. Its a great tool, not really needing to look at it during a race, more of an idea after the fact to see where I am at. Numbers dont lie for sure. :ride

 

[Moto5150]

I never looked at a lap timer while racing. I put all of my focus into either getting in front of the guy in front of me or keeping the guy behind me there.

Thats the plan for sure, but I was thinking of it as more of a tool, raw data and numbers dont lie. Its good to know after some laps where your running outside of the obvious position you would finish in a race.
This was my mind set. :ride

 

[eeeeek]

if u saw the value, ud probably already be doing it

ever had those races where your laps varied wildly or where u weren't right on your PR?? data can help with that. the cool thing is that data doesnt lie. but "go as fast as u can" or even "try as hard as u can" often does. its not uncommon in racing to go slower when "trying harder", with or without the rider noticing. of course, a lap timer could provide some feedback for that.

I always just picked up my sheets at the end of the race that showed all my lap times, provided by the AFM. GPS tracking would be awesome after the fact as it would show you exactly where you were fast and not and even better would be a camera with it so you could correlate slow down with lap traffic, coyotes, flashing turn workers, etc.

During races, I didn't like distractions. I would listen to the RPMs of the engine coming out of turn 8 at thunderhill, for example, to judge speed. Higher rpms meant more speed. Some people are talented enough to take a good look at gauges/lap timers while putting it all on the line. I wasn't one of them.

I will say that during the endurance races, where we would each ride 1 hour shifts, I did use a lap timer and it helped me figure out faster ways through sections.

 

[eeeeek]

Thats the plan for sure, but I was thinking of it as more of a tool, raw data and numbers dont lie. Its good to know after some laps where your running outside of the obvious position you would finish in a race.
This was my mind set. :ride

:thumbup

 

[2wheelmaniac]

We use the Aim Solo2 as well and it is pretty much plug and play. I would recommend it. It is very useful for practice and qualifying. It can be useful in a race scenario as well, in the right circumstances.

 

[Moto5150]

We use the Aim Solo2 as well and it is pretty much plug and play. I would recommend it. It is very useful for practice and qualifying. It can be useful in a race scenario as well, in the right circumstances.

Good to know, thank you sir. Seems that the Aim Solo 2 has a lot of fans.

 

[chuckie90]

Hello Brandon,

Welcome to the club. Despite what others say having a lap timer is invaluable, my bike came with an AIM data system, I think the Solo 2 will fit your needs. When I am practicing or racing I have a specific spot on the track I am going to check the time, so as not to distract or spoil the current lap. Knowing your previous lap gives you motivation to make the next lap even better. Best of luck in 2019

 

[Moto5150]

Hello Brandon,

Welcome to the club. Despite what others say having a lap timer is invaluable, my bike came with an AIM data system, I think the Solo 2 will fit your needs. When I am practicing or racing I have a specific spot on the track I am going to check the time, so as not to distract or spoil the current lap. Knowing your previous lap gives you motivation to make the next lap even better. Best of luck in 2019

Hey thanks for the welcome Chuckie90.

Noted, i planned to go with the aim solo2 for the season. I want to see where I am at and where i can improve on the time front. Thank you for the feedback sir and goodluck in 2019 to you as well. :thumbup