| Author | Message | ||
     Red_rock_1125 |
So I love the Buell and don't want to give it up, but the stator/VR issue is bugging me. I may convert it to track only after a weekend on AZ 191/666 and NM 180...(the "Dragon Tail" of the desert sometimes called the Devils Spine) and a track day last weekend. I plan to run off battery only using a 4S lithium polymer(li-poly in the hobby industry). My question is for those with some experience doing this, whats the minimum capacity to survive single run. Usually about 3~4 runs max per trackday locally. I plan to have 3~4 batteries ready for each session. With lights gone, this should really extended the battery life, correct? So what's the minimum? thanx | ||
| Jdugger |
I've never heard of an 1125r used for track duty only having a stator/vr issue. I don't know anyone running a "total loss" configuration on these bikes, so I don't know how long a battery would last. But, one solution would be to bring a high-capacity battery tender and plug in between sessions. When used with the race harness, electrical load is reduced significantly. The cluster is on a 10A fuse, so that provides at least a poor clue on draw. | ||
| Ogobracing |
IMHO, a total loss configuration would be a major PITA and you would soon find that to be the case. You see less and less of it even in racing. At the least, I would wait until and if the stator fried before even considering such an alternative. | ||
| Stirz007 |
Only a suggestion - the weight loss for a total loss system would likely not offset the additional PITA. Just swap out stock battery for a Li one and save a bunch of weight. If you are fast enough that a total loss will get you a tenth or so better lap time, you're probably riding the wrong bike.  | ||
| Timebandit |
I rode the Coronado Trail/666 and it was the most fun I've ever had on public roads... until I got T-boned later that night by a cage in Tucson. Hijacking for a minute -- if any of you guys with race harnesses could tell us how much power is required to run the bike in a race configuration, that would provide a useful answer in looking at the stator/VR problem. To try to get this answer directly, I recently tried running the bike to take current measurements with the headlight fuse pulled, and it wouldn't start until I put it back. (Message edited by timebandit on June 14, 2012) | ||
| Smoke4ndmears |
Just removing the lights will likely make all of the difference you need. You can just unplug the lights from the front harness instead of pulling the fuse. | ||
| Timebandit |
Good idea. But I was too lazy to disconnect both the front and rear lamps. To get the same answer, I just turned the high beams on and took a duplicate set of current measurements. then I subtracted the difference in current between the high and low beam tests to factor out the current that was added by the lights. I think that's a valid way to get the answer, because the high and low beams are both 35W on my R. | ||
| Red_rock_1125 |
I do still have a year of warranty and have been through a stator/VR/batt once and a VR the second time so I plan to exercise that waranty. I'm not exited so much about the weight savings although that would be a nice perk. R/C hobby li-poly batteries have a huge capacity and are made for the purpose of high output. By the time you get a 4S to the size of the CR's stock battery you're looking at 20~22K maH and there's still room for more. In regards to the suggestion to run or swap the stock battery with the li-poly. Was that for track days or permanent...unfortunately the li-polies require a special charger, so permanent is a no go. (Message edited by Red_rock_1125 on June 14, 2012) | ||
| 1125rcya |
I tried to pull the head lamp fuse at my first real track day, but only to be disappointed that the bike wont turn over without that fuse. I then disconnected the head lamp from under the front fairing with the help of a second hand. | ||
| Jdugger |
Just buy the Shorai battery recommended for our bikes. Works great, performs well, weighs a whole lot less. Not a whole lot more expensive than OEM, either. | ||
| Stirz007 |
Red - which track are you running (AMP)? Bet it gets a bit windy on the CR down those straights with no fairing to hide behind..... | ||
| General_tso |
I was forced to run total loss when my stator failed on day one of two days at the track. With all the lights disconnected the stock battery registered about 1/3 charge remaining when I connected to a basic Craftsman charger after each session. | ||
| Red_rock_1125 |
This was my first on this machine, local here in Tucson. Ran my cafe Spyder conversion on it once before. It's a fun tight small twisty multipurpose track Musselman Honda runs. They also run all types of carts, pit and pocket bikes, supermoto, cars and even road bike type bicycles have races on it. I think the top speed on the main straight away with sportbikes if you really work the brakes is 80 mph. They also do endurance races with teams on 100cc honda sportbikes they provide. Fun and quite an exercise. They are in tracknight sessions for bikes this time of year, it's fully lit. Unfortunately a recent resurfacing hasn't been good, it was too slippery for any decent riding. It's finally starting to stick a little better. Attendance has dropped a little because of it. | ||
| Red_rock_1125 |
Thanx General, I'll look at the stock battery capacity specs to compare and look into what I should run. |
