Bazzaz TC or GPS-R lap timer??

[Emerson]

Ok so I’ve been trying to decide what to get

Bazzaz FI QS TC
The main reason I want to get this is because of the "traction control". I would like to get on the throttle sooner and harder, and hopefully it'll save me if I get a bit too throttle happy.

Starlane GPS-R lap timer
I want to get this because it gives you a track map, with all your entry speeds, braking points, and acceleration points. I think that this can give me data that can help me figure out what I do in what lap and see how I got a certain lap time, and hopefully be able to apply that when I’m riding.

The things that are holding me back right now are that the traction control can get in the way, and that it takes a lot to dial it in. As cool as the lap timer is, at the end of the day it’s still just a lap timer.


Anyone have direct experience with either or hopefully both of these. Pros cons to either, what would you get and why.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ninjamansc]

The GPS lap timer would give you lots more to fiddle with between TD's.

 

[Fire929]

I saw the laptimer on a nice Duc a few weeks ago at VIR. When I asked about it the rider was very pleased with the unit and said it was a good tool.

IMO it's the coolest laptimer out right now and it gives a ton of data to analyze once you are off the track. It also makes more sense to get the laptimer first because you will see just how much you gain when you change something on the bike.

In the end you will probably end up with both because that's the nature of this sport/hobby.

 

[Twiztedjester55]

Get the TC that way you won't be so scared to use your right hand.

 

[JRA]

I have a Starlane GPS. This is a really awesome device that gives me a lot of information about each and every lap. When I do a particularly fast lap (for me) I can look at the data it gives me and see exactly where I made up the time. It divides the track up into four splits (you set the points) and tracks each split time for every lap you do (you can also move the splits any time if you decide that you need it set up differently). That way you can see what your theoretical best lap would be if you added up all of your best splits. I can also see how consistent I'm being with things like corner speed, top speed, braking points, etc. This device doesn't just keep your lap times, it also records your laps which you can play back on your computer in real time with mph and rpm displayed.

This really is a cheap version of a data recording system. It doesn't give you all the high tech info some of the really expensive data logging systems can give you, but it does give useful information that any rider, from B to A, can actually benefit from.

One other nice thing...no track beacon required. It records your lap each and every time with no glitches that sometimes happen with conventional lap timers.

I got mine from Steve Long at SpeedWerks. They are a NESBA sponsor and you will get discount as a NESBA member.

http://www.speedwerks.com/

 

[Mr.DJ]

:agree: +1 with JRA. I had the Starlane for about 2 years now. Next best thing after suspension. You already have traction control. Its the same one the old 500 GP two strokes had.

Anther cool thing - I put it on a faster CRs bike (Dave Brown) and compared his laps to mine. I thought I was slow in just one corner. After comparing fastest laps - I just let off the gas too early in all, but the corner speed is equal or greater. He is more efficient at setting his corner speed closer to turn in .

IMHO traction control at our level is just something else for you spend money that doesn't equal better lap times. Just like more HP does not mean better lap times. Its cool to say "I have Traction Control!" In the past 2 years I've ridden and raced 600s, 750, 1000 (with and without TC) and now a TZ250. Part of this is to become a better, more skill rounded rider and relate to all the bikes on the track. I think if any of those bikes needs TC, its the TZ I've almost high-sided 4 times in 3 months.

Either way we are all here to have fun, so pick one that you will enjoy most. Like many things, sometimes the perception it provides will enhance your experience (Blue Pill - "The Matrix" not Viagra

 

[ronhix]

As an alternative, for those of you in the MW region who may not want to drop the significant coin for your own Starlane GPS, http://www.traqmaterental.com will be at a lot of the NESBA events this year and they can rent you a really pimp GPS unit for like $25 a day. You can also integrate this GPS data into your onboard video to create some pimp videos like this one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgqYqq9LcgQ

 

[Folly1]

Thanks DJ.

Now what is your opinion on the usefulness of a gas guage?

Ben.

 

[Ruhe52]

+1 Ben, but DJ doesn't need a gas gauge the bike has always told him when he is out of gas.

 

[eagletangogreen]

Well I have had the Starlane for a Year, and I just got home from dropping the bike off at KWS to get it tuned and have the Bazzaz TC installed. They run a AMA bike with this thing so who better else to get me started off.

First off the Starlane

This thing has help me out more than anything else to get my lap time down. Just like JRA stated it does all those things, and it gives you and Ideal time of all your best sections for that particular session. During practice I take these wacky lines (I call them the motocross lines) that no one will take and compare them to the " race" line. I spend all Lunch locked up in my truck going over these lines with my lap top (they down load via blue tooth). It puts everything in a nice little cartoon so I can understand what I am already doing. If I had to pick from both I would pick the Starlane. The Starlane will show you what your doing, the TC wont.

As far as the Bazzaz TC my buddy with and 05 gsxr 1K has it, and it freaking sick!!!. Yes you can still high side, is it an advantage O HELL Yeah!!! Well see how it does at Nelson Ledges.

Yeah and one more for the Starlane it gives you a true GPS speed not a "Yeah I was doing 185mph on the front straight" stock speedo BS!

 

[Mr.DJ]

Folly1;48762 wrote: Thanks DJ.

Now what is your opinion on the usefulness of a gas guage?

Ben.

LOL The Starlane GPS knows what type of bike I am on, the speed, rpm and where I am in relation to my pit. I thought it would warn me. Nope, the map just show a dot on the track while I waited for the crash truck (again)

I've sent in a feature request to those Italian guys

 

[Joe Vital]

The Athon GPS-R won't show where you apply or release the brakes, only where the bike is beginning to decelerate. Also it won't really tell you when you are WOT, or when you are starting to open the throttle. It only knows when the bike is beginning to accelerate. To get actual braking points and actual throttle position points correlated to your track position I think you would need to get the Athon GPS-PRO, an AIM system or some such

The track mapping feature is a great tool, especially when you over lay someone else's laps on it.

If you have to choose between the Bazzaz and a data aqusition system-choose the DA, but get one that will tell you what you want to know.

 

[Mr.DJ]

Joe Vital;48911 wrote: The Athon GPS-R won't show where you apply or release the brakes, only where the bike is beginning to decelerate. Also it won't really tell you when you are WOT, or when you are starting to open the throttle. It only knows when the bike is beginning to accelerate. To get actual braking points and actual throttle position points correlated to your track position I think you would need to get the Athon GPS-PRO, an AIM system or some such

The track mapping feature is a great tool, especially when you over lay someone else's laps on it.

If you have to choose between the Bazzaz and a data aqusition system-choose the DA, but get one that will tell you what you want to know.

Yup. Wasn't implying it displayed those precise data points. But, good post to clarify.

If you follow the basic "throttle rules" then you can, with a high degree of certainty, see where one rolls off and then get back on. Only rolling off to brake, for me, equals I'm going to brake ASAP.

Hitting the points on the map layout shows current speed and rpms. On the brakes, if my deceleration speed is not trending aggressive with a taper near turn-in, but flat for some time before turn in - I WAS COASTING. Moreover, if average speed in the corner is the same as a faster rider, then start working on a better line or braking.

Is it braking??? I came to that conclusion based on simple colors If blue is decelerating and Red is acceleration. The faster rider was in the RED while I was in the Blue, but top end speed before braking was the same. Again, to me it came to braking confidence or efficiency. It was later proven by following the rider a few sessions later.

Your right, with more $$$$ we can get exact throttle position and braking points.

 

[lemondrop]

Checked out the prices...near $1500 for the GPS-PRO...thats some hefty coin....

At that price, I would be inclined to shell out the extra $200 for the traqmate

 

[Joe Vital]

dj I wasn't trying to be a smartass, i just wanted to point out that decel/acel is not the same as on the brakes and on the gas. you did a much better job of this than i.

just looking at the data on the Athon-GPSr is not a clear picture of what one is doing on the bike. again the map overlay is a very useful tool if it compared to other riders.

 

[Mr.DJ]

Hey Joe, I'm agreeing with you. By no means did i read your reply as a rebuttal. You just convinced me to be a little more verbose in how I interpret the data. I think you and the other posters provided the OP some valuable opinions. Thanks!

 

[BigKid]

I will be trying out my new GPS-R tommorow. Can't wait. PS I ride an R1 without traction control if it matters.

 

[Emerson]

Thanks for all the replies! i'm leaning towards the GPS-R for the moment, but i would like to hear more opinions on the TC

 

[eagletangogreen]

We need to start a "Starlane GPS lap timer share your track Data thread" so we can compare lines with other riders.. I am sure I would definitely benefit from that, and I am sure most would to.

 

[eagletangogreen]

Emerson;49005 wrote: Thanks for all the replies! i'm leaning towards the GPS-R for the moment, but i would like to hear more opinions on the TC

My TC should be done on Wednesday, and I plan on doing the WERA race in Nashville, 90% sure. So I can give you a Novice racer point of view / review by next Monday.

The reason I am going to try it, is becuase during races I find my self trying to get on the gas sooner and in results I end up breaking the rear loose. Yes I am slowly rolling on the throttle but way sooner. During track days there's no pressure, but that tire contingency money is sure worth the risk to get on a bit sooner. I will try it and if it works to my liking then there might be more tire contingency in the future at least this season cuz next season I aint getting $hit!!