Weight loss and time improvement

[TommyBehindTheDuece]

So, let's say someone drops 10 lbs by getting in better shape...

How much time would you guess that saves per lap? Just wondering how much of a difference it would make if weight is dropped by 10-15 lbs...

Obviously the hp/weight ratio would improve, but are we talking .1 seconds per lap (which would obviously be 1 second over a full race), or more?

[flyingbutterknife]

If the race were in a straight line you could figure the time savings out mathimatically,but since we race in twisties and turnies it is impossible to determine time savings but,a lighter rider creates less stress on the tires through corners, the suspension has less stress on it under braking,and the bike has to lean over less to get through corners at the same speed as a heavier rider,and the bike will accelerate faster everywhere.....if you really want to see a time difference,tape a 20 pound weight to your tank and take a couple of hotlaps and check the time split.But then again,my scrawny ass only weighs in at a husky 127 pounds of pure,raw,manly power so my opinion should not count for much.

[Ed Who?]

flyingbutterknife is THE BEST IN THE WORLD next to pedarosa for size! He is 5'11" and has a 23" waist, 21" chest, and weighs about 127lbs WITH GEAR!

I LOVE hearing about all the protest of Him every year!!! LETS GET EM HARDER IN 2008!!

[EmDee]

That's friggin incredible Sam! Man I envy you!

LETS GET EM HARDER IN 2008!
Keep the kink down please! Sick bastads! :p:p

[flyingbutterknife]

Whats really sick is that I am also a pro cyclist and the guys that are tearing my ass up in the mountains are bigger than me! WTF!!!!! So on the race track the bigger guys are beating me and on the bicycles the bigger guys are beating me! I need to gain 40 pounds or so so I can compete! I envy all of you......especially Berry Wressell,he must weigh in at least 275 pounds naked. Lucky guy......

[Barry Wressell]

Whats really sick is that I am also a pro cyclist and the guys that are tearing my ass up in the mountains are bigger than me! WTF!!!!! So on the race track the bigger guys are beating me and on the bicycles the bigger guys are beating me! I need to gain 40 pounds or so so I can compete! I envy all of you......especially Berry Wressell,he must weigh in at least 275 pounds naked. Lucky guy......

Yer gunna find out real soon little buttercup :D

[LauraLynne]

Barry naked *bleaching my brain now*

[flyingbutterknife]

I like butternipples myself.

[jpdx]

eew, not liking the direction of this thread but putting that aside it would probably be beneficial if that body mass (assuming fat) lost was replaced with muscle which would probably help that endurance-wise

[TommyBehindTheDuece]

So this got a little off track - i know that many things will be improved with weight loss - acceleration, suspension, braking, handling - not to mention being in better shape to keep form consistent thru the day....

but are we talking .1 seconds per lap or more? Not gonna start buying titanium parts b/c of this, but just curious...not concerned with losing weight, but want to get in better shape - so body may change but weight may not since muscle weighs much more than fat.

Inquiring minds want to know...

[dpwracing]

It depends on the type of bike, generally a smaller hp bike will benefit more from less weight (think power/weight ratio). On the bikes I ride I think about .1 sec/lap at PIR is about right for a 10lb - 15lb weight loss

[flyingbutterknife]

Joking aside,if you hit corners the exact same speed as you did when you weighed 15 pounds more, just from acceleration alone out of corners and on the straights I would guess it to be around .5 seconds a lap minumum.