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Lap timer. Which one?

30K views 102 replies 17 participants last post by  jd41 
#1 ·
Any lap timer recommendations? I usually just throw my phone in the back of the bike with RaceChrono to know my record times. Looking into the Aim Solo 2 (user guide). 399$ is a bit steep though. :O. Worth it?





 
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#2 ·
If you go the AiM route, get the DL version. A bit more, but it's an actual data logger. Or get an XT Racing GPX Pro, like the one I have. Try to find a good deal on a used online, and save yourself a bunch of money. These aren't things that wear out, so a used one is just as good as a new one (long as it works of course lol). I got my GPX Pro 8 for $450 shipped. Retail is like $780. Works awesome, I love it.
 
#8 ·
I have the GPX PRo4 and I love it. I have it wired to record rpm, throttle position and brake switch. Love the programable tach and shift lights also. Much easier to see during a race than the stock tachometer.
 
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#10 ·
#14 ·
That's what I did for about 5 years - old iPhone with Harry's Lap Timer. Works great and is almost free.
 
#15 ·
I completely agree with you, but I really do think the features that the data loggers provide can help improve with track riding. I want to see how long I really keep the throttle open, how hard I brake/waste time braking and accurate race lines with lean angle.

What Ken Hill said on podcast #36 made sense. Motorcycle riding is not an art, it is quantifiable, and you can correct it and improve. If riding is an art, it means you don't know what you're doing.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Anyone know how the wires are tapped to the ECU for the XT GPX pro or Aim Solo 2?

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Got an answer:

11-15 zx10r connections are compatible with 13+ zx6r ECU connectors. Solo2 zx10r



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Edit: zx10r cable only compatible with zx6r models that have a 6 pin KDS plug. Most just have the KDS plug.
 
#24 ·
To expand on this.. I used it all day. I think it accurately recorded two sessions. Looking at the map of the two sessions you can tell it got lost a couple times because the line doesn't follow the track for whatever reason. It still seemed to accurately record the lap time, but it definitely got a little fucky.

Three other sessions the laps didn't come out right. Looking at the map the damn thing seemed to have "drifted" over. What I mean is, the map shows the laps and where I was, but each one seems to be a track width over from the last. Eventually it stopped crossing what's marked as the start/finish line, so it never completed the lap. I have no idea what that's all about and I may still be able to get times by making the start finish line wider, I won't know until I figure out how to do that. Their software seems super clunky.

All in all, for 30 bucks, I can't be terribly upset. I know I'm over 10 seconds faster than last year from my gopro timing. I shaved off ~2-3 seconds from my last day from what I was able to record with the qstars as well. So neat, but not super impressed.
 
#26 ·
Yep. My first one was a Starlane Stealth-2 or 3...both were basically the same. I liked the unit, but their software was junk. Had a lot of bugs in it. Some things didn't work at all and others just didn't work like they should. Not very user-friendly either. A friend of mine has the Starlane dash (can't remember the model name, but it replaces the bike's dash), so it is more similar to the XT Racing GPX Pro or the AiM Dash data logger. He likes it but haven't heard of him brag much about it.

Just do yourself a favor and get something that is known to work well and can get good support on. If you got loads of cash to spend, buy the AiM dash (around $1500 I think). That one is the best option from what I've seen. Jason Farrell uses those on his ZX6R race bikes.

If you're not made of cash, try to find a good deal on a used XT Racing GPX Pro 4 or 8, or an AiM Solo DL (not the regular solo, but the DL one).
 
#35 ·
Yep, that's basically what it looks like, except on the open side there's a wire sticking out. You wouldn't need any custom brake lines anyway. All you're doing is basically putting a spacer in between. It's just that you need a longer bolt which is supplied with the adapter. Also if you have a Brembo MC, it uses a different thread pitch than every other MC out there (1.0 vs 1.25 if I recall...or maybe it's the other way around). Nevertheless, that was one of the reasons I didn't want to get a Brembo MC on my ZX6R, because I already had the sensor/adapter for the OEM MC lol
 
#37 ·
:angry: Curse you AIM!!!!! The Solo 2 is available for every sport bike except the two I have, zx6r and n300. lol

I've narrowed it down to the Starlane Stealth GPS-4 unless Aim releases an interface by next year.

 
#38 ·
Dude, seriously don't get a starlane. If you can't get a Solo DL, go with a XT Racing GPX Pro. It is far better than the Starlane. I've used both, the software that comes with the Starlane is garbage, and even the unit itself doesn't give you that much info. The Starlane is GPS-4 is just a lap timer, doesn't have much else, it's not even in the same class as the GPX Pro or the Solo DL. The Starlane Athon (spelling?) would be, but that's a lot more money.

I have a buddy that's selling his GPX Pro 8 now for $375 I think. That's a hell of a deal considering they retail for $760. I'd buy that before any Starlane stuff.
 
#39 ·
The only thing keeping me away from them is that the GPS is at 5hz and all the new ones are at 10hz to 50hz. I'm guessing that the gps module will probably be updated as a plug in so probably worth it even if older. I can get a new one for 500$. I'll make up my mind today.
 
#49 ·
Just bought an AIM Solo 2 for myself and hope to have it setup and ready to use for the GNF. Will report how I like it after that weekend. Looking forward to trying it out.
 
#52 ·
I didn't get the DL. I had my old GPX Pro hooked up to my R6 with the TPS and RPM sensor. It was cool to have (will have to post up a video with it on my R6), but quite frankly I'm at the point where all I want is a beacon free, reliable GPS lap timer. I don't need all the capability that the GPX Pro offers. I don't need to know where I'm slow - I know where I'm slow at. But, knowing where I'm slow, and FIXING the issue are two totally different things. :D
 
#53 ·
Yeah but with a data logger you won't just know where you're slow, but also HOW slow exactly you are :D

I'm pissed that I can't get my brake pressure sensor to work with the GPX Pro anymore. Not sure why. It worked fine on the ZX6R. Can't get any signal out of it on the new bike :/ I think it broke somehow, sitting in a bin for a year. You don't happen to have one you want to sell, do you?

My idea was to get my 400 setup with the data logger to log TPS, RPM, and brake pressure, then give it to some fast kid to do a wildcard MotoAmerica race next year at VIR or NJMP. Then I can look at his data and see what he's doing different than me :)
 
#54 ·
I don't. To be honest, I think the only real valuable brake sensor would be the one that measures pressure, not just the on/off switch.

I'm gonna do the same thing you're talking about - running even just the normal Solo 2 on the endurance bike will let us compare our sectors against each other and see where exactly we are faster or slower, and of course, try to make that magical "unicorn lap" where we can run the fastest times at each sector and crush our lap times.

I can set up the hard wiring for both bikes, and just swap the timer between both bikes.
 
#55 ·
That's the sensor I'm talking about, the pressure sensor. I had one hooked up on my ZX6R and it was pretty cool to see exactly how hard you're braking everywhere, not just when you touch the lever. For some reason it's not working anymore though :(

When I had 2 bikes, that's exactly what I did. Had both wired up and ready to go, and used velcro on the gas tank for the GPX Pro to sit on. That way it was super easy and quick to move it from one bike to the other, even when I had back-to-back races. I had a different profile setup for each bike.
 
#56 ·
I didn't like the XT unit and ended up cancelling it. I'm glad I did as they just bit the dust.

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https://www.xtracing.com/

After 17 years of serving our customers, we are sorry to announce that XT Racing will be closing down. We will no longer accept orders for our products; however, we will continue to provide repair services for our products for as long as we have the required spare parts. In addition, we will continue to supply batteries and cables until such stock runs out.
 
#57 ·
Damn that sucks. Guess I'm not totally surprised though. It's a tough market to be in when all you have is a couple of products. Plus they made very good products that seem to last forever, so nobody's buying new anymore. Might have to order a spare cable just in case I'll need another one in the future.

Out of curiosity, what didn't you like about it? Did you actually get it and return it or canceled the order before you got it?
 
#60 ·
Very interesting thread. What would be your choice regarding software? Have you any experience with GEMS Data Analysis?

Another important question on gps devices: is there any trade between hz and precision or accuracy?

My first choice would be the Solo 2, but now I also got doubts. Got any more info from PZ Racing about the Start Next model?
 
#61 ·
As I mentioned somewhere in here maybe a couple of pages back, my unit runs at 5 Hz and lap times are always very accurate. I always have it on along with my transponder (transponder is required for CCS for official scoring, whereas my data logger is just for myself to get extra data). Lap times on the GPS unit are on average about 0.020-0.050 different from the transponder. The worst/biggest difference I have seen was about 0.150 seconds, but that is rare, only a few times in the 3 years that I've had it on 3 different bikes. So really you don't need anything more than 5 or 10 Hz.

I would go with the Solo 2 DL if you're wondering between those two. Personally I've had bad experience with the Italian software. Although never heard of PZ Racing before, I've used a couple of Starlane units and the software was garbage. The XT Racing software is much nicer and easier to use, and from what I've seen, the AiM is at least as good, probably better.
 
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