Gen 1 FZ1 for Track Days

I have never done a track day and I am not looking to start racing. With that being said, does an FZ1 make a good bike for track days?

It is currently setup for touring, but I have an FJR now and I have always wanted a good track day bike.

If I were to set up the FZ1 to be track oriented (still street legal) what would you guys suggest?

I thought about buying a track bike, but heck, my FZ1 is just sitting there and it is plenty fast for me.
 
I have a Gen 1 that I do track days on. No, it is not a full on sport bike but, that is why I love it. People are amazed that I would ride it to a track day. I always get someone come up to tell me that they had owned one and how much they enjoyed it. And I will admit to having a little smile every time I pass a full sport bike.

If you are just testing the track day waters then use the bike as is. A set of sport touring tires is plenty good . On our first track day none of us ever set the world on fire. What you are doing is just feeling your way around, having fun and learning. You want to be up to date on maintenance and have plenty of brake pad and tire remaining. Check with whoever is putting on the track day for what they require to pass tech inspection.

Check your ego at the door. No matter how fast you think you are it is humbling to be passed by an instructor on something like a very rapid EX 500.

There will be instructors and control riders. Use them, ask questions. They can follow you during a session and give you a critique after.

If you decide to pursue track days beware, they can be addicting.

For setup, definitely start with the suspension. Mine has had the front re-sprung and re-valved and has an Ohlins shock, sprung for my weight, out back. I have played with different length suspension dogbones to change the rear height.

Tires...everyone has their favorites. I have used Pilot Power 2CTs and have had no issues.

For the brakes, I have a radial master cylinder, s/s brake lines and run the stock brake pads. I just like how they feel. I have some new rotors but won't get to try then until the spring.

For ergos I use the 1" lower handlebar mount and have a different handlebar for a more comfortable bend.

Motor wise all I have is a jet kit. I still run the stock pipe, the bike has plenty of power to make me happy.

Looking at your signature it looks like your bike is set to go.

That's all for now.
 
NHFZ1 nailed it. Try a track day with your FZ1 and see how you like it. I have ridden on the track with my FJR, FZ6, FZ1 and KTM 990 Supermoto. Had a ball with each bike but I was there to learn what the bike can do when pushed real hard for safer street riding. It will take your riding to another level.
If I were to do track days on a regular basis I would get a used full on sport bike just for the track.
 
Which handlebar brand and bend did you go with?

I went with a Rizoma MA001. I cut 3/4" off each end to get them to the same width as stock. I also tapped the ends so as to be able to use the regular bar end weights.

Here is a LINK to PJ's Parts, where I bought them. It also gives the dimensions in case you want to go with another brand.
 
here's the same response i gave ya on the other site

me said:
here's a secret for ya...it doesn't matter what bike you have, stock, race, old, new, street, dirt, cruiser, sport etc, track days are for improving your ability to ride your vehicle, whatever sort it may be. track days are about the rider, not the ride. your brake markers may be earlier than others, but thats what you're learning. your tip in points may be different, but thats what you're learning. if you want to brake later, upgrade the brakes. if you wanna turn better, upgrade your tires and suspension. set your goals first, before you go deciding if your bike is "good" or not for track days. you could be on a harley or a gold wing, doesn't matter. most people dont understand any of this. what i'm saying is, your bike is fine. you'll have a long way to go before pushing it's limits. once you do you can worry about making it better, but as is, is good enough.
 
Jared is 100% right.

The only track days I've done were on shitty budget bikes with no sporting pretensions at all. I learned a lot from it and am a better rider for it. Just show up, ride around as fast as you can and go home. Don't over think it; you're exchanging money for the legal right to go as fast as you dare. Keep it simple ;)
 
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Jared is 100% right.

The only track days I've done were on shitty budget bikes with no sporting pretensions at all. I learned a lot from it and am a better rider for it. Just show up, ride around as fast as you can and go home. Don't over think it; you're exchanging money for the legal right to go as fast as you dare. Keep it simple ;)

thats pretty much right its about learning your limits and the limits of your bike. once you set a goal, you can start modding things or certain schools or whatever it is there's ways to get there, just gotta know where to start first
 
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