Body position.

[flbusa]

Originally Posted by 95gtdriver

Very true. Although many books and classes may say there is an exact method, I have seen many styles that work well. There is a general outline to the madness but its just an outline, not a set rule. I have also seen incrediably fast guys only shift an inch or two side to side, where I move a lot more myself.

Yep... Have you seen Tony Elias ride Moto2? He hangs off more than anyone I've seen. On the flip side... Jorge Lorenzo hangs off very little. Both very fast guys.

Here's Tony Elias... My guess is that he'd get a lot of advice on body positioning from the track day crowd. Hanging way off, body not in line with the bike, etc.



Just look at Lorenzo's style (I have to admit it is a bit unorthodox though)

[NZFZ1]

thanks all. yea, I definitely missed the apex -I was at maximum lean with bits scraping early on in the corner so couldn't ride the line I wanted! Will try to get my head a bit lower next time. Didn't take the feelers off the pegs, but I wish that I had.

[95gtdriver]

If you notice my avatar, kinda small i know, there is some apex cones that I am a mile away from. Ha, no worries. And you will take them off either way. I prefer to take them off the old fashion.

[pingvin]

Originally Posted by NZFZ1

Hi all,
I will remove the centre-stand, change foot-pegs and raise the rear for next time.

Not sure it helps that much as everything is touching down soon after the pegs, not only the centerstand but exhaust and motorspoiler. Even my original engine crash protecors touched down...on the street. And when the feelers are gone, the rest of the pegs are gone in no time (the feelers are hardened steel but the pegs are soft aluminium). Shorter dog bones helped both on ground clearance and also quicker steering (a must modification on Gen1).

But bottom line, FZ1 and especially gen1 is not a track tool, you can only do that much to help the ground clearance. That said, I'm sure there are guys on this forum that would leave me for dead on a FZ1 even on track!

[Blind Spot]

On the Gen II, you'll pick up the rear wheel off the ground with the pegs before you touch centerstand.

I have very radical rearsets on my Gen II, on the right side I'll drag stock exhaust before peg, but left side's clear to peg.

My max lean angle changes depending on what direction the turn is....

[NZFZ1]

Yea, my brother (who also has a gen 1) suggested the short dog bones. Will definitely look into it. Along with fender eliminator, bar end mirrors, integrated rear turn signals...

I know the FZ is not a track bike, but it felt pretty good to be passing guys on more dedicated track-bikes! A little more clearance will make track-days even more enjoyable.
Nick

[outlaws Justice]

Everyone talks about fast riders and how they differ. Just because someone is fast with techniques that many consider not perfect does not mean they could not be better. Maybe it works for them or they do it because no one ever told them different, and why change something that works. this brings to question can he get better? Maybe with some changes and coaching he could be faster, better and more in control? Never know until you try.

[outlaws Justice]

Originally Posted by NZFZ1

Hi all,
On Saturday, I took my '02 FZ1 to the track for the first time (my second ever time on a track). It was a lot of fun, but I was definitely slowed down by the lack of ground clearance. I will remove the centre-stand, change foot-pegs and raise the rear for next time. I have attached a couple of photos and would appreciate any feedback regarding my body position. Thanks!
Nick

In this case looks more like you are trying to drag a knee.

Look at your arms, you are in as far as you can be. Now lets make a change, Move your chest toward the tank, this will bring your body forward and down, In turn it will also allow you to move your center of gravity lower, and at the same time allow you to move your upper body more to the inside (You will have more reach as you have moved forward) you will gain ground clearance and might not have dragged parts as soon.

Moving your chest forward and down can help with many other things on the bike.

[pingvin]

Originally Posted by NZFZ1

Yea, my brother (who also has a gen 1) suggested the short dog bones. Will definitely look into it. Along with fender eliminator, bar end mirrors, integrated rear turn signals...

Stiffer springs also helps! Or even better new rear shock, but expensive...

[NZFZ1]

Originally Posted by outlaws Justice

In this case looks more like you are trying to drag a knee.

Look at your arms, you are in as far as you can be. Now lets make a change, Move your chest toward the tank, this will bring your body forward and down, In turn it will also allow you to move your center of gravity lower, and at the same time allow you to move your upper body more to the inside (You will have more reach as you have moved forward) you will gain ground clearance and might not have dragged parts as soon.

Moving your chest forward and down can help with many other things on the bike.

Thanks for the advice. Will give that a shot next time. Wasn't really focussed on dragging the knee, was just trying to get as much weight to the inside of the bike as possible so I didn't lowside! Hopefully moving my chest lower down will get me around a bit quicker. My technique on the right handers was even worse -I don't have any photos, but I felt pretty awkward hanging off, and I was definitely slower.

[95gtdriver]

Seems to be common that right handers are harder for people. I know they are for me. Not sure why.

[jkfz1]

For me it's because there is no lane on the right of you... usually a big rocky mountain and your head is very close to it at lean angle...plus you can't see around the corner... so you can't see that giant truck until you are already committed and can't do anything at that stage... because the only exit off the bike on a right corner is jumping off the bike and sliding into the other lane and oncoming traffic.

[ScottyJFZ1]

You seem to be a bigger guy than me but here is a picture of me on my first track day when I had my Fizzy....notice the difference in the 2 pictures...

1st one not gettin off the bike but more lean...2nd off the bike not as much lean but carrying more speed...

[95gtdriver]

Yeah def better form on the second. Amazing how quick you can progress at the track. Do you find you are substantially faster on the 750 over the FZ? Everytime, I ride a full sportbike I always feel way slower, perhaps its just cause I'm not use to it.

[ScottyJFZ1]

Originally Posted by 95gtdriver

Yeah def better form on the second. Amazing how quick you can progress at the track. Do you find you are substantially faster on the 750 over the FZ? Everytime, I ride a full sportbike I always feel way slower, perhaps its just cause I'm not use to it.

The GSXR much easier to go fast on the track...first time out on the GSXR at this exact track shaved 7 secs off my times on the FZ1. After a few sessions I did a 1:07:42 my times on the FZ1 were 1:17s

Now granted it was my first track day ever for me on the FZ1, and I have done 5 or 6 total now...so my skills did improve before I bought the gixxer, but still way easier to go fast on a true track weapon...FZ1 big, heavy, and slow when changing direction..lots more work.

[95gtdriver]

Wow, 7 seconds? Cripes. That's an impressive difference.

[ScottyJFZ1]

yup and a total of 10secs overall I enjoy the ease and overall feel better of a sportbike now over the FZ1.

[Chop]

Originally Posted by 95gtdriver

Wow, 7 seconds? Cripes. That's an impressive difference.

Well like he said he was a freshman when he was on the Fz1 and he had already "broken in" when he got to the Gixxer. We all know about now that Yammy makes faster bikes than Zuki so i should be right on my claims

I found this photo on the net..


Personally i think Cruise has to get more off the bike and gosh... Get some gear on man!!!! And drop the chick over my place

Discuss!

[ScottyJFZ1]

Originally Posted by Chop

Well like he said he was a freshman when he was on the Fz1 and he had already "broken in" when he got to the Gixxer. We all know about now that Yammy makes faster bikes than Zuki so i should be right on my claims

I found this photo on the net..


Personally i think Cruise has to get more off the bike and gosh... Get some gear on man!!!! And drop the chick over my place

Discuss!

yeah exactly...still much easier on the gsxr than the FZ1 to me anyways...I know Greg and Byrdman and many others that can probably do that same lap time on ther FZ1's

[Newest FZ1 owner]

Soooo if the Fizzy is slow and heavy and the Gixxer is quick, nimble and light weight, what bike do you suggest for the track that had the equivalent 134 hp at the back tire? Gixxer 750, 1k, R1, CBR 1000???

I am looking for a track bike!

Scott