newsargent
Junior Member
Got my first motorcycle this Feb 1 - a 2005 FZ6 with <3K miles on it. I've put on over 4K miles and have ridden four track days.
I plan to get in at least 6 more track days this year and a many as I can afford next year before I switch to a different bike. Naturally I want to mod it some for performance. I know there are lots of threads about specific mods, but they don't really tell me what would be nice to have vs what would make a substantial difference for ME specifically. All mod categories give diminishing returns and I can't tell where the sweet spot is for me. My hope is you guys can help me figure out what I should do.
The bike came with improved pipes, a power commander, and improved front brake. I think my focus should be to upgrade the suspension. Options I'm considering range from the kit to replace the springs in the front and back and increase the weight of the fork oil, which as you all know costs about $300 not including installation, to putting a Matris kit in the forks and Ohlins S46ER1 shock on the back, which would cost about $1150 not including installation. In regard to the options in between, it seems like if I'm going to spend the money to do a middle option I might as well spend a couple hundred more and go all the way. But the last thing I want to do is waste money. Is the $1150 option a waste because of my limited ability or the bike or both? On the other hand, people report loving the $300 kit but since it's just springs and oil will that make enough of a difference on the track? I have for example decelerating hard after a long straight in mind (the brakes are solid - it's the suspension that's underperforming and messing with my confidence, right?). What do you think? One thing I want to take into consideration is, if I go for the $1150 kit will I be able to sell those parts e.g. on ebay when I'm ready to sell the FZ6 and get more than 50% of the money back?
Please let me know if you would recommend any other modifications for me specifically. I'm 6'2". Do you think it's important that I do anything to make the body position more like that of a sport-specific bike?
Thanks again for your help. I appreciate it.
I plan to get in at least 6 more track days this year and a many as I can afford next year before I switch to a different bike. Naturally I want to mod it some for performance. I know there are lots of threads about specific mods, but they don't really tell me what would be nice to have vs what would make a substantial difference for ME specifically. All mod categories give diminishing returns and I can't tell where the sweet spot is for me. My hope is you guys can help me figure out what I should do.
The bike came with improved pipes, a power commander, and improved front brake. I think my focus should be to upgrade the suspension. Options I'm considering range from the kit to replace the springs in the front and back and increase the weight of the fork oil, which as you all know costs about $300 not including installation, to putting a Matris kit in the forks and Ohlins S46ER1 shock on the back, which would cost about $1150 not including installation. In regard to the options in between, it seems like if I'm going to spend the money to do a middle option I might as well spend a couple hundred more and go all the way. But the last thing I want to do is waste money. Is the $1150 option a waste because of my limited ability or the bike or both? On the other hand, people report loving the $300 kit but since it's just springs and oil will that make enough of a difference on the track? I have for example decelerating hard after a long straight in mind (the brakes are solid - it's the suspension that's underperforming and messing with my confidence, right?). What do you think? One thing I want to take into consideration is, if I go for the $1150 kit will I be able to sell those parts e.g. on ebay when I'm ready to sell the FZ6 and get more than 50% of the money back?
Please let me know if you would recommend any other modifications for me specifically. I'm 6'2". Do you think it's important that I do anything to make the body position more like that of a sport-specific bike?
Thanks again for your help. I appreciate it.