FJ1200 @ Palmer Motorsports in MA

[Tekime]

Last Monday (July 11th) I had my first track day experience down in Palmer, MA with Tony's Track Days. Of course, I decided to take my '89 FJ1200 and leave the 'zuki in the stable.

It's about a 3-hour drive from my home in Maine. I opted to rent a Uhaul motorcycle trailer and hook it up to my Ram conversion van. Worked out perfectly.

I took Sunday morning to give the bike a full inspection, gave it a thorough cleaning and removed a ton of crud buildup from the chain and chain guard. Finally got her loaded up, packed up all my gear/leathers/food/sleeping stuff in the van and was ready to go by 6PM:



On final inspection of the bike/trailer I noticed, to my horror... a small puddle of oil under the bike. I thought I was done for at that point! Luckily, a snug half-turn on the oil plug is all she needed. My last oil change they gave me a washer that was too small, so I reused the old one (I know, I know!). Seems it loosed up just a tiny bit over several weeks, just enough to weep a tiny bit of oil. Thankfully, she was fixed.

I had a three-page checklist I had typed up and printed out, so I gave it one final review and hit the road.

Got about 45 minutes from the house, pulled into a rest area for a Starbucks and realized, to my horror again... I had forgotten my helmet. Of all the things to forget!! I distinctly remember picking up my helmet, saying to my wife "definitely can't forget this!", then setting it down by the door. Then after noticing the oil drip I got distracted and left without it. Luckily my wife is amazing and she drove it all the way out to me since I was already running so late. This worked out, as it gave me a chance to do some bike prep in the parking lot while I waited for her.

Finally got to Palmer at midnight, did my best to "quietly" roll in and find a parking spot in the thick fog. This was pretty surreal for me - not only tired from the drive but I could see the tents, bikes & other trailers bristling in the fog in the lot next to me and it became very real!

I tried to sleep, which amounted to about 2.5 hours of half-sleep. I was just too excited, and too worried I would sleep through inspection in the morning. Got up around 5am and made some stiff coffee, unloaded the bike and started to prep.

The park was dead quiet that morning. Riders from the previous day were still resting, or just stirring and getting some breakfast. The garages were almost completely empty.




Things woke up very fast after 6am. Trucks, trailer & bikes poured in and by 7am I was surrounded. Had a quick meeting with TTD staff then on to tech inspection. The FJ passed without a fuss. Got my sticker, what a relief!!!



The day was broken up into 20 minutes sessions for each group. I was in Red group (beginners). Each session was followed by classroom time to cover track basics and answer questions. TTD staff was absolutely awesome. Everyone there was helpful and kind.

The first few sessions I was just getting a feel for the track and getting comfortable on the bike under the new conditions. My goal was to get through the day without a crash so I mostly played it safe. First few runs were a shock - Palmer is an incredible track with some wild altitude changes and amazing turns. After a few sessions I really started to get comfortable. By the end of the day - the last two sessions - I felt like I was just getting started. Still being cautious, but finally started to push it a bit out of my comfort zone.

Just for some perspective, this is a nice aerial of Palmer I found on TTD's site:



The main "straight" is on the left, part of the track is cut out of the pic. It's a counter-clockwise run. The turn at the bottom is a giant uphill right-hander, which then leads into an amazing downhill corkscrew lefthander that really tests your sanity!

All in all, Palmer is a giant slap to the brain. Too much fun to even describe.

Can't leave you without a little action shot of the FJ.



Can't wait to get out there and try it again. The FJ has some shortcomings on the track, no doubt. The weight and soft suspension really show. But at the same time, she handled everything I threw it her and I'm very confident I wasn't pushing to the limits. As is evidenced by my chicken strips



These are the Battlax BT-45's I threw on last month. They ran great for a street tire, and while they got chewed up still have plenty left to give.

If you're in the New England area I highly suggest you check out Tony's Track Days for a track day experience with a great bunch of people. Palmer is a bit intimidating with lots of exposed granite and crazy altitude changes, but it turns out it was perfect for a first track day and I highly recommend everyone try to get there. Really amazing bit of track!

Be careful though, you MAY become addicted. I'm already brooding over plans for my next track run and trying to rationalize some upgrades on the old FJ.

Cheers,
Gabe

[fj1289]

Gabe - looks like an awesome time! 

If you're looking for upgrades - suspension, suspension, suspension!  Then brakes, wheels, and tires ....

[Firehawk068]

That's a cool looking track!

I'd love to do a track-day, but I can't justify the price of full leathers just for that..........especially for someone my size. 

[Tekime]

You know, I've waffled over keeping it stock, upgrading, outright selling the FJ... but each time I ride it I love it even more. I'm a little worried about it becoming a money pit, so my goal is to slowly go over all the basics. At 53k miles now, got a valve adjust tool & starting to order carb rebuild parts and clutch cylinder rebuilds (just started to weep some clutch fluid, eek). I'd love to keep this as my daily driver / street bike and eventually get a track-only bike. But in the meantime, I'll probably try and get her to the track a few more times.

Suspension upgrades are definitely on the shortlist. Also have been bugging a guy up north at a m/c warehouse to keep eyes peeled for GSX-R rear end and some blue dots. The way I see it, these will only make it a better street bike too.

Firehawk, I hear you on gear costs. That was a big hurdle for me. Between Craigslist and finding deals on Revzilla I ended up with a pretty nice setup for about $700. Budget as far as race gear goes! A two-piece Joe Rocket, which is nice because I use the jacket every day, then I can zip it into a full suit. Found an amazing deal on some lightly used Sidi boots - $100 for a $400 pair. The gloves were my biggest "splurge" - a pair of Oxford RP-1 full gauntlets. Still a budget glove, but tons of protection and a bit pricier than some alternatives.

If you're really interested in a track day, find some local street racers and browse Craigslist - I found a ton of good deals on lightly used gear, although I'm sort of in the same boat - not a common size. I'm so skinny, my wife says if I lost any more weight I'd just be a voice lol. The leathers were a weird fit - definitely too short but after weeks of having my (more sensitive parts) crushed they are starting to loosen up and fit better, haha