modern suspension realities

**MellowYellow** · 10-15-2010

okay terry

here is something people really should think about. I have been on the fence so I thought I would see what you have to say.

As we all know first FARKLE most put on there bike is aftermarket suspension - and usually ohlins. But is it really needed on most modern sport bikes? would revalving/springing a stock shock work as well?

I am learning that modern bike suspensions are far more competent then people realize. It seems to me that most people cannot override a properly setup stock bike.

A discussion with dave moss originally with the 01 gsxr suspension gave me the motivation to try a stock setup. And I have to say the bike is still faster then I can go. No suspension issues other then my lack of knowledge :)

so what do you think - is olins penske ect FARKLE for most?

**Jimmie** · 10-16-2010

Hmmm you must be talkin about bikes that come BOX STOCK with real suspension, not about bikes like my SV650 or bikes like the EX650 etc. Yes with those bikes you have to have FARKLE or die...

So yes on some bikes you need that change.
Lets see, Traxxion Dynamics damping rods $100, Race Tech fork spring $100, Race Tech fork Emulators $150, so that's $350 in hard parts in the forks to just get them to be ok

They work well just not as good as FARKLE forks. Shock is also a must, the stock one worked at "C" pace but at the pace we NCSR riders go it's evil. I didn't want an Ohlin because I think they're over priced, a Penske was almost what I bought but I really like FOX and I had one custom modified to work on the SV $600.
So yes Charles I would say that Ohlins and other brands are FARKLE on most new Sport Bikes.

**23109(c)** · 10-16-2010

I'm 199.9lbs and I'm consistantly over riding my BOX STOCK suspended bike. It is suspended for a 150lb rider going from home, to the bank, then to starbux. I have been told that i'm over riding my bike a few times and i can feel it once in a while. (mostly during transitions, coming out of turn 11 at T-hill, through the "S'es..")

That being said, i DO have the "uber cool" front forks from the 996 bike w/ ti-nitride (ala your forks, charles....) but still, sprung for a light rider. Now, that being said...twice.....once revalved and sprung for MY WEIGHT AND STYLE I do believe i will NOT be over riding the suspension...i'll run into other mechanical issues first

I am a firm believer that if you have something modern that CAN be rebuilt/revalved, then it should be done first...save the money for tires and trackdays...

Jimmie, your suspension sucks.... lol... its trash.... bin it....

**Jimmie** · 10-16-2010

Now you tell me

**MellowYellow** · 10-16-2010

charles

there is several things with wrong with your bike- the suspension spring/valving is the least of your issues. Maybe getting the darn bike off the ground would be a start. That height effects not only ground clearance but handling.

**MFP** · 10-16-2010

Charles, your right,

I had a similar conversation with Phil of after shocks and some others. Revalving your OEM shock is a good option for most. Also respring it with the correct spring for your weight. You will have a great shock in the 90% range of an ohlins or other high dollar shock. Most people cant use bikes in that 90% area anyway. most are in the 50 to 70% range.

If your on a budget, re valve it.

**R1-Limited** · 10-17-2010

Charles Good question and one that brings a lot of debat between bling or not to bling.

I think your KEY point is right here

is it really needed on most modern sport bikes? would revalving/springing a stock shock work as well?

You must first define the audience, Most average yahoo's will never know the difference between 5 clicks on Damping or compression let alone the word suspension. The average rider / experianced / canyon carver yes they would. The demigods at AFM races oh yes they will and so on and so on.

For example, my R1, the last road bike I had was my R5, that had Ceriani and Koni's all the adjustment on those was damping and springs and many times we tightened the spring rate with Orchard supply washers and more oil

Now I get the R1, there are 300.788 billion adjustments on the dang thing for which I only recognise damping and compression

Not really, so off to Phill Douglas I go at Aftershocks.

What a difference $20 makes having someone explain and adjust the suspension for me. Do I need ohlins to go faster, hell no, I would go just as fast with or without ohlins. Its like using a Callaway Golf Driver as compared to a Big5 Brand. The Ball is still going to be hit and will drive 175 plus yards, but it is the balance, the material and design that makes the difference. Why is that important to add the comparison? Because no matter what club I am going to use, I will only be able to drive the ball so many yards, it takes practice to be able to use the full potential of the Callaway club.

Same for Suspension, get them working to fit your skills and practice, then when you can pass jimmie go buy Ohlins so you can pass me

Same advise I gave Jorge

**Jimmie** · 10-17-2010

Ah Johnny, your bike came stock with Ohlin suspension. Seems kinda bling like to me

"The 06 R1 produces 132-134 horsepower at the rear wheel. In addition, the swingarm was extended 20 mm longer due to acceleration instability. Also, in 2006 the 50th anniversary of Yamaha racing in America, Yamaha released the limited edition version in original Yamaha racing colors. The model (LE/SP) featured a Kenny Roberts replica paint pattern with yellow and black paint, and front and rear custom Öhlins suspension units developed by the people who work on the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike. Custom forged aluminum Marchesini wheels specifically designed for the LE shaved nearly a pound of unsprung weight. And a back torque-limiting slipper clutch, and an integrated lap timer rounded out the package making the LE more of a production racer. It had an MSRP of $17,999 and only 500 units were made for the United States."

Plus the brakes stock are Brembo's Bling bling bling . . .

**R1-Limited** · 10-17-2010

Jimmie, I wish I had the LE, I have the SP (Special) which does come with serialized documentation because only 2 per US dealership was allocated. The LE I believe only 300 were built. So I do not have Ohlins, I have Yahoo suspenders

**Unobtainium** · 10-17-2010

This a very good question and there have been some very good answers. I am a big believer in high quality suspension. If you stock shock can be re valved and sprung and deliver consistent performance then do it. My only concern is that the aftermarket shocks are built to a much higher level than stock shocks and this quality of materials and build quality make for much more consistent performance.
Another issue: most re builders simple change the stack and not the valve. If there is a limitation to the valve design you are stuck with it. Will you be limited by the valve design? Probably not. But I like The fact that there is a design team doing nothing but R&D to ensure top performance for my shock and fork and release prove updates. Look at Penske, they have over 24 shock valve designs. Those teams work with the top teams using their shocks, not rebuilt stockers. A great source of proven updates.

If you think this has no value, ask Blaine.

Buy a good shock and stick with 1 tuner to work with.

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