I had a suspension upgrade fitted yesterday, a WP rear shock and upgraded springs and fork oil, fitted by MC Technics. Excellent service and a very reasonable £510 for all parts, fitting and setting up.
It was like riding a different bike; the front was much more compliant, yet failed to bottom out. It steered much better, holding a line in fast corners and giving loads of feedback. The rear was also loads better, it didn't kick me out of the seat on bumpy surfaces, and there was no trace of the high speed weave when cornering. It's the best performance upgrade I could have made to the bike.
The only thing that bothers me is why I have to spend more money to sort out the handling problems of a new bike. Surely it can't cost more to fit springs suitable for an average (13 stone) rider to front and rear instead of fronts for an 8 stone weakling and rears for a sumo wrestler? No excuse for this really.
Suspension upgrade
suspension
Hey Druid 
Glad to hear you are pleased with the upgrade. I'm going to visit Roger at RevolutionUK week after next to get something similar (just picked up a Penske rear shock off Ebay which he will fit
I agree about it being annoying that we have to do it (well, a friend of mine seems happy with his, so I guess it doesn't bother everyone like many here will also testify to no doubt). I understand Honda told Showa to spare the pennys when they did the front/rear, so this appears to be why (the tight gits
)
Anyway, I've fiddled about for weeks trying to get the thing to behave on the bumpy bits, to no avail at all, hence the trip up North to see Roger. I hope I am as pleased as you appear to be afterwards!
fester
Glad to hear you are pleased with the upgrade. I'm going to visit Roger at RevolutionUK week after next to get something similar (just picked up a Penske rear shock off Ebay which he will fit
I agree about it being annoying that we have to do it (well, a friend of mine seems happy with his, so I guess it doesn't bother everyone like many here will also testify to no doubt). I understand Honda told Showa to spare the pennys when they did the front/rear, so this appears to be why (the tight gits
)Anyway, I've fiddled about for weeks trying to get the thing to behave on the bumpy bits, to no avail at all, hence the trip up North to see Roger. I hope I am as pleased as you appear to be afterwards!
fester
Fester: I know that the forks are built down to a price, but the only changes made to mine were progressive springs and heavier weight fork oil. That would cost nothing to change and make a huge difference. Roger changes the valves as well I think, so the difference is even greater.
BazilD: Rear sag is 25mm I think. It was the emulsion shock with adjustable preload and (combined) damping. I imagine that my £510 would only just pay for the fully adjustable shock - I had one on my VFR that cost £500 - it was very nice, but I'm not a good enough rider to justify one really.
BazilD: Rear sag is 25mm I think. It was the emulsion shock with adjustable preload and (combined) damping. I imagine that my £510 would only just pay for the fully adjustable shock - I had one on my VFR that cost £500 - it was very nice, but I'm not a good enough rider to justify one really.
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Anonymous
When I went on a brands hatch track day, there was a chap, Steve Jordan, who does suspension set ups.
15 quid later, different bike! Only thing left is the fronts occasionally bottom out. (Heavy (HEAVY) braking, the occasional really deep pothole).
But I feel no need to change anything at mo. Road and track both lovely, even with a fair bit of welly!
Anyone needs his no. give us a shout. He's based near Leatherhead.
15 quid later, different bike! Only thing left is the fronts occasionally bottom out. (Heavy (HEAVY) braking, the occasional really deep pothole).
But I feel no need to change anything at mo. Road and track both lovely, even with a fair bit of welly!
Anyone needs his no. give us a shout. He's based near Leatherhead.
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penst8grad
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 5:04 pm
- Location: Northeast USA
Sorry if this comes across ignorant. That's not the intention. I'm just trying to translate. 
You are saying that you put in progressive springs, new rear shock, and heavier for oil? I'm searching for how to set my suspension for my weight. The guy that I bought it from must have been much heavier than me because he had the front set as stiff as possible and all of the preload in the rear spring. I'm 6'1" and weigh ~200, depending on how good my wifes cooking is lately
That might work on smooth racetracks, but we have some fairly bumpy pavement around here. When I'm charging through the twisties, the front tends to start hopping around.
Any links to setup help would be greatly appreciated.
You are saying that you put in progressive springs, new rear shock, and heavier for oil? I'm searching for how to set my suspension for my weight. The guy that I bought it from must have been much heavier than me because he had the front set as stiff as possible and all of the preload in the rear spring. I'm 6'1" and weigh ~200, depending on how good my wifes cooking is lately
That might work on smooth racetracks, but we have some fairly bumpy pavement around here. When I'm charging through the twisties, the front tends to start hopping around.
Any links to setup help would be greatly appreciated.
