Minor Winter Project - installing suspension worth 1/3 of the bike

[Papa_Complex]

Installed and ready for a test ride if it ever stops raining, snowing, freezing, whatever

[Particle Man]

Cool. When I did my front end I almost wrecked when the nose didn't dive like I expected it to

[Papa_Complex]

I'll be setting the static sag before I ride it ANYWHERE. Trust me I think they sent the cartridges out set to maximum preload, since there's very little compression from my weight when I sit on the bike. It does move freely though, so they aren't bound in the fork tubes.

[Papa_Complex]

I took my bike out for a quick 10k ride, to check out the suspension, and here's what I found.

The front end feels fairly similar to how it did before which is interesting, given that the original springs were something like 1.2 Kg.mm. I think that the current ones are 0.95 Kg/mm. They feel more reactive but I'll have to take it out for an extended ride, to see how much better the forks really are.

The shock, for all intents and purposes, feels very much like my Ohlins did. It's quite plush and, where the stock shock felt like mush, this one just rides over the bumps and soaks them up. It's a definite and obvious improvement.

*EDIT* I also gave up on trying to adapt that Givi windscreen and just ordered the Kawasaki screen, from a shop in Cornwall, UK. It isn't available in North America.

[Rangerscott]

It's all in your head. The springs are just like the oem ones. Admit it. Just because something is "aftermarket" and more expensive doesn't mean it's better.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

It's all in your head. The springs are just like the oem ones. Admit it. Just because something is "aftermarket" and more expensive doesn't mean it's better.

Nope, it doesn't. The fact that something aftermarket is better makes it better

That's why I'm withholding final judgment on the front suspension; I know that the fact that I've spent money of the damned thing will make me tend to want to see improvement, even if there really isn't any.

A little more information then.

With the OEM setup the front end felt tight, but there was a smooth and progressive dive under braking. The dive wasn't significant, which would make sense if I'm right about what the stock spring rate was, but it was there. With the new cartridge inserts my impression is that the initial dive occurs more quickly, but then slows and stops almost immediately.

The back end, as I said, is very much like I remember my old Type 4 Ohlins feeling. The stock shock wallowed significantly, over wavy pavement. The rear of the bike seems almost to float, just soaking up road imperfections. Now it's like someone has run a rail, plumb straight and level above the road, then attached the rear of my bike to it. I'm extremely happy with the shock, given that I was suffering from sticker shock over the purchase.

Still waiting for the Kawi screen. Once that's in place I might add brush-guards, then call it a day on the mods.

[Papa_Complex]

Unfortunately I had to remove my low/braced handlebars in order to get the windscreen to fit. With the lower bars, the right mounting bracket for the Kawi screen was coming in contact with the brake reservoir banjo bolt. I'll have to find a slightly higher set of alloy bars.

[Rangerscott]

Hows the ride wiener?

[Papa_Complex]

Damned good. The tight nature of the front end is giving good surface feedback, in corners and the shock is excellent. I'm liking it better than my old Penske, that I had on my VFR.

[Rangerscott]

I yot a PCV coming my way. I bet I get at least 25hp out of it.