Guys, I've poured over the suspension posts. As much as I hate the shiny Titan rockets Kaw calls cans, I feel like my first big mods need to be the suspension. First thing I did was adjust all the stock setting per posts on this forum and from my youthful race days. I think the rear shock needs to be upgraded. My questions are: is high speed dampening adjustment helpful on the street (Penske)? I like the idea of having an external preload adjuster (Ohlins)in case the wife wants to come. On the front I am having real trouble deciding. Revalve, cartridge or Ohlins? We don't have a road course close so there will be few if any track days. I need her to be set up for the street. I don't drag race and I avoid straight lines like the plague. Has anyone revalved and resprung the fronts and felt like they really should have gone with cartridges or Ohlins forks? I know she will never corner like a 600 but I feel like there is a lot of room for improvement. 55 series pilot powers are on the way and will help immensely.

I've been told Ohlins internals are just as good as the whole deal. One thing I don't like about Ohlins tubes is the torque spec for the clamps. The main clamps have two screws but Ohlins tubes are designed to only take 7.3 ft lb of torque. Stock tubes are 22 ft lb. I checked this with Dan Kyle and Ohlins and both said "7.37 ft lb."

People seem to be happy with RaceTech internal upgrade for the forks.

I always felt the rear was adequate for my Gen1 but I like the look of the Ohlins and I love the preload and compression controls. I wish I could tell you more about how they ride but I haven't been able to test mine yet. Grn14 wasn't too enthused with his Ohlins rear shock because he felt he couldn't get it dialed in to a soft enough setting in spite of numerous tech inquiries. I suspect he needed a softer spring.

http://www.zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=75F9A379-9D70-6D92-0880F33EBC75D700

Rook I've read a lot of your posts and wanted to pick your brain for awhile. I bought my gen 1 with 1600 miles on it and the guy drove them all in a straight line. It is very possible the tires are giving me the vague feeling from the rear end. I was hoping a new rear shock would give me a better feel for what the back tire is doing. I agree it does a fairly good job and I did not have to adjust it nearly as much as the front. Do you feel the stocker gives you good feedback? If so I, like you, don't see adding weight to her that does not help her. I love the way the Ohlins looks too but I want her work well with as little weight as possible.

I have full Ohlins internals front and rear. They were set up by a local shop that does outstanding suspension work and have to say this bike is by far the best riding bike I have ever been on. I can't compare to stock as the work was done before I bought it but compared to anything else I've ridden it blows me away on every corner and bump in the road.

I wouldn't hesitate getting the Ohlins internals in the least. I swear some days its voodoo magic in there. ;-)

Just a suggestion, might give Traxxion Dynamics a call. Traxxion does excellent work, quick turn-around, they can re-valve and respring the stock shock to match your weight.

Agree with rktsled....call Lee at traxxion dynamics....I had them revalve the front and put a penske 8983 on the rear....night and day difference! Without a doubt the best money spent on the 14.

Troy

tclogston, Thanks, couldn't remember his name, Lee!!! Have spoken to Lee several times but it was a while back, GREAT guy!

Thanks guys, I road the Pig Trail Saturday with guy on Concours with ak-20's and a Penske shock. He said he wished he'd done it sooner. So I'm calling them this week.

Did you give them a call? Took my R1 to Lee this week....becoming my track bike....it's getting the full treatment as well...business is slow during the winter months so their turn around is super quick right now....give them a call if you haven't.

Troy

Anyone care to give s good quick overview of the options, benefits, and costs of the various suspension upgrades ? I ride street only

I've adjusted my (all stock) preload to my weight (203) and that seemed to make a difference in the handling

Not sure what I may or maynot be missing with a suspension upgrade

I did call. Can't wait. I have a bunch of upgrades just waiting to be installed. Work's been crazy. Only decision I'm working out now is whether to take my bike to them in Atlanta or do it myself. I really would like them to set her up. I told my wife I would take her to the Cheesecake Factory, but she knew something was up. Now she calls my bike the other woman.

If you can swing the trip it's much nicer having them take everything off and reinstall it and they do it for minimal cost. Luckily I live only 30 minutes from them so it was a no brainer for me. Plus you can see their shop and actually meet the guys....and like you said, their is always the Cheesecake Factory :)

I think start to finish they can have everything done in about 4 or 5 hours, so it's not a horrible wait time.

Hope everything works out and let me know if you are going to make the trip, if I can I'll ride over and meet you at Traxxion.

Troy