Want to hear it all, good, bad, ugly, aweesome, so so... Pretty much decided on going Traxxion ak-20 front cartridge and either rear shock revalve/respring as I thought rear spring is progressive and understand linear rate is prefereable. The front end is pretty much toast at 55,000kms without ever oil change but sucked right from the start.

20mm valve fork rebuild kit avail from ohlins but not their 25mm revalve or cartridge kit for gen1 zx14. Their fgrt complete fork is avail at $2100. Race Tech has their gold valves.

I am not sure what revalve is avail for rear. Ohlins has their complete ka 544 rear shock w/ compression and rebound adj with external preload adjuster for about 1200. Penske has their 8987 at around same price but has high/low speed compression adjust but not external preload.

That about all I've learned from internet surfing. Everyone has an opinion, based on many reasons...

I am choosing traxxion because it seems highest quality and performance for the $ for front upgrade avail for zx14 specifically. Not sure on what to do with rear.

I won't be tracking bike but I'll know and feel differences. I ride long stints in various conditions, with and without luggage and/or passenger also.

The bike is heavy and big but I love being able to thread thru crappy, unpredictable asphalt, carrying speed thru corner with little drama or effort, in all weather and road conditions. Want to be able to wick it up, braking hard setting up with rear skimming, when and where makes sense.

I have a pretty good sense of what every adjustment does and it's feel and can fine tune myself. Just don't want to be revalving or respring after once done. I weigh 160 lbs without gear but almost always have about 20lbs hanging off back end topcase.

Thought about going ohlins fgrt full front fork but comnbined with ka544 is rather pricey. It's really hard because by spending less, I know I'm getting less. But, I want more for less, haha....

* Last updated by: phatphil on 6/29/2012 @ 1:23 AM *

Just confirmend order on ak-20's. Will post review after few weeks. Now, for rear, I'm thinking of just leaving it as my only complaint is a little instability in high speed sweepers and could use some edge taken off the harder hits. Might do revalve to keep costs down, gain a little more control and add some plushness, if possible.

I rode my friend's '08 a couple of years ago and thought it a bit mushy in the front. He sent the forks off to another friend who installed heavier-rate springs and thicker fork oil. My '07 never felt mushy and I've got the preload backed all the way out. I think a previous owner twice removed re-sprung the fork as it feels equivalent to my friend's re-sprung '08 with the same preload. This winter I will pull it apart and change the fork oil and see if I can discern any changes from stock. That being said, I like my suspension soft but not soft enough to be mushy. Racetrack-stiff suspension is fine for very smooth roads, but in the real world, you need some bump absorption.

Sounds like your front end is resprung already, which I should have done a long long time ago. But even with respring, I feel I would need more damping vs. stiffness. But I'm guessing and speculating on that since I haven't changed anything cept settings. I've ordered the front fork cartridge and likely do revalve on rear. I think I can use rear stock spring as it's correct for my weight and from what I gather is linear (not progressive) rate. A little difficult making choices ranging from around $350 for front only respring and labour to $800+tax (front respring, 20mm ohlins revalve, oil, labour) to full front and rear ohlins for about 3500 and many options in between. It's a 10x cost difference. So trying to find a balance. lol. I settled on traxxion ak20 front bout $1250 installed and will be deciding on rear - either stock, revalve (bout 500) or ohlins (ka 544 NOT their TTX series)/penske (8987 or 8983) (1200+)...

* Last updated by: phatphil on 6/30/2012 @ 1:12 PM *

+ 1... Danno, there are good chances your front end got a makeover. I wasn't even pushing and I felt my front was too mushy. There is also that vague front end feeling the 14 is known for.

@ Phatphil: You're only 160 so I wouldn't worry about changing the whole shock (the ohlins is nice though )

I got mine for $950 new. Saw a price on Ebay and asked my suspension guy if he was willing to match it and I know he still made good money on that deal! We went with the ZX-10R Ohlins kit on the front and the vague feeling is gone. Don't remenber what size we used for the valve (I'm pretty sure it was 20) but last time we spoke he told me we could go 25. I will have to ask him how because I remember him telling me my 14 fork tubes weren't meant for 25mm. If you like to haul ass on technical roads you won't be disappointed!
* I heard good things about traxxion!

* Last updated by: dragking on 7/1/2012 @ 12:34 AM *

I'd be happy if I had a remote hydraulic preload adjuster on the back. It's a royal pain in the ass changing shock preload settings with a hammer and punch. I have an adjustable spanner, but it's almost impossible to use without removing the wheel.

Doesnt seem to be 25mm kit avail for front. Was told by suspension shop it doesnt fit and that cannot go bigger (25-30mm), only smaller. If you lift rear slightly and take some weight off, the collars turn pretty easily. I use a big flat rock (yes, a rock) with a long screw driver. Hacked the collars up pretty good but that's really the only way on bike. Removing chain guard helps too.

dk, I was about to go same way with 20mm revalve/respring front. I think the traxxion front will be similar. How much improvement did you find with rear ohlin ka 544? I know for sure the front will make huge diff but wondering about rear. Thing is, is that I could spend as much on suspension as bike is worth. I pack my side/top bags, ride pretty aggressive in corners and dont like slowing anymore than need. I don't need ultra soft, just controlled firm without edge. Dont think I need external preload as when loaded down heavy or with passenger I wont be riding as aggressive but if have wouldnt complain.
Did you consider revalve in rear?

Cant wait to get done!

* Last updated by: phatphil on 7/1/2012 @ 4:31 PM *

wilbers rear shocks

rear shock

* Last updated by: motero on 7/2/2012 @ 2:21 AM *

Not ZX14 stuff, but Ohlins is going to introduce a cartridge kit for the 2010+ Concours 14. This is awesome.

Kawasaki sells 100 (or more) C14s for every ZX14, at least, which may be why the C14 is getting it but not the ZX14. And its not interchangeable, the C14 stock forks start out with 1.2N springs which are heavier than Ohlins even sells, except by special order. But it makes sense, the C14 is engineered for two-up riding with bags full, so the suspension is heavier duty than the ZX14.

As overweight as I am (ok, ok, I'm slowly losing but it will take another year at least....) I can put the shock setting at full soft when nothing in bags, and its still fine in the twisty stuff and over bumps.

Maybe you could get a C14 fork and put it on your bike? That would be an improvement for sure, and if you find one on eBay or something from a parted out C14, you might get one fairly cheap....

The fork diameter, length, brakes, etc. are same same.

1.2? WOW. Dunno why kawi uses .90 on 14. I am going 1.05 and was worried too much but knowing connie is 1.2 stock I feel more comfortable - not that I can do anything about it as its already ordered. oh, connie with ohlins.... sounds sweet...

I have read the 14 is set up at the factory for a 150 lb. rider. I think the 14R may have been stiffened up a bit. Wonder if any parts (springs spring to mind) interchange?

Yep the 14R's got bigger springs etc and definitely feels more planted and agile!

dk, I was about to go same way with 20mm revalve/respring front. I think the traxxion front will be similar. How much improvement did you find with rear ohlin ka 544? I know for sure the front will make huge diff but wondering about rear

The stock rear wasn't that bad, like you mentioned the front is the problem. That being said, I couldn't find the perfect setting at the rear! It would be either too stiff or too soft. On the Ohlins a couple of clicks makes a huge difference. Also the feedback is great... I'd hit bumps and panic, now I know exactly what the bike is doing etc. No more bottoming out when I'm hauling ass between two hills even with the wify in the back. I'm not sure about how much but the Ohlins shock increase ride height a little bit, it definitely helped my steering. I don't regret the $ 950 and the remote adjusters are going to come handy when bring the girl to the track!

* Last updated by: dragking on 7/2/2012 @ 11:40 PM *

I like clicky adjusters... the Connie has one for the rear shock, on the left side near the front of the side case.

It definitely works, I put it one click down from Hard (stiff) when the cases are all full and it handles it with great balance and neutrality.

Empty cases, I comes all the way soft, and she is still fine, just sitting a little lower which is good for me so I can put my feet on the pavement, not just my toes. Heh.