Whattayou guys think about installing Ohlins forks on the 14?Think it's worth doing?Anyone have any real world comparisons with these vs.stock forks?I'm 175 suited.

OR...anyone have any experience using the Race-Tech Gold Valving kits?Not sure my weight could justify spending all that loot for something that may just stiffen things up,but have minimal performance qualities for the street.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/14/2011 @ 2:18 AM *

As soon as the VA gives me my 2 years of back pay, I'm putting Ohlins R/T forks on, and an Ohlins R/T shock, both built to a target weight of me plus the GIVI luggage packed full.

And it will make a huge difference. When I ride without the luggage, since they will be built to a heavier weight, I can just dial them down a notch and be fine. If I add a passenger, I can just dial the shock up a notch.

I'm basing this on the set I had on my ZX11 which made a world of difference in handling. The ZX14 fork and shock are slightly better than the OEM ZX11 parts, but the comparison will hold nonetheless.

* Last updated by: privateer on 6/14/2011 @ 6:43 AM *

Look, all you have to say is you run the nationals and all these parts come flying to you free. Last race bike I had, it was a limited edition and the last shock sponsor loaned me a set of shocks to dial in. They were just a pogo stick no matter what I did to it. I sort of told the owner this. He took a measurement off the latest race bike, put his shocks into production for this bike. Then, told me if I wanted a set for this bike to race, I'd have to buy them.

Pretty funny for me to buy pogo sticks for a stock bike class. I called a double letter kind of company back then and went back to the old stuff I knew. They were the shock name back then. Called them up, was sent a set of shocks with spare springs. Free! Finally! No up and down kind of none sucking up the bumps until I switched brands. These took the bumps no problem. They were extra stiff and not one po of a go.

You have to be careful what you buy. Besides, this guy is a dirt-motocross kind of mentality shock maker. Races an old single cylinder roadracer, if anyone wants to connect the dots. Maybe the shock has improved? I doubt it, but you never know.

Hub wrote:

Look, all you have to say is you run the nationals and all these parts come flying to you free. Last race bike I had, it was a limited edition and the last shock sponsor loaned me a set of shocks to dial in. They were just a pogo stick no matter what I did to it. I sort of told the owner this. He took a measurement off the latest race bike, put his shocks into production for this bike. Then, told me if I wanted a set for this bike to race, I'd have to buy them.

Pretty funny for me to buy pogo sticks for a stock bike class. I called a double letter kind of company back then and went back to the old stuff I knew. They were the shock name back then. Called them up, was sent a set of shocks with spare springs. Free! Finally! No up and down kind of none sucking up the bumps until I switched brands. These took the bumps no problem. They were extra stiff and not one po of a go.

You have to be careful what you buy. Besides, this guy is a dirt-motocross kind of mentality shock maker. Races an old single cylinder roadracer, if anyone wants to connect the dots. Maybe the shock has improved? I doubt it, but you never know.

How does this answer blue07's question? He asked

Whattayou guys think about installing Ohlins forks on the 14?Think it's worth doing?Anyone have any real world comparisons with these vs.stock forks?

I have had real world experience with 1991 technology Ohlins R/T forks and shocks on a ZX11, and they greatly improved handling in the twisties. One would think they are better 20 years later. LOL.

I've had both, Blue... RaceTech on my old 9r and now Ohlins on my new 14.

I was very happy with what RaceTech did with the antiquated suspension on my 9r... but went with Ohlins on my zx14 because of the TTX shock. It's sooooo easy to make adjustments to when carrying luggage or a passenger.

I'm not good at describing "feelings"... but... my new 14 has yet to get "sketchy" or drag hardparts when gettin' some in the turns... My '06, with stock suspension, would bottom out, buck, and drag shit anytime I rode above 70-80%.

IMO, custom suspension, though expensive, is worth every penny... Try to find someone that has spent the coin and feels like they wasted $$$.

Thanks guys."what does this have to do with Blue's question"?....well...this is what I got from Hub's post....the bike will pogo with a "bad" shock,or maladjusted shock,and for "racing"(fast),you want stiff settings so the bike remains stable.Thanks Hubster .Also..thanks Priv...I know describing a certain "feel" is hard to do.Apparently,this "dragging parts" is a common thing for sportbikes....at the track as well.This Moss guy sets up the sag first to raise the bike up a bit and firm it so it won't compress so fast going over stuff.He said(and I trust he knows his stuff)that the spring action(forks,rear)have NOTHING actually to do with the "hydraulics"(compression,rebound damping).Those adjustments are separate and rider unique.I've never dragged a peg or anything...so having her hit has never really been a problem on mine.Course...like Hub mentioned...it COULD be as simple as a tire replacement.I don't have any real twisties here...like Dragon's Tail or anything.But I do have seriously badazz curves....awesome for opening er up and diggin in.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/14/2011 @ 2:05 PM *