The R is a monster and I would stop comparing it to the relic gens.

This is what I was trying to tell you Hub but you wouldn't listen, there's a new sheriff in town, head honcho, big dog....etc etc. and it's Grn and his new 14. You're riding a stoneage relic, Fred Flintstone era kinda thing. Without an R Hub, you ain't nothin! Sorry pal just tellin you like it is, ante up or go home!

Hub, yer 14 is gettin a bit long in tooth, BusWide and GAS'd, time to put on some man panties and get ya a new 14R! You'd be able to ride at the front of the pack with Greenmeister rather than at the rear with the rest of us bottom feeders...lol!

Right, Kruz. I think I'll work the little guy for errands from now on. My time is being pulled here and there. One was canceled. That gives me time on that chopper to clear that off the rack. Then, I'm going to park his other bike [he is going to be upset] but yes, long in the toothell out of here.

I'll go and tease them with the ape maybe; it's faster to put together. Take in that for a trade and the old 14 as the errand boy. The R for R&d I'm sitting on it. WATTime is it? How many bottom feeders we got here? OK, I'm buying...

Pizza is there at the door... Tell'em to wait. I'll get my wallet.

Hey I'm bottom feeder numero uno, hope to be riding my old 14 for many years to come.

I'll go and tease them with the ape maybe; it's faster to put together. Take in that for a trade and the old 14 as the errand boy.

You gotta be kiddin, trade in the Prilla and your 14 + a ton of cash for an R? Hub has your cheese slid off your cracker?

Man, I just came back and they had this, stretch your arms forward, bend the back, hold your ankles.. Here is the price. I laughed! I've been bouncing that bike off the front wheel all day. It was my fault. I split lanes, car was at an angle. When they moved, they took my spot. I thought they were going in the second lane over, but I had to turn the gas on, the front end comes up, planted it where I wanted it... No tag. Timed another light, hammered the gas and that front end went too high up, I chopped it and if that bike is not a kick to ride.

The bottom feeder is leaving first. The ape is too much fun.

I'd hang on to both, just my .02s worth. I'm enjoying the heck out of my bottom feeder and best part, it was paid off almost five years ago!

I think it'd be lame to have two 14 and no smaller bike. Trade the bottom feeder and keep the ape.
I'm picking up my bottom feeder tomorrow and I know she's going to feel like a new bike... Bigger valves, bigger springs, different weight oil, Ohlins shock etc. Can't wait.
Here is my future dream garage in chronological order: 06 ZX-14, CBR 1000 or ZX-10R, Ducati Diavel, ZX-14R and BMW 1600GTL. I have decided to wait until I finish modding the 14 before getting the liter: Insurance is going to be too high... too many tickets.

* Last updated by: dragking on 2/1/2012 @ 8:32 PM *

I'm picking up my bottom feeder tomorrow and I know she's going to feel like a new bike... Bigger valves, bigger springs, different weight oil, Ohlins shock etc. Can't wait.

Neither can I, full ride report expected on my desk by 0800 Friday....lol! And no Grn report either where it "feels different". It had better feel different with the money your spending...lool!

I think you are the first on the forum to go all out on a suspension upgrade, should handle like a dream.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/1/2012 @ 9:49 PM *

I think you are the first on the forum to go all out on a suspension upgrade, should handle like a dream.

* Last updated by: dragking on 2/1/2012 @ 9:57 PM *

Can the stock rear shock be rebuilt to a higher spec rather than drop big coin on the Ohlins?

No, Kruz. I think that is a sealed unit. A throwaway production piece. Like the shocks on your car are not rebuildable. Same setup. Only, if you though, you change the spring... Say you get a 1/3 of an upgrade.

I think you're right, Kruz. Keep the bottom feeder. I'm just not impressed and Suz may raise the bar. The Duc is checkmating itself? 1190 is going to beat the rr? It sure is not looking at the R for a run.

I could have used that rain delay on the wheelie yesterday. Guess the only thing I'm buying new are new tires for the beater feeder.

Can the stock rear shock be rebuilt to a higher spec rather than drop big coin on the Ohlins?

Yes it can... Rear shock components are towards the bottom of THIS page. Will run you about $500 (parts and labor) to have it done.

I think you're right, Kruz. Keep the bottom feeder. I'm just not impressed and Suz may raise the bar.

There ya go Hubster, that bottom feeder is still a bullet and still got a lot of good miles left in it. Yes, Suzuki will raise the bar, I'm curious to see what their response will be.

I'm happy with my '06, no, not the latest and greatest but more than enough for me. I need to look into DragKIng suspension mods, bring her up to spec, tighten the handling. Chassis pitch under braking is the biggest issue.

On the issue of springs, I'm a firm (pardon the pun) believer that increasing the spring rate on a stock shock will over power the rebound and compression damping. Maybe a Dogo revalve and respring can get the stocker up to speed then revalve and respring the front to match.

My thoughts on suspension, other than sag height, keep her at stock settings until you learn to outride the suspenders than evaluate and make informed changes. You can jack up the suspension pretty bad unless you know exactly what you are doing and I'm admittedly no suspension guru.

Race Tech says to use a 1.091 kg/mm front spring for street at my weight, stocker is .900kg/mm, quite a difference. road racing recommendation is slightly higher at 1.14 kg/mm but that might be too much.

Who is doing Drags setup?

Not sure who's doing DK's.

But I'd call OnRoad OffRoad Cycles.

He's the trackside vendor @ Ridesmart events.
Take the bike to a trackday, after the suspension mods, and he can get it truely dialed in based on your feedback.
I'm using the trackside suspension vendor here for my 10r for that reason.

Kruz, you buy 2 sets of springs:

1. 1.0
2. 8.5

Now you mix a 1.0 with an 8.5 = 9.5; So adjust accordingly. Just because you use that weight formula, that is not a feel formula.

On the issue of springs, I'm a firm (pardon the pun) believer that increasing the spring rate on a stock shock will over power the rebound and compression damping.

My thoughts on suspension, other than sag height, keep her at stock settings until you learn to outride the suspenders than evaluate and make informed changes. You can jack up the suspension pretty bad unless you know exactly what you are doing and I'm admittedly no suspension guru.

well, well, well... guess who is back in his "favorite" thread

Not sure who's doing DK's.
But I'd call OnRoad OffRoad Cycles.
He's the trackside vendor @ Ridesmart events.
Take the bike to a trackday, after the suspension mods, and he can get it truely dialed in based on your feedback.
I'm using the trackside suspension vendor here for my 10r for that reason.

I got the whole shock cause you can adjust it easily for a pillon (always wanted to use that term) or luggage.
@ Kruz, I'm not sure but I have been told by Roger (OnRoad Offroad Cycles) who did the whole thing, that springs go in .5 increment. Maybe he was only referring to the Ohlins. Ok, so stock was 0.9 ,which he told me was suitable for a RSV650 carrying a 150lbs guy (aggressive riding)... Shame on Kawi! For a heavy and long bike like the 14 and a heavy rider (220ish lbs) he went up to 10.5. I had a really stiff setting but when I was braking a little hard the front end was diving like M Phelps. Not anymore. The stock shock is better than the stock forks but still... Again on stiff setting, the squat was too pronounced when I was getting on the saddle. Also under hard acceleration she sinked too much. Now I can barely notice it. I rode some curvy roads on my way back, and truthfully what I wanna say is: weeeeeeeeeeeeee lol
Suspensions is definitely black magic. My new set up is confidence inspiring, it's like I unleashed both the true potential of the 14 and the tires. No 14R for me anytime soon!
The feeling use to be so vague on the front end, that in some corners, especially going down in a slope I felt like I was taken for a ride by the rear... I couldn't feel the front end. Now it feels really planted and I know exactly how much and how well I'm gripping the asphalt. I uped my speed in a specific corner by at least 15 mph and didn't go faster because I was wearing jeans. Even regular turns in the city are sharper. U-turn as well. It's a night and day feeling. I'm sure my tire pressure isn't optimal so after I adjust that it's going to be fantastic. About the ride height, I read Privateer was also against messing with the geometry of the bike. I use to agree with the stock preservation thing but not anymore! That's another reason I got the Ohlins. I guess it's up to every rider. I think Guy Martin like his rear a little high while others like to ride neutral. I think raising the rear is great on a long wheelbase like ours. When I switch tires and put the 55 rear it's going to be more pronounced lol I'm going to love it though. I will ride extensively this weekend and post in the zx-14 upgrades.

* Last updated by: dragking on 2/2/2012 @ 5:18 PM *

P.S. Roger is great, he told me to come back once I get a feeling for the bike. Also, the new spring will soften a bit and I may need minor adjustments. He'll provide free set ups at the track as well!

Good decision Hub! Wait for Suzuki answer if they come short, which I doubt, get a leftover. It's a win-win. They are probably taking their sweet time because they are developing a TC and power modes for the Busa. They don't have a good platform (zx-10R v.s GSXR) to copy and paste from. Plus, they need to address the breaking as well. They were already behind in that department so they can't have more power without upgrading the brakes. They're probably listening to guys like YOU, nitpicking at the 14R and will try to cater to that market as well lol

* Last updated by: dragking on 2/2/2012 @ 5:24 PM *

well, well, well... guess who is back in his "favorite" thread

Way to go Dragking, sounds like you got a sweeeet deal!

That's just plain mean.... Doggo. I didn't even pop a wheelie loool

That's just plain mean.... Doggo. I didn't even pop a wheelie loool

WOT are you talking about?

Way to go Dragking, sounds like you got a sweeeet deal

WOT are you talking about?