Ok, had traxxion ak-20 cartridges installed with 1.05 springs.  I weigh 160, carry luggage and sometimes pillion.  Right after install and setup, it felt bumpy on straights and fell too much into slower turns.   I only rode it for 10 min in rain so I gave benefit of doubt.  After few rides it was obviously  better than stock as I could tell the front was so much more planted.  But still felt had too much falling into slower speed turns and felt the front moved up/down too much on straights.   It also tracked well and felt very planted in turns.  The feeling of the front wheel in good contact with ground never existed as much.  

So I started fiddling.  The rear felt fine so I didn't do much there, except try going less compression.  But then went wallowy at higher speeds (is pretty much at full compression and rebound).  So back to front.   Couldn't fiqure out how to resolve.  Tried many different combinations from suspension shop setup, except sliding forks.  Finally decided to add more sag in rear.  Got rid of falling into slow speed corners but still not 100% happy.  I went back to where suspension shop had setup.  Guess those suspension guys know a lot more about setup than I.   Started to really feel right  Then I installed new tires, chain and sprockets.  Went to 55 rear.  Another minor couple adjustments and viola!  Omg. This is supposed to be how this bike should feel.   IMO, these two mods -rework/upgrade front fork and 55 rear tire are a must do to get bike to handle.  I tried for a long time adjusting stock and is impossible to make decent.   Previously , I never felt safe or secure pushing in turns.   Now, it is hard not to.  And it is not just some corners/turns/speeds or road types.   It's a night/day in the amount of confidence.   I was thinking maybe kawi made stock handling shit because if they made this great outta the box, it wouldn't be legal.  The speed and ease into and thru all corners is just amazing.  

After getting pretty much dialed in, the front end is so good I don't feel need for rear upgrade, yet.  I haven't done testing on really, really rough, broken,  bumpy, curvy,  roads yet but am very confident will be much more than just better.   

So far, I have been able to get nice controlled ride, without being too soft (wallowy or unconnected feel) or harsh.  The fork shock action is very smooth and literally glides over smaller road imperfections/bumps.   It is compliant yet doesn't get steered by road surface.  The install shop let me push on stock fork off bike and compare the action from the modified one.  The stock action was sticky (almost grainy), stiff and not smooth.  The traxxion modified felt smooth up and down.  Because of such control the entire stroke, it is like the bike has more suspension travel to soak things up.  I had felt the 14 front end needed more suspension travel.  But there is plenty with proper spring and valving.  

Because handling and bump control so much better it is less effort and tiring for longer rides.  Also less need to hold on to grips as tight.  I'm not a big guy so was like riding a buckaroo on everything just a little bumpy.   Although my wrists didn't exactly hurt, any discomfort is also reduced significantly. 

My setup is really good.  Turns in easily, holds line and comes up and over quickly, easily, nice and stable.  The 55 I've read helps ease turn in.  I found this also but more significantly turn in has more confidence, stability and accuracy.   It also holds line better.  Feels like the 55 is designed for turning or railing (which it is!).  Frickn awesome.

So, if you're at all interested in your 14's handling,
the ak-20 cartridge is something I wouldn't hesitate for a second to do again.  After all this and most importantly, setup, it is very very well worth it.  I'll say again because of how important it was for me that setup is crucial.  It felt shitty till dialed in.  

And unless you're for all out accel, I highly recommend an 18t front sprocket.   I think it allows more use of bike incredible midrange.  I find it just a better and more useful  ratio for brisk sport riding for all gears.  I wasn't using full throttle much and this takes advantage of monster motor up to that point.    Oh, and less throttle turn too.    

So in all, my expectations for the traxxion cartridge has been exceeded.   But will need proper initial setup by someone who knows more about suspension than I do to get into ballpark and likely will need further minor tweaking.  

I'm a bit stunned just how much better it is.

I'm glad you like it Phil. IMOH, the suspensions upgrade is the best mod bar none. I could tell the difference on mine in the small distance I covered from the mechanic driveway to the street! It's all about the power you can use and the suspension unleash the true potential of the 14. You're 160 and you felt a huge difference, imagine you were 200 +...

Just one thing: Assuming that your suspensions set up is decent, you wanna leave it where it is for a little while. Mine was set a little stiffer to break in the valves and spring and I went back for a little adjustment after a while. It transformed my baby so much that I have to remind myself that I am not on a liter when I'm in the twisties lol

How much were the cartridges without the springs? I am also considering an Ohlins piston kit which runs about $300 + install. I suspect my fork has already been resprung by a p.o. at sometime in the past, so cartridges alone would work.

I beleive with the Traxxion cartridges you have to use their springs, as they are a differnt length.

Neil

This is my first street bike and is first time learning to dial in suspension.  I thought I could adjust stock to be pretty good. So I tried... And tried.  I could not get it right.  Tried and adjusted many many many times (100's if not 1000's of times).  I was determined and obsessive to get decent.  To enjoy. Otherwise, I'd need to buy different bike and I seriously considered that also.

After traxxion install, took about 10 times to get the thing to absolutely rail without being jarring and harsh.  I'm certain ohlin kits will also yield massive gains over stock.  I'm also completely convinced it is impossible to get decent setup on stock forks.  The stock fork blows through it travel and also cannot move quick enough.  So only option is stiff.  Unnecessarily too stiff.  The ride becomes so stiff, it basically becomes unridable/unbearable on anything but very smooth.

Otoh, it's a mixed blessing the stock fork is so bad.  If it was this good or remotely close, speeds into and thru corners would be too easy for an inexperienced or new rider.  I could never get comfortable with stock front end feel, so I could not really push.  I could, but I just didn't have confidence and it always felt iffy so I had to be overly cautious in aggressive cornering.  A good thing on a bike made by the devil.  With reworked fork, cranking it over to peg scraping angles is effortless and done with complete confidence.  It didn't even bother me when hit some sandy sections.  I could feel less grip and little bit of sliding but nothing spooky.  I'm not sure I'd want this good, and this fast as newer streetbike rider.  

I've ridden about 400kms since install so things may have also settled in also.  The suspension guy told me NOT to adjust myself and recommended I speak to him first.  Um, ok whatever.   He was right, that he knows more about setup but I am the one on the bike and I'm fussy as hell about the way it feels.  I'm learning about what settings do and their feel.  Having a blast.  Only now, it is so good, there isn't anything more to adjust to make better.  It's that good.  Because adjustments are there, I want to tweak and improve.  But I have strong feeling I've come to point where I feel very little or zero need for better or improvement.   I'm very, very pleased with the massive transformation.

It's like going from old, beat up, dull edged, 1990's beginner snow skis in 
rear entry, one buckle ski boots
to ultra modern, brand new, race shaped skis, on a race, custom fit, five buckle, front overlap boots.  Haha, just came up with comparison as was thinking how to say how massive improvement.  It's not just good for the 14 but for ANY bike.  I have nothing to want, in terms of handling, so far.

Have no idea of spring length or cost without.  I ordered mine with 1.05.  

The thing with suspension, IMO, it is only as good as it feels.  And you can't imagine or believe till try.  And there is subjectivity to it (or it seems).   And, it is costly.   So it often doesn't get prioritized, unless experienced.  But once done, it's like enlightenment.  All the struggles with handling, comfort, confidence, fun, ability seems to disappear.  All that needs to be done is choosing your line and riding technique/style.  The way handling should be, IMO. 

I'll also repeat, I won't go back to 50 rear tire.  The 50 looks better (fat and wide from rear view) but the 55 is THE tire size choice for corners.

Dragking,
feels better than literbike! Way more comfortable, takes a shitload of luggage, no complaints from passengers, massive torque (don't need to wind rpm's up as much), decent windprotection, can ride across country. And with suspension upgrade, very, very little advantage of literbike (and I think would also need very good suspension and setup)
on street, me thinks....

And to add... I thought about how much I was spending, relative to bike's used market value on suspension. It's kinda crazy to spend what I did on a bike with 60,000kms. But what it did was make me feel that the 14 is more of a killer bargain than before. From what I see used 14's listed and how long, with no or little suspension mods, these owners either don't know how good their 14's can be, given up or don't care. The 14 is a big and heavy hitter. It just ain't goinna dance and sing to it's owners' without redoing front end. I suspect a re-spring front helps tremendously, but a re-valve/cartridge upgrade (and 50 rear) is in a completely different world, imo.

Done a little more riding and it's obvious rear needs upgrade also. I think it needs more rebound control. Will have to budget for next year :(. I'm still wow'd by the front difference. The front end feels glued and just so easy to ride. So much more enjoyable to turn. Don't really have to think about what doing. Makes everything feel natural. Even going straight. Cheers all and hope my experiences are helpful for those undecided or uncertain.

Even going straight

Done a little more riding and it's obvious rear needs upgrade also

I'm giddy about the changes. Lol. You're totally right about the value. But it holds it line so effortlessly I'm not needing to prioritize rear. Yet. Need to ride more. Maybe after some higher speed, bumpy stuff (which I haven't done much yet). But holy, what an amazing bike!

I am afraid I not only need rear spring but full shock. The ohlins or penske, I suppose. I think it's blowing thru the ability to compression dampen and bouncing up thru the rebound. I think I am compensating but trying to have too soft I front. I presume I am not getting the most out of fork. Oh well, one thing at a time...