Gsxr 600 k8-k9 rear shock on a pointy?

[dkid]

Hi all, Im after some advice/opinions re fitting This (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300658101254?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649) shock to my 2007 K6 pointy. I have searched and found a lot of good info but nothing too specific regarding this particular shock on a K6. For reference im 12st kitted up.

It measures 320mm (10mm shorter than standard)
Spring rate #510
Seems I'll only need to do away with the tool box and not cut battery tray etc.

My main concern is how the shorter length will affect the bikes Ride height/handling? Does a 10mm reduction in shock length equate to a 10mm reduction in ride height or is it not that straight forward?

Ive read that raising the rear helps turn in, so would it be worth while fitting shorter dog bones such as these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230365252029?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649) to bring rear back up to somewhere close to standard and compensate for the drop caused by the shorter shock, or will the difference in height/handling be negligable?

I plan on fitting new fork springs & oil in the very near future too, but thought I'd start with the rear.

Any help much appreciated, Thanks.

[dkid]

Ok, After MUCH reading through MANY posts it seems the general opinion is that shorter than stardard shock is not the way to go and that raising it with shorter dog bones is also not good? Can anyone confirm or correct me on this?
Reckon a rethink could be in order, possibly a 06-07 zx10r or can i make the above work?

Cheers

[Webber]

I raised the back of mine by 30mm via dog bones, didn't feel too different so i can't see why you couldn't use them to compensate a shorter shock. Though of course i'm no expert.

[littleoldman2]

did you buy it?.

[Elliott]

Zx10r shock. Job Done!

[dkid]

did you buy it?.

Yeah, no luck locating a zx10r shock but this came up and after checking out the sv rear shock compatibility chart that's floating around on here, all seemed well. Seems a few yanks on svrider have used similar but I'm not sure about it. Fitting should be a doddle but it's the suitability I'm more concerned with. Shorter shock seems like a good idea for a shorter rider like me (5'7") just wondering if I'll upset the balance/geometry of the bike in a big way.

[dkid]

Zx10r shock. Job Done!

Would if I could find one...

[Elliott]

Ooo actually your 5'7" yea it'll be reet!

Lower it a fair bit for you and won't affect the handling a great deal. Get it bolted on, if you hate it flogg it. Chances are its 100000x better than the oem part

[dkid]

I kinda thought that, just dont want to adversely affect handling if I can help it so I'm wondering what I can do to negate effects of slightly lower rear end. Options seem to be either dog bones to compensate (bit crude, granted) or maybe lower front end by a similar amount to the rear by having more front fork showing through the top yoke (10mm or so).

[Sid Squid]

As long as you're happy with it, then it's OK - but 10mm at the shock is more like 30mm at the wheel, which is a big drop, not that the height at the seat is the major difference, what really changes is that the linkage is constantly in a higher part of the rate curve.

A short shock and shorter 'dog bones' to get the height back is less than ideal as even if the seat comes back to the level you'd like it to, the suspension is always higher up it's travel at the linkage, with a suitable spring it might be OK, but it's not really the way go about it for best suspension action.

Which is not to say that many people haven't done exactly that, and seem happy with it - but I couldn't recommend it.

[dkid]

Cheers Sid. I've been pondering this all day and think that i'll hold off on fitting whilst I try to gather as much info as possible from good sources, ie people who've done similar & maybe speak to a local suspension guru or two. The more info the better and worst case senario is it goes back on ebay.
Anyone else please feel free to throw in your two pennies worth. I'm far from experienced in this field and my decision will be based soley on the opinions of those who are more knoledgeable than myself.

[Bibio]

i used to run the same shock on my k8 but i also had a gsxr front end that was slid up the yokes to counteract the drop at the back. i found the spring waaaaay to hard and could never get it set right.

get rid and get a better one unless your 5ft feck all and 18 stone.

[dkid]

Bibio, Didn't you have the 08 gsxr 1000 shock? Think i recall an old post of yours whilst searching. That spring is rated at #565.
The one i have is an 08 gsxr 600 shock, spring rate #510 so softer.

If i've got that one wrong then sorry, just what I can recall off the top of my head :)

[Bibio]

ahhh that's the one.. my mistake..

[dkid]

Forgiven :p. So would your advice now be different given that the gixer 600 shock is softer & longer than the thou version you had?

600 shock 320mm (10mm less than stock)
1000 shock 315mm (15 mm less than stock)

If sid is correct when he says my shock will reduce the rear by around 30mm, and i'm sure he is :notworthy:, the drop with the thou shock would have been around 45mm (3x difference from stock)?
Its a bit of a difference in terms of rear end drop and stiffness, so still say get rid?

Much appreciated

[Bibio]

its only about double so a 10mm at shock will be 20mm at very back of bike. so i would be inclined to drop the front by 10mm or so to try compensate a little

[dkid]

Thanks Bibio. I suppose the bottom line for me is weather or not this shock will be a significant improvment over standard?
I'm aware that there are more suitable shocks out there, but now I have this particular one i'm just trying to establish weather it's gonna be a complete waste of time bothering with this one.
If i can make it significantly better with/without dogbones, with/without dropping front, or any combination of the above then I'll do it. If however, someone tells me that by fitting this shock I'm defo going to make the bike worse instead of better i'll scrap the idea now.
Cheers.

[Bibio]

depending on how heavy you are then any shock is an improvement over the standard kangaroo leg. only thing i can see that you might notice is the slower turn in due to the rake being a bit out, think chopper but not as drastic.

if you ride balls out all the time then i would say look elsewhere for a better one, if you just ride your bike then it'll be fine. straight line will be more stable but corners will prob make you go a tad wide.

don't be tempted to compensate the hight with dogbones as then you will be completely messing the geometry of the suspension curve which might work or might make the bike a right mare.

[dkid]

Cheers, 12 stone kitted up and riding style is not full on racer so may chuck it in and just bring the forks through the top yoke an extra 10mm to compensate a little.
i'll bin the dog leg idea i think. Some have done it but the majority say to leave well alone.
Thanks

[Bibio]

at 12 stone (same weight as me) that spring is waaay to hard.

[dkid]

Ok fair comment, Looks like it could be back to the drawing board then. Cheers