Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

Haven't posted here in a while but I'm after some sensible advice! I'vew got a Kawasaki ZX6R B1H which is renouned for rock hard suspension. After talking to a suspension guru on another forum I've swapped the linkage for an 04 ZX10 and shock from an 07 ZX6R. The bike now handles better but it's still very hard for road riding and tends to kick me out of the seat if I go over any largish bumps (although a lot less than with the original shock).

I'm trying to decide between getting an aftermarket shock (Maxton or Penske most likely) and have done with it or the cheaper option of having the 07 shock re-sprung and re-valved. As I expected on a Supersport bike forum (no offense to this forum) quite a few recommend the aftermarket shock, but I'm not 100% convinced my riding ability warrants spending that kind of money.

So....what do you all think? I've been thinking about this for ages so may have even posted this on here somewhere before, if I have then sorry!;)

Re: Sensible suspension advcie required! (Non-SV)
 

have you spoken to a aftermarket suspension specialist.

Re: Sensible suspension advcie required! (Non-SV)
 

Yep I've spoken to a few. One said go aftermarket and two said re-spring and re-valve! Everyone has differing opinions!:(

Re: Sensible suspension advcie required! (Non-SV)
 

the company i'm dealing with at the minute do refurb's on shock's might be worth giving them a bell brook suspension http://www.brooksuspension.co.uk/ and ask them what they think.

Re: Sensible suspension advcie required! (Non-SV)
 

If I had the cash I'd be inclined to go down the new shock route, just seems to make more sense to me, I'd also look for a new shock that was re-buildable so it could be taken off and rebuilt as it went off over time. I dont think you could do that with the OEM shock on your kwak, but I'm not 100% sure.

I dont think riding ability has anything to do with it, its your bike if its what you want and you can afford it get on with it !!

Re: Sensible suspension advcie required! (Non-SV)
 

Ohhh, someones tired ;) Good advice as always though Fizz, I just don't want to spend £550 odd when a £200 rebuild would be OK for my riding ability (and what I'll actually notice it doing). I see where you're coming from with the aftermarket shock though. :)

Re: Sensible suspension advcie required! (Non-SV)
 

There isn't too much difference in performance between an aftermarket shock and having yours rebuilt. If you have it rebuilt by someone who knows what they're doing.

Try PDQ, rob is a helpful bloke. It will probably be in the region of £250.

Stock shocks are generally more rebuildable than the manufacturers let on.


It's just as much about a nice planted bike which is supple yet firm, as much as it is about being able to ride the fackin rse off it.


However be warned, you have changed the linkage ratios, geometry and "stuff". For someone to rebuild it for you, it will be easier for them to figure it out if you are using standard setup.
Perfect setup for your bike as stock is now going to be wrong, because linkage is different. If you don't change back to stock, ensure the suspension tuner knows this.

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

Personally... I'd find it fairly hard to justify spending £250 to revalve a stock shock vs, say, £300 for the basic Nitron. Various reasons for this, but mainly it's the return on investment. Your stock, revalved shock will be basically worthless while your £300 Nitron will still be worth £200 in a year and you'll have the stock shock to put back in if you sell the bike. You're also more likely to get a good result- as YC says you've introduced unpredictable factors, the stock KYB shock isn't worth rebuilding and the Showa one wasn't built for this bike so the tech working on it will have to make some guesses. In this case, probably build it exactly as he would a C-model.

I don't think the linkage rate should be a worry, it's either the same or very similiar- I can't remember exactly which but I wouldn't have done the swap on scooby drew's if it was substantially different, changing linkage rates is a job for the pros. If I had to say either way I'd say it was identical but that's a wee bit hazy. The reason for swapping the linkage was just that the clevis is narrower on the C model shock than on the B, 30mm vs 32mm I think, and wouldn't have worked without machining.

To be quite honest... I'd sell the bike and get one that works properly. The engine's a peach, for a 600ish bike, but other than that it doesn't measure up, and it should never have been launched with the suspension it had. If it's still got enough value for that to be an option, I'd simply call it a bad deal and buy a 600 that handles like a modern 600 should, hopefully one that's better put together into the bargain. But that's just me, I have no affection for your bike, and you might ;)

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

Pretty much agree with Northy here....in the main ;)

Basically spending £250 to revalve an OE shock is mostly a waste of money IMHO.

I'd say, if you can afford it, get an after market shock. A double clicker(compression and Rebound adjustments), ride height, and usual preload would be my preference. Hi/Low speed compression just gives more knobs to confuse ones self hehe.

Oh if penske is your list, I believe there has been a slight change to their range. The double clicker IIRC used to have 6 levels of adjusment but should have more now, as they have changed the specs or summin like that. Zadar will know for sure ;)



Ben

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

What's the KYB one like if you do a full build of it with the gold valves and trimmings? Can't be that bad?

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

Northy I''m hurt ;) I LOVE my bike apart from the rock hard shock (forks are OK for me). I honestly don't see me getting rid of it for a very long time.....wait for the new bike thread in a few weeks now :)

Looks like it's off to hunt for a new shock for me then, most people on both forums are advising this so I'll take notice. Anyone know what the Nitron shocks are like, if not I'll take a more in-depth look at the Maxton & Penske; anyone got any experience of any????

Cheers for all the advice,
Andy

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

Just been looking around for shocks. Found a Nitron Sport and a Nitron Track shock, one has combined Comp & Rebound adjustment with the Track having separate adjustment. The Sport, I think, is emulsion shock but not sure how this is different to one with a remote reservoir (if anyone could explain?). Also found a Maxton around the same price as the Nitron Track that also doesn't have a remote reservoir. Will there be a huge difference betwee nthe three?

Nitron Sport:

http://www.nitron.co.uk/shop/index.p...roducts_id=371

Nitron Track:

http://www.nitron.co.uk/shop/index.p...roducts_id=372

Maxton:

http://www.maxton.netspinners.co.uk/...monoshocks.htm

Cheers,
Andy

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

A reservoir type shock does not allow the oil and nitrogen to mix, so the damping is acting on a more homogeneous substance meaning it can be more precisely controlled.

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Images/SHOCKS5.gif Type 3 is the type you already have on the bike. Type 1 is "emulsion" type. Type 2 is not used much on monoshocks AFAIK.
I am no suspension expert and I'm not sure how much of a difference seperate reservoirs will make for normal use.

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

do not buy emulsion shock.that is what sv has and we all know how good they are :)
I am not familiar with shocks you guys have there(maxton,nitron....).
for me Penske is top of the list and best shock in my opinion.very user friendly and depending on bike easily transferred from bike to bike.like one for your zx can work on sv's,gsxr's...etc with simple revalve and spring change.remote reservoir is the way to go for this as piggy back my limit number of aplications.
the one 21quest is talking is new 8983 model,double clicker.they changed compression adjuster.instead orifice adjuster it is shim stack now.

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

I have the previous one, its over 4yrs old and had it modified from SRAD to SV spec (valving) and added a higher rated spring than SV stock, but here the cost of getting it modified to fit a Kwak was excessive so thats why its usualy better to get kwak shocks rebuilt by ktech, so it stayed on my SV, needs to go and get serviced as its been on my bike for 2years and not been cleaned. But i like the idea that with penske shocks is every part is changable and servicable.

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

Is the suspension so hard as normal, there is no way of adjusting it out with the standard set up?

Penske are great, I got an 8983 on the back of my falco. Brill. :D

Only thing is you wont stop playing with the setting to get it right lol... though im worse with my front, about there though I think. :)

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

learn how to rebuild it your self.like I said,penske is very simple and easy to work on.you have step by step how to in manual that comes with it.

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

I got it as part payment for someone damaging my bike few years back. http://www.penskeshocks.co.uk/downlo...ycleManual.pdf Im guessing this is the same as the paper manual but more uptodate including the newer compression adjusters. Mine is a 8100 adjuster. I know how to take the spring off etc, but when it comes to needing regassing then thats somthing i cant do as i dont have a nitrogen supply. Also getting the replacement parts is an issue.

When i got it converted they did it under a Ravalve charge and said at the time it did not need a full service, but now it will need a full service and the cost includes all standard seals. Works out cheeper i think. They also dynograph it after to make sure everything is good and supply the printout to you.

Re: Suspension advice required - ZX6R-B1H.
 

you can use air to assemble shock.once done take it to shop and recharge with nitrogen.