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?