ZX636 shock – my opinion

We have all read many many threads about people asking about 636/gixer shocks .. well after what I did today, this is my opinion.

Ok, today I decided to put my ZX636 shock in my roadbike. I originally got the shock for my track bike, it worked real well in it, but eventually got a Ohlins unit for that. So this has been sat about on my spares shelf for a while now and my roadbike (as always) has just been running the stock SV shock.

Fitted the shock – plenty of sweat and black chain gunk later and she was ready to roll.

I actually went out on my bike yesterday for a nice long ride, so this is almost a back-to-back test … or as near as practically possible …

The difference was noticeable instantly – what a breath of fresh air!! …

The 636 shock is a few MM longer than the SV shock, this translates to only a few more mm at the saddle, but that combined with the stiffer spring meaning the bike ‘squats’ less under rider weight, it’s a nicer riding position i.e. my legs are slightly less bent.

The stiffness of the spring is better for my weight, the damping is just so much better controlled …. This was noticeable, even through town …

So off I went to the twisties!!

Wow … what a difference, no more wallowing from the rear when you wind the wick up a bit. It just tracked better fullstop. Made a few ‘twiddles’ to the damping settings and went on.

There was/is a downside … the notably better rear end showed up the inadequacy of front end more … I was actually reasonably happy with the front end (in a 'its ok - nuffin special, but does the job' manner) before I changed the shock …

So back to all this ‘its not meant for an SV, it can’t possibly work … it’s a really bad idea – get a race shock’ stuff. I never took any notice of that before, but now I really say goolies to that!! … I really REALLY don’t know why anyone would NEED any more suspension performance than the 636 shock gives on a road SV!!

As I said, the rear is now superior to the front and the bike is back out of balance … so there is a downside … i.e. it encourages you to ‘sort’ the front … needless to say, I won’t mind you!!

I am really pleased with the results and highly recommend it to anyone who can't justify/afford a race shock, but wants more from their SV ... it gets a big from me!

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

The 636 shock is a few MM longer than the SV shock, this translates to only a few more mm at the saddle, but that combined with the stiffer spring meaning the bike ‘squats’ less under rider weight, it’s a nicer riding position i.e. my legs are slightly less bent.

How does that work then?

The distance from seat to pegs hasnt chaged or am i missing something?

Originally Posted by chunkytfg

How does that work then?

The distance from seat to pegs hasnt chaged or am i missing something?

Good point ... I guess it was the change in weight distribution that made it feel less 'leggy' than normal then. Either way it was notably a slightly nicer riding position and little less 'leggy'

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

I am really pleased with the results and highly recommend it to anyone who can't justify/afford a race shock, but wants more from their SV ... it gets a big from me!

With a +1 from me.

I'd say it's worth the extra 80quid outlay for the Ohlins 80kg on the front, 15wt forkoil - the result is a well balanced ride thats easy to live with one or two-up.

I've just bought a ZX10R shock that's on it's way to me in the post. Will do a write up when I get it fitted.

Anyone know the best front fork springs to get? Well.. more the best without spending an arm and a leg. I weigh bang on 72kg without leathers so which do I get? Want progressive probably don't I? But are there different springs depending on my weight?

I have the 636 shock in my other SV cus I heard good things and the damping is much better then the GSXR ones considering my weight. So that all good news to me.

On the subject of shocks. I've been offered a GSXR 600/750 SRAD shock dunno what year or if it was a 600 or 750.
Will it work and what are the pros and cons i.e Shock length ect?
It's only £40 and possibly have a trackday coming up in august!
Any info will be much appreciated.
Also any ideas for fork oil weight? Im 10st running std spings (wont be for long tho). I was thinking about putting 10wt oil in till i get new springs

Are new shocks easy to fit? Im just not sure if the bolts are all different diameters or if the part that connects the bottom and top of the shock to the bike and the wingarm are different sizes?

Thanks for this blue; I'm looking to upgrade my rear shock in the nearish future. Given I weigh about 9 stone though, would the 636 shock work for me?

I was also gonna stick in some ohlins springs for the front forks.

Matt

Well I had to get the shock leg threaded so that it would take the original bolt, and if its the same B1H (i think) model as mine then you will need to mod the battery tray to get it to fit.