Suzuki Bandits Australia
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Suspenders, getting them right

+2
paul
#Tag
6 posters

Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Ulsterkiwi Fri 11 Dec 2015, 7:30 am

A while back I splashed out and got myself a Nitron R2 shock for the FA beastie. Being North of 110kgs the stock one wasn't made for me apparently!
It made a big difference I have to say and was a simple job. (confession time, it was simple in that I only had to pay my mechanic for an hour of his time, I am completely not mechanically inclined)
It did however highlight that the front end was a bit.....squishy? Things became a bit of a battle pushing on the twisties and under heavy braking my nose was touching the ground (I love hyperbole Laughing )
So yesterday I took myself off to these guys KSS for a rebuild of the forks. Heavier springs, new spacers, change of oil, pistons/valves upgraded and I now have what feels like a very different bike. Planted, much smoother on the corners, braking is more controlled and generally just easier to ride. I had a 4 hour trip home, very different experience to the 4 hours there!
I realise none of you will be coming across the Tasman to visit these guys but is this all in my imagination and my brain's way of convincing myself it was ok to spend all that coin OR is the stock suspension really as mediocre as it now seems?
Seems to me this would have been an easy way for Suzuki to radically update a well sorted bike at relatively little cost.
As an aside the tech who did my work said 50% of their work is on Harley's. Apparently $1100NZD for a pair of Ohlins on those things. Again, why would manufacturers skimp? $1100 on a new HD is pocket change and those are retail prices, am pretty sure they could negotiate a much better deal in bulk!

I know I know, I am a late starter and most of you probably knew all this already but it is fascinating that manufacturers can get excited about the coating on the inside of a cylinder but not put their machines on decent suspension.

Ulsterkiwi

Posts : 143
Join date : 2014-09-22
Location : Kapiti Coast New Zealand

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  #Tag Fri 11 Dec 2015, 10:19 am

And the GSX had a considerable upgrade from the GSF. Imagine how bad they felt Wink


Enjoy the new bouncy (and not as bouncy) bits.
#Tag
#Tag

Posts : 609
Join date : 2014-06-01
Location : Bega

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Cardboard Tube Samurai Mon 14 Dec 2015, 6:48 pm

Damn, I was just breaking the news to the missus how I may have to get new tyres for the bike. They're not worn but I don't know how old they are. It just corners like a Harley Furguson sometimes and I've noticed that some drivers are able to match my cornering, which just isn't right and I will not have it Mad . Maybe I need to review the suspension setup, since I'm also north of 110kg and riding a GSF.
Cardboard Tube Samurai
Cardboard Tube Samurai

Posts : 102
Join date : 2015-09-21

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Ulsterkiwi Mon 14 Dec 2015, 7:04 pm

Cardboard Tube Samurai wrote:Damn, I was just breaking the news to the missus how I may have to get new tyres for the bike. They're not worn but I don't know how old they are. It just corners like a Harley Furguson sometimes and I've noticed that some drivers are able to match my cornering, which just isn't right and I will not have it Mad . Maybe I need to review the suspension setup, since I'm also north of 110kg and riding a GSF.
tell her the fella from New Zealand said so, it must be true.
If that fails, I am Irish, apparently women love the accent (never the body or the face, the accent ok?) Tell her this Irish fella in New Zealand said so, she will hear it in her head a very different way, sorted.
You are welcome Cool

Ulsterkiwi

Posts : 143
Join date : 2014-09-22
Location : Kapiti Coast New Zealand

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  paul Mon 14 Dec 2015, 11:18 pm

Ulsterkiwi wrote:
Cardboard Tube Samurai wrote:Damn, I was just breaking the news to the missus how I may have to get new tyres for the bike. They're not worn but I don't know how old they are. It just corners like a Harley Furguson sometimes and I've noticed that some drivers are able to match my cornering, which just isn't right and I will not have it Mad . Maybe I need to review the suspension setup, since I'm also north of 110kg and riding a GSF.
tell her the fella from New Zealand said so, it must be true.
If that fails, I am Irish, apparently women love the accent (never the body or the face, the accent ok?) Tell her this Irish fella in New Zealand said so, she will hear it in her head a very different way, sorted.
You are welcome Cool
do all the harleys go " Tattie...Tattie ........Tattie  " in Ireland  instead of potato potato potato ? Laughing

_________________
Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.






paul
paul

Posts : 7738
Join date : 2011-08-19
Age : 71
Location : Morphett Vale Sth. Aust.

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Ulsterkiwi Tue 15 Dec 2015, 8:32 am

paul wrote:
Ulsterkiwi wrote:
Cardboard Tube Samurai wrote:Damn, I was just breaking the news to the missus how I may have to get new tyres for the bike. They're not worn but I don't know how old they are. It just corners like a Harley Furguson sometimes and I've noticed that some drivers are able to match my cornering, which just isn't right and I will not have it Mad . Maybe I need to review the suspension setup, since I'm also north of 110kg and riding a GSF.
tell her the fella from New Zealand said so, it must be true.
If that fails, I am Irish, apparently women love the accent (never the body or the face, the accent ok?) Tell her this Irish fella in New Zealand said so, she will hear it in her head a very different way, sorted.
You are welcome Cool
do all the harleys go " Tattie...Tattie ........Tattie  " in Ireland  instead of potato potato potato ? Laughing
nope, you are thinking of Scotland, close but no champagne for you.
In Ireland its either "spud...spud....spud" or "purdey....purdey.....purdey" depending on the model... Cool

Ulsterkiwi

Posts : 143
Join date : 2014-09-22
Location : Kapiti Coast New Zealand

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  palexxxx Tue 15 Dec 2015, 11:16 am

^  I thought Oirish ones went .... Pratie, pratie, pratie.

palexxxx

Posts : 57
Join date : 2014-05-23
Location : Chiang Mai, Thailand

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Cardboard Tube Samurai Mon 21 Dec 2015, 9:31 pm

Update: got new tyres today (Michelin Road Pilot 2s). Whole new bike all over again! Cheaper than a suspension upgrade. Can save that for later Wink
Cardboard Tube Samurai
Cardboard Tube Samurai

Posts : 102
Join date : 2015-09-21

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Ulsterkiwi Tue 22 Dec 2015, 5:32 am

cheaper for sure, more of a necessity than a decision though?

Slight deviation from topic with this question. I was enquiring about new tyres the other day. I was offered PR2s or PR4s but NOT PR3s, apparently the 3 was discontinued. Seems odd I can still get 2s though. Same in Oz and anyone know why?

Ulsterkiwi

Posts : 143
Join date : 2014-09-22
Location : Kapiti Coast New Zealand

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Cardboard Tube Samurai Tue 22 Dec 2015, 7:30 am

Ulsterkiwi wrote:cheaper for sure, more of a necessity than a decision though?

Slight deviation from topic with this question. I was enquiring about new tyres the other day. I was offered PR2s or PR4s but NOT PR3s, apparently the 3 was discontinued. Seems odd I can still get 2s though. Same in Oz and anyone know why?
PR3s weren't on offer at the shop I went to either. He told me something about the PR2s being the highest selling tyre around and how they re-released them due to their popularity. PR4 is just more modern technology etc. Based on that, they'd probably never sell the PR3s. He tried to sell me on some Bridgestones that were cheaper but I've had the PR2s on my previous bike and was pretty happy with them.
Cardboard Tube Samurai
Cardboard Tube Samurai

Posts : 102
Join date : 2015-09-21

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  2wheelsagain Tue 22 Dec 2015, 11:28 am

Cardboard Tube Samurai wrote:
Ulsterkiwi wrote:cheaper for sure, more of a necessity than a decision though?

Slight deviation from topic with this question. I was enquiring about new tyres the other day. I was offered PR2s or PR4s but NOT PR3s, apparently the 3 was discontinued. Seems odd I can still get 2s though. Same in Oz and anyone know why?
PR3s weren't on offer at the shop I went to either. He told me something about the PR2s being the highest selling tyre around and how they re-released them due to their popularity. PR4 is just more modern technology etc. Based on that, they'd probably never sell the PR3s. He tried to sell me on some Bridgestones that were cheaper but I've had the PR2s on my previous bike and was pretty happy with them.

Im my opinion if you're scared to try anything else (Roadsmarts 2/3) you cant go wrong with PR2. They are the best PR of them all and in my case on the 1250 the PR3 were out of shape pieces of shit after 8,000km. I'm still running PR2 on the Firestorm but will put Roadsmarts on that after this set. All PR's are slow to tip in but for some that's confidence inspiring. I like a more flickable tyre.

_________________
My posts reflect my personal  experience or opinion. You don't have to agree with me.
~ Chris ~
~ 0466 Ask ~
~ My Photography Blog Page ~
~ My YouTube Channel ~
~ Suzuki Bandits Australia Facebook Page ~
~ Half hr from the hills. Two minutes from the coast ~

~ My Bike ~
 BMW R1250RS
2wheelsagain
2wheelsagain
Admin

Posts : 6390
Join date : 2009-08-26
Age : 59
Location : Sale Area Vic

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU-axKVr_wDILSSK0-8GQ1A

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Cardboard Tube Samurai Tue 22 Dec 2015, 12:42 pm

I was replacing Road Smart IIs and am so glad to be rid of them. Not sure if it's just because they were approaching 4 years of age but they were extremely unpleasant. Old mate said they were "a budget tyre" and I'm inclined to side with that assessment
Cardboard Tube Samurai
Cardboard Tube Samurai

Posts : 102
Join date : 2015-09-21

Back to top Go down

Suspenders, getting them right Empty Re: Suspenders, getting them right

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top


 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum