Ok guys...I imagine I'm not the only VFR rider that's not 170 lbs. :goofy:
Is there any secret suspension upgrade that costs less than say $1,000 for parts / labor (ideally less than $750) and provides worthwhile improvement to both suspension feel and adjustability?
I don't need or want race spec components, just something that feels better and is suited to my *cough* 200+ lbs.
Best I've found is Traxxion at ~$400 for the front end and at least that for a rear shock. Too rich for my blood. :(
I'm not trying to be cruel or flippant. And I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.
Dude, if I go on the Ethiopian diet and run marathons, I'm still unlikely to achieve the 5'7", 140# standard rider size which is the baseline for the bike setup.
As for the gym cost, that's actually a heck of a deal - they wanted like $40 a month when I called, so I opted for the work gym that's not as nice. :blink:
ok then....How about responses actually relevant to the thread? :idea3:
How many ways can YOU say "DEXYTRIM" :P joke joke....kiddin! H. slammer did a great write up on chagein out and setting up front springs....$100.00 for springs at kneedragers.com my self, I'm dreaming of an Olins shock, but I'm only 165 after the third runn at the buffet line :unsure:
SAFE-T, Mar 10 2005, 06:30 AMMake spacers for the front springs; look for a used rear shock from a CBR1100XX.
But spacers for the front will only get the bike back to intended geometry (if the loaded sag in the rear is dealt with, otherwise you have get a chopper geometry) and actually decrease the length of the movement of the fork. To get suspension that works with an alternative load you must use an alternative spring. Setting the unloaded and measuring the loaded sag will give you an idea of if the spring rate is right for you. Aftermarket springs are usually stiffer, so that would be my suggestion. Basically the same goes for the rear. A shock with a higher spring rate could be the solution, if that means a Blackbird shock - I wouldn't know since I don't have the rate for that shock.
Swiffer, Mar 10 2005, 07:07 AMBut spacers for the front will only get the bike back to intended geometry (if the loaded sag in the rear is dealt with, otherwise you have get a chopper geometry) and actually decrease the length of the movement of the fork. To get suspension that works with an alternative load you must use an alternative spring. Setting the unloaded and measuring the loaded sag will give you an idea of if the spring rate is right for you. Aftermarket springs are usually stiffer, so that would be my suggestion. Basically the same goes for the rear. A shock with a higher spring rate could be the solution, if that means a Blackbird shock - I wouldn't know since I don't have the rate for that shock.
That's the real bummer - even if I found a deal on springs / valves I have neither the knowledge nor tools to do the work myself so I'm stuck paying a shop to do it and they usually like to use their own parts.
The guys over at Hare Racing seemed honest and experienced - I wonder if they would install and help setup my bike if I bought the parts elsewhere.
Thanks guys - maybe the XX shock and springs is the way to go.
Swiffer, Mar 10 2005, 07:07 AMSpacers for the front will only get the bike back to intended geometry decreases the length of movement of the fork. To get suspension that works with an alternative load you must use an alternative spring.
Basically the same goes for the rear. A shock with a higher spring rate could be the solution, (but) I don't have the rate for that shock.
Spacers are the poor man's solution to an undersprung front end, but for $100 I would certainly follow up the kneedraggers.com suggestion.
Here are the specs for the XX vs. VFR rear shock:
CBR1100XX - 319 mm / 12.56 in. stock spring - 16.8 kg/mm recommended spring - 17.0 kg/mm
98-01 VFR800 rear shock - 325 mm / 12.79 in. 02-05 VFR800 rear shock - 317.5mm / 12.5 in. stock spring - 15.3 kg/mm recommended spring - 16.5 kg/mm
Use the 15% discount offered to VFRD from Racetech and get the springs for your weight and compression gold vavles, then look on ebay for f4 fork innards for an adjustable rebound cartridge and cap, those are not too hard to find. I did the work myself and it was not that hard to do really. I learned loads about suspension just by opening up the thing and swaping out the parts.
For shocks there are several brands out there I think theres a used Ohlins in the classifieds right now thats probably can be negotiated at a better price if you know how to haggle. used Fox shocks, Check the other forums for XX shocks CBR shocks get it resprung inexpensively.
Stiffer front springs would help a bunch and even you could change them out not problem. :) Won't offer adjustability, but for $100 will mack the bike feel much better for you. I'm at 190 on my Vtec and the rear spring doesn't feel that soft. I installed a F2 Fox shock w/stock VFR spring and it feels fine so far and I'm only running the comp. settings between 1-3. I am upgrading the rear shock again and it has a 900lb(16kg) spring on it, at the same time I'll drop .90 kg front springs in and see what happens. :unsure: I'm also not far from a complete F4i front end install on my Vtec and will post results sometime soon. Check the other suspension post's here and you'll find many different solutions. :beer:
HispanicSlammer, Mar 10 2005, 09:16 AMUse the 15% discount offered to VFRD from Racetech and get the springs for your weight and compression gold vavles, then look on ebay for f4 fork innards for an adjustable rebound cartridge and cap, those are not too hard to find. I did the work myself and it was not that hard to do really. I learned loads about suspension just by opening up the thing and swaping out the parts.
For shocks there are several brands out there I think theres a used Ohlins in the classifieds right now thats probably can be negotiated at a better price if you know how to haggle. used Fox shocks, Check the other forums for XX shocks CBR shocks get it resprung inexpensively.
I had no idea there was a Racetech discount. Thanks! As for the F4 hardware - I was actually going to ask what bikes have compatible rear shocks. I had an F3 and if anything it was LESS suited for my size - I would think an F4 / F4i would also be set for a smaller / lighter rider.
I'm going to ping Racetech and see about springs / valves. I don't *think* that added adjustment is critical for a decent ROI vs. better suited springs / valves. I tend to favor the leave it along once it's right approach. :goofy:
[quote=PorradaVFR,Mar 10 2005, 01:50 PM] I had no idea there was a Racetech discount. Thanks! As for the F4 hardware - I was actually going to ask what bikes have compatible rear shocks. I had an F3 and if anything it was LESS suited for my size - I would think an F4 / F4i would also be set for a smaller / lighter rider.
Yes, almost every other bike(Honda) has a lighter rear spring than the VFR's 15.3kg, I think the Blackbird is the only one higher @16kg and the 929 has the same 15.3kg as the VFR. You could use an F2,3 or 4 after market shock as long as it was ride height adjustable and you changed the spring. The adjustable valving seems to cover a heavier spring with ease. :joystick:
If a guy had a shock w/ stock spring rate and a fork w/ .95 to 1.0 springs in it and lets say the sag was set up correctly -- would feel akward and unbalanced?
Stinkbait, Mar 10 2005, 02:57 PMIf a guy had a shock w/ stock spring rate and a fork w/ .95 to 1.0 springs in it and lets say the sag was set up correctly -- would feel akward and unbalanced?
That's an area I don't fully understand. Racetech suggest's for my weight an increase of the front spring to a .95, that's 30% stiffer. They recommend a 16kg for the rear and that's only a 5% stiffer spring ! Where's the balance ? :huh: If I changed my race car that was soft, but balanced with the same 30% stiffer on the front and only 5% stiffer on the rear it would Push like a Pig ! It must have to do with the link ratio of the rear suspension on the VFR ? :unsure:
I am 285 pounds, Lindemann Engineering set my front forks at: 1.05kg/mm springs, valved for street-sport-closed roads. Rear shock, Penske 2Way with 1200# spring and valved for street-sport-closed roads. Rear ride height up 13mm. Difference is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! Soaks up bumps excellent, my 04' VFR handles like a racebike. WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!! :beer: :wheel:
I just got a Penske double adjustable shock for my '02. 1. Am I correct in understanding that you installed your new Penske with the length set at 13 mm longer than stock? 2. Where and how did you mount the reservoir? Did your's come with the long hose? (I got mine from Traxxion). Got any pictures? 3. What kind of sag numbers did you use front and rear?
The 13 mm longer sounds about right. If you ever work with Traxxion or GMD they are both big belivers in getting the ass end of a bike way up in the air.
Yes, mine came with the LONG hose. I use 30mm in back and 35mm sag in front. 13mm means how high the back of the bike is over stock, not shock length. Here's a few pics of my res.
Richie, Mar 10 2005, 09:48 PMI am 285 pounds, Lindemann Engineering set my front forks at: 1.05kg/mm springs, valved for street-sport-closed roads. Rear shock, Penske 2Way with 1200# spring and valved for street-sport-closed roads. Rear ride height up 13mm. Difference is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! Soaks up bumps excellent, my 04' VFR handles like a racebike. WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!! :beer: :wheel:
How many pennies? Best-case scenario (after talking to a few shops) was ~$1,000 at LEAST for respringing / revalving forks and a new shock (Ohlins 46 DRS). I'm sure it would feel great...but $1k great? :huh:
PorradaVFR, Mar 10 2005, 03:11 AMBest I've found is Traxxion at ~$400 for the front end and at least that for a rear shock.� Too rich for my blood.� :(
I put Hyperpro springs fore and aft. Cost was less than $250. Since I don't plan on putting my VTEC on the track, this is more than adequate for me.
I may do the rear shock later when the stock damper wears out, but since I can dial in enough damping to sack it out on pavement, its good enough for now. If you search threads here, there's also options for taking stock shocks off of other bikes like the 954 and respringing/mounting them...
ShipFixer, Mar 11 2005, 08:34 AMI put Hyperpro springs fore and aft. Cost was less than $250. Since I don't plan on putting my VTEC on the track, this is more than adequate for me.
I would go that route too, but the shops I talked to INSIST that respringing without revalving causes more problems than it solves and since the rear shock is not rebuildable neither wanted to risk swapping out the spring.
How / where do you have the Hyperpro spring put on? ~$400 is right in my price range and odds are the results would be fine for my needs.
PorradaVFR, Mar 11 2005, 08:03 AMHow many pennies?� Best-case scenario (after talking to a few shops) was ~$1,000 at LEAST for respringing / revalving forks and a new shock (Ohlins 46 DRS).� I'm sure it would feel great...but $1k great?� :huh:
I have about $1300.00 into my suspension mods. I know that's a lot, but let me tell you that my 04' handles like a superbike, no kidding! The front end feels planted and gives great feedback. It now soaks up bumps effortlessly and is now more confidence inspiring than ever. Good traits for the street. BTW, you can play with fork oil weights to change damping after a fork spring change. :beer:
Richie, Mar 12 2005, 03:41 AMI have about $1300.00 into my suspension mods. I know that's a lot, but let me tell you that my 04' handles like a superbike, no kidding! The front end feels planted and gives great feedback. It now soaks up bumps effortlessly and is now more confidence inspiring than ever. Good traits for the street. BTW, you can play with fork oil weights to change damping after a fork spring change. :beer:
Looks like I found a good solution. Lindemann Engineering quoted me spring replacements for both front and rear for ~$350 including labor. I'm not expecting a full adjustable Ohlins setup, but at that cost it should certainly be an improvement over stock.
Anyone have nightmare stories to keep me from giving them a shot?
PorradaVFR, Mar 11 2005, 10:26 PMI would go that route too, but the shops I talked to INSIST that respringing without revalving causes more problems than it solves and since the rear shock is not rebuildable neither wanted to risk swapping out the spring.
On automobile dampers this is true, but they're working with a lot more inertia and spring force. Motorcycle dampers are more robust for their application. The stock damper has more rebound adjustability than I need, despite the stiffer spring. Its not high quality like Ohlins, but its capable of overdamping the rear suspension pretty easily, indicating I have plenty of range. I also have plenty of miles on it and its showing no signs of premature wear.
How / where do you have the Hyperpro spring put on? ~$400 is right in my price range and odds are the results would be fine for my needs.
I ordered them from Hyperpro USA directly and installed them myself. When I resprung my rear shock I had a local shop do it since my auto strut compressor's pawls were too big to fit between the spring and damper. I removed and reinstalled the shock and just took it to them. They actually didn't have a tool for it, so they just used ratcheting nylon straps. When I put the spring on my friend's '01 I did the same. I forget the actual numbers, but for the less than half an inch I needed to compress the spring, wrapping two 300 pound test nylon straps around the coils on opposite sides of the spring twice gave me a factor of safety of around 1.5 to 2.
Lindemann sounds like a good idea, although I'm partial to the progressive rate Hyperpro springs. You should also consider Aftershocks in Palo Alto for your forks, and Dan Kyle Racing down here in Monterey.
End of thread · 23 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 15 Mar 2005