Suspension Options For A Gen4?

As you know, I am the very happy owner of a Gen4 VFR750. The bike is gorgeous, pulls like a train, is comfortable, reliable and cheap to run. However, the perfect package is spoiled by the the stock suspension which leaves a lot to be desired (and the brakes, but let's leave that out for the moment).

The front end especially is just too soft period. Adjustments don't do much to firm things up and it definitely feels substandard.

The rear shock feels very soft at stock settings and rebound just doesn't feel right at any setting. It is either too quick or too slow with not much in between. However, the preload seems to be working well and I can firm up the rear when riding 2 up+baggage.

But the front remains a problem; it is just too soft and gives very little information when pushing on the twisties.

So, I was looking at ways to solve this issue, in a practical and economical fashion. There are many front ends kicking about on eBay for small money and I was thinking maybe I could put them to good use.
I have seen quite a few threads about swapping the front end of Gen5-6 for F4 or 954 parts and I was wondering whether the same can be done on the Gen4?

If not, then what are the options available?

Cheers!

There are lots of things that you can do. You don't even have to swap forks, the stock forks are ok for the 90+ percentile of riders. The formula is pretty basic - springs and valving. I've had really good luck with installing new compression valves and reshimming the stock rebound valves for guys. I think this would give you the ride quality and performance you are after.

You can do the same with the stock rear shock as well. I've also done quite a few CBR929 conversions, if you want that extra performance it would be a great way to go.

It really depends a lot on your budget. Shoot me a PM if you want more specifics.

I'm bringing back this thread from the dead, as I've come across some money lately and I want to finally trick out the VFR a bit.

So after reading all the various threads about suspension options for my VFR, I came to the conclusion that a white 929 shock would be just right. However, I saw that you need to modify the stock top mount and that has me worried a bit.
As I saw you basically remove the welded stock screw and put a much longer one coupled with a suitably sized spacer.

How safe is such a mod?
On the stock top mount, all the forces going through the shock end up on the joining of the C mount and the screw. However, on this case the screw/mount assembly is quite short and it would take immense forces to shear the screw from the clamp.

I am no engineer, but to me lengthening the screw and adding a spacer to the clamp seems like it would weaken the whole assembly.
The forces would now end up lower down on a much longer clamp/screw assembly. By this, wouldn't the given forces be intensified from the longer "arm" of the assembly?

I don't know if I make any sense, but I am thinking in the same principles as you have when using a very long wrench vs a short one. On the first case you have much greater torquing power than the latter.

I really like the option of sorting out my suspension, but it makes me nervous messing about with such a safety critical part...

Ηaving said all the above, what about the F4i shock option? How does it compare to the 929 shock?
Pound for pound, which is the better shock?

I read somewhere that the con of the F4 shock is that it's sprung really light, and therefore would require an aftermarket shock for use on the VFR (which is heavier).
So I ask: if you do change the shock, would this be enough for the shock to work properly?
Or being "sprung light" means you need to change the internals also for it to work as it should?


The more I look at it, the more I like this option! No messing about with the top mount, the reservoir can be mounted clear of the battery box, hassle-free installation....


http://www.vfrdiscus...6&st=0&p=395670

If you weigh around 180lbs a member on the other forum that had a deer incedent earlier in the year is thinking about selling his setup for a 4th gen(rear aftermarket shock and matched racetec front springs). Here is the link:



http://vfrworld.com/...?highlight=rvfr

Thanks for the suggestion mate! :)
It looks ace, but at 800 dollars 'tis a bit steep for me. :dry:

On another thread regarding the F4 shock, I saw that on the Gen4 the preload adjustment is impossible to set once installed.
Is this so?

If it is, then would rotating the shock 180 degrees solve the problem?

hi there,ive modded my rear shock to a 929 unit fitted with a 40mm mounting bracket .the shock was from ebay and an engineer shop knocked up the bracket for me the total price was �40.00.im very satisfied with the result.the front end is stock with fresh oil. the hardest job is sorting out the heat shield under the battery. :wheel: :