After joining with Duc2V4 for a couple weekend rides, then chasing crazybrother, BrianF, tc339, St. Stephen, and RC1237V around the Sierras a couple weekends ago, I am finally facing the need for suspension upgrades to my Gen 5. I've enjoyed about as much research as I can handle, and I'm down to choosing either a Daugherty CBR929RR shock converted for my VFR [$420], or a new Penske or Elka correctly configured [$800-950]. The cost of a purpose-built shock may be justified, even though my VFR is more quality Henckel chef's knife than it is scalpel.
Question 1 - does anyone know of a used Penske or Elka for sale? I'd be looking for one already configured for the Gen 5 VFR, knowing I'd still have to have it sprung and valved for my application [I'm 225 lbs all geared up]. It's easy to find used Penske and Elka shocks for other motorcycles, but I checked with Penske, and converting a ZX10R or GSXR shock to VFR spec adds up quickly: $162 for a shock body, $40 for a hose, $95 for an eyebolt, $150 for the service, $100 for a spring, and $45 for bushings = $592 plus the cost of a shock. A new Penske double adjustable shock with remote reservoir, valving, and spring to spec = $950. New Elka = $800.
Question 2 - does anyone have contact info for the vfrd group purchase of Elka shocks that happened in the past? I'd like to contact the correct person at Elka to see if they might have remaining stock or would be willing to give me the group price. Anyone interested is welcome to join me in instigating a fresh 2016 vfrd group purchase from Elka.
Regarding front suspension, I've reigned in the impulse to consider an R1 fork conversion, and have even managed to temper my desire for better brakes via F4i or VTR forks. I'm saving my sheckels for a pure track bike, so have decided against any front suspension for the VFR that requires triple clamps or more to implement. I emailed Jamie Daugherty asking if his revalve and spring service combined with his rebound upgrade was the equal of his complete cartridge package. On his website, the two approaches seem equivalent - for the revalve/spring/rebound, you send your forks to DMr, but for the cartridge package, he sends it to you, and you install it yourself. I look forward to his feedback.
The difference between the two Daugherty fork options I think is that for the $595 cartridge kit you are getting free-flowing rebound valves, and a rebound adjuster, whereas for the $315 spring and revalve you can have the stock rebound valve re-shimmed (for an extra $75), but no adjuster. For the extra $205, I would definitely go with the first option. Better rebound valves do help to provide a more supple fork action, and who doesn't want the ability to adjust rebound when the mood strikes?
If you were to acquire caps and rebound adjusters from a VTR1000, new springs and new compression and rebound valves from e.g. Racetech, I suspect that would cost more than what DM is offering with the cartridge kit. However if you wanted to do a brake delink and fit some 4-piston calipers, VTR1000 lowers come in very handy...
Dunno if this is any help at all, but if you can find an Elka shock that needs some feedling, the internals accommodate Ohlins parts with no modification required.
Terry - that really clears up the difference in the two Daugherty packages. And I have to plug my ears and sing la-la-la-la when you start telling me how to delink and add 4-piston calipers w VTR fork lowers, or I'll blow a chunk of my track bike budget on VFR front end bits.
Enzed - I'll keep the Elka/Ohlins compatiility in mind if I start 'feedling' in that direction.
Obiouly you all redy know if you mess with the rear might be best to at the least get springs for the front, minimal work involved too. But Jamies packages are better damn good, be hard to do better there up front. On the rear there's a lot of options as you know I went Penske cuz it just what worked for me. Glad I did too, just something about rebuilding a shock that wasn't there in the first place that bugs me, but it works for many for the money. Other reason i went Penske was I looked for a year for a used one, or Ohlins, found an Ohlins in Europe, finally, only to find out it was a $400+ re build with the right spring. So Penske it was, built new for me, more or less the same as a used Olhilis rebuilt. That and Jamie had a talking with those guys on my set up. Win win. What ever you do it. will be the right step in the right direction.
RVFR - thanks for the good advice. I plan the do a Daugherty fork treatment to match the rear shock upgrade. I just noticed the horsepower in your garage - what mods did you do to your 1998 to get 112hp out of it?
Dunno if this is any help at all, but if you can find an Elka shock that needs some feedling, the internals accommodate Ohlins parts with no modification required.
So who could we contact to perform an ohlins rebuild of an Elka shock?
I mentioned the interchangeability thing because it is what I experienced when I took my bike in to have the suspension fettled. When the guru disassembled the rear shock, he made a comment along the lines of not being sure what settings, springs, valves, etc etc he'd have to use. He did have a shock dynamometer (or whatever it's called) to test and dial it in. However, because he was used to working with Ohlins, he already knew all of that, so when he measured the internal parts of the Elka, it was a very simple job to just remove them and swap in the appropriate Ohlins bits. Saved heaps of time and frustration, so even though I had to pay for new parts, it was cheaper than the alternative. Also means that replacement of any that require it will be easier for the next owner. (Bike's now on the market, because my brain is kaput (either early onset Alzheimers, or a tumour or bleed or summat), so wife says I have to stop riding. :(