Suspension Overhaul

Joined
May 22, 2012
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94
Location
Mexico, NY
Ok, you guys chat a LOT on these forums. Way too much for me to spend all day reading about why you like or don't like this or that. So, ima gonna tell you what I'm about to do and I'll let you add your "wisdom" as you see fit.

I'm going to buy two things for my 14 non es model. A rear shock and new internals for the forks. My gut tells me to go Ohlins, cuz why not? So, where to go? Who to give my money to, that's the question I have.

What I do have is some fairly decent suspension guys locally. What they do well is off road, so they're not the ones to rely on for suggestions for road/touring but I know I can count on them to build my stuff right, once I source it.

So what are your thoughts? Don't be shy. You can't offend me but have no fear, if I think you're nuts I will completely ignore you.

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bimota

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Dec 10, 2017
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bridgend, Wales, UK
i went with ohlins, i,m 110kg wife 75kg plus luggage on holiday the ohlins shock comes with a 130 spring so i had to have a ohlins with 170 spring bike is now fantastic
rob
 

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gv550

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Sep 14, 2016
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Listowel, Ontario, Canada
I had to replace my shock last month after the original blew the seal. I was told Ohlins is no longer available so I bought Hyperpro, should have done it long ago because it performs so much better. For now I have only changed fork oil and seals but will likely upgrade the internals to match the rear.20190628_090249.jpg20190628_090249.jpg
 

regulator

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Philadelphia, PA USA
Are you doing the work or will someone do it for you?

Penske was the setup of choice when I did the shock on my Gen1 bike. After 40k+ miles and one rebuild, I don’t hesitate recommending them and would use them again on another non-ES.

Nick at Stoltec Moto might be a helpful resource for you search. https://stoltecmoto.com/
 

Tenman

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Dec 7, 2013
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Natchez Ms USA
norwest suspension revalved and resprung my stock shock. While I'm sure its no Penske. It was way cheap and is a helluva upgrade. I just resprung my front and it is fine.
 

jrusell

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Aug 23, 2017
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Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
I was able to pickup a 2nd hand Yacugar, the same as the Hyperpro gv500 purchased above.
I am happy with it but if I was to buy something new it would be Penske. The only drawback on the Penske is no remote preload adjuster, but that would not bother me. Penske is much better than Ohlins any day.

I was on the fence last winter on what to do to the forks and was considering shelling out the cash for the ohlins cartridges. I decided to go with Racetech compression and rebound gold valves with sonic springs. Mainly because of parts availability this side of the border. I was able to get some valving examples from some here and on other sites, so I had a good idea what stacks I would build and I wanted to do the work myself.
If I was in the US I would have went with Penske comp/rebound pistons. Probably from Stoltec because several here have his valving and are happy with his work.

That being said I am extremely happy with my decision. Difference is night and day. Not one complaint on my fork setup. Ohlins cartridges only have 2 springs to choose from and both are lighter than I needed.

Ohlins, Ktech and others make replacement compression and rebound valves for your stock cartridges. All will do a good job, you just need to pick your favourite.

I think for me to revalve and respring my forks was 1/4 the cost for a set of ohlins cartridges, and they couldn't supply heavy enough springs anyway so they were out.
 
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
94
Location
Mexico, NY
This is all good stuff for sure. To be fair I hadn't done a lot of research on what I was going to buy exactly. I've always liked Ohlins but if they don't have what I need then they're not going to be the best choice.

Thanks kids! Keep the anecdotes coming!

Lord knows that none of us ride the same, weigh the same or live in the same place so our suspension choices should be nearly identical!!! LMAO

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B

ballisticexchris

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I'm a Race Tech guy myself. They are local and I've used their suspension services and components for years. One thing about this bike I've learned really quick is you cannot buy your way into great suspension. The weight of the bike dictates the handling far more than the suspension can handle.

The good news is you have a bunch of choices as to what shocks/drop in cartridges to buy. I'm not a big fan of Ohlins only because they are harder to service and require brand specific tools to work on them.

Dont forget the ELKA unit. Been loving mine for 20k hard miles, althouhh it's due for a service when i get done moving

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No doubt!! I had those shocks on both my KFX700 quad and my Ninja 650R. Top quality for sure. And I might add the Elka clickers are super sensitive to adjustments. I could tell with just 1-2 clicks a big difference in the valving. For the price a guy cannot go wrong with this brand.
 

tabledrain

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Feb 24, 2019
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What about in OZ? anybody got jiggy with their up and down bits? Ive been considering a change..
 
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
94
Location
Mexico, NY
UPDATE!

It turns out that one of my local suspension gurus is an Ohlins reseller/builder. He talked to his source at Ohlins and we have it nearly sussed out. Spring rates have to be finalized and it looks like I might have to sell a testicle to afford it.

Ah, what we do for the love of the ride.

Thanks again, I'll be sure to report back when I have actual part numbers and specs.

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Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
94
Location
Mexico, NY
Ok, it's done. Forks are on, rear shock tonight. Photos show part numbers and don't be surprised if one of these pix makes you a little damp in the crotch.
 

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Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
94
Location
Mexico, NY
I'd have to look them up, to be honest. I'm 265 and the wife is 135 (sans gear) and we typically ride with loaded luggage. I let me builder know all this and he passed that on to his Ohlins rep. Spring rates were matched to this requirement. I'm trusting that they are correct.

After installing the rear shock last night, the bike is visibly taller. Which I like as I'm 6'6" with a 36" inseam. More height is a good thing for me.

I've added two more pix. One to show the remarkable difference between the stock shock and the Ohlins. The other just because.
 

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bimota

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Dec 10, 2017
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bridgend, Wales, UK
yep, just yours is mounted the better way but i needed to keep the infill panel, and the adjuster on the left in picture i won,t touch now only the right one for preload, and i can get at that easy

i didn,t want to loose the carbon side panel look, i,ve seen a few mounted this way

rob
 
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