Suspension gurus in Auckland?

[khabel]

Can anyone recommend a suspension guru in Auckland to help me tweak the suspension on my VTR?

[Robert Taylor]

Can anyone recommend a suspension guru in Auckland to help me tweak the suspension on my VTR?

Yes, Crown Kiwi Technical in New Plymouth, Taranaki. We are only 3 and a half hours south of the Bombay Hills. The province of Taranaki has a small population but punches well above its weight in providing in excess of 30% of New Zealands
gross domestic product. It is also New Zealands capital for motorcycle suspension!

All that chest beating aside we in fact sort the suspension out for a lot of bikes around New Zealand further afield than Auckland, be they ridden or trailered to us.

What are the issues with your bike?

[Latte]

Norm Cobb at SuspensionTech - 30 mins north of the bombays (Ellerslie)

:innocent:

[Quasievil]

Can anyone recommend a suspension guru in Auckland to help me tweak the suspension on my VTR?


Im doing a roadie down to see Robert Taylor sometime soon want to tag along ?

[khabel]

I'm after mostly advice at this stage. I'm a big guy 6'3" around 125kg and the VTR struggles a bit suspension wise so I'm wanting to know what my options are, costs involved and even if its worth bothering with this bike.

Its used mainly for road riding with the odd track day once the rain stops

[Robert Taylor]

I'm after mostly advice at this stage. I'm a big guy 6'3" around 125kg and the VTR struggles a bit suspension wise so I'm wanting to know what my options are, costs involved and even if its worth bothering with this bike.

Its used mainly for road riding with the odd track day once the rain stops

Ill type a reply answering those questions tonight

[khabel]

thanks, much appreciated

[Robert Taylor]

I'm after mostly advice at this stage. I'm a big guy 6'3" around 125kg and the VTR struggles a bit suspension wise so I'm wanting to know what my options are, costs involved and even if its worth bothering with this bike.

Its used mainly for road riding with the odd track day once the rain stops

The reality is the bike is woefully undersprung and underdamped for you and no amount of external fiddling with preload or clickers is going to yield any result. Dont let anyone mislead you into thinking otherwise!
We have suitable springs in stock for the front end but as the increase in spring rate required is substanial it will also at minimum require a significant increase in INTERNAL high speed rebound shimming. Ideally also the stock compression pistons should be removed and thrown as far away as possible as they just dont flow enough oil when you ride over abrupt bumps that ''spike'' the suspension. This whole job is relatively inexpensive. End result much better ride height and brake pitch control but also much better ride quality. Also improved tyre life.
Id need to check beyond all doubt but I think we have suitable rear springs in stock also. There is not quite as compelling a need to revalve the rear shock for more rebound as rider mass is ''sitting on top of the shock'', the greater the weight of the rider the more weight there is to push back, so its a little counterintuitive. In any event the shock itself is none too clever and its a nasty one to rebuild. I wouldnt spend any more money on the shock other than respringing it.
If you would like a menu of costs e-mail me robert@crownkiwi.co.nz

[KiwiNinja]

Can anyone recommend a suspension guru in Auckland to help me tweak the suspension on my VTR?

Mate, Rob's the guy you want working on your suspension. If getting your bike down there is too difficult you can always get a bike shop to take out the forks/shock, transport it down to CKT and re-fit it when it's all done.

That's what I did and it worked a treat. Took about 1 week and the CKT guys are always on the end of the phone if you have any questions about the setup etc...

[ajturbo]

but it's a VTR.... even Robert will have his work cut out..!!!!:innocent:

[khabel]

but it's a VTR.... even Robert will have his work cut out..!!!!:innocent:

Thats the main deciding factor, is it even worth bothering doing suspension on a VTR or is it worth investing the money on a better bike to use as a base for these sort of modifications

[crazzed]

Thats the main deciding factor, is it even worth bothering doing suspension on a VTR or is it worth investing the money on a better bike to use as a base for these sort of modifications

Im not a honda person but my experience with ckt was night and day with the bike no mater what bike it is. Very well priced options aswell. They will work to your budget aswell. courier costs are minimal to them aswell.:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[ajturbo]

Talking about poor old robert... when is he coming up norf for another road show?

[Big Dave]

http://www.suspensiontech.com

Norm is a good bloke - behind the shops in Ellerslie.

[Shaun]

http://www.suspensiontech.com

Norm is a good bloke - behind the shops in Ellerslie.


He sure is, and reccomended by the Guru on here

[TLR4Lifel]

Thats the main deciding factor, is it even worth bothering doing suspension on a VTR or is it worth investing the money on a better bike to use as a base for these sort of modifications
nah it ain't, you should sell it and upgrade to the superior twin "the Mighty TLR" anything less is, well, less.
White Power is where it's at :blip:

[AllanB]

Thats the main deciding factor, is it even worth bothering doing suspension on a VTR or is it worth investing the money on a better bike to use as a base for these sort of modifications

I've just spent some coin with CKT and Robert on my Hornet 900 - highly recommended.

Fork springs first which improved the front end so much the rear felt like shit! Ohlins corrected this and Robert was able to build up a well priced unit.

I wish I'd done this when I purchased the bike new a few years back!

If the VTR is likely to be in your garage for a while yet, and why not, they are a fine ride then IMO it is a very good investment. When you do sell you can always remove the rear shock, springs etc and replace them with the stock parts and sell the goodies. Good quality suspension has a good resale value.

A replacement bike will cost many many thousands, and unless it is one of the hyper sports beasts the suspenders could still do with work considering your manly proportions - a fraction of that price and the VTR will be sweet.