Suspension upgrades

[GTRMAN]

If every cloud has a silver lining then I guess I have to say that I got the lining from Hitchers cloud....

Let me explain. For some time I have been unhappy with the way the big dirty eats tyres, 3000Km a set just didn't seem like a fair deal for expensive rubber. I had an inkling that the angle grinder shod road I ride over every day had something to do with it, also the fact I don't fit the standard Japanese 65Kg rider profile didn't help.

So I did some research and spoke to people in the know. Your suspension is not up to the task and your tyres are suffering the consequences they said. Fair call. I didn't really want to go for a standard cookie cutter fix, if I am going to spend the money then at the very least I would hope for a little something set up just for me.

And here is my silver lining. A call to Mr Ducik turned up a Wilber rear shock that had just arrived (for Hitchers bike that had unfortunately not survived being dry humped by a Kenworth) but was no longer required by the buyer. The specs turned out to be a perfect match for the big dirty, even better, the big dirty with me on it.

After a quick trip out to Mirimar the difference is night and day. Firm but compliant, the right sag and the back end feels 'right' also the bizarre wear pattern is starting to even out. Looks like this rear tyre will last a fair while longer.

The thing with sorting out the rear end is now the forks feel like a couple of tubes full of rubber bands and silly putty.... hmm really need to do something about that.

Time for another trip to the Ducik Performance mobile workshop of awesomeness(tm)

Is it me or does it slightly resemble a mini version of the rolling garage from Night Rider?

New springs, valves, oil, seals, so pretty much everything.

Is this the same bike? looks the same, sounds the same, feels COMPLETELY different. The front matches the back, no more lunging when on the brake. what a difference. The angle grinder hill road is much more fun when you're not feeling like the tyres are going to give way at any moment.

The best part is it feels safer now, no more boing boing. don't get me wrong, I can still feel the imperfections in the road, I know when I hit them, but the bike doesn't wriggle because of them.

A big thank you to Kerry at Dukic Performance, he knows his stuff and is a pleasure to deal with.

Money well spent. Stay tuned for more thoughts after I have clocked up some more saddle time.

[caspernz]

Suspension upgrades are worth the money...safety and comfort :yes:

[vifferman]

Suspension upgrades are worth the money...safety and comfort :yes:
Safety and comfort and bling/porn. :yes:

[Maha]

You mean you didn't even consider KSS?..what were you thinking.....:calm:


...and the cost of said shock was?

[GTRMAN]

You mean you didn't even consider KSS?..what were you thinking.....:calm:


...and the cost of said shock was?

I considered most things, KSS, ICON, HAGON et al. I guess my main motivation was to have something set up with me in mind rather than buy off the shelf and just get what would come.

[vifferman]

D'oh! KSS would have set up the suspension exactly to fit your requirements. They're not really into doing "off the shelf". It's basically their raison d'etre.

[GTRMAN]

D'oh! KSS would have set up the suspension exactly to fit your requirements. They're not really into doing "off the shelf". It's basically their raison d'etre.

Yeah true. But happy with my purchase :yes:

[caspernz]

D'oh! KSS would have set up the suspension exactly to fit your requirements. They're not really into doing "off the shelf". It's basically their raison d'etre.

Yep, I can attest to that. Even though my sticker still reads CKT, the end result is the same...:wings:

[sootie]

. Firm but compliant, the right sag and the back end feels 'right' also the bizarre wear pattern is starting to even out. Looks like this rear tyre will last a fair while longer.

The thing with sorting out the rear end is now the forks feel like a couple of tubes full of rubber bands and silly putty.... hmm really need to do something about that.


Interesting post GTRMAN ... I have a ZX11 and about a year ago I was slightly unhappy with its rear end suspension performance.

(A previous owner had fitted an Ohlins unit to the bike.) It was chewing the rear tyre a bit too, but not as badly as you describe.

I heard some comments by Andrew Stroude that lowering back tyre pressure sometimes improved cornering performance.

I do not race, but tried this & agreed. My WOF man however (who really does know bikes) passed a WOF for me a few months later,

and suggested that the suspension was not giving a particularly good wear pattern on my back tyre.

On the basis that it is usually best to learn new tricks for yourself if at all possible I studied a lot of set up notes for my Ohlins suspension.

It was not well set up, but it is now after a major re-adjustment followed by few small tweaks on the road. (WOF man very happy recently!)

The last interesting bit is that I now feel the front suspension is a bit too bouncy! I do hope this is sounding vaguely familiar! :niceone:

[GTRMAN]

Interesting post GTRMAN ... I have a ZX11 and about a year ago I was slightly unhappy with its rear end suspension performance.

(A previous owner had fitted an Ohlins unit to the bike.) It was chewing the rear tyre a bit too, but not as badly as you describe.

I heard some comments by Andrew Stroude that lowering back tyre pressure sometimes improved cornering performance.

I do not race, but tried this & agreed. My WOF man however (who really does know bikes) passed a WOF for me a few months later,

and suggested that the suspension was not giving a particularly good wear pattern on my back tyre.

On the basis that it is usually best to learn new tricks for yourself if at all possible I studied a lot of set up notes for my Ohlins suspension.

It was not well set up, but it is now after a major re-adjustment followed by few small tweaks on the road. (WOF man very happy recently!)

The last interesting bit is that I now feel the front suspension is a bit too bouncy! I do hope this is sounding vaguely familiar! :niceone:


Sure is. I guess what finally swung it for me was knowing there was someone close by who could help sort out any ongoing niggles.

[caspernz]

The last interesting bit is that I now feel the front suspension is a bit too bouncy! I do hope this is sounding vaguely familiar! :niceone:

C'mon man, think of suspension work like a boobjob...both ends need to be done at the same time for maximum benefit...see how that bling/porn thing works after all?? :2thumbsup

[sootie]

C'mon man, think of suspension work like a boobjob...both ends need to be done at the same time for maximum benefit...see how that bling/porn thing works after all?? :2thumbsup

I have not had a lot of experience with boob jobs, but if you say so. :innocent:

[Hitcher]

I approve! I was greatly looking forward to having that Wilbers 641 installed. I am pleased that it has positively transformed somebody's riding experience.

[GTRMAN]

I approve! I was greatly looking forward to having that Wilbers 641 installed. I am pleased that it has positively transformed somebody's riding experience.


Well your welcome to take the big dirty out for a spin to close the loop on the experience if you want. :niceone:

[caspernz]

I have not had a lot of experience with boob jobs, but if you say so. :innocent:

Visually quite fulfilling, but lacking that tactile experience :killingme