Ohlins, White Power or other?

[DMNTD]

It's time to upgrade the suspension on my ZX10 and this honky needs some educated advice please people.
Have heard good things about both Ohlins and White power...recommendations and reasons please.

BTW...only interested in full internals in the forks and not replacement forks...and yes,replacement rear shock.

Thanks

[bugjuice]

talk to someone like Shaun. He can do amazing things without even changing anything but settings.

Else he whipped off with my front and rear and used the best of what he had, in the stock forks and shock (so all the internals) and cost a fraction of fully done units, and the bike just grips like a monkey on speed. fukin orsum

[HenryDorsetCase]

I say Ohlins: here's why

you can buy from the local guy who you can ring up and talk to. He will build to your specs and is happy to swap stuff out if its not quite right. I think thats called customer service, and its good to support it where you find it. Plus Robert Taylor knows his stuff. Its expensive but not outlandishly priced. Budget shock is about $1200, the remote reservoir job with all the fruit is about $1600, and the difference it makes to a stock bike is phenomenal. I seriously couldnt get over how much of a difference it made to my Hornet.

And if it craps itself you can get bits from NZ usually.

I havent used WP so cant comment on that. Since I need a new shock for my NC30 track bike then maybe someone who has could comment about price/availability etc. I have a jar that used to be called "holiday" and is now called "motorbike fruit".

[ArcherWC]

OHLINS.. no one better than Robert Taylor in NZ (Shaun Harris is up there too from all accounts) and he is the resident Ohlins importer

[Maha]

OHLINS.. no one better than Robert Taylor in NZ (Shaun Harris is up there too from all accounts) and he is the resident Ohlins importer

Right on Archie....have emailed Robert Taylor and pm'ed Shaun with my concerns....and im going with Ohlins on the Triumphant. The local bike shop here looked into other brands but i would be only be saving a few hundred dollars over Ohlins, plus whoever they spoke to said go with Ohlins so its getting done next week, they are sending the fronts away down to the Naki and all should be good by the end of next week....:Punk:

PS: OHLINS CHRIS!!!!!....listen to NEDWN.....:yes:

[bistard]

Yup,the same reasons as Mr Dorsetcase has mentioned,the local back up is fantastic,plus if its a race bike Robert/Shaun will help you at a race meeting
Or they are but a phone call away for advice
As Robert has been quoted "White Power Shocks,being Dutch,dont work above sea level"

[BarBender]

You know what I think Chris...Call Robert.

[Cajun]

I acutally know one of the guys who started WP supension he lives in the gorge in waihi.

Damn dutch man, hard bastard to get a drink out until he pissed, then he happy buy anyone a drink, until next morning he relises his wallet his empty.

But on another note would go ohlins as they seam to have the backup and support in nz, and in turn be able to move it to your 'next' bike alot simlar and easier with this backup and support

[Trudes]

Robert Taylor is awesome to deal with. He put an Ohlins shock in my Hornet purely to lower it for me, dropped the front forks also to balance it out and made damn sure I was happy with it and set up properly for me before I left. He also said if I have any problems or questions to get hold of him and he'd try to sort me out and that he'd do me a good deal if I wanted to sell it back to him when I sold the bike, now that's service! The shock has improved the handling heaps and I no longer have my spine trying to come up through the top of your head everytime I hit a bump.:yes:

[Colapop]

You should put a spring or some shit in there...

[Leong]

OHLINS.. no one better than Robert Taylor in NZ (Shaun Harris is up there too from all accounts) and he is the resident Ohlins importer


Robert Taylor is awesome to deal with.

I'd have to agree. Robert Taylor transformed my SV650S for me putting in an Ohlins shock and replacing the fork internals (harder springs damper rods and pop off valves and ohlins oil). He was awesome to deal with. We emailed quite a while before so he knew exactly what I wanted to fix and did it all as and when he said he would.

With my GSXR I went to Shaun and swapped my standard forks for a pair of modded ones. These have "Northwest Suspension" stickers on them which is Robert Taylor's trading name so I suspect they were built by Robert. Again big difference - especially as I was thinking that the standard suspension was pretty good on the way there from Taupo.

While I'm definitely no expert on bike suspension it would seem by reputation that these guys are good. But I know good service when I see it, and both these guys are great to deal with. Often the people who you deal with are as important or more important than the product itself and I think this is especially so with setting up your suspension - so I vote for Robert/Shaun and Ohlins!!

[onearmedbandit]

I say Ohlins, based on the difference my shock from Robert Taylor made to my bike. No doubt the same can be done with WP, but in my instance I have been more than impressed with the difference it made. Just picked up some Ohlins springs for my bike in Japan for $115, can"t wait to get that set up.

[Sensei]

I have the real deal full Ohlins forks, Shock & steering damper . Have ridden a bike with ohlins internals etc & was Mint not to my setting but the owner has his style of riding over the front of the bike so sets it up to suit but that is a personal thing .The owner had set up his ohlins gear over along time with continued input with R Taylor , with a end result putting together a full road set up that Robert would use for future set ups of this type of system of fork kits & it was near Perfect ! & no it wasn't who ya think . Internal gear is excellent don't get me wrong but is only as good as the Machining of its components Eg { Jap forks } as Robert told me when talking to him over a coffee once & thats where the difference lies from complete units over kits . White Power has been round for years as other stuff like Traxion Dynamics gear etc , so if you pay the money for good stuff you want be disapointed as long as ya get someone with good knowlege to set it up for what you intend to use it on be it Road / track as there is a huge difference between the two . Enjoy :Punk:

[jimbo]

Hi Chris :yes: You Know what i reckon dont ya.:yes: Ohlins:sunny: .Just to confuse you tho ...what did you think of the WP suspension on the Superduke :innocent:

[DMNTD]

Cheers for your opinion y'all....as I first thought Ohlins will be the way to go.
Phoned Robert Taylor and had a bloody good convo about my options...at the moment I'll prolly be going with the Level 2 front forks setup and the shiz shock to handle my voluptuous self :love:

[Shaun Harris]

Hi, Shaun here. Thanks to the guys that have spoken up about the work I do.

I have changed my suspension focus, from being an agent for Ohlin;s New Zealand, to simply being a set up service of exsisting product.

I spend way to much time awnsering PM's and text messages and emails from people that are just searching for info, and then go direct and buy from Robert- I have no problem with that at all, except the time thing for my buisness ( It costs me to try to help you for no return)

As an agent, I only have a very small margin in the Ohlins product, and this is not viable for me to continue with.

Thanks to those that purchased there Ohlin's product from me in the past, and if you require any further help or information, just get in touch.

[DMNTD]

...to simply being a set up service of existing product.

PM sent mate

[rogson]

It's time to upgrade the suspension........

Why, what's wrong with the existing suspension?

[TONO]

Why, what's wrong with the existing suspension?

He followed some one around the Coro loop with decent suspension!
Jap bikes only have mediocre suspension......if they had good suspension they would be as expensive as "Aprillia" for example.
So I'm told :innocent:

[BarBender]

Why, what's wrong with the existing suspension?

Probably nothing...which is why he's upgrading and not replacing...

[TDC]

I have known Robert Taylor longer than most, more than 20 years and since he was the Technical Manager for the then Yamaha distributors, Moller Yamaha. He was passionate then (often annoyingly so) about full and proper after sales service and he is still exactly the same. I make no habit at all of contributing to forums but this thread prompted me to do so. As an ongoing Ohlins customer of Roberts I phoned him today about the positive comments but also recited Shaun Harris's comments about no longer wishing to on-sell Ohlins. To which Robert expressed complete surprise by responding (as only Robert can) ''well I certainly haven't been afforded the courtesy of in the first instance hearing of that decision directly from Shaun. And as for slender margins that is an unfortunate harsh reality because of competing with the offshore parasites and parallel importers that will sell into this country. Shaun will remember such conversations''.

I have no doubt that Shaun Harris can set up a bike quite well with all the external adjustments at his disposal. However you can not "adjust" in to poor quality suspension, performance that is simply not there in the first instance. As such it shouldn't be forgotten that Robert is the guy that knows about the inner workings of suspension (shit its all he does all day long!) and does all that sort of work which is on a higher plane than what Shaun can do. Robert is also pretty handy at setting up a bike trackside as National champs Robbie Bugden, Sam Smith, Andy Bolwell and most of those snapping at their heels will testify. And guess who has built Shaun's racing suspension for years....

I have owned a number of roadgoing litre class bikes including ZX10's and felt I was pretty handy at setting up the stock suspension. I then moved (on sound advice from Robert) (actually persistant nagging ;-)) to Ohlins components. I know people will tell you the stock stuff is all you need (I used to think so too), don't listen to them (especially if they don't the shiny gold goodness on their own bikes), find out for yourself just how good suspension can be! When I fitted Ohlins the difference was / is very very impressive and really highlighted just how average ( at best ) the stock suspension is. If you need setup advise call Robert he is very helpful at the after sales stuff, once he has your money the quality contact does not stop! Don't forget to have your shock serviced (this is where its gets even better) as all the tricks learnt at the race track are yours for the having, very cool!

So in a nut shell is Ohlins the best in the world, some would argue it is not, but there is a progressive flat earth society from them ;-). Seriously though here in NZ, the country's only full time suspension tuner and his abundant skill, customer service, and support network make Ohlins the only sane choice of brand. Call the doctor and order up your prescription....

[DMNTD]

Why, what's wrong with the existing suspension?


Probably nothing...which is why he's upgrading and not replacing...


He followed some one around the Coro loop with decent suspension!
Jap bikes only have mediocre suspension......if they had good suspension they would be as expensive as "Aprillia" for example.
So I'm told :innocent:

Upgrading the internals in the forks and complete replacement of the shock :yes:

Why?
As WeeStromer mentioned...following another Jap bike around Coro and watching the way it handled in comparison to mine was all I really needed to convince myself that I'd best stop "managing" with what I've got and get on with doing what I've intended to do.

Knowing that when riding our RSVR how much safer I feel riding it,far better ride.

I'm not a complete nana when riding and looking to improve and develop my skill levels.

I want the stickers to make my bike go faster...er :mellow:

[blast]

this would be what ya looking 4:yes:

[DMNTD]

this would be what ya looking 4:yes:
Yes indeed...is it yours? Keen to find out all opinions of before and after

[Matt Bleck]

I'm not a complete nana when riding and looking to improve and develop my skill levels.



Best ya chop ya toes off then Bubby! :yes:

[Sensei]

I have known Robert Taylor longer than most, more than 20 years and since he was the Technical Manager for the then Yamaha distributors, Moller Yamaha. He was passionate then (often annoyingly so) about full and proper after sales service and he is still exactly the same. I make no habit at all of contributing to forums but this thread prompted me to do so. As an ongoing Ohlins customer of Roberts I phoned him today about the positive comments but also recited Shaun Harris's comments about no longer wishing to on-sell Ohlins. To which Robert expressed complete surprise by responding (as only Robert can) ''well I certainly haven't been afforded the courtesy of in the first instance hearing of that decision directly from Shaun. And as for slender margins that is an unfortunate harsh reality because of competing with the offshore parasites and parallel importers that will sell into this country. Shaun will remember such conversations''.

I have no doubt that Shaun Harris can set up a bike quite well with all the external adjustments at his disposal. However you can not "adjust" in to poor quality suspension, performance that is simply not there in the first instance. As such it shouldn't be forgotten that Robert is the guy that knows about the inner workings of suspension (shit its all he does all day long!) and does all that sort of work which is on a higher plane than what Shaun can do. Robert is also pretty handy at setting up a bike trackside as National champs Robbie Bugden, Sam Smith, Andy Bolwell and most of those snapping at their heels will testify. And guess who has built Shaun's racing suspension for years....

I have owned a number of roadgoing litre class bikes including ZX10's and felt I was pretty handy at setting up the stock suspension. I then moved (on sound advice from Robert) (actually persistant nagging ;-)) to Ohlins components. I know people will tell you the stock stuff is all you need (I used to think so too), don't listen to them (especially if they don't the shiny gold goodness on their own bikes), find out for yourself just how good suspension can be! When I fitted Ohlins the difference was / is very very impressive and really highlighted just how average ( at best ) the stock suspension is. If you need setup advise call Robert he is very helpful at the after sales stuff, once he has your money the quality contact does not stop! Don't forget to have your shock serviced (this is where its gets even better) as all the tricks learnt at the race track are yours for the having, very cool!

So in a nut shell is Ohlins the best in the world, some would argue it is not, but there is a progressive flat earth society from them ;-). Seriously though here in NZ, the country's only full time suspension tuner and his abundant skill, customer service, and support network make Ohlins the only sane choice of brand. Call the doctor and order up your prescription....

Fuck thats Gold TDC , some have known this for awhile .

[Shaun Harris]

Just to clarify a couple of points on this post from my side of the table, as well as to say good on you for being such a good freind to Robert by watching his back and reccomending his fantastic service. It is a shame more people do not speak up in favour of, instaed of the good old Internet bashing attitude.


As an ongoing Ohlins customer of Roberts I phoned him today about the positive comments but also recited Shaun Harris's comments about no longer wishing to on-sell Ohlins. To which Robert expressed complete surprise by responding (as only Robert can) ''well I certainly haven't been afforded the courtesy of in the first instance hearing of that decision directly from Shaun. And as for slender margins that is an unfortunate harsh reality because of competing with the offshore parasites and parallel importers that will sell into this country. Shaun will remember such conversations''.

Yes I do remember this conversation! And I will let Robert know this personally when I speak to him about it today Monday during buisness hours, but thanks for ringing him and informing him off what I have chosen to do with MY BUISNESS

The reason behind my post to let people know that I will no longer be selling Ohlin's equipment is a simple buisness decision, I sell on average 1 unit per month, but spend on average 10 hours replying to email, text, PM messages, hence the small profit margin does not add up. I am a one man band, and simply cannot justify this time.



I have no doubt that Shaun Harris can set up a bike quite well with all the external adjustments at his disposal. However you can not "adjust" in to poor quality suspension, performance that is simply not there in the first instance.

However there are people/riders that either cannot, or do not want to spend big money for top quality Ohlin's product, so I "adjust" there standard gear as best and safe as it possibly can be, so they can enjoy there road bike more! There are many posts on this site from riders that have said thanks for the improvement to there standard gear that I have "adjusted" for them.



As such it shouldn't be forgotten that Robert is the guy that knows about the inner workings of suspension (shit its all he does all day long!) and does all that sort of work which is on a higher plane than what Shaun can do.

All the customers that have had Internal mods done through my buisness have been 100% aware that I use Robert for this work, as he is the Jeweller in this area



And guess who has built Shaun's racing suspension for years....

Yes it was Robert who did all the Internall work:sunny: He is brilliant at it, It was me who set up the bike settings after that though that make the best use of the work Robert had done.


I have owned a number of roadgoing litre class bikes including ZX10's and felt I was pretty handy at setting up the stock suspension. I then moved (on sound advice from Robert) (actually persistant nagging ;-)) to Ohlins components.
I know people will tell you the stock stuff is all you need

Stock stuff was what I won two Isle of man road races in the front of my bikes ( Apart from springs and oil and after I had adjusted) So it can actualy be made to work very well ( Not as good as Ohlin's, but good enough to win 2 of the hardest road races in the world:rockon:



So in a nut shell is Ohlins the best in the world, some would argue it is not, but there is a progressive flat earth society from them ;-). Seriously though here in NZ, the country's only full time suspension tuner and his abundant skill, customer service, and support network make Ohlins the only sane choice of brand. Call the doctor and order up your prescription....

I agree, hence I informed the forum to go direct to Robert. But if any rider wants help with setting up externall settings of there bike, I offer this service from a rider to rider point of view, I can test ride there bike and give my oppinion as a rider.

So my suspension service is based on getting the best out of what you have got, be it Ohlin's product or any other product, Standard can be made a lot better that out of the crate settings, believe it, as I have proved it on many occasions, and have NO product barrow to push here either.

Any of my customers have also been offered the opportunity to use me again to change things after they have had there first adjustments changed, if they are not 100% happy with it Free of Charge.

[roogazza]

I have known Robert Taylor longer than most
I have owned a number of roadgoing litre class bikes including ZX10's and felt I was pretty handy at setting up the stock suspension.

So in a nut shell is Ohlins the best in the world, some would argue it is not, but there is a progressive flat earth society for them ;-).

Hey "Porn Star" Just watch out for that old Bandit ! No ohlins there !

(Flat earth society) G.

[Sanx]

Stock stuff was what I won two Isle of man road races in the front of my bikes ( Apart from springs and oil and after I had adjusted) So it can actualy be made to work very well ( Not as good as Ohlin's, but good enough to win 2 of the hardest road races in the world:rockon:

Your turn, TDC. I'd love to see the comeback to that comment...

[bistard]

Hey "Porn Star" Just watch out for that old Bandit ! No ohlins there !

(Flat earth society) G.

Hey Gazza,you might need some of my tyre warmers to get of your street though
hahaha

[TDC]

Hey "Porn Star" Just watch out for that old Bandit ! No ohlins there !
(Flat earth society) G.

That's right, no Ohlins in sight (lucky for me!), don't however be trying to suggest your suspension is factory standard at either end....

[TDC]

Hey Gazza,you might need some of my tyre warmers to get of your street though
hahaha

Na just better suspension ....:done:

[roogazza]

Hey Gazza,you might need some of my tyre warmers to get of your street though
hahaha

I deserved that didn't I ? Thought I might try trainer wheels ! Gaz.

[roogazza]

That's right, no Ohlins in sight (lucky for me!), don't however be trying to suggest your suspension is factory standard at either end....

Don't get me wrong guys , Ohlins is fantastic stuff , but I just get a kick outta messing with what I've got. In my era you didn't have suspension , just ground clearance ! Gaz.

[Maha]

In my era

You had an 'era'????.....is that sort of like....''back in my day''?...(pt)

[roogazza]

You had an 'era'????.....is that sort of like....''back in my day''?...(pt)
I don't know how to answer that one ? I thought everyone had an "Era" I even had a hankering for a Triumph way back ????!!!!!!! Gaz. :zzzz:

[Babelfish]

Shite, late entry, but heard you were after suspenders DMNTD so here's an option that may suffice:

<img src="http://bear2713.tripod.com/suspenders.jpg">

[DMNTD]

Well after much bollixing about I've finally given the ZX10 the Ohlins treatment.
Super bike fork springs and re valved up front and a mint Ohlins shock.
A HUGE thanks for Bay City Motorcycles and Robert Taylor( especially) for pushing the job through so I could have the bike back for this weekend. :niceone:
Off for a tester ride tomorrow around the "block" to see how things go and whether some adjustments are required re set up.

I be one happy honky :woohoo: