Ohlins FGK 132 Cartridges...GSX-R 600/750, K6/K7

**Pussy** · 27th December 2007, 09:33

My sem fiddy got a you beaut Xmas present. Fitted the forks back in on Xmas eve, complete with a set of Ohlins cartridges. I have only done about 400km on them so far, and I'm very impressed. The damping reacts what feels like instantaneously, with very controlled action. RT valved the cartridges to a spec to suit me, as he has a lot of experience knowing what I like, and has pretty well hit the mark first off.
A characteristic that comes to the fore straight away is the response whilst leaned over. I have one off camber/rippled corner I like to use to try different settings, and the bike feels VERY planted on it. The spec RT has given me is a nice combination of being firm but not harsh.
More to follow, folks, going to go out and try them some more......

**NZsarge** · 27th December 2007, 10:02

Originally Posted by Pussy

My sem fiddy got a you beaut Xmas present. Fitted the forks back in on Xmas eve, complete with a set of Ohlins cartridges. I have only done about 400km on them so far, and I'm very impressed. The damping reacts what feels like instantaneously, with very controlled action. RT valved the cartridges to a spec to suit me, as he has a lot of experience knowing what I like, and has pretty well hit the mark first off.
A characteristic that comes to the fore straight away is the response whilst leaned over. I have one off camber/rippled corner I like to use to try different settings, and the bike feels VERY planted on it. The spec RT has given me is a nice combination of being firm but not harsh.
More to follow, folks, going to go out and try them some more......

Interesting....particularly the bit about off camber corners...

**Pussy** · 1st January 2008, 15:05

Done about 1700km on the new front end now. Excellent!! The valving characteristics of these Ohlins cartridges is primo. The forks are held further up the stroke than before. It's amazing how little travel is used to provide very comfortable but controlled damping. You can observe them reacting to each and every little irregularity. The front end is very confidence inspiring even for someone of my lower ability. More to follow.....

**Toast** · 10th January 2008, 14:11

How much?

**Pussy** · 10th January 2008, 14:39

Originally Posted by Toast

How much?

Approx $2700, would be best to check with RT when he gets back from Phillip Island to confirm

**Pussy** · 10th February 2008, 19:20

Bit of an update... to say that Robert Taylor is a bit pedantic is like saying Attilla the Hun was a bit of a naughty boy. When RT supplied and fitted the new cartridges, he set a valving spec to suit me. After approx 4000km on them now, I identified that the high speed rebound damping was now just a whisker slow (as opposed to stock cartridges, where it's a bit too fast). Not a huge issue at all, but just not quite 100%. Not good enough for Mr Taylor. Out come the forks and a drop off to the surgery. Robert has now done some subtle adjustments to the rebound stack of the Ohlins cartridges, with bloody awesome results. The already very compliant feel has improved more, and the feedback is great. Now I've just got to get myself more skills to realise the potential the bike has...

**Pussy** · 17th February 2008, 21:21

Another update: Just been to Paeroa and back, a good mix of road surfaces to really feel what the forks are like now... BRILLIANT.
It's not a cheap modification, but if you want your K6-K7 GSX-R600/750 to feel absolutely sublime in the front end, I would really suggest getting hold of RT and be prepared to shell out some readys, and go for it.
I'm rapt...

**Pussy** · 1st March 2008, 07:48

'Nother update: Rode over to Taupo 28/2, Moto TT trackday 29/2, and back to NP same evening. The front end is to me faultless. It is easily the best suspension I have ever ridden on. I haven't found a single road surface that makes me want for any further improvement in the forks' performance, and on the track the feeling of confidence in the front is primo. Now, just have to upskill self......

**NZsarge** · 1st March 2008, 09:58

Originally Posted by Pussy

'Nother update: Rode over to Taupo 28/2, Moto TT trackday 29/2, and back to NP same evening. The front end is to me faultless. It is easily the best suspension I have ever ridden on. I haven't found a single road surface that makes me want for any further improvement in the forks' performance, and on the track the feeling of confidence in the front is primo. Now, just have to upskill self......

Wow, even though it's an expensive mod it sound to me to be worth the money.....if you have the money that is.

**Shaun** · 27th March 2008, 07:31

I Have a USED set, fully serviced by Robert Taylor! @ CKT

I want $2000 for them, can have them fitted for you, approx another $400

**Pussy** · 14th May 2009, 17:55

Another update:
Have tried a few different internal settings on behalf of RT to come up with the ideal road setting.
I realise that the best you've ridden on is the best you know... but I reckon we've got the settings VERY good.
Robert modified the compression pistons for more sharp bump compliance ( I found a deficiency on one particularly gnarly pothole), so that is sorted.
Because these cartridges are made to very fine tolerances, there is very little internal friction within the cartridge. This has enabled me to run heavier springs without discomfort, with the advantage of later/heavier braking capability and not having fully compressed forks.
The bending shim stack mid-valve keeps the forks higher in the stroke whilst providing excellent comfort/feedback/control/compliance.
Soooo, you road riders, if you get the oppurtunity to get hold of a set of FGK cartridges for your bike... go for it!
There have been some great deals (eg. Tony OK has/had a set for sale for a blade, Choppa for the ZX10 etc), and it is a VERY worthwhile mod for a road bike.
RT and myself have done the hard work to develop road settings, so a call to RT will sort you. You'll be very happy with them!

**Ascott** · 26th June 2009, 18:17

Have just ordered a set of these from R.T. today through my local Sweesuki dealer along with the ttx36 so no doubt will have the same set-up as you have sorted! will be about 3 weeks to arrive, will let you know the results!

Al

**Pussy** · 26th June 2009, 18:19

You ain't going to be disappointed, Ascott!

**JD Racing** · 27th June 2009, 16:00

Originally Posted by Pussy

Another update:
Because these cartridges are made to very fine tolerances, there is very little internal friction within the cartridge. This has enabled me to run heavier springs without discomfort, with the advantage of later/heavier braking capability and not having fully compressed forks.

So how much internal friction were your original cartridges contributing to the spring rate 0.25n/mm, 0.5n/mm? How did you verify that it was friction that was contributing to the overall spring rate of the fork?

**Robert Taylor** · 27th June 2009, 18:30

Originally Posted by JD Racing

So how much internal friction were your original cartridges contributing to the spring rate 0.25n/mm, 0.5n/mm? How did you verify that it was friction that was contributing to the overall spring rate of the fork?

Unscientifically but effectively. The standard cartridges have a lot of piston ring friction and will not ''drop'' so readily when fully extended, they also dont clock into the forks exactly on centreline. Re-engineerable yes but the 25mm Ohlins system is a total engineering package and we have road settings that are working really well. We modify the pistons and have our own extensively tested valving specs. I am happy to forward these to you in confidence if you have customers with these and wish to try something different.
Pussy has done an enormous amount of road testing with both stock and Ohlins cartridges for me over the years and is VERY fussy. His feedback has been proven to be on the money time and again when we have set other customers bikes up with his road settings. To that end I totally respect his judgement and he is very valuable to me in developing road settings for both stock and aftermarket cartridges.