Suspension gurus in Auckland?

**khabel** · 13th July 2011, 09:44

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

**Robert Taylor** · 14th July 2011, 07:58

Originally Posted by khabel

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** · 14th July 2011, 08:20

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

**Quasievil** · 14th July 2011, 08:22

Originally Posted by khabel

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** · 14th July 2011, 11:36

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** · 14th July 2011, 11:59

Originally Posted by 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

Ill type a reply answering those questions tonight

**khabel** · 14th July 2011, 13:15

thanks, much appreciated

**Robert Taylor** · 14th July 2011, 21:32

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 15th July 2011, 08:39

Originally Posted by khabel

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** · 15th July 2011, 08:50

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

**khabel** · 15th July 2011, 13:47

Originally Posted by ajturbo

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

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** · 15th July 2011, 18:03

Originally Posted by khabel

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.