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What suspension do you have?

9K views 54 replies 23 participants last post by  Mr. Azim 
#1 ·
I've been riding stock everything on my 06 R6 until recently.... now that I've picked up my speeds I've noticed how inadequate the stock suspension can be. Lots of wobble, bouncing and skipping.

I'm sending the forks to be upgraded with valving and a higher weight fork oil this week and awaiting my Elka triple clicker to arrive. That should be sufficient enough for now :)

I rode street but now just do track/racing as of 2012.
 
#3 ·
Get it tuned?:dunce: Save the money for seat time/tires.

R6 stock suspension is a good suspension as long as you have it tuned for you.

I race on a 5000 mile stale stock suspension but it is setup and does well enough to put me at or near the front.
 
#4 ·
lol..... mine's stock from out of the crate stale (2006). I'm doing a basic cleaning/fork oil replacement. I may not do any valving but if I can get a good deal to have it done while he's in there I will. And the Elka was from this board, so I didn't pay the full $1,000 plus for it.
 
#6 ·
What mercenary said ... stock stuff is pretty good. Sounds like it's time to service what you have and get it set up right. That's where I'd spend my money unless you're racing or serious at track days.

I've got an Ohlins TTX and 30mm cartridges. Awesome, but not cheap.
 
#7 ·
along the lines of what some noted in earlier posts, getting the sag correct and having the correct springs is super important. An expensive shock or fork kit won't do much good if not dialed in properly. Buying stuff from someone else, then just bolting it on is NOT always a better idea than just working with what you have.. No fork/shock service since new? yikes. Fork oil gets nasty pretty fast.
Get the right springs, set the sag correctly and find a a suspension tuner that can work with you and get at least a reasonable setting of your adjusters.
Rebound on the shock, has the MOST affect on a bike. Going one way or the other on that adjustment alone has the most affect on how a bike handles, more than any other adjuster front or rear.

Ohlins 25mm forks, and JRi shocks
 
#8 ·
The front forks on my F4 (racetech spring, stock internals) feels tons smoother/better than my R6, could be the fork oil. But I'll take your recommendations and get the front oil cleaned out and replaced and not worry about any front upgrades.

I started racing in the middle of last year, I'm mid-pack right now but signed up for a day with one of the pro guys in September. Morning starts with a full suspension set up and he'll adjust throughout the day as needed along with my riding style/progression.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
#9 ·
F4 mv agusta or F4 Honda cbr? the 00 honda cbrF4 was a sweet bike, raced it my AM season in 03. way WAY soft front end though. The stock fork springs are nice on the street, but way too soft for track duty. Also, the forks are not inverted (like the 03-04 and "S" model r6) so the front will flex more and have a softer feel.
As your ability goes up and lap times go down, you will need a firmer setup if you want the correlation to continue.
 
#10 ·
Honda CBR F4 (1999).... an MV would be nice though :p

It's a great bike I've used and abused and it still keeps going (hmmm.... 50+K, 3 crashes? lol, 2 minor, 1 requiring noticeable repair). The R6 has had one lowside but that was when it was more of a street bike and occasional track toy.
 
#12 ·
the stock stuff is fine like said above, if you dont weigh over 175 pounds. Being a 220 pound man it sucks stock. there is not much you can do to a stock shock to make it better. A new spring would help, but the valving is still there, and by the time you get different valves, you could have bought a cheaper shock (elka) that would be twice as good.

With that said, I currently have Race Tech front and rear on my R1, I bottom everything out and have the most stiff spring they make (race tech) so I have now upgraded to Ohlins
 
#13 ·
just this year i had my 2008 bike upgraded with a Ohlins FPK 107 piston kit, springs, and oil 2 match my weight on the front,and a Ohlins TTX Mk2 shock out back with spring to match my weight. both installed by Robert Jensen an ohlins specialist at Spieglers here in Dayton ohio. yea the Brake guys. it about as good as i have ever had a bike work. i never had the stock stuff set up right so it maynot have been the earth too the sky transformation that i had.. kinda just went balls in but i am glad i did.
 
#18 ·
all stock and probably going to try to do one more season before a refresh/upgrade. i'm definitely at the point where i'm just killing tires and require a set-up for a fatty instead of the featherweights that the bike comes ready for.

it's bad enough where i go thru tech and they comment about my preload settings on my forks. yup, they're all the way in. do you have any donuts?

i slim-up every spring just enough to get my leathers to zip up over my back and chest protector.

i could spend $2k on the upgrade now or spend $2k in extra tires until i do. putting a kid thru college really saps your bank account, tho...


s3aturnr
 
#20 ·
I build race car shocks for a living so I just naturally want to try to improve anything with suspension. This is my second R6, I bought a used 08 a few months ago. I FULLY ADMIT that motorcycle suspension tuning is new to me so I'm still learning a lot.
I rebuilt the forks about a week after I brought the bike home. Went to a trackday and shortly thereafter the opportunity to test a JRi came up. So what was I supposed to do? Tell him no? Lol, I couldn't do that so I've got a stock setup front and a JRi out back. It's a nice shock, no doubt about it.
 
#23 ·
I'm rocking pretty much the same setup. GP kit in the forks, Elka 3-way out back. I've had issues with the Elka leaking from the compression adjuster, likely started from weathering dust storms out in the middle of the CA desert. Keep that sucker clean.
 
#26 ·
On the 08, 30mm NIX Cartridges and a TTX out back.

On the 02, racetech valves in the forks with springs and an old ohlins shock on the back (height adjustable as well tho).

If anyone has been on the fence on the balls out kit (30 mm and TTX MK2) Hollar at me because you got 3 weeks to make it happen at the best deal in YEARS on ohlins. AND there's a price increase over there coming up in 3 weeks as well.

FYI to all you bros.

FPK valve/piston kits are a STEAL for our bikes too right meow. I'm picking up a set today for my 06 front end going on the 02. Cheapest best option :fact I've seen our AMA rider run em and they were fine until we had to go dunlop. The valving just wasnt enough to push the AMA times without the tire looking like a cheesegrader
 
#27 ·
I think many people look past piston kits in favor of more overkill ideas out of concern for overall adjustability etc. But the piston kits can be setup for a given tire combo and run just about as well as the more expensive options for most outside of the most talented riders at the fastest paces. It's one of the reason a lot of us say find a tire, tune for it, and stick to it as long as possible.
 
#30 ·
Can't Wait to get my Rear shock looking for a good deal on a penske Triple clicker
 
#32 · (Edited)
For those of you that are looking for a great rear shock that will fit 08-12 R6 check out the JRI's I know they have a couple of take off's that have been serviced and are ready to go with your correct spring for your weight. For short money compaired to a new one.

JRi refurbished motorcycle shocks are now available! These shocks are totally rebuilt and updated. Each shock has very little run time. Get yours before they run out!!!
2008-2012 YZFR6, Triple Adjustable, Used 1 season, $775.00ea ONLY 2 LEFT!!!


Give Tim Godshall call at JRI 704-660-8346
 
#33 ·
THis is a STEAL.. the JRi shocks are awesome. I sold my Ohlins TTX shocks after trying these. WAY lighter that the Ohlins or Penske shocks too. Like way lighter. And FYI?? I'm a Jri "support" rider and paid more than $775 each for the 2 shocks i have.. just saying. That is a smokin deal on the shock that is TAKING OVER roadracing.
 
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