OEM Kawasaki suspension the best of the lot!

While chewing the fat with my suspension guy today, we got talking about the quality of the internals in the 9! I asked him what he thought of it? His response shocked me. He reckons, that late model ie @ 2000 onwards, Kawasaki suspension internals, are on average loads better as far as quality goes.

He rebuilds a multitude of bikes from differing manufacturers, and has no allegence to Kawasaki what so ever, so I can see no reason for him to have a hidden agenda. However he did say, that often it just isn't set up properly from the factory.

So instead of spending loads on a shock and gold valves , I'm going to have him rebuild the shock, and respring and revalve the front end. I'm going to have him set it up the same way my racer is, with a high and low speed circuit on the rebound and the compression. I think all up, it's going to cost about $700-$800 including all the parts to do both ends. So it's still cheaper than buying even second hand stuff! Happy Daze!

While chewing the fat with my suspension guy today, we got talking about the quality of the internals in the 9! I asked him what he thought of it? His response shocked me. He reckons, that late model ie @ 2000 onwards, Kawasaki suspension internals, are on average loads better as far as quality goes.

He rebuilds a multitude of bikes from differing manufacturers, and has no allegence to Kawasaki what so ever, so I can see no reason for him to have a hidden agenda. However he did say, that often it just isn't set up properly from the factory.

Mate obviously your suspension guru? has his reasons for saying that.
Some of the people I have spoken too including Mick Hams suggest otherwise, and having seen the valves Kawasaki use, and the quality of the shims I too would question the comment.

So instead of spending loads on a shock and gold valves , I'm going to have him rebuild the shock, and respring and revalve the front end. I'm going to have him set it up the same way my racer is, with a high and low speed circuit on the rebound and the compression.

You mention high and low speed circuits on your suspension???
All cartridge type suspension have this as standard. As I have mentioned earlier, the valves have a series of orifices that oil is forced through for small bumps(low speed circuit), when a large bump is encountered this forces the oil to bypass these and open the shim stack (the high speed circuit)
The following URL (page 4)explains how the basic components in your suspension work.

http://www.ohlins.com/Portals/0/documen ... 41-02A.pdf

This link should clarify some of the misconceptions and also point out some basic settings, things to look for when your bike isnt handling the way you think it should.(page 9)


Neil

Heh Strika - your suspension bloke is Trevor Manley right ? Multiple Australian road-race champion ? He does the suspension set-up on a rather large number of road-race bikes ??? He has been doing this shit for , oh, over 25 years now ???

I guess he should be getting his advice from Mick Hams whoever the fuck Mick Hams is . Last time I saw suspension experts mentioned (Radar Cullen, Terry Hay etc), I never saw Mick Hams name up there......

While chewing the fat with my suspension guy today, we got talking about the quality of the internals in the 9! I asked him what he thought of it? His response shocked me. He reckons, that late model ie @ 2000 onwards, Kawasaki suspension internals, are on average loads better as far as quality goes.

He rebuilds a multitude of bikes from differing manufacturers, and has no allegence to Kawasaki what so ever, so I can see no reason for him to have a hidden agenda. However he did say, that often it just isn't set up properly from the factory.

Mate obviously your suspension guru? has his reasons for saying that.
Some of the people I have spoken too including Mick Hams suggest otherwise, and having seen the valves Kawasaki use, and the quality of the shims I too would question the comment.

So instead of spending loads on a shock and gold valves , I'm going to have him rebuild the shock, and respring and revalve the front end. I'm going to have him set it up the same way my racer is, with a high and low speed circuit on the rebound and the compression.

You mention high and low speed circuits on your suspension???
All cartridge type suspension have this as standard. As I have mentioned earlier, the valves have a series of orifices that oil is forced through for small bumps(low speed circuit), when a large bump is encountered this forces the oil to bypass these and open the shim stack (the high speed circuit)
The following URL (page 4)explains how the basic components in your suspension work.

http://www.ohlins.com/Portals/0/documen ... 41-02A.pdf

This link should clarify some of the misconceptions and also point out some basic settings, things to look for when your bike isnt handling the way you think it should.(page 9)


Neil

Thanks for another fantastic lesson in suspension. I will have a read of the Ohlins site info to refresh my memory from the last time I read their's or any other manufacturers guides. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. As for my supposed misconceptions about suspension internals, you best take that up with Trevor Manly! I am unsure as to why you question the ability and knowledge of Trevor, however I think Gos' above post answers that question for you and may provide a better basis for credibility. And by the way, what exactly are these misconceptions? I have re read my post and cannot find any erronious information? Could you please clarify?

As for my remark regarding high and low speed compression and rebound, show me a 1995 ZX6R or a 2000 ZX9R with high and low speed compression and rebound adjustment???? Which Neil my learned and wise friend, is why he installs this adjustability into these types of forks!

I have re read my post and cannot find any erronious information? Could you please clarify?

As for my remark regarding high and low speed compression and rebound, show me a 1995 ZX6R or a 2000 ZX9R with high and low speed compression and rebound adjustment???? Which Neil my learned and wise friend, is why he installs this adjustability into these types of forks!

With pleasure, to start with erroneous was spelt incorrectly!
I did not sling shit on Trevor Manley I merely questioned his opinion, and Gos just because he can race a bike doesnt mean he knows shit about suspension, I dont know the guy, dont want to, and like all of us are entitled to an opinion.

with a high and low speed circuit on the rebound and the compression

Please show me a Japanese bike with high & low speed compression (as you incorrectly call it) on the front forks?
From your babblings I presume you are talking about the compression and rebound adjustments. I did mention in my post about cartridge type forks.If these bikes do not have cartridge type forks, he will be using what is called a cartridge emulator, to give you this adjustability, and has nothing whatsoever to do with my previous post. For the record Mick Hams until recently was one of the suspension gurus for the Ducati Moto GP team(an Ohlins specialist), but them what the F@#%K would he know about suspension. After looking at the pictures of your bike it looks so well maintained & cared for! something to be proud of!

Neil

Last edited by Neilp on Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hey Neilp I cant find a photo but have a look at the front of a yamaha r6 this years model and you will in fact find 2 compression adjusters....high and low speed.

Now i have read a little about ohlins shocks and they recon the high speed adjuster doesnt do much unless you just about bottom it out somewhere but on the penske on dial in you can really notice the diference and it makes tuning in a spring a breeze once you know what you are doing so i would asume same on the front .....you can adjust the knee or the point the shimstack kicks in to suit yourself which is a good idea for mine.

sorry about the typos.

I have re read my post and cannot find any erronious information? Could you please clarify?

As for my remark regarding high and low speed compression and rebound, show me a 1995 ZX6R or a 2000 ZX9R with high and low speed compression and rebound adjustment???? Which Neil my learned and wise friend, is why he installs this adjustability into these types of forks!

With pleasure, to start with erroneous was spelt incorrectly!
I did not sling shit on Trevor Manley I merely questioned his opinion, and Gos just because he can race a bike doesnt mean he knows shit about suspension, I dont know the guy, dont want to, and like all of us are entitled to an opinion.

with a high and low speed circuit on the rebound and the compression

Please show me a Japanese bike with high & low speed compression (as you incorrectly call it) on the front forks?
From your babblings I presume you are talking about the compression and rebound adjustments. I did mention in my post about cartridge type forks.If these bikes do not have cartridge type forks, he will be using what is called a cartridge emulator, to give you this adjustability, and has nothing whatsoever to do with my previous post. For the record Mick Hams until recently was one of the suspension gurus for the Ducati Moto GP team(an Ohlins specialist), but them what the F@#%K would he know about suspension. After looking at the pictures of your bike it looks so well maintained & cared for! something to be proud of!

Neil

In your reply to my post, you slag me for having a go at Mick Hams??? I have said nothing about him.

Please forgive my spelling error I know how important that is to the discussion.

Please forgive me for omitting the word "Adjustment". You are correct, and I was in fact referring to high and low speed compression and rebound "adjustment".

However, it still doesn't point out how my previous post contained misconceptions????

None of my bikes have cartridge emulators in them. Yet my race bike which has been modified by Trevor Manly has High and Low speed compression and rebound "adjustment" using the standard adjusters and not fitting any other items. I know how he did it as I watched most of it! But you obviously don't know this one, so perhaps you should find out before you jump to conclusions.



As for my bike. If my bike is dirty, it's because I actually ride it! With 10,000+ klms between the 15/12/06 and the 21/01/07, then another four days on the bike after that down at Phillip Island and then straight back into work, I can be excused I think for having a dirty bike. Especially considering last sundays ride had a few klms of dirt roads. In any case, as those who have seen my 9 will attest, 99% of the time the bike is immaculate. I'm so sorry neil that I didn't wash it prior to removing the forks and taking that pic!

I really don't understand what your problem is? You are trying to shoot holes in what I am saying very obviously. However I havn't made any incorrect statements, apart from omitting a word, and making a spelling mistake???? Perhaps you could shed some light on what you mean exactly when you say "babblings"??? In particular, where have I "Babbled" my learned and humble friend?

Looks like you've got an admirer Marty...or should that be stalker

Looks like you've got an admirer Marty...or should that be stalker

Obviously he's got nothing to do than to try shoot holes in everything I say. However, his aims been a little off??? I still am yet to find out what in my posts was erroneous, and which bits are Babble!!!!!

does anybody give a flying f54k what you guys think anyway .

at the end of the day the proof is in the laptimes !

does anybody give a flying f54k what you guys think anyway .

at the end of the day the proof is in the laptimes !

You are correct MF, I really don't think many people care what we think at all. However I'm pretty sure that applies to you to!

BTW, what are your laptimes?

does anybody give a flying f54k what you guys think anyway .

at the end of the day the proof is in the laptimes !

I love irony

i'll just go on what my suspension man says......and that its good stuff, no need for emulators if its set up right.

started off as an interesting read, now im just confused

i'll just go on what my suspension man says......and that its good stuff, no need for emulators if its set up right.

Mate!!!! That can't be right!!!!! Cause that's Zachary what I said!! You best be changing your opinion to what neil says before he gives you a serve too !!!!!! And how would your guy know more than Mick Hams, Phil???? I mean really, how can anyone compare, when neil has a direct line to the god of suspension himself! It's pretty obvious that all the other people are wrong, and we should all be sending our suspension up to Mick!!! (BTW, no direspect to Mick Ham intended, I am sure he is a mighty fine, knowledgable and effective suspension guy-it's probably just they way he's been drawn! )