'03 to '06 Z1000 suspension

[Nelso]

What's everyone done with their Zs? Have you stuck with the standard set up and just played around with the preload and rebound settings, or have you had them re-valved, re-sprung or replaced?

I'm on the heavier side of riders at 120kg so would be interested in what other 'big boned' people might have done to theirs to set them up better.

[petro]

I've got ZX6R shocks and forks on mine, handles quite nicely. Here's a link to a very good forum that has all the info you need.

http://www.riderforums.com/

[Neka79]

mine has a barra (04) zx6r shock in the back....

just set it up for my weight etc....

still wollows a bit.. i just call it "charachter"...lol

[ttc]

In the rear it's a 04 zx6 shock that's been revalved, and a lighter weight spring (I'm a fair bit lighter than you)
In the front I had a cartridge put into the left fork, the right one was pretty ok so they just matched it to that

Bike handles absolutely fantastic, I have a steering dampener, but it's actually on the lowest settings, it doesn't need it anymore

[Nelso]

Thanks for the replies. There's some great info already that is a big help. I knew it was a popular mod to replace the rear, but it sounds like no-one has kept their rear shock.

Have been reading up on riderforums, hence why I asked here to see if people were doing the same sort of thing as the septics. Wasn't sure if it was just an easy cheap fix for them due to an abundance of spares or not. From what I gather, the 04 zx6 shock is a straight swap but the 03 needs to be machined to fit. It is also a softer spring so for me might be a better option to re-valve the rear and put a zx10 top (don't know what they are called) on the shock to get some adjustment.

Very interested to know about putting the cartridge in the left fork ttc. Is it another z1000 (right fork) that it came from or was it donated from a different bike? Was thinking of doing a similar thing and re-valving them, rather than swapping for zx6 forks. Curious to compare the price for each option.

Keep the replies coming. Cheers,

Rob

[ttc]

03-04 zx6 straight swap..
I think the later ones may require a spacer or something?

Cartridge was one my suspension god made up.. so I have no idea of what it's made up out of
Prob with the zx6 front setup is finding a good set of forks


I still have the standard shock.. it's in the garage with the rest of the spares

[Wattie]

i had the stock bits on my Z1000

i rode it pretty hard, its wollowy, but still rideable

[Neka79]

i used the 04 zx6r shock and spring.. maybe shoulda swapped springs.. but didnt think of it...

the barra shock (04 zx6r) was abt 10mm longer from memory... hasnt made much difference to me, cos i didnt ride it with the stock shock...lol


only reason i did it, was cos tanya told me to, and my mate was trading his barra 3 days after i bought my bike.. so we did a dodgy...lol

[ProblemChild]

i had the stock bits on my Z1000

i rode it pretty hard, its wollowy, but still rideable

i ll agree with that

[kawaden]

i have 04 ZX6RR forks (yes RR) in the front and an ohlins out of a ZX6RR racer in the rear. it now has the handling and braking to match the engine performance. got the forks on ebay usa for way cheaper than here. if you can afford it, do it you wont look back

[esie]

I went and got a quote from Suspension Improvements a few weeks ago to get the suspension on my '04 Z750 done. To have the front forks completely redone, new shocks and a new spring, the total cost was about $2,800.

I dont' really want to spend that much on a 4 year old bike....so I am test-riding an '08 Z1000 as soon as Jeff is out of plaster!

[zenodamper]

Seems like a big quote there Esie - wot did you ask for?

[Neka79]

I went and got a quote from Suspension Improvements a few weeks ago to get the suspension on my '04 Z750 done. To have the front forks completely redone, new shocks and a new spring, the total cost was about $2,800.

I dont' really want to spend that much on a 4 year old bike....so I am test-riding an '08 Z1000 as soon as Jeff is out of plaster!

sounds ridiculous!!

i got a quote for a front end rebuild here at Hoey (susp guru in SA)... to rebuild my forks with comp,rebound etc.. was like $7-900

[kawadoug]

I've had a quote from Suspension Improvements for a job on a ZRX1100. It was just about more than the bike was worth. I'd get a 2nd opinion on any quotes from them. I also have a mate who got a rear shock done for a Ducati 916 from the same mob and he's had nothing but probs with it. Got a standard 916 shock and replaced his 'setup' rear and the standard was better. I know that everyone has different experiences with shock people but it seems that no one is consistently good. I guess it is a 'black' art and what is a good setup for one person is no good for someone else. A friend once quoted to me 'Stop pissing about and just go out and ride it' I guess that is where we eventually get to.

[ttc]

Unfortunately it's not that black and white Kawadoug.
Before my suspension was done I found my zx6 to be pretty much unrideable to me.

And with my zed setup the way it is I find I have a confidence in the bike I didn't have before..


I believe you can't please everyone all of the time, but Suspension improvements did both my bikes right the first time. I know someone who tried to save dollars and go elsewhere.. and that company made a real mess of it..