55k and looking at a complete suspension upgrade

[PhilJet09]

Betty has 55k+ on her now and this last EOM trip has emphasized the need to upgrade the suspension, front and rear. I've never been happy with the forks and the rear now has a very vague feeling to it. I've been doing some research using the site:fjrforum method, but the amount of threads is a little overwhelming.

Simply, what I'm going to do is replace the rear shock with an aftermarket, and re-spring/re-valve the forks. I'm thinking Ohlins for the shock and still exploring options for the forks.

What are you guys using and how do you like it? I'm on the light side (135#) so I may not even need new fork springs. There are a lot of options out there. How do I choose?

 

[A41Billy]

I Just upgraded my rear shock recently with this: https://www.jcmotors.com/p-14089-hlins-road-track-suspension-shock-absorber-type-s46hr1c1s-for-yamaha-fjr1300-06-09.aspx#.UkToQ4bWQhM This thing is the bomb! Remote preload and compression reservoirs make adjustments quick and easy.

If you are not planning on new fork springs, you should flush and fill with new fork oil. Likely your bushings are shot, so some internal fork work may be necessary.

 

[PhilJet09]

Good stuff, this is what I'm looking for. I'm considering re-valving the forks, but have no idea if it's worth it. As for the shock, I'm leaning toward some version of the Ohlins.

Or I could just trade the whole thing in on a '14...

 

[majicmaker]

Phil, there are definitely a lot of choices out there. As for me, the OHLINS I won last year at EOM has transformed my bike into something I never expected. I now know what "it rides like it's on rails" means. You'll be very happy with it. Just my $.02.

 

[A41Billy]

Revalving is worth it if you have the $$$. That is Ohlins best FJR shock. They have 2 others that are cheaper, but for a few more bucks the YA 707 is the cream. If you want to save a good chunk of money, forego the revalving and just get springs, bushings, seals and fresh fork oil.

 

[900gc]

Revalving is worth it if you have the $$$. That is Ohlins best FJR shock. They have 2 others that are cheaper, but for a few more bucks the YA 707 is the cream. If you want to save a good chunk of money, forego the revalving and just get springs, bushings, seals and fresh fork oil.

My opinion is to spend the money on the Gold Valves while you are doing the fork over. They absolutely make the fork better and think it's a great return on investment every time you ride.

.85 springs prolly good for your body weight.

Ohlins or Penske, can't go wrong. A mid range one is plenty good for the FJR. Forget spending big $$ on triple clicker units. Those are for racing where extra fine tuning can take a few tents off of a lap time.

Of course this $ is about a 10% down payment on a '14

.

 

[PhilJet09]

I'm definitely leaning towards re-valving the forks.

As for the '14, it is a consideration, but I'm not sure I'm ready to start all over with the farkles. That and who knows if their new suspension will be much better than any previous version.

 

[SailorTim]

Just curious, are you going to do this work yourself or have it done? If you have a shop in mind, please pass it along, as I am not far away and may like to have a suspension upgrade in a few years. thanks.

 

[majicmaker]

As for the '14, it is a consideration, but I'm not sure I'm ready to start all over with the farkles. That and who knows if their new suspension will be much better than any previous version.

I Agree, Phil. I'd let all the pixie dust settle on the '14. That '09 of yours has a long way to go before it has to go.

 

[gray ray]

Phill,

I just had Racetech, springs, valves, and spacers, put on the front of my 07 and Ohlins YA 707 put on the rear just before EOM. It's hard to explain the improvement to the bike. The bike now handles like a crotch rocket in the turns. There is a down side though. I can now run over a dime and tell weather it is heads or tails.

I was trying to find you at EOM to discuss riding the "Lake Erie Loop" next year. It is schedueled for June 22 weekend.

 

[jmgrif]

I went with Race Tech G3 shock and new Race Tech springs with Gold valves on the forks! The forks were rebuilt by a local suspension shop and I did the re and re on the shock. Performance difference, Priceless! When all is said and done I was into the upgrade for about $2400. Cdn. If I can my next fork inspection and service will be done by me at AuburnFJR's next spring tech meet. I had hoped to do this in the fall but I'm too busy fetching my winter wood! GP suspension has relocated (AuburnFJR could direct you), JJ gave a demo at the last meet I attended and can do the service for you if required.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Betty has 55k+ on her now and this last EOM trip has emphasized the need to upgrade the suspension, front and rear. I've never been happy with the forks......
Simply, what I'm going to do is replace the rear shock with an aftermarket, and re-spring/re-valve the forks. I'm thinking Ohlins for the shock and still exploring options for the forks.

What are you guys using and how do you like it? I'm on the light side (135#) so I may not even need new fork springs.

Can you explain why you were not happy with the forks even when the bike was new? The FJR forks are under sprung for most of us and heavier springs requires re-valving to increase oil flow to compensate for the heavier springs. However, it may be possible that the springs are slightly over sprung for your weight and lighter springs would work better for you....in which case re-valving probably would not be required. I suggest that you measure your front sag and see if you need different springs before you make any decisions about re-valving. If you normally ride with a trunk make sure it is installed and loaded when you take the sag measurements.

 

[MCRIDER007]

From gray ray:

I just had Racetech, springs, valves, and spacers, put on the front of my 07 and Ohlins YA 707 put on the rear just before EOM. It's hard to explain the improvement to the bike. The bike now handles like a crotch rocket in the turns. There is a down side though. I can now run over a dime and tell weather it is heads or tails.

Good suspension should not result in a harsh ride, you should be able to run over a silver dollar and not know it is there.

Seriously, since I upgraded my suspension I can see bumps, broken pavement, and other perfections in the road that I really can't feel in the handlebars when I go over them. If you are getting too much road feel you probably need to soften your low speed compression damping.

 

[A41Billy]

From gray ray:
I just had Racetech, springs, valves, and spacers, put on the front of my 07 and Ohlins YA 707 put on the rear just before EOM. It's hard to explain the improvement to the bike. The bike now handles like a crotch rocket in the turns. There is a down side though. I can now run over a dime and tell weather it is heads or tails.

Good suspension should not result in a harsh ride, you should be able to run over a silver dollar and not know it is there.

Seriously, since I upgraded my suspension I can see bumps, broken pavement, and other perfections in the road that I really can't feel in the handlebars when I go over them. If you are getting too much road feel you probably need to soften your low speed compression damping.

Everyone rides differently. If you ride on the aggressive side, then a stiffer suspension setup is needed to handle the forces. With a stiffer suspension you feel the bumps more than you would on a softer setup.

Also the Ohlins 707 shock isnt for racing, it makes adjusting the shock easier. Do you want to use a spanner wrench to adjust preload or just turn the knob a click or 2?

 

[FJRMGM]

any aftermarket suspension you put on the bike will feel a LOT better than even a new stock suspension.

I have Wilburs springs up front and shock on the rear and it made the '05 a much better bike. I due for a periodic rebuild of the rear shock now.

 

[Niehart]

Phil, I'm sure GP Susp/KFG Susp is going to have a group buy this winter.

I have been using their setup since 2007. In fact, I moved my suspension parts from my '06' FJR to my '10' FJR. Ohlins with a remote was my choice for a rear shock. Just had KFG redo both ends this year.

So when the group buy comes up and your snowed in, send your forks to those folks and buy what ever rear shock you like.

 

[PhilJet09]

As for the '14, it is a consideration, but I'm not sure I'm ready to start all over with the farkles. That and who knows if their new suspension will be much better than any previous version.

I Agree, Phil. I'd let all the pixie dust settle on the '14. That '09 of yours has a long way to go before it has to go.

Absolutely, but it sure is a good thing the '14s don't come in black...

 

[PhilJet09]

Phill,I just had Racetech, springs, valves, and spacers, put on the front of my 07 and Ohlins YA 707 put on the rear just before EOM. It's hard to explain the improvement to the bike. The bike now handles like a crotch rocket in the turns. There is a down side though. I can now run over a dime and tell weather it is heads or tails.I was trying to find you at EOM to discuss riding the "Lake Erie Loop" next year. It is schedueled for June 22 weekend.

Oh man, wish I would have found you in Maggie Valley! I'd really like to do the loop next year, which means I need to get off my butt and find the right bike, then spend the winter getting it right. I almost pulled the trigger on a 175cc enduro last year, then found out I was going to be working, so I passed.

 

[PhilJet09]

Betty has 55k+ on her now and this last EOM trip has emphasized the need to upgrade the suspension, front and rear. I've never been happy with the forks......Simply, what I'm going to do is replace the rear shock with an aftermarket, and re-spring/re-valve the forks. I'm thinking Ohlins for the shock and still exploring options for the forks.

What are you guys using and how do you like it? I'm on the light side (135#) so I may not even need new fork springs.

Can you explain why you were not happy with the forks even when the bike was new? The FJR forks are under sprung for most of us and heavier springs requires re-valving to increase oil flow to compensate for the heavier springs. However, it may be possible that the springs are slightly over sprung for your weight and lighter springs would work better for you....in which case re-valving probably would not be required. I suggest that you measure your front sag and see if you need different springs before you make any decisions about re-valving. If you normally ride with a trunk make sure it is installed and loaded when you take the sag measurements.

Jeez, now you're asking tough questions. Actually great questions that I probably don't even have a good answer for. The first year I had the bike I spend playing with the adjustments without ever really feeling like I got them just right. The forks were always either way too harsh, bouncy or just plain vague. Combine that with adding an onslaught of farkles and trying to get used to a new bike...and I really don't know how I got to the settings I'm at right now. I guess I'm hoping to just make a call, answer a few questions and hand over my card and get the "vast improvement" that everyone else talks about. Once I know I have good components that are sized right for me, then I was planning on a methodical approach to making the adjustments. Good point about the sag though. I know I did that when I first got the bike, but don't really remember what or if I adjusted it and of course didn't write anything down. I'll do it again before I make a decision on what to buy. I was about 30lbs heavier back then.