motoxr124
Well-known member
After 45,000 miles on under-sprung OEM suspension, it was time to freshen up the feejer as a new bike was out of the question. And a new bike doesnt solve the under-sprung suspension problem. As I searched the local area for suspension specialists, I learned that there was only one that was trusted locally. It was GP Suspension located in Oregon City, Oregon. However, GP had been bought by KFG Racing out Auburn, Washington. So I decided to do a little research. My research had concluded KFG was a well known, reputable company. It would be roughly a four hour ride up for the ride-in service. So I called them up.
I got April on the other end of the line. Her husband, Barry, and her own the company. April was nice and provided information on a level that was understandable by this suspension novice. April was patient and answered all my questions. I understood why my bike wasnt riding like I expected it to. So after I told April what I wanted, she told me what most other feejer owners got and what KFG offered. I decided on the GP 25mm cartridge fork kit and Penske double-adjustable shock. Then the price question came up. And April answered. I about swallowed my tongue. And that was with the veterans discount. I realized quickly that suspension is not cheap. I had somewhat of an idea. I had my MX bikes forks serviced recently.
So quarter to six in the morning I began my journey. Gas stop in Olympia and I got to KFG at 0930 hrs. Not open til ten, I back tracked to the Subway just down the street. After a light meal, I headed back. OPEN sign is lit so I went in. First impression, nice clean shop. The fella at the counter later identified as Stephan greeted me. We talked about my bike and how the suspension has gone down hill. He joked about how it was only slightly up that hill as OEM suspension is completely under-sprung. There was a cartridge fork on the counter. Stephan explained how the internals in forks worked.
Moments later, April walked in. Stephen pointed out to April that I, the 10 oclock, was in. April then had Stephan bring my bike around back. So Stephan fired it up and I thought, hmm, my bike sounds pretty good with that Delkevic exhaust. So the hurry up and wait game had begun. The shop had a TV in the lobby and the channel was tuned to TBS, I believe. So I tuned into the boob tube. Between snippets of The 40 Year Old Virgin and I think a movie called Switch, I visited with other customers. One fella was a staff sergeant in the US Army. He had ridden in on a newer, pearl white Honda CBR liter bike. Intel analyst that had been in 11 years. It was good to shoot the breeze with a fellow service member. It allowed me to reminisce about the good ol days.
Lunch time rolled around. Stephan announced that he was making a Taco Bell run and asked if I wanted anything. I told Stephan what I wanted and pulled out my billfold. Stephan told me it was on the house. How nice is that for hospitality. Some of you out there may grumble and say, Well, the least they can do especially since you spend a fortune there. Thats not the point. Point is, is that they know you are kind of stuck there and providing you lunch is a gesture of good will. Once you meet these people, you can see that it comes not only from good customer service but the heart as well.
So short of 1700 hrs., I got called back into the shop area. Time to set-up baseline settings. After some minor tweaking, baseline was set. They give me some quick tips on how to adjust the settings. Some Penske stickers, shock users manual, and shock adjustment tool and Im set. We part ways but not after I thank them for being great hosts. After setting up the electronics on my bike, I set off for home at roughly 1715 hrs.
First little bit of the jaunt were surface streets. It was good to allow some time for the tires to warm up. I grabbed a handful of front brake on a few stops. Wow, no feeling like Im-about-go-over-the-bars sensation. Then came the on-ramp to the freeway which had a slight decline. I wanted to see if there was little if any acceleration squat after grabbing a handful. This was the perfect opportunity. Very little of the back end squatted after I redlined second gear. Fairly uneventful ride home. I wasnt punished on the rough ride on I-5. The suspension provided the perfect amount of feedback. Then I stopped for fuel in the Portland area. I had been on the bike continuously for about two hours. As I went for the stop and put my legs down, I was like, Whoa hey, wheres the ground? Seems I had forgotten that they told me that my bike was a little taller now. About an inch or so. For this 29 inseam rider, it was quite the surprise! So Ive learned since to slide off to one side and flat foot it like I do on my MX bike which has a seat height of 39.
So far its been about two weeks on the new suspension. Ive had the opportunity to ride at different speeds on twisties and high speed sweepers. It holds onto the ground quite nicely. Id say this is the best farkle Ive spent money on Tiffany for. No regrets. So good that when the time comes to get another bike, knowing what I know now, suspension will be the first thing I upgrade. Yeah, its that good.
So hats off to the staff at KFG Racing. Theyve fully satisfied this customer. And by the way readers, I am not a paid spokesman for the company.
Thanks for reading. I hope this helps those on the fence when it comes to pulling the trigger on this expensive upgrade. Safe riding folks.
I got April on the other end of the line. Her husband, Barry, and her own the company. April was nice and provided information on a level that was understandable by this suspension novice. April was patient and answered all my questions. I understood why my bike wasnt riding like I expected it to. So after I told April what I wanted, she told me what most other feejer owners got and what KFG offered. I decided on the GP 25mm cartridge fork kit and Penske double-adjustable shock. Then the price question came up. And April answered. I about swallowed my tongue. And that was with the veterans discount. I realized quickly that suspension is not cheap. I had somewhat of an idea. I had my MX bikes forks serviced recently.
So quarter to six in the morning I began my journey. Gas stop in Olympia and I got to KFG at 0930 hrs. Not open til ten, I back tracked to the Subway just down the street. After a light meal, I headed back. OPEN sign is lit so I went in. First impression, nice clean shop. The fella at the counter later identified as Stephan greeted me. We talked about my bike and how the suspension has gone down hill. He joked about how it was only slightly up that hill as OEM suspension is completely under-sprung. There was a cartridge fork on the counter. Stephan explained how the internals in forks worked.
Moments later, April walked in. Stephen pointed out to April that I, the 10 oclock, was in. April then had Stephan bring my bike around back. So Stephan fired it up and I thought, hmm, my bike sounds pretty good with that Delkevic exhaust. So the hurry up and wait game had begun. The shop had a TV in the lobby and the channel was tuned to TBS, I believe. So I tuned into the boob tube. Between snippets of The 40 Year Old Virgin and I think a movie called Switch, I visited with other customers. One fella was a staff sergeant in the US Army. He had ridden in on a newer, pearl white Honda CBR liter bike. Intel analyst that had been in 11 years. It was good to shoot the breeze with a fellow service member. It allowed me to reminisce about the good ol days.
Lunch time rolled around. Stephan announced that he was making a Taco Bell run and asked if I wanted anything. I told Stephan what I wanted and pulled out my billfold. Stephan told me it was on the house. How nice is that for hospitality. Some of you out there may grumble and say, Well, the least they can do especially since you spend a fortune there. Thats not the point. Point is, is that they know you are kind of stuck there and providing you lunch is a gesture of good will. Once you meet these people, you can see that it comes not only from good customer service but the heart as well.
So short of 1700 hrs., I got called back into the shop area. Time to set-up baseline settings. After some minor tweaking, baseline was set. They give me some quick tips on how to adjust the settings. Some Penske stickers, shock users manual, and shock adjustment tool and Im set. We part ways but not after I thank them for being great hosts. After setting up the electronics on my bike, I set off for home at roughly 1715 hrs.
First little bit of the jaunt were surface streets. It was good to allow some time for the tires to warm up. I grabbed a handful of front brake on a few stops. Wow, no feeling like Im-about-go-over-the-bars sensation. Then came the on-ramp to the freeway which had a slight decline. I wanted to see if there was little if any acceleration squat after grabbing a handful. This was the perfect opportunity. Very little of the back end squatted after I redlined second gear. Fairly uneventful ride home. I wasnt punished on the rough ride on I-5. The suspension provided the perfect amount of feedback. Then I stopped for fuel in the Portland area. I had been on the bike continuously for about two hours. As I went for the stop and put my legs down, I was like, Whoa hey, wheres the ground? Seems I had forgotten that they told me that my bike was a little taller now. About an inch or so. For this 29 inseam rider, it was quite the surprise! So Ive learned since to slide off to one side and flat foot it like I do on my MX bike which has a seat height of 39.
So far its been about two weeks on the new suspension. Ive had the opportunity to ride at different speeds on twisties and high speed sweepers. It holds onto the ground quite nicely. Id say this is the best farkle Ive spent money on Tiffany for. No regrets. So good that when the time comes to get another bike, knowing what I know now, suspension will be the first thing I upgrade. Yeah, its that good.
So hats off to the staff at KFG Racing. Theyve fully satisfied this customer. And by the way readers, I am not a paid spokesman for the company.
Thanks for reading. I hope this helps those on the fence when it comes to pulling the trigger on this expensive upgrade. Safe riding folks.
