Front and Rear Supsension Upgrade

[raptorman13]

Hello, I have an 07 fjr 1300 and am considering upgrading the front and rear suspension. I have spoken with KFG/GP suspension and am considering the Ohlins YA057 with the remote preload adjuster and the GP suspension fork kits. Anyone have first hand experience with them and the OHLINs and the fork upgrades?. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Anyone using the Traxiondynamics cartridge upgrade, if so, what are your impressions.

Thanks

 

[escapefjrtist]

Huge improvement regardless of whether you choose Ohlins / Penske or Traxxion / GP.

You won't be disappointed with either upgrade.

Good luck!

--G

 

[airboss]

I've had both Penske/GP on an 06 and now have Penske/Traxxion on an 08.

I will say that they are close, very close, but I'm going come down on the Traxxion side as better.

 

[Chuck35]

I have the AK20 / Penske combo from Traxxion.

I can't compare it to anything but the stock components. It was worth every dime.

It's how the bike should have been when it left the factory.

Now rather than swerve to dodge rough spots (in fear of breaking a tooth) I just run right over them.

The bike eats bumps. It reminds me of the old PacMan game.

 

[900gc]

What they said, plus, I went with Gold valves and .95 springs in the fork and found a great improvement for not a lot of $$. The AK20's are it if you have the coin. Any quality aftermarket shock will be a huge upgrade. Also, many threads on this topic already so do a search and you'll have lots of feedback to ponder.

 

[ahchiu]

GP/KFG now has a cartridge upgrade for the FJR, check out the PNW Tech Meet, I will have a set to demo, but if you have a stock rear shock you will not get the full feel for a total suspension upgrade.

 

[juniorfjr]

Do it, do it, do it. I'm sure traxion is great, but you can ride to GP and ride back for any service.

 

[Fontanaman]

If you don't have the skill (like me) or don't care to do suspension work yourself (like me) you are lucky to live so close to KFG Racing (like me). Hey even if you want to do the work yourself you are lucky to live so close to a good shop like KFG Racing. They installed a Penske outback and the GP front forks - best farkle on my FJR - it turned my wallowing pig FJR into a on the rails precision turning mile munching machine.

 

[Chiefblueman]

AK20's and Penske from Traxxion Dynamics here. Customer service was fantastic. I did the work myself, but I like that kind of stuff. I went with T-D because I was so impressed with the effect their work had on my FZ1.Suspension mods are the best single thing I've done to either bike. Try it.....You'll like it!

 

[PhilJet09]

I've got the GP fork upgrade and Ohlins YA057 shock, but I just got them and this winter has been so bad I haven't had much chance to test ride and dial the bike in. So far I'm impressed, with the little bit I've gotten to ride.

 

[zenwhipper]

Hello, I have an 07 fjr 1300 and am considering upgrading the front and rear suspension. I have spoken with KFG/GP suspension and am considering the Ohlins YA057 with the remote preload adjuster and the GP suspension fork kits. Anyone have first hand experience with them and the OHLINs and the fork upgrades?. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Anyone using the Traxiondynamics cartridge upgrade, if so, what are your impressions.Thanks

Just curious... did you discuss price for the Ohlins YA057 with the remote preload adjuster and the GP suspension fork kits with KFG/GP? What's the ball park $?

Thanks

 

[Aasland]

Right, like you need one more person online to tell you how great the Ohlins/GP Suspension is ... but yeah, best upgrade I've ever done, and I've done it three times (VFR, SV, FJR).

SInce you're close to Portland I'd pick GPS. I was local to Portland when I did the VFR, and once I have the new suspension they said "ride it in and we'll set it up for you" so that's what I did. Dave and the crew are very good at what they do.

 

[Fontanaman]

Right, like you need one more person online to tell you how great the Ohlins/GP Suspension is ... but yeah, best upgrade I've ever done, and I've done it three times (VFR, SV, FJR).
SInce you're close to Portland I'd pick GPS. I was local to Portland when I did the VFR, and once I have the new suspension they said "ride it in and we'll set it up for you" so that's what I did. Dave and the crew are very good at what they do.

GP Suspension was bought out by KFG Racing last year. KFG Racing is located in Auburn Washington.

 

[RadioHowie]

Olins + Traxxion on my "more than stock" ZRX.

Wasn't married then...wasn't perpetually broke, either.

That being said, got a couple of ZX14s and 1 R1 buddy(s) I ride with occasionally...they DON'T rag me about riding a "slow" 1200.

You won't be disappointed.

 

[Queensland Ken]

A YA 057 might be good for a Diversion, might want to try the YA 707 on a FJR.

I bought mine from JC Motors a few years ago, $990.00, order it with the spring rating you want.

 

[A41Billy]

A YA 057 might be good for a Diversion, might want to try the YA 707 on a FJR.
I bought mine from JC Motors a few years ago, $990.00, order it with the spring rating you want.

+1. Bought same place, same price. The remote adjusters are very convenient. I ride 2up almost half the time. Quick preload adjustment is very nice. Amazing upgrade.

 

[zenwhipper]

Focusing just on the rear for the moment. If one buys the shock with the correct spring and installs it themselves - is this all that is needed for the proper setup on the rear? Or would one benefit by going to GP Suspension and have them do the entire rear setup (incl shock, install and fine tuning for your weight - riding style)? I have a feeling its best to have someone set this up professionally no?

Grazi.

 

[Fred W]

There is always some amount of adjusting required after a shock (or forks) has been upgraded. They can ballpark the preload and damping settings on a shock dyno, but you'll still want to fine tune them on the bike.

 

[gumba]

Aftermarket suspension comes with COMPROMISE. I have a 09 with GPS-Penske and a 013 w/o. The original intent was to swap the suspension to the 013 but haven't gone there yet. The GPS forks are filming and I have 2 Penskes that need a rebuild. From where I live it takes about a month to get any kind of work done - door to door. Had a Penske puke at 33k mi. - a neighbor had a Wing/Penske take a **** at 23k mi. When a Penskes take a **** you are quite literally ******. All the Penske vendors recommend a service at 15k mi.. Now WTF is up with that. There is no denying the superb feeling of a fresh GPS/Penske set up but the maintenance thing can be a bummer. Right now I am real happy with the soft mushy 013. It sucks up the semi improved caleche that I frequent.