Ohlins/Cogent Dynamics Suspension Upgrades

[BentAero]

As long as the Gen I chassis does NOT have ABS, I see no reason why the 707 wouldn't fit just fine. Having said that, I/we have NOT tried it. I believe Cogent plans to 'test fit' one to find out for sure. I *believe* that the remote reservoir will mount on the Gen I just fine, but again, I do not know for sure.

And while I'm at it, I want to thank HaulinAshe for administering this GB. It's a LOT of work and time on a purely volunteer task. :drinks:

I happen to have a Gen I that does not have ABS, in case there is a need for a guinea pig...

Also, I know how much work GB's can be, so thanks again HaulinAshe!

I'm sure Rick would be happy to work with you on the fitment question. Just ride that blue thing down to western NC and have him do it! Just call him and set it up. He'll have both shocks on hand, so if the 707 didn't fit, he'd just switch it to the 342. (The we would all know!) Again, call him. It's only a one-day ride from Ohio...

 

[2Bull]

My link

This link shows Haulins description of what you are buying.

 

[pmspaul]

I'm sure Rick would be happy to work with you on the fitment question. Just ride that blue thing down to western NC and have him do it! Just call him and set it up. He'll have both shocks on hand, so if the 707 didn't fit, he'd just switch it to the 342. (The we would all know!) Again, call him. It's only a one-day ride from Ohio...

I'm not going to pretend I don't know that it's only 477 miles to get to Rick's place...

 

[HaulinAshe]

For those waiting on a verdict about the Gen-II shocks working on Gen-I, see the notes in the first post.

Ohlins is recommending against using Gen-II (YA-707, YA-036) on 03-05 (Gen-I) year models.

 

[Bungie]

Ohlins is recommending against using Gen-II (YA-707, YA-036) on 03-05 (Gen-I) year models.

Much thanks for the continued work on the GB Jeff.

So if by Ohlins own recommendations that the shocks valving etc are different, how does this affect the 'magic setup' that you've researched and set up on your scoot when applied to a Gen 1. I imagine it'll still be LIGHT YEARS better than stock, but will it be close to a Jeff 'magic' setup?

Funny this comes up today. I haven't called Cogent yet to secure my spot. Instead, I was researching what it was gonna cost to ship my forks down there. I shipped my original seat down to Russell last week and it cost me nearly $90! and the seat weighed in at 6lbs in the box. The forks are considerably more than that. Anyway, the gun case recommended for shipping forks in the States isn't available in Canada. In fact, they've got none other than the regular soft padded cases.

So I'm thinking about heading down to the Surplus shop and see if they have anything (Not expecting anything there really). So, anybody have any alternate suggestions?

 

[Dr. Bones]

Ohlins is recommending against using Gen-II (YA-707, YA-036) on 03-05 (Gen-I) year models.

Much thanks for the continued work on the GB Jeff.

So if by Ohlins own recommendations that the shocks valving etc are different, how does this affect the 'magic setup' that you've researched and set up on your scoot when applied to a Gen 1. I imagine it'll still be LIGHT YEARS better than stock, but will it be close to a Jeff 'magic' setup?

Funny this comes up today. I haven't called Cogent yet to secure my spot. Instead, I was researching what it was gonna cost to ship my forks down there. I shipped my original seat down to Russell last week and it cost me nearly $90! and the seat weighed in at 6lbs in the box. The forks are considerably more than that. Anyway, the gun case recommended for shipping forks in the States isn't available in Canada. In fact, they've got none other than the regular soft padded cases.

So I'm thinking about heading down to the Surplus shop and see if they have anything (Not expecting anything there really). So, anybody have any alternate suggestions?

If I can help ship from my location, I will. I can look for the gun case here and you can drive them down to me or maybe ship them here and I'll send them. What ever works.

I was thinking about a 707 shock so that i can take the shock to a gen 2 bike if I upgrade my bike at some point in the future, but Ohlin's recommendation has me reconsidering. Is there anyone out there who's riding a gen 1 with a 707 shock? The weights and valving can't be that different?

 

[HaulinAshe]

So if by Ohlins own recommendations that the shocks valving etc are different, how does this affect the 'magic setup' that you've researched and set up on your scoot when applied to a Gen 1. I imagine it'll still be LIGHT YEARS better than stock, but will it be close to a Jeff 'magic' setup?

I'm confident in saying that Cogent, working with Ohlins, will setup the Gen-I shocks to replicate the performance envelope we established. They have a very sophisticated computerized dyno system to measure things.

Funny this comes up today. I haven't called Cogent yet to secure my spot. Instead, I was researching what it was gonna cost to ship my forks down there. I shipped my original seat down to Russell last week and it cost me nearly $90! and the seat weighed in at 6lbs in the box. The forks are considerably more than that. Anyway, the gun case recommended for shipping forks in the States isn't available in Canada. In fact, they've got none other than the regular soft padded cases.

So I'm thinking about heading down to the Surplus shop and see if they have anything (Not expecting anything there really). So, anybody have any alternate suggestions?

I just received this and added it to the details in the first thread.

* Cogent Dynamics will ship the FJR forks anywhere in the continental USA using their packaging for $28 insured.

Not sure if it helps you folks in Canada eh? But it might if you can get across the border.

 

[Cruzin]

Cartridge Kit above & Ohlins YA-707 Rear Shock (rear shock is self-install)...... $ 2,476

Cartridge Kit above & Ohlins YA-036 Rear Shock (rear shock is self-install)...... $ 2,215

Whats the diffrence with these besides the price I looked on there web site and didn't find any info :unknw:

 

[extrememarine]

I believe the difference is that the YA-707 Rear Shock has the remote preload adjustment knob, and the YA-036 does not. I'm sure Jeff will confirm this as soon as he see the post.

Cartridge Kit above & Ohlins YA-707 Rear Shock (rear shock is self-install)...... $ 2,476

Cartridge Kit above & Ohlins YA-036 Rear Shock (rear shock is self-install)...... $ 2,215

Whats the diffrence with these besides the price I looked on there web site and didn't find any info :unknw:

 

[Jagermeister]

Cartridge Kit above & Ohlins YA-707 Rear Shock (rear shock is self-install)...... $ 2,476

Cartridge Kit above & Ohlins YA-036 Rear Shock (rear shock is self-install)...... $ 2,215

Whats the diffrence with these besides the price I looked on there web site and didn't find any info :unknw:

The YA-036 rear shock does not include remote adjustable preload...you have to adjust with a wrench.

If you do a fair amount of 2-up riding, you'll want the YA-707

 

[BentAero]

If I may, I can offer some insight on the differences in Gen I/Gen II Öhlins shocks; shipping forks; and the US/Canadian border.

I *believe* the YA707 will physically fit on a Gen I bike, but after further research found the internal valving to be quite different, and therefore don't recommend using it. Why? the 1" longer swingarm on the Gen II. This added leverage applies much higher forces to the shock, and in the highly specific applications of Öhlins Suspension, this required a different part number. The compression and rebound valve shim stack on the 707 is more aggressive and it comes spec'd with a 30nm (about 150 lbs) stiffer spring. Yes, us and our dealers will change the spring at no charge to whatever the rider needs, but opening it up to change valving involves time, labor, and money.

It's important to understand that Öhlins does not use a "one shock fits all" approach. Each and every shock in the catalog is specifically engineered for that particular motorcycle, hence when Yamaha lengthened the swingarm on the Gen II, it required another part number.

Some of you have expressed concern over shipping your forks, and if done improperly, that's a very legitimate concern. I receive one-to-several sets of forks every day at the shop. Some are packaged well, others are not. Some of the worst are actually those that arrive in gun cases. If you simply drop your forks in a cheap gun case and close the lid, there's a good chance of a problem. Reason being, most gun cases won't actually hold those two heavy fork legs in place during the acrobatics of shipping. They move around inside the box chafing each other. First rule: wrap the fork legs individually with bubble wrap or corrugated paper. Second: tape the two together so they can't hit each other.

The other problem is that gun cases (cheap ones) are very brittle. Combine that with two heavy fork legs, and when the box gets thrown across the shipping terminal the case breaks open. I actually received a gun case a couple months ago with the end smashed apart -and only one fork inside. Uh oh. Fortunately the customer had insured the shipment and the carrier made good on it, but this type of thing causes great delays. If you're going to use a gun case, make it a high quality one.

Personally, I recommend a good cardboard box that the forks fit snugly into. The key is don't let the forks move inside the box. Bubble wrap them individually, them cram bubble wrap between and around them in the box restraining them, and they'll be just fine. Flopping around inside the box is the kiss of death for a shipment. FYI: If you use styrofoam peanuts, your receiver will call you every form of blue swear word they know as they unpack your box, not to mention that heavy items such as forks end up on the bottom of the box with all the styrofoam on top of them doing nothing to protect them. Just say no to styrofoam.

Saving money on shipping: If you have a friend that has a UPS or FedEx account, just pay them the shipping fee using them as the sender. This will save you a stack of $. If you don't have that option, just create an account (free) with UPS or FedEx on their website. Again, this will save you a bunch of $. For a long list of reasons, I do not recommend using the U.S. Postal Service.

We regularly send and receive shipments to-and-from Canada. 'Northbound' shipments are subject to VAT, and it can get quite expensive. If you have a USA address just south of the border where you can drive to go pick up your suspension, you can... well... you know what I mean.

Know this: Canadian Customs freak out over gun cases. They WILL open it up to see what's inside, so all of your careful packing will be for naught. Send it in cardboard clearly marked "motorcycle front forks" and they won't bother with it.

I hope this helps answer some questions. Don't hesitate to send your forks into Rick at Cogent, just take some care packaging them.

 

[Bungie]

If I may, I can offer some insight on the differences in Gen I/Gen II Öhlins shocks; shipping forks; and the US/Canadian border.

Much thanks for taking the time to right that up. Both Mike (Moosehead) and I are in the process of getting ready to ship our forks down to Cogent. I actually checked WallyWorld for the gun cases, and, being Canada, they don't carry them up here. So, scratch that idea. Then I thought of packaging them in some custom made plywood boxes with some nice heavy cradles - think crankshaft main bearing caps. Obviously, probably the best way to ship them, but the packaging itself would be as heavy as the forks.

Then the other night, and I'd really like your feedback on this given your experiences with fork shipping, it dawned on my that some 4" ABS pipe with a cap on one end, and a screw cap on the end would be ideal. Hell for strong, light, inexpensive and available just about everywhere. Wrapped in bubble wrap inside the tube I can't see the forks being harmed in anyway during shipping. They could even be re-used for return shipping. Good idea?

I even promise to use new ABS pipe

Now if I could get Cogent to answer their phones.... because they sure don't return calls! Officially, they don't know I exist yet.

 

[Dr. Bones]

Now if I could get Cogent to answer their phones.... because they sure don't return calls! Officially, they don't know I exist yet.

Exactly! I've tried calling them a couple times and finally sent an email asking a bunch of questions before I commit to $2,000 of work. Not much for educating me or making me feel these will be the best thing since sliced bread. GP suspension purchasers sure talk about how they understand everything that's going to be done to improve their ride and how it turned out exctly as was discussed.

Maybe that comes after you have committed.

I dunno, am I missing something? Or is it simpler than I think it is?

Just my 2 cents

And yes, I am very appreciative of the hard work HA has done to set this up and orgainze it...

 

[HaulinAshe]

I'll promptly smack Cogent's hand with a ruler for not returning phone calls. Sorry I missed the recent posts with that complaint. In their defense, if they had a full-time receptionist answering phone calls, we wouldn't be getting such a great deal.

Great information from BentAero about shipping. One question I have... Any recommended source for the correct sized cardboard box? I've never been able to find one around here.

 

[Bungie]

I'll promptly smack Cogent's hand with a ruler for not returning phone calls.

Geez Jeff, what did you smack their hands with? Because I just off the phone with them not an hour after your post. Nice people, but if I were to guess where they were located based on the accent on the phone, I'd have to say "uh huh, yeppers, Fargo ND, yooou betcha"

Anyway, Were good to go here and I can ship my forks down ASAP. Thanks once again for the hooking us all up!

 

[HaulinAshe]

Geez Jeff, what did you smack their hands with? Because I just off the phone with them not an hour after your post. Nice people, but if I were to guess where they were located based on the accent on the phone, I'd have to say "uh huh, yeppers, Fargo ND, yooou betcha"

Anyway, Were good to go here and I can ship my forks down ASAP. Thanks once again for the hooking us all up!

Yes, they are great folks, even if they do talk funny!

Joyce will probably smack more than my hand for using such a childish analogy. Glad ya'll are talking.

 

[BentAero]

I believe that "UPS store" franchises have an ideal box.

I don't know why PVC pipe wouldn't work -for our type of forks. Sport bike forks have radial caliper mounts that stick out quite a bit.

IIRC, Joyce is from Wisconsin or somewhere close to that, eh?

 

[pmspaul]

I'll promptly smack Cogent's hand with a ruler for not returning phone calls.

I didn't have a call into Cogent that needed returned. I did however receive a follow up call from Joyce today around 12:45 in regards to a conversation I had with Rick a couple weeks ago. I asked her to have Rick call me when he could to answer another question or eight before I jumped in, which he did within 2 hours. He took 20 minutes or so and told me everything I needed or wanted to know about the whole package. They do seem like great folks and I'll be happy to do business with them.

Rick said he'd have Joyce call me back tomorrow to get my deposit and other info. I am in for a full setup for a Gen I.

 

[Dr. Bones]

Well, I'm in for the full Gen 1 meal deal! :yahoo:

I just talked to Rick who was staying late and he answered all my quetions and explained the process well :clapping: . We discussed the difference of the Race Tech cartridges and the Ohlins. From what he says, the Ohlins sound like the cat's meow! Larger diameter cartridges and larger diameter damping rod allowing greater fluid flow and energy transferance (my words)

He spoke at length for 30 min, which is hard when you're a small business.

 

[Peter Murray]

Put depoit on fork rebuild and my current Ohlins shock rebuild. Never had a problem with phone support.

Shipping box can be had from say kinkos size 8X8X36 .