Ohlins or Penske?

[phroenips]

<Thread Hijack>

Total suspension newbie here. How would one go about trying to figure out what they might need? I hear some folks talk about a local suspension shop, others mention places like GP Suspension and Traxxion. I guess I'm confused how it all fits together. Can anyone enlighten me please?

Speaking of which, anyone know of any good suspension shops in the Colorado Front Range area?

</Thread Hijack>

 

[Ignacio]

How would one go about trying to figure out what they might need?

Reread this thread that's been a perenneial favorite.

 

[SockMonkey]

Does anyone happen to have a photo of the Penske 8983 reservoir mounted on their Gen II bike? (I've seen photos of it mounted on a Gen I.)

Thanks!

 

[kolonial72]

I'm sooo getting in on the GP group buy this year.

I just had installed an Ohlins YA 707 on my '05. Ginormous difference. I have yet to mess with any settings, and I'm not even sure I will need to. But even if I don't need to, I probably will anyway! The way I see it, the stocker was getting a bit long in the tooth, and an aftermarket shock of any variety will make a world of difference. How much money you want to spend? I have a few hundred in this one - got it used, had it rebuilt. I think it was less than $600 installed.

 

[Aasland]

I've had a Penske on the VFR and an Ohlin's on the FJR (and SV). Both are excellent units, as I'm sure the Race Tech is too.

Had Dave@GPsuspension do all (VFR, FJR and SV) forks and his work is top-notch. Best money spent on the bikes, hands down.

 

[phroenips]

I'm sooo getting in on the GP group buy this year.

I just had installed an Ohlins YA 707 on my '05. Ginormous difference. I have yet to mess with any settings, and I'm not even sure I will need to. But even if I don't need to, I probably will anyway! The way I see it, the stocker was getting a bit long in the tooth, and an aftermarket shock of any variety will make a world of difference. How much money you want to spend? I have a few hundred in this one - got it used, had it rebuilt. I think it was less than $600 installed.

kolonial...I wouldn't bother waiting for a group buy to pop up...just call Dave and mention these forums. I'd bet money that he'll give you the group buy pricing.

 

[SockMonkey]

I'm sooo getting in on the GP group buy this year.

I just had installed an Ohlins YA 707 on my '05. Ginormous difference. I have yet to mess with any settings, and I'm not even sure I will need to. But even if I don't need to, I probably will anyway! The way I see it, the stocker was getting a bit long in the tooth, and an aftermarket shock of any variety will make a world of difference. How much money you want to spend? I have a few hundred in this one - got it used, had it rebuilt. I think it was less than $600 installed.

kolonial...I wouldn't bother waiting for a group buy to pop up...just call Dave and mention these forums. I'd bet money that he'll give you the group buy pricing.

I spoke with Ben @ GP this past week re.: Penske and Ohlins shock pricing. If not the group buy pricing (?), they're at least selling the Penske and Ohlins shocks to FJR Forum participants at 15% off current retail which is still better than any online discount shop I've found. Lead time is 2-3 weeks for the Penske 8983, and 1 week - 10 days for the Ohlins YA 707. (I didn't inquire about the Ohlins YA 036 which - without the remote preload - is closest Ohlins equivalent to the Penske 8983.)

BTW: the reason I was asking for pictures of the Penske 8983 reservoir mounted on a Gen II (using the custom GP Suspension bracket) is because I'm curious whether it interferes in any way with either the rider's or pillion's leg position..? It looks like it might hit the rider in the back of the calf and/or the pillion in the shin. Comments..? Experiences..?

 

[FJRay]

I'm sooo getting in on the GP group buy this year.

I just had installed an Ohlins YA 707 on my '05. Ginormous difference. I have yet to mess with any settings, and I'm not even sure I will need to. But even if I don't need to, I probably will anyway! The way I see it, the stocker was getting a bit long in the tooth, and an aftermarket shock of any variety will make a world of difference. How much money you want to spend? I have a few hundred in this one - got it used, had it rebuilt. I think it was less than $600 installed.

kolonial...I wouldn't bother waiting for a group buy to pop up...just call Dave and mention these forums. I'd bet money that he'll give you the group buy pricing.

I spoke with Ben @ GP this past week re.: Penske and Ohlins shock pricing. If not the group buy pricing (?), they're at least selling the Penske and Ohlins shocks to FJR Forum participants at 15% off current retail which is still better than any online discount shop I've found. Lead time is 2-3 weeks for the Penske 8983, and 1 week - 10 days for the Ohlins YA 707. (I didn't inquire about the Ohlins YA 036 which - without the remote preload - is closest Ohlins equivalent to the Penske 8983.)

BTW: the reason I was asking for pictures of the Penske 8983 reservoir mounted on a Gen II (using the custom GP Suspension bracket) is because I'm curious whether it interferes in any way with either the rider's or pillion's leg position..? It looks like it might hit the rider in the back of the calf and/or the pillion in the shin. Comments..? Experiences..?

Can't tell you on the GenII but on a Real FJR it isn't in the way at all.

 

[kolonial72]

I'm sooo getting in on the GP group buy this year.

I just had installed an Ohlins YA 707 on my '05. Ginormous difference. I have yet to mess with any settings, and I'm not even sure I will need to. But even if I don't need to, I probably will anyway! The way I see it, the stocker was getting a bit long in the tooth, and an aftermarket shock of any variety will make a world of difference. How much money you want to spend? I have a few hundred in this one - got it used, had it rebuilt. I think it was less than $600 installed.

kolonial...I wouldn't bother waiting for a group buy to pop up...just call Dave and mention these forums. I'd bet money that he'll give you the group buy pricing.

Good idea, phro. I'll try to ring him up tomorrow.

 

[Bust-A-Cap]

Sounds like you've got a great setup on the way. I went with the Ohlins and some fork springs. Totally transformed my 09'. Dave @ GP was a great guy to deal with. Enjoy! [img=[URL="https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a180/sgoat51/P8220453.jpg%5D%5Bimg=https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a180/sgoat51/P8220457.jpg%5D"]https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a180/sgoat51/P8220453.jpg]

[/URL]

I have an 09 with less than 9000 miles on it and I'm considering the same rear shock set up you have. I was told that the front springs won't make that much difference. What is your suggestion?

 

[yamafitter]

I have an 09 with less than 9000 miles on it and I'm considering the same rear shock set up you have. I was told that the front springs won't make that much difference. What is your suggestion?

If you are under 210 lbs naked then the front fork springs are probably OK. If you're like most of the folks around here and enjoy the odd Rueben from time to time then you might want to consider a stiffer fork spring. The rear of the bike is definitely undersprung for all but the lightest rider. If you are going to spend the money to put an Ohlins under the back of the bike I would urge you to consider doing the valve kit for the front forks also. With both ends of the bike properly valved and sprung you will not believe the difference in handling. This is in my mind the best farkle money you can spend on a FJR.

 

[leedavis]

I have an 09 with less than 9000 miles on it and I'm considering the same rear shock set up you have. I was told that the front springs won't make that much difference. What is your suggestion?

Couldn't disagree more. People underrate the FJR gen 2 shock. If you're "overweight", ride 2 up and/or lots of luggage then, yeah, you'll overload the spring, but otherwise a low mileage gen 2 shock is decent, even for aggressive riding (on the hard setting). People also tend to underrate the importance of the front suspension. It matters at least as much as the rear and the stock FJR front, springs and valves, aren't very good because it's hard to get an aggressive setting that doesn't beat you up.

Taking into account the above caveats, if I was only doing one end, I'd do front. Along the same lines, I wouldn't even think about replacing the rear shock without also upgrading the front.

 

[Bust-A-Cap]

Thanks guys, I'm 6'1 and weigh about 250. I would love to upgrade the suspension but man it's expensive! If I decide to do it I just didn't want to waste money on something I won't need and since I don't have any experience with this subject I really appreciate the advice. The other issue is finding a reputable shop to do the work in the NY area. The NY Motorcycle show is just a few weeks away, I will see if I can find some direction on a good suspension shop there.

 

[BigOgre]

PM sent.

 

[lnewlf]

I have asked this before but I'll toss it out there again...anyone use this on an FJR ? I have one from my FJ1200 which can be rebuilt to fit the Feej .It transformed the FJ [along with fork work and radials].

https://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.htmlhttps://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.htmlhttps://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.html

hope the link works

 

[SkooterG]

I have asked this before but I'll toss it out there again...anyone use this on an FJR ? I have one from my FJ1200 which can be rebuilt to fit the Feej .It transformed the FJ [along with fork work and radials].https://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.htmlhttps://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.htmlhttps://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.html

hope the link works

Linky no worky. So not really sure what you are asking.

 

[lnewlf]

I have asked this before but I'll toss it out there again...anyone use this on an FJR ? I have one from my FJ1200 which can be rebuilt to fit the Feej .It transformed the FJ [along with fork work and radials].
https://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.htmlhttps://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.htmlhttps://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.html

hope the link works

Linky no worky. So not really sure what you are asking.

I'll try it again-would be their Ultrasport shock https://www.worksperformance.com/

 

[SkooterG]

I have asked this before but I'll toss it out there again...anyone use this on an FJR ? I have one from my FJ1200 which can be rebuilt to fit the Feej .It transformed the FJ [along with fork work and radials].
https://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.htmlhttps://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.htmlhttps://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.html

hope the link works

Linky no worky. So not really sure what you are asking.

I'll try it again-would be their Ultrasport shock https://www.worksperformance.com/

Don't see why it wouldn't work. I would question how good spring and damping rates would be going from the FJ to the FJR, but an aftermarket shock is an aftermarket shock.

Better link: https://www.worksperformance.com/html/street_single_ultrasport_five_way_adj_acr.html

 

[lnewlf]

Yeah, they said it would need a new spring and bottom clevis along with a rebuild...about $400 with shipping which isn't bad at all..I paid almost $700 for the shock in 2001..

 

[cool79]

Can I use the YA707 on 2016 FJR1300A model?