howie333 Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 (edited) I've decided apon many suggestions to upgrade both the front forks and rear shock probably with compression and rebound adjustments. Some have recomended K-TECH. years ago I had Traxxion Dynamics set up w/ a Penske rear shock and there own spring kit for kawasaki Ninja 650. There's many others including Ohlins, progresive, and Racetech to name a few. A fellow on You Tube (2 wheel obsession) uses a company Stoltec more specific for Yamaha MT and FJ series gives full detail on parts, tools, and rebuild procedures for DIY or complete replacement upgrades. what would or have you to do or have done? If I go w/ K-Tech should I buy the front fork Piston kit or go for the cartridges ? I guess that would get me full comp and rebound damping, and then there's the Razor R w/ the compression cartridge. Thanks... Edited February 23, 2022 by howie333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted February 23, 2022 Supporting Member Share Posted February 23, 2022 Nothing wrong with any of the brands you mentioned. Are you going to order an off the shelf piece or get a custom setup? My personal opinion - just like an aftermarket seat, I would much prefer getting suspension built to my exact specs rather than a generic off the shelf unit. A generic unit might work just fine but I have always discussed specifics with a suspension technician and had them build it to my wants and needs. To answer your question, I currently have a Penske shock from Traxxion Dynamics, I also had the same on my previous FZ1. Up front I have custom revalved oem fork cartridges. ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie333 Posted February 23, 2022 Author Share Posted February 23, 2022 (edited) 12 hours ago, betoney said: Nothing wrong with any of the brands you mentioned. Are you going to order an off the shelf piece or get a custom setup? My personal opinion - just like an aftermarket seat, I would much prefer getting suspension built to my exact specs rather than a generic off the shelf unit. A generic unit might work just fine but I have always discussed specifics with a suspension technician and had them build it to my wants and needs. To answer your question, I currently have a Penske shock from Traxxion Dynamics, I also had the same on my previous FZ1. Up front I have custom revalved oem fork cartridges. K-tech and Traxxion Dynamics and others offer spring rates for different rider weights AFAIK. Is that considered custom fit ? also penske is more costly than others mentioned. Edited February 23, 2022 by howie333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Instinct28 Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 (edited) I did a K-Tech razor rear shock and Andreani fork cartridges, Galfer rotors, Competition Werkes Slip-on and a Ivan ECU flash. I now have a different bike. AWESOME.... I got the bike for 6,000 and it came with hard cases, put 2,000 in it so far. Worth every penny. Edited February 23, 2022 by Instinct28 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Instinct28 Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 (edited) I did a Sargent seat also. had to chop the pic way down but this is my baby in the morning sunshine. Edited February 23, 2022 by Instinct28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted February 23, 2022 Supporting Member Share Posted February 23, 2022 3 hours ago, howie333 said: K-tech and Traxxion Dynamics and others offer spring rates for different rider weights AFAIK. Is that considered custom fit ? also penske is more costly than others mentioned. What I meant by off-the-shelf versus a custom built shock is buying from a retail outlet like RevZilla or cycle gear. You can get a specific spring rate but the valving is predetermined and sold as is, with a custom builtShock I have always specified with a technician exactly the type of riding I will be using it for and they determine specific internal settings and build it based on my needs. ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoAl Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 There are various price points, I keep thinking about doing it but haven't taken the plunge yet. Depends on what you want the bike to do and how hard you push it. Ohlins is arguably the best setup but at a cost. I'm thinking an Ohlin's rear shock and some other inserts. I want a bike that can be set up nicely for a long trip when fully loaded with all my stuff (no pillion) but then can be set for having fun on the curvy roads when back at home. Unless you are good at setting up suspension I'd recommend getting a shop to help with component selection and setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie333 Posted February 24, 2022 Author Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) K-Tech told me to use a higher range weight spring in the rear for my weight calls for. My rider weight is 170lb and w/ gear is 180lb. Their rear shocks rating would be for 145-175lbs, or 175-210lbs I just worry it might be too stiff. I'm not sure how he figures it, and said it doesnt matter how I ride it. The fronts choices would be at either 160-200lb (8.5kg/mm) and 180-220lb (9kg/mm). Their he told me to stay within the lighter of the two. Should i be ok? There are no suspension shops where I live, but I can communicate with these companies by phone and e'mail. best I got. I live closer to Traxxion Dynamics in Georgia, but much pricier . thank You for replies.. Edited February 24, 2022 by howie333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member piotrek Posted February 25, 2022 Supporting Member Share Posted February 25, 2022 2 hours ago, howie333 said: There are no suspension shops where I live, but I can communicate with these companies by phone and e'mail. I ordered my shock from Nitron over email/phone. So long as you're honest about what you want to do with the bike and the weight (give them a realistic range), you should get the suspension that is a good fit for you. Trying to get something that works great on the track, the street/commuting (think crappy city roads) and touring... could be difficult or impossible at an acceptable price point, so figure out what you really want from the setup and then trust the technician to do their thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie333 Posted March 12, 2022 Author Share Posted March 12, 2022 Just went thru the "tail of the dragon" 20 minutes from my house. Never seem to keep up w/ more sport oriented bikes. Suspension will be upgraded as dicussed, but for now fork springs are set semi stiff for cornering. it's better, but Bike always seemed altogether tall and sloppy in cornering. Will suspension upgrade corner as fast as a true sport bike; or do I need 2nd bike for high speed precise cornering ? Thx.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted March 12, 2022 Supporting Member Share Posted March 12, 2022 46 minutes ago, howie333 said: Will suspension upgrade corner as fast as a true sport bike; or do I need 2nd bike for high speed precise cornering ? I guess that is up to you as far as "will it be good enough?". Will the FJ/ Tracer EVER corner as exact or precise as a true sport bike?, of course not, completely different frame geometry, steering angle, suspension travel, rider positioning etc. Will upgraded suspension enable you to steer/ corner more precise and controlled than before? Yes. 1 ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman900 Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 On 2/23/2022 at 8:37 AM, Instinct28 said: I did a K-Tech razor rear shock and Andreani fork cartridges I've not heard of Andreani fork cartridges before, but I will research them. Did you have a suspension specialist do the installation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpippin Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 On 2/24/2022 at 4:19 PM, howie333 said: K-Tech told me to use a higher range weight spring in the rear for my weight calls for. My rider weight is 170lb and w/ gear is 180lb. Their rear shocks rating would be for 145-175lbs, or 175-210lbs I just worry it might be too stiff. I'm not sure how he figures it, and said it doesnt matter how I ride it. The fronts choices would be at either 160-200lb (8.5kg/mm) and 180-220lb (9kg/mm). Their he told me to stay within the lighter of the two. Should i be ok? There are no suspension shops where I live, but I can communicate with these companies by phone and e'mail. best I got. I live closer to Traxxion Dynamics in Georgia, but much pricier . thank You for replies.. You might want to try Cogent Dynamics. They are in the Asheville NC area. https://www.motocd.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cogswell Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 11 hours ago, howie333 said: Just went thru the "tail of the dragon" 20 minutes from my house. Never seem to keep up w/ more sport oriented bikes. Suspension will be upgraded as dicussed, but for now fork springs are set semi stiff for cornering. it's better, but Bike always seemed altogether tall and sloppy in cornering. Will suspension upgrade corner as fast as a true sport bike; or do I need 2nd bike for high speed precise cornering ? Thx.. You need another bike, use the correct tool for the job at hand. Otherwise just back off a bit and enjoy what you have at a slower pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie333 Posted March 12, 2022 Author Share Posted March 12, 2022 (edited) On 3/12/2022 at 7:30 AM, Cogswell said: You need another bike, use the correct tool for the job at hand. Otherwise just back off a bit and enjoy what you have at a slower pace. I probably will do a suspension upgrade, and may also be picking up a 2nd bike just for specific type riding sa. the Aprilia RS 660; and I know even that bike will need a few upgrades. tnx.... Edited March 14, 2022 by howie333 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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