RedRicer Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 I realize there is this enormous thread I'm currently trying to wade through: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/19712-vtec-shock-options/ and I dont want to start a huge new debate, but I plan on asking for a new rear shock for Christmas and need some guidance. Im a solid 230lbs and like to ride two up with the girlfriend in the warmer weather so you're looking about 350+ lbs depending on how much gear we pack along. Im looking for a fully adjustable, relatively affordable, plug and play option... does this exist? I could certainly use an adapter or two as well, just want to keep the install fairly straight forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer deltaboxii Posted November 21, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 21, 2015 Go with a DMR Honda CBR 929 shock. Lots of info on this mod here on the forum. I have an Ohlins on my '01 and '07, and a DMR on my '00. For the price difference and just riding on the street, no reason to really pay the extra for the Ohlins. If you give Jamie your correct info and riding style he will get you a great shock for the money. The bike will easily feel 100 lbs lighter hustling it through the corners. And for what you save on the shock, you should invest that back into getting the fork done. DMR can also help you here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Terry Posted November 21, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 21, 2015 Well this all depends on whether you've been naughty or nice, doesn't it? Your best bang for buck would be a customised refurb shock from Daugherty Motorsports, that will be plug and play and with the correct spring rate for your intended use. When's your birthday? You'll probably want to upgrade the front end once you've done the back! May all your wishes come true! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer LangoPTC Posted November 21, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 21, 2015 I would recommend since you do a lot of two-up riding that you get a shock with easily adjustable preload...i.e. NOT an F4i conversion shock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted November 21, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 21, 2015 +1 to working with Jamie. Even if you send him your OEM shock / forks and have those re-worked as I did, IMO you would be very happy with the results. It transformed my 6th gen. I believe it was Duc2V4 that found an ABS shock for his 6th gen and had Jamie re-work it so he would have the easy adjust rear preload for 2 up riding. You might luck out and find one on ebay. They are a PITA to install http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/79986-6th-gen-abs-shock-removal-in-pictures/ so take that in to account. It would likely be worth while to do the forks at the same time to have everything working well together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CornerCarver Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 I would go with a Penske with remote preload adjuster since you say you ride two up frequently. Traxxion Dynamics www.traxxion.com offers a 10% discount for VFRD members. There are various options for the Penske to tailor your spend but it sounds like remote preload adjustment would be high on your list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Terry Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 The remote preload suggestions make sense for someone who changes load frequently/significantly. I have no friends/significant other who wants to ride with me so I never even considered that. I wonder whether the remote adjuster off an 86/87 could beadapted to a CBR shock? All the remote adjusters I have seen are just slip-on collars that take the place of a ramp or lock-ring adjuster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01ragtop Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I would go with a Penske with remote preload adjuster since you say you ride two up frequently. Are you sure this exists? I'd go this route too, but couldn't find a Penske with remote preload. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 +1 to working with Jamie. Even if you send him your OEM shock / forks and have those re-worked as I did, IMO you would be very happy with the results. It transformed my 6th gen. I believe it was Duc2V4 that found an ABS shock for his 6th gen and had Jamie re-work it so he would have the easy adjust rear preload for 2 up riding. You might luck out and find one on ebay. They are a PITA to install http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/79986-6th-gen-abs-shock-removal-in-pictures/ so take that in to account. It would likely be worth while to do the forks at the same time to have everything working well together. That would be true, it was me and yes the OEM ABS socks are hard to come by and not always priced cost effectively. I was able to acquire one for fellow member Duccmann a few months ago as he plans on doing the same as I did. In fact he bought and installed Jamie's fork kit recently and was amazed at how just the forks transformed the feeling of the bike. He's waiting for a little more "fun money" to come in and then I'll be sending that and my Ducati's suspenders for Jamie to work on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dustin Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 So if I understand correctly, the CBR600 shock in the 6th gen is a pain in the ass to adjust the preload on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CornerCarver Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 I would go with a Penske with remote preload adjuster since you say you ride two up frequently. Are you sure this exists? I'd go this route too, but couldn't find a Penske with remote preload. I think so but maybe the guys at Traxxion just modify the Penske? They also have a flat roller bearing that makes adjusting the preload so easy it feels you could do it with an number 2 pencil. The remote preload suggestions make sense for someone who changes load frequently/significantly. I have no friends/significant other who wants to ride with me so I never even considered that. I wonder whether the remote adjuster off an 86/87 could beadapted to a CBR shock? All the remote adjusters I have seen are just slip-on collars that take the place of a ramp or lock-ring adjuster. For me i ride somewhat aggressively when solo and therefore the two up and solo preloads are close enough for a numbazz ham fisted rider of my particular set of skills. The remote preload adjusters have a kind of master cylinder that forces hydraulic fluid down the connecting hose to spin the adjusting collar..they don't function well when the corrosion sets in on the threads or when the hydraulic fluid is low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 That would be one hell of a present! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer rhoderage Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 Daugherty suspension, front and back. Great performance at a significantly lower price than the big names, and the best bang-for-buck upgrade I've done so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer LangoPTC Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 So if I understand correctly, the CBR600 shock in the 6th gen is a pain in the ass to adjust the preload on? Yessir. Darn close to impossible once installed IMO unless someone knows a trick I am not aware of. Best to think of it as set it and forget it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 So if I understand correctly, the CBR600 shock in the 6th gen is a pain in the ass to adjust the preload on? Yessir. Darn close to impossible once installed IMO unless someone knows a trick I am not aware of. Best to think of it as set it and forget it. +1 .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dustin Posted November 22, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 22, 2015 So if I understand correctly, the CBR600 shock in the 6th gen is a pain in the ass to adjust the preload on? Yessir. Darn close to impossible once installed IMO unless someone knows a trick I am not aware of. Best to think of it as set it and forget it. That's a serious bummer :( Thanks for the reply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duccmann Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Just did an upgrade with Jamie's inserts, WOW. Check ebay, Duc2V4 called and said he saw a abs VFR rear shock (mine 02 is not abs) fer $100...nabbed it...now I can ride when I send it to be upgraded. ...just a thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wera803 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I wanted remote preload when I bought my shock because I was doing a lot of 2-up riding at the time. Wilbers and Ohlins were the only 2 I found that did remote preload and there was a group buy for Wilbers so that is what I ended up with. I had a Penske on my VTR and have one on my GSXR. I've been very happy with their shocks and if I needed to buy another one right now, it would be a Penske. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud786 Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 So if I understand correctly, the CBR600 shock in the 6th gen is a pain in the ass to adjust the preload on? Remote preload is nice for anyone(2 up or not), you also have more adjustments than a standard collar, normally 4 x the amount Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRicer Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 wow. well i appreciate all the suggestions. may end up being out of Christmas present range (the new GoPro is still looking pretty sweet), lol. a remote preload adjustment is definitely a must. i ride much more aggressively by myself. The gf just isnt as comfortable yet and likes to just tool around the back roads and country, so i need that versatility. And yeah... I suppose you're all right, i should get the forks done while im at it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer digitallyhip Posted November 23, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted November 23, 2015 wow. well i appreciate all the suggestions. may end up being out of Christmas present range (the new GoPro is still looking pretty sweet), lol. a remote preload adjustment is definitely a must. i ride much more aggressively by myself. The gf just isnt as comfortable yet and likes to just tool around the back roads and country, so i need that versatility. And yeah... I suppose you're all right, i should get the forks done while im at it... You definitely should do them together. I was able to buy a Penske shock on eBay, but wasn't ready to spend the $ on respringing it and upgrading the front end. But I wanted to use my shiny new toy, so I installed it. The bike felt weird but "better" and it wasn't until the next Spring (after I spent the money on rebuilding and respringing the new shock and the front end) that I realized just how unbalance and awful my half-improved bike had been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRicer Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 wow. well i appreciate all the suggestions. may end up being out of Christmas present range (the new GoPro is still looking pretty sweet), lol. a remote preload adjustment is definitely a must. i ride much more aggressively by myself. The gf just isnt as comfortable yet and likes to just tool around the back roads and country, so i need that versatility. And yeah... I suppose you're all right, i should get the forks done while im at it... You definitely should do them together. I was able to buy a Penske shock on eBay, but wasn't ready to spend the $ on respringing it and upgrading the front end. But I wanted to use my shiny new toy, so I installed it. The bike felt weird but "better" and it wasn't until the next Spring (after I spent the money on rebuilding and respringing the new shock and the front end) that I realized just how unbalance and awful my half-improved bike had been. noted! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer badelman Posted December 7, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted December 7, 2015 Here's a link to someone doing a DMR shock install on a VFR. They purchased a special tool and show how to adjust the shock after install. Perfect! I'm about to order one from Jaime. http://www.biketude.com/do-it-yourself/replacing-shock-on-vfr-800-a/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted December 7, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted December 7, 2015 Are you doing the forks, too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer badelman Posted December 7, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted December 7, 2015 Are you doing the forks, too? Cogswell, long story short.. No. I did however recently have the forks rebuilt due to a busted seal on the left fork and asked that the shop make them stiffer. During the rebuild they added some fork oil in cc's to each side. I can tell they are much stiffer now. I will say that down the road I would definitely like to add Jaime's fork kit... absolute genius going from factory forks with little to no adjust ability to fully adjustable with not much learning curve and some guidance for the install! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.