Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi all,

Just wanted to discuss some suspension issues I have been trying to get right, and I think I might have gotten it ..!! (almost)

This model has definitely much changed suspension when compared to the 06/07 model. As I with the older model had to try to firm up the front end, and I was continually doing this as my lap times where dropping.. but still the front end was suffering and I was looking to change the fork springs.. but then the bike was sold and I moved on the the 08 model.

Now the 08 front end is so firm, it is the opposite..!! I have been winding spring preload off each time to try to get some feeling in he front.. In the faster corners (as discussed with Blurr and Mad Kaw at PI recently) I could feel the front skipping across the track.. definitely not soaking up any bumps there, and the front tyre was left to take all the shock.. I mean the bike is awesome, I did my PB on it with just 3 sessions on the bike, so I absoloutely love the bike.. but the front was not inspiring me to push any harder... and I know this bike will allow me to go much quicker..

After a bit of discussion and tweaking by Stewy Winton, we have come up with a nice setting that feels much better with the stock suspension, and we have had to back off the spring preload heaps... back down 2 full rings on the adjuster in fact, and also backing off the rebound and compression damping as well.. I weigh 75 kg's approx at the moment, over 80kg's in full gear and this setting is working for me.. and the rear is just right for this weight as well... (we also had to adjust the rear as well slightly). I was just trying to get the settings as good as I could before spending a sh*t load on new internals etc.

Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experience with the suspension on the 08 ZX10R...?? and if so how have you dealt with it...

Macca...

ride faster...

id suspension is too hard, ride faster. it will work it harder. oh and more weight over the front. maybe jack up the rear to put more weight on the front and quicken the steering.

my 06 model is soft as all gettout. with a jacked rear it makes it worse.

For my weight of 100kgs I have iton 7 rings showing at the top and I still have 2cms of travel that i dont use on the fork leg (as per cable tie). I told you all I really could about my 08 but I found that the rear really upsets the front on this model

I mean that I have it now where the front will hold line and tip in nicely (pulled the front forks through by 6mm) but the rear shock for my weight is at a point that where it will either :

-squats a bit to much which lifts the front and sends it off line and ruins the front end feel or
- to hard and causes the rear to skipp around on an hard bumps mid corner.

There seemedto be no in between ground that we could reach

The suggestion Terry Hay (Shocktreatment/Racetech) made when setting up the front for my weight is that the front is perfect but the rear needed a Rebound seperator installed. Havent got around do doing this yet as it is only my roadie but I tend to leave it on the hearder option and just be careful on the road as it will spin and skip on the road mid corner sometimes.

Next year when I convert iI will look at it then

I had my 848 re built by terry with the rebound separator and mad a massive difference pretty much the same internal as a Ohlins with out the fancy sticker or price tag.

Thanks for the advice guys...

Wattie.. I am trying to ride faster...!! really I am.. I ended up doing a 1.49's last session at the island, but I just didn't have that confidence to push the front further.. with the skipping feeling around turns 3, Hayshed and 12.. the front just did not feel planted.... BUT Stewy has made great steps.. now after last Monday, it's much better... and for my 80kg weight (fully suited) the rear seems to be handling it well.. I have some adjustment there as well... I am also getting good tyre wear.. So I will leave that for the moment and concentrate on the front..

I have another 2 ride days to get this right before the end of the year..!! So fingers crossed the weather will let me go harder and possibly break into the 48's..?? I know this bike feels much faster and easier to ride.. Just persistance..!!

Macca..