Is the stock rear shock not up to par?

[ibb88]

Okay, I see many on here changing their rear shock immediately. I am sure it's no ohlins or penske but is it not up to par with those manufacturers?

[1000RR]

The rear shock is no Penske or Ohlins. There's likely a wide range of opinions on whether to replace it or not... I'd say the common denominator is (or should be) what you intend to do with the bike and what your riding style is along with your weight. I'm about 180-185lbs, and I would personally look to replace or improve the front prior to doing the rear. So far I'm on the stock setup... and it's been OK for the street. I've taken it to the track and that's where I start to revisit a suspension upgrade.

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by ibb88

Okay, I see many on here changing their rear shock immediately. I am sure it's no ohlins or penske but is it not up to par with those manufacturers?

Depends on what you mean by "up to par". As OEM goes, it's Okay and probably adequate most of the time for most riders. But the aftermarket stuff is generally better. I haven't felt the need to replace (yet).

Before considering aftermarket, do a careful setup on the stock setup. And if you want to save money, consider getting a custom spring on the stock setup. If you're too lazy or not knowledgable enough to do a good suspension setup, then you have no business buying aftermarket which generally has a much wider range of adjustment and where setup is even more critical. A carefully setup stock suspension will generally be a better suspension than a bolt-it on-and-ride aftermarket suspension.

- Mark

[AMRRA12]

Originally Posted by 1000RR

The rear shock is no Penske or Ohlins. There's likely a wide range of opinions on whether to replace it or not... I'd say the common denominator is (or should be) what you intend to do with the bike and what your riding style is along with your weight. I'm about 180-185lbs, and I would personally look to replace or improve the front prior to doing the rear. So far I'm on the stock setup... and it's been OK for the street. I've taken it to the track and that's where I start to revisit a suspension upgrade.

+1

a new shock is a huge improvement but
the front is no were as good as the rear, I would spend $ on fork kit's or cartridges before spending it on a new shock.

[DrIoannis]

Originally Posted by AMRRA12

+1

a new shock is a huge improvement but
the front is no were as good as the rear, I would spend $ on fork kit's or cartridges before spending it on a new shock.

I totally agree with this statement.The front needs more compression and rebound damping.The rear is better but not even close to a good aftermarket shock.I revalved and respring the front and changed to Ohlins TTX rear.There was a huge improvement in the track.If you use it only on the road and you are OK with your SAG then stock suspension is fine.

[ibb88]

This will be for track days. I have not taken it to the track yet because I am still riding my 03zuk1k. Oh it's for sale by the way. But once I get it all setup for the track, I doubt if it will see much street time. I am 6'0, 221lbs.

Originally Posted by 1000RR

The rear shock is no Penske or Ohlins. There's likely a wide range of opinions on whether to replace it or not... I'd say the common denominator is (or should be) what you intend to do with the bike and what your riding style is along with your weight. I'm about 180-185lbs, and I would personally look to replace or improve the front prior to doing the rear. So far I'm on the stock setup... and it's been OK for the street. I've taken it to the track and that's where I start to revisit a suspension upgrade.

[1000RR]

Originally Posted by ibb88

This will be for track days. I have not taken it to the track yet because I am still riding my 03zuk1k. Oh it's for sale by the way. But once I get it all setup for the track, I doubt if it will see much street time. I am 6'0, 221lbs.

In that case, I'd definitely do something with the front... and if funds permit work the back as well.

[ibb88]

Wow, so the rear shock with different settings, etc is not good enough? Is it more show than quality?

Originally Posted by 1000RR

In that case, I'd definitely do something with the front... and if funds permit work the back as well.

[Godzilla]

Originally Posted by 1000RR

In that case, I'd definitely do something with the front... and if funds permit work the back as well.

Would a fork piston kit help? (the compression and rebound pistons).
Also are there any alternatives to the TTX rear shock?

TIA

[1000RR]

Originally Posted by Godzilla

Would a fork piston kit help? (the compression and rebound pistons).
Also are there any alternatives to the TTX rear shock?

TIA

A friend of mine, pretty fast A-group guy, went a relatively inexpensive route and had the fork pistons revalved, 10W oil put in, front height adjusted for the front... and on the back an Ohlins Spring was put in w/adapters to make fit the stock shock and flipped the rear insert to raise the ride height by ~10mm...

He seemed very happy with the end results.

Bottom line is - there's plenty of options out there from less expensive to top of the line. If I were tracking my S1 (which I'm not) I'd get with a suspension specialist and have them work with you to develop a solution that's right for you and your goals. I did this with my R6 which is a dedicated track/race bike - results have been phenomenal.

I did have my S1 at the track a couple times and there was a RaceTec guy there that I had make some real time adjustments and that helped dramatically... but some of the changes he made were to basically bandaid fix the real issue (needed to spend some money on suspension).