Recommend suspension shop: CompuTrack or Parkway?

[BlueBiker]

Hi, I'm looking for a Boston area shop to install a Stoltec fork piston kit (valve, piston, shims, spring) and new rear shock on my FZ-09. I have the parts on order and hope to find a competent place to install them and adjust basic settings for my fast street riding (no track).

Is this something Parkway Cycle or any dealer can do, or is GMD CompuTrack the best option? I'm hoping to have all the work done on a Saturday, which I don't think CompuTrack offers, and they're not close to me so it'd be a pain to get there and back without missing work. About how much would this work cost?

Thanks!
- BlueBiker

[Chippertheripper]

Expect to pay anybody more than if you'd bought the stuff from them.

[BlueBiker]

That's a good point CTR. My budget's fairly tight, but I want to find a place that knows what they're doing.

[maxim_X]

GMD definitely knows what they are doing. They would absolutely be my first recommendation. As far as your time constraints, I'm sure Pete can work something out with you if you give him a call.

[whynot]

It's worth the trip to Computrak, I live in Arlington MA, not next door, but went there, worth the trip.

If you want to try someone closer, as an alternative, I'd check with Bikeworx in Hudson MA
Bikeworx Hudson, MA (978) 212-5235

I would not go to any old dealer. If you want to go to Yamaha dealer, check with Joe Picardi, Service Manager at Billerica Yamaha
Massachusetts Yamaha Motorcycle ATV Dealer, Billerica Motorsports & Marine, Sea-Doo Ski-Doo Snowmobile Watercraft, Scarab jet Boat, trailer.
Joe is a long-time racer, still racing flattrack/shorttrack.

My 2 cents ...

[isaac_]

Pete at GMD Computrack is very knowledgable. Would second taking your stuff to him.

[Mgiossi]

I second or third or whatever pete at Computrack. I have been going to him for years and he really knows his stuff. You get what you pay for and though you do pay at gmd what you get is worth every penny if not more. Plus if you get pete talking you can get some really great advice and knowledge ;-) lol

[LuvDog]

Pete is the man. He's like the rainman of suspension setup

[Petorius]

and adjust basic settings for my fast street riding (no track).

Give GMD a call and explain what kit you've got and what you're looking to do with it. In my experience, geometry is the most important thing to get right (fork height in the triples, shock ride height, swingarm angle, etc) followed by damping (clickers), and getting the setup dialed will be an iterative process with any dealer or tuner. Peter tracks every measurement while he is tweaking your setup and has access to a ton of data to cross-reference against via the GMD network. You don't want someone who is just going to set the sag, eyeball the geometry, and stick the clickers in the middle, which is what I suspect you would get from a dealer.

[Kurlon]

Just bear in mind that riding and race season is just about upon us, which means all suspension places are likely flooded with work right now. One armed paper hanger or some such cliche?

[theducman]

And expect him to bust your ball's , that's included with the price.

[BlueBiker]

LOL, okay you've all convinced me. Pete at GMD it'll be, and I'll let you know how that goes and how the bike rides afterward.

@whynot thanks for the links, and @Petorius that's good to know. I'm sure there are talented mechanics at the dealers, but this is worth getting right.

[caloots]

I don't have any experience with either, but I'd still recommend the suspension shop over the dealer

[caloots]

It's worth the trip to Computrak, I live in Arlington MA, not next door, but went there, worth the trip.

If you want to try someone closer, as an alternative, I'd check with Bikeworx in Hudson MA
Bikeworx Hudson, MA (978) 212-5235

I would not go to any old dealer. If you want to go to Yamaha dealer, check with Joe Picardi, Service Manager at Billerica Yamaha
Massachusetts Yamaha Motorcycle ATV Dealer, Billerica Motorsports & Marine, Sea-Doo Ski-Doo Snowmobile Watercraft, Scarab jet Boat, trailer.
Joe is a long-time racer, still racing flattrack/shorttrack.

My 2 cents ...

Ohh Ya.. bikeworx is good.. the owners name is galen Miller.. he used to race..

[Pigman]

It's worth the trip to Computrak, I live in Arlington MA, not next door, but went there, worth the trip.

If you want to try someone closer, as an alternative, I'd check with Bikeworx in Hudson MA
Bikeworx Hudson, MA (978) 212-5235

I would not go to any old dealer. If you want to go to Yamaha dealer, check with Joe Picardi, Service Manager at Billerica Yamaha
Massachusetts Yamaha Motorcycle ATV Dealer, Billerica Motorsports & Marine, Sea-Doo Ski-Doo Snowmobile Watercraft, Scarab jet Boat, trailer.
Joe is a long-time racer, still racing flattrack/shorttrack.

My 2 cents ...

Joe is the Balls and knows his shit up and down..... good guy

[sdog30]

Is it being overlooked that we now are going to call Chipper "CTR"?

I love it. Makes him sound like a ufc fighter or something.

[Pigman]

ogh and stay FAR FAR AWAY From Parkway.................... I wouldn't even buy oil from them

[backinthesaddle]

LOL, okay you've all convinced me. Pete at GMD it'll be, and I'll let you know how that goes and how the bike rides afterward.

@whynot thanks for the links, and @Petorius that's good to know. I'm sure there are talented mechanics at the dealers, but this is worth getting right.

Out of your area (in RI), but Brian (service manager) at Razees is a former racer who has built some good track going R6, S1000RR and Ducs to name a few. Fork kits, shocks, replacement forks, etc. He personally works on all the trick/fun stuff.

[GixerJockey]

Who the fuck is Pete?!?

[BlueBiker]

Scheduled 4/09 dropoff at GMD Computrack.

You guys were right, Peter's a trip -- knows his stuff and very friendly.

So, uh, this would be the right time to work on wheelies & stoppies with the soon-to-be-gone OEM springs?

[Imbeek]

LOL yeah, he can measure for frame straightness too!

[Garandman]

//You guys were right, Peter's a trip -- knows his stuff and very friendly.//

You must have stopped by at Happy Hour.

[Kurlon]

Happy Hour at GMD is when Pete hears that I've been cut off from all forms of internet access and can't send email any more. Happy Hour ends when his inbox chimes and my name is in the from header.

[BlueBiker]

Update: I had the work done at Computrack two weeks ago, and my FZ-09 is vastly improved -- much more sure-footed when pushing the bike hard on crappy Boston roads and more relaxing when just toodling around.

Peter is a definite character. He doesn't have a high opinion of basically anybody else's tech skills (and he ignored the fork kit's recommended settings), and I was disconcerted when he claimed that the bike was perfectly dialed in and didn't need a test ride by me... but it's hard to argue with the final result of a fine riding bike that feels terrific. He was also able to complete the installation sooner than originally promised, which is appreciated. Thanks Peter!

[caloots]

Took my f3 out for the first time.. the suspension is life threatening.. super stiff.. the rear especially.. I suspect the front is too but people in a mv forum claims it bottoms out easily... does pete know much about mv Augusta?