Suspension Budget - How is my money best spent?

[WinVT]

So, i'm looking to upgrade the suspension on my 06 R6 race bike for the upcoming season. As it sits the suspension is bone stock. Only upgrade is that I have 2011 forks instead of the shorter 2006 forks.

Basically I have around $700 to spend on suspension and I'm wondering where that money would be most effective. I've done some pricing and research and have come up with the following options.

Option 1:

Purchase used aftermarket shock and leave forks untouched. I have a lead on an Ohlins YA606 shock that falls into my budget.

Option 2:

Purchase a fork cartridge kit and leave shock untouched. My company is set up a dealer with racetech so I could probably go brand new this route and still be in budget, or maybe find a used setup.

Option 3:

Send out forks and shock to racetech to be revalved and resprung. Not getting the best in either department, but at least I am upgrading both.

Option 4:

Keep it bone stock and save money for tires.



Which option do you think will get me the most bang for my buck?

[Kurlon]

I'd say respringing both ends at the same time is a must, if the budget doesn't allow for upgraded internals/shocks, at least get things sprung correctly.

[WinVT]

Yeah luckily I fall right around the weight that the stock suspension is sprung for (175lbs)..... So I guess springs aren't really a big issue although there probably would be some minor changes. However, I'm wondering how effective revalving woud be as opposed to going cartridge / aftermarket shock.

[Kitt]

Do the forks... Thank me when you're in the 15's

[Pigman]

I can tell you Do both and if you are on a budget I would faithfully watch the WERA forum for someone selling a shock and forks that are either worked or aftermarket.....also, Chiadog on here parts out Race bikes and is a great seller and super reasonable.....I got 25ml forks with caps and a Ohlins rear for cheap. Usually 2K if you are lucky will get you done....but as Kitt said or any racer it’s a Must do and to go fast it’s a necessity.

Here....and if you don't scoop up something like these then Good LUCK



http://weraclassifieds.com/ads/yamaha-r6-25mm-ohlins/

[Chippertheripper]

How fast are you going now? That certainly a factor in how I think your $ would be best spent.

[Pigman]

Ahhhh True Dat Chip......as you get faster, some other parts like breaks and tires can be a factor and you can get by but suspension is one that properly sorted right off that bat can Help a ton.

This is why buying a Pre raced bike/well set up bike is very helpful in going Fast or getting up to speed in my opinion......takes a ton of work out of it and allows the rider to learn other factors of racing........


ogh and here is a hint to you NV------------------buy take off's from a fast guy and be sure they are Ntec's LOLOLOL

[nt650hawk]

I'd go with the rear. 600's eat up tires if not properly set up!

But what Do we know.

Just talk to Pete from GMD. WE ALL KNOW WHAT HE IS GOING TO SAY!!!!!!!!!!

[jcbell1007]

Sell it.

buy a lightweight bike already set up for cheap $$$

save money on tires

spend the leftover money on beer.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Here's where your first few bucks should be spent, so you understand what the hell you are doing with your upgraded suspension. Sound investment.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1893618455/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/184-1435038-6117650

[WinVT]

I can tell you Do both and if you are on a budget I would faithfully watch the WERA forum for someone selling a shock and forks that are either worked or aftermarket.....also, Chiadog on here parts out Race bikes and is a great seller and super reasonable.....I got 25ml forks with caps and a Ohlins rear for cheap. Usually 2K if you are lucky will get you done....but as Kitt said or any racer it’s a Must do and to go fast it’s a necessity.

Here....and if you don't scoop up something like these then Good LUCK



http://weraclassifieds.com/ads/yamaha-r6-25mm-ohlins/

Yeah, ideally that is the best route... but I just don't have $2,000 to drop in suspension right now.

How fast are you going now? That certainly a factor in how I think your $ would be best spent.

At the end of last season I was running low 19's.

I'd go with the rear. 600's eat up tires if not properly set up!

But what Do we know.

Just talk to Pete from GMD. WE ALL KNOW WHAT HE IS GOING TO SAY!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah that's one of the major issues i'm having. My bike is chewing up rear tires faster than it should be...which is why I have been leaning towards focusing more on the rear shock.

Wirelessly posted

Here's where your first few bucks should be spent, so you understand what the hell you are doing with your upgraded suspension. Sound investment.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/189361...435038-6117650

I might have to pick that up. I have racetech's suspension bible, but i'd like something a little more sportbike specific.

[WinVT]

Sell it.

buy a lightweight bike already set up for cheap $$$

save money on tires

spend the leftover money on beer.

I've thought about it!

[CBR929RE]

leave it the way it is and stay behind me

[csmutty]

All I did to mine was the Ohlins shock and springs in the front.

[butcher bergs]

Have you considered tire compound?

Personally I have seen much better tire wear from everything but soft compounds on my bike across 3 tire mfg's and regardless of which shock is installed (two Penske's with different spring rates)

[Chippertheripper]

3.

[SVRACER01]

buy the shock and the parts for the forks and do the forks yourself

[Kitt]

I think you can get a factory rear shock to work, but what are your current lap times? can you tell what your bike is saying to you? where do you think you could go faster if the bike could just do "this"?

[Eddie]

Call Peter Kates at GMD. Do whatever he tell you to do and leave it at that.

[csmutty]

Id get a shock whatever you do. Stovk shock is only good for 18s according to freddy.

[CBR929RE]

Id get a shock whatever you do. Stovk shock is only good for 18s according to freddy.

so Brad stick with the stock shock

[WinVT]

I think you can get a factory rear shock to work, but what are your current lap times? can you tell what your bike is saying to you? where do you think you could go faster if the bike could just do "this"?

currently in the 19's. I think I have problem understanding the feedback i'm getting from the bike...but I don't know if that is a set-up problem or an experience problem. I basically feel like I'm going to lose the rear exiting every corner, when in reality I probably have a ways to go.

Id get a shock whatever you do. Stovk shock is only good for 18s according to freddy.

yeah that's what i've heard, but the stock forks seems to be fairly capable.

so Brad stick with the stock shock

we will settle this on the track!

[PainfullySlow]

This is going to get me flamed but here goes.

My first advice would be to sell that and pickup a lightweight bike. You will learn more quickly IMO as well as be able to race cheaper (tires).

If you insist on sticking with that bike, do whatever you have to do to get the suspension done right. Eat ramein, pimp out your sister, etc. Find the means to get at the very least a proper shock and cartridges for the front. At the pace you are currently running you could probably get by with takeoffs to help stretch your budget.

You will not understand this now but after you have gone to a properly setup bike you will realize that all you are doing now is wasting gas and rubber.

[CBR929RE]

we will settle this on the track!

its on like donkey kong.

I think if you get the suspension sorted you're gonna pick up a lot more time then I'm gonna pick up from my bike mods.

This is going to get me flamed but here goes.

My first advice would be to sell that and pickup a lightweight bike. You will learn more quickly IMO as well as be able to race cheaper (tires).

If you insist on sticking with that bike, do whatever you have to do to get the suspension done right. Eat ramein, pimp out your sister, etc. Find the means to get at the very least a proper shock and cartridges for the front. At the pace you are currently running you could probably get by with takeoffs to help stretch your budget.

You will not understand this now but after you have gone to a properly setup bike you will realize that all you are doing now is wasting gas and rubber.

umm aren't we all doing that regardless of laptime? if it puts a smile on you're face then its worth it.

[gregp]

I find this thread very interesting, mostly because I am an off road, dirt bike guy (no MX). In my world, as long as my rear shock was tolerable, I would always put money into getting my forks working well, as they have much more impact on rider fatigue. Road racing seems to be completely different, with a lot of emphasis put on getting the power to the pavement, and getting good drive out of corners. In this regard, road racing bike setup seems much more finicky than Enduro/HS set up. $700 would just about cover Gold Valves and rebuilds/oil changes at both ends, so that is probably what I would do...
Good Luck with whatever way you chose to spend your $700.