The snow is melting. I hope to have the bike out as soon as the snow has melted enough to actually get it out of the house. Not much time left. So CC what is your take on your new rear shock? I've put in my new front springs and would to finish up the suspension work before the snow is gone. I emailed a question to the shock company in question but recieved no answer. This seems to be an industry trend, except for Sonic Spring. I also asked Gerbing to comment on a competitors claim that their controller used fewer watts in the "low" position, again no response. Sorry getting a little long here. Been away from a computer for 3 weeks and am getting carried away. Still looking forward to your review CC! Thanks...

 

Hey Mug.
It's a nice improvement over the stock shock, but not as good as my 9R's Ohlins. When I installed this new shock, I also upgraded the front end to Racetech springs, oil and cartridge-emulators; now the front-end is so much better than the rear-end, even with this nice new shock.
It may be that I just haven't been able to find the right settings on that shock yet, but so far the Raceteched front end is much better than this shock.

I still haven't had a chance to ride another (stock) 500R side-by-side to see the difference, (which is really the only way to compare it, IMO). When you make a change to a bike, there is a little voice in your head saying, "You just spent $450 on this part, of course it's better!" But I'd rather try to be objective about this.

One thing I DON'T like is that I keep snugging up the preload, but it appears the shock has reached the maximum ride height and won't go any further. Either that, or the preload ring is gradually slipping back up while I'm riding it. I've made some marks on the shock body to see if this is happeneing, and will try to put some threadlock on it if thus is the case.

I'm still diddling with it. I'm pretty pleased with the ease of preload adjustability without having to remove the shock from the bike, (or using a long screw-driver and bashing on it with barnstorming imprecision.)
Is it worth $450? Not too sure on that. I wish Ohlins made a shock for this bike. Either that, or that Racetech front end didn't work so well by comparison.
If you're ever in the San Diego area, you're welcome to take it for a spin.
Peace!
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA

 

Silly me I thought the numbers on the reference sheet were part numbers, not! I have put some Sonic .95 springs on the front, I'll wait to see how that works.I think I'll crank the spring on the shockdown to the manuals lowest level and see what happens. Hmm maybe when last trips per diem check comes in..... Thanks for the write up

ps The rep said the stock spring is about 400 lbs per inch while theirs is 450.

 

.95kg standard or progressive in the front? You around 195lbs with gear?
400lbs on the shock? Although I am not familiar with the linkage of the 500, 400#'s seems pretty soft compared with the .95kg front springs.

I am liking calamarichris' emulators. Have a set on the 7r, and played with the oil weight to my preference. A good product right there.

 

No I'm not quite that heavy. And yes I may have gone a little far with the spring rate. I think stock is somewhere around 0.5 something.I'm about 170 to 180 depending on the time of year. Commuting to work there is usually a large, 3 piece, tank bag on the bike and on the weekends I go visiting or play as hard as I think prudent. On the back road that are fun I don't know if anyone would notice if you were in the brush or woods. Sometimes there are saddlebags and a seat bag as well. Yes the rear spring is kinda light. I don't know if I could get a heavier spring put on and then if the shock could handle it. Someone on an other forum from down under is looking for some info about another Kaw shock that might work, we'll see. Looking at the travel on the stock shock, there isn't much left either. Ohlin made a shock for the GPZ 500 in the 80's but I don't think I could afford it or that it would fit. Looking at current Ohlin shocks I see that the rod is adjustable for lenth. Right now the lack of options on the rear end are the biggest flaw on this bike. Still like it though. Oh yeah standard, not progressive springs.