Edit: The title should probably be "What can I expect will change with a suspension upgrade?" I don't mean to talk about parts... As some of you have seen, I just got a 2015 Yamaha FZ-07. The front forks and rear shock on these bikes are known for being very "budget". I have the funds to upgrade it and would like to as I'm 250lbs+ with gear on. Other than the fact that it will feel less like a pogo stick, what can I expect to change in terms of ride/feel, etc? I have heard that some people have claimed that they are slow and that they don't like taking corners on its stock suspension because it's "scary". How does bad suspension make a bike slow? What about the stock stuff would it make it scary? Is the pogo stick effect gonna bounce you out of the curve or something? lol. Suspension is one the areas on bikes I know the least about so I appreciate any insight on this!
This. As a new rider, I haven't had quality time with any bike other than my own, so hearing reactions to different suspension configurations without justification has left me wondering, too. Does it have to do with how even the responses are between the front and rear shocks?
You won't gain anything with upgraded suspension if you don't know how to set it up. I think you need to go visit Barry at KFG Racing "253-397-4474 info@kfgracing.com". Barry is up in your area and he is without question "The Man" in this neck of the woods when it comes to Suspension!
lol is Barry paying you to plug his business? I'll give him a ring if it comes to it. I guess for all intents/purposes of this thread, let's just assume suspension is set up 100% correctly for my weight..........
I found my suspension upgrade by KFG to be amazing (Hypermotard). I'm a big guy (240lbs) and the stock suspension dived or rebounded unpredictably. I'd hit the brakes to go into a corner and it would dive (unsettle the bike) and then when I got on the power out of the corner it would bounce back and make the front end feel very unconnected with the pavement (floaty feeling, which I replicated on my recent 821 Monster test ride). After the suspension upgrade was completed (re-spring/valve of the forks/Penske double clicker on the rear) the bike felt planted. No more diving when I braked and no more pogo when I got on the gas. The bike was much more confident and composed to ride. It was by far the best results out of a modification on a motorcycle I had ever experienced and I would drop the cash again in a heartbeat (which I'll be doing on my new Monster 1200s).
Short answer: everything. With proper suspension, the bike will hold a corner better, it will feel more planted under acceleration and it will be more stable under braking. If you're planning on doing a complete R6 front end (which is being done with great success on race bikes, LMK if you want more info), you'll also get a lighter front wheel and much stronger radial brakes, which will multiply the above benefits even more. If you know nothing about suspension, then you really do want to see a specialist to twist those knobs for you. It'll be the best $40 you spend on the bike. Barry happens to be the best in the area, so lots of people will recommend him.
I applaud your decision to upgrade your suspension as one of the first mods on your new bike. Its always my first mod, street or dirt. Suspension will be one of the best "performance" mods you will ever do to your bike. Dont believe me? ride a buddies bike that has proper suspension set-up, the difference is amazing. Suspension will not only help when you hit bumps, but also holding a line through a corner, it will help eliminate squat on acceleration and dive while braking. Just getting proper springs will help, but having it properly set up is key. KFG Racing is widely known for suspension service and track side set up. They have wrenched on my bike and the results are very noticeable. I have an FZ1 which had budget suspension, I swapped out my suspension for fully adjustable R1 parts and OHMYGOD the ride is so much improved. Your confidence in the bike being able to hold a line will ultimately result in you being able to ride faster-safely, since suspension directly affects handling and braking.
Seeing as your bike only has adjustable pre load on the rear shock and nothing on the front, it will make a huge difference. Keeping in mind most bikes....ok pretty much all bikes have a short Italian or Japanese rider at 150 pounds in mind when they decide what rates to use for suspension. See where I'm going with this? At the minimum changing the fork springs and shock spring to handle your weight will improve pretty much all handling aspects of the bike. I'm sure the front end feels "disconnected" and "floaty" most of the time? I know you're coming from a larger cruiser so it all might feel better or normal now. Also proper springs will give you better traction off the line, mid corner and accelerating out of corners. I'd be willing to guess KFG probably has figured out how to add adjustment to the forks by now I.e. Inserting r6 forks or even a whole front end conversion. Your bike might even share the r6 Shock which will be a extremely cheap upgrade as you'll gain a lot of adjustment. FYI I'm in the same boat as you. My Streetfighter has the original springs in it now. I'm closer to the 300# mark so changing it all out is that much more critical. Adding to it all after my last track day my rear tire looked like this: I'm pretty sure with proper springs I could have reduced the "shredding" on the right side. (Assuming it wasn't improper tire pressure)
Correctly built and set up suspension, for your weight, will make the bike stick to the road and cornering feel effortless. Mid corner bumps will get absorbed instead of making your bike skip around. The ride will be smoother, but with more grip and drive. The front and rear suspension will work in unison, instead of against each other. Also, I'm about 200-210 lbs. plus gear and the stock sprung fork's preload on my Tuono is fully backed, they are that stiff from the factory. For the most part, as other have said, stock suspension is built for smaller dudes, but that is not always the case. Best thing to do is take it to a suspension expert and have a conversation with them as they try and set up your stock set up for you.
Imagine driving your grandpa's Cadillac or Crown Vic, and then hopping in a sports car. That's the difference you'll feel. The difference between my Buell and my Triumph is night and day. The Triumph wants to hold the line and feels like it's on rails - I hardly feel like I do anything to get it to lean into a corner and lock in. The Buell, on the other hand, sags as I enter a corner or accelerate, and doesn't instill confidence. It's nearly bottomed out when cornering or accelerating hard and can't handle bumps well in this state. It responds too slowly to changes in pavement while the Triumph keeps the tire planted regardless of what I run over. Honestly, I'd go test ride a Triumph Street Triple if I were you - it's such a similar bike to the FZ07 that you'll immediately notice what is different about the suspension.
I think for the street rider, suspension upgrades may be slightly overrated. Just my opinion. I've changed a few suspension settings on my race bike and so far there biggest difference in handling I've noticed was from changing tire brands, not the new shock or cartridge kit in the forks. If you're just an average rider, who isn't treating highway 7 like isle of man. I doubt it's worth it to upgrade. Maybe get the bike resprung, but that's about it. My guess is the ride would be pretty soft for a 250 lb person.
Because your R6 already had decent suspension. Ever ridden a stock SV650 or FZ07? You can feel the fuckers actually bend in corners, even on the street.
Another plug for KFG. They will discuss what you are looking for, how far you want to go and how much you want to spend. No BS. Just the 'set-up's' they have done on my stock stuff made a noticeable difference from where I had them set. I have two identical bikes. Same tires. One has your 'normal' suspension upgrades you can do yourself and I was pretty happy with how it worked. Well, until I had KFG modify the other one. .. HUGE difference. It truly was a 'Holy Crap!' moment the first time out with it. Literally gave me more confidence from the first corner I hit. Disclamer: I pay for everything like everyone else and receive nothing in return for this or any other plug. One thing is to watch for the mid winter 'special' where you can bank money and get more for your dollar later. Hope they do it again this year!
Thanks for the advice everyone. Yeah, this thing bottoms out VERY easily on dips in the road, especially at speed. Hitting small potholes is like something is sending electricity into my back lol. I haven't gotten a chance to really try it in the corners as it has rained pretty much non-stop since I've gotten it so I can't speak too expertly on how it feels there. Actually, I'm about $1600 and 10-11 mods in already... but if the bike is only 3 weeks old, does it still count as one of my "first mods"? You are correct. When I first picked up the bike, I had them set the rear pre-load to maximum stiffness before I rode out of the dealership, but the front ones cannot be changed. I would not be opposed to getting completely new forks/rear-shock altogether. I have been considering this, mainly for the shocks and the brakes. The FZ's stock front brakes are "ok" I guess but I would definitely like more given my weight. I don't do track days so I don't think the lighter wheel would really be worth it. I actually did test ride a sTriple before the FZ-07 and the brakes really were a whole different (superior) animal on it which I now miss, but I guess that's a whole different thread.
KFG got a website or Facebook or something? I wouldn't mind having mine tweaked by an expert just to see what it feels like.
I'm of the opinion that you should test ride any number of modern sport bikes that have been setup for a 200+ lb. rider. When you do that and feel the direct connection you have to the road you'll know what to shoot for.