[ukzx10r]

Im trying to find out what is the best spring rate for me.
Im 15 stone uk.
Not sure what that is in us money but im basically no lightweight guy.
Currently im running standard 2016 zx10r showa rear shock which i believe to have a 95kg spring. (From what ive read).
I believe the 2015 spring to be 110kg which is often said to be too hard but im wondering if i should be running that spring on the showa shock coz of my weight?
Although my bike feels good im just wondering if im over working the damping coz of my weight?
What weight are you and what spring do you run?

 

[LDH]

15 Stone with or without gear?

W/O gear that would put you around 225 lbs in Gear and by the numbers you would indeed need an 110Nm spring, but there is more to getting a proper ride than just the mathematical numbers. Even if you put a proper length and rated spring on the OEM shock you still have to contend with the sub-par valving specs.

 

[BOP Leader]

Not sure what the stock spring rate is on the 2016, but if it's 95kg as you mention then I would guess for your weight of 210lbs that would be under sprung for spirited track riding. I would imagine that even with preload cranked up you'll be feeling back end squat when you crank on the throttle. I guess it depends what you like. I prefer a spring that is not cranked to the max on preload to get the bike compliant. Have you measured your sag heights?

Rule of thumb for your weight you might need to increase several spring rates on the rear shock. Maybe less for the front fork springs if they are also 95kg

 

[renais]

You're a hard charging animal and I would say you need a much stronger spring, at least 110N possibly even 114N.

I'm only 150lbs and am thinking of going 110N.

I like these and if you go direct to Faulkners, you can even have them custom made..........

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycle/rear-springs/faulkners-race-springs

 

[ukzx10r]

The thing is the bike doesnt squat much at all as it is. I dont think people realise how good the gen5 shock is. The damping can be wound up so the back end hardly moves. But im not convincd this is good for the life of the shock. I think im going to fit the 110 spring and then i could back off the compression a tad and let the spring do more of the work

 

[dricked]

Unless you're setting your shock up for one specific track or all the tracks you ride are almost identical you should have a few in the box. I carry 100 to 115 for the rear and .95 to 11.0 for my fronts. These get changed very frequently. A lot depends on how the bike is behaving more so then the math. I usually don't run my clickers more then 2/3 from closed/open and watch for bottoming.

 

[evallarta1]

There really is no easy way to get the "best spring rate" over the internet, too many variables. Your weight is only one of many things needed to determine what rate to use.

What' your weight?
How do you sit on the bike?
How aggressive are you on the throttle/brakes?
What kind of valving is in the suspension?
How is your geometry setup?
What kind of tracks do you ride?

If you want to get the "best" spring for you, find a reputable local suspension shop and have them go through the bike with you and give you options. That is the BEST way to get the best performance without wasting your time or money.

 

[ukzx10r]

Yes thats true. Its not easy i know to get a perfect setup. I am just concerened that im gonna wreck my shock by relying on the damping to give me the firmness to cary my weight.
Im not going to be swapping springs for different tracks. Im not a racer but i ride hard so probably best i fit a stronger spring

 

[scout]

Call the shock people. What they do.

 

[dricked]

Yes thats true. Its not easy i know to get a perfect setup. I am just concerened that im gonna wreck my shock by relying on the damping to give me the firmness to cary my weight.
Im not going to be swapping springs for different tracks. Im not a racer but i ride hard so probably best i fit a stronger spring

That's not going to wreck the shock but having your compression cranked to carry your load is not the correct way of getting the result you're looking for. That's going to make the rear very stiff and not absorb the bumps jarring you around.

 

[ukzx10r]

A little update;
Yesterday i swapped things about as i have 3 shocks and 95 and 110 springs.
So i fitted a 95 on the gen4 shock with the link plates i sell and it works alot better than standard.
Thats the whole problem with the gen4 as standard.
Its over sprung for the damping it has.
It still felt a little undersprung for my weight so i fitted a gen5 shock with a gen4 spring fully wound off and its spot on now for me.
It doesnt squat at all and isnt too hard over bumps because preload is wound off.
But tyre wear was slightly better with the softer spring. I had wear so good that i couldnt believe it but i wasnt keen on having all settings wound up near max all of the time