[ddipaola]

Looking to upgrade the stock suspension on my Gen5. I primarily use the bike for "aggressive" street riding. Planning to track perhaps next season though in the novice group. I live in MI; the roads aren't perfect... but they're something I'd like to be a little robust to.

So, what are your opinions? What's your experience? Stock vs. Ohlins, Ktech, Nitron, Bitubo... etc.?

 

[evallarta1]

This is a slippery slope but here we.

Suspension is like tires, they are all good. The key is taking the time to learn and work with someone who knows the product.

So for you, you might want to know know better on who to work with in the Midwest.

Take me for example, Im in St. Louis and work primarily with twin tube shocks which would be K-Tech, Ohlins and Bitubo. TSE is out of Wisconsin and works with Penske. So most riders who come to me know I was a Factory K-Tech tuner for MotoAmerica and want info on K-Tech or other twin tube shocks. I vary rarely get inquires about Penske cause they all go to TSE. Before he moved, many people went to Ken Hall out of Chicago for Ohlins.

You mentioned you do track days. Well whomever is supporting those trackdays will probably be one you want to talk to as they will be giving you support. So if you buy a Penske but go to Midwest Track Days, there is only so much I can do for you. I dont carry Penske parts or springs. Just like buying Bitubo from me and asking Ken Hall to support it wont do much good.

Hope this helps.

 

[Older Guy]

I spent $3,500 on Ohlins 30 cartridges, rear Elka shock and new springs and had it all set up for me.

I was sooo much faster on the track.

 

[CLCRacingLos]

All I can say is Suspension you will never regret , I just questioned it on my 17 Zx10R only cause I was thinking about wheels but really I was smoking crack cause upgrading the suspension will make the bike night and day difference. I can only tell you my experience with ohlins and i believe they are the best i just did there NIX 30 cartridge kit and Rear Shock on my Z900 for the street and some trackdays and what a difference the bike handles so much better turns in amazing i mean the bike is effortless to move around . This was going to a place that knows what there doing and for setup I mean one just getting the suspension tuned for you is a big big plus.. I am ordering all the ohlins stuff for my 17ZX10R now doing the FGR100 kit and the TTX rear shock the front comes with 3 sets of springs its a legit super bike setup. I have dealt with traxxion Dynamics they make a good kit and they deal with Penske for rear shocks also. I personally think Ohlins, Ktech , Nitron etc in that order.. but up to you

 

[ShawnG]

My upgraded suspension for my track bike was going to the 5th gen setup lol.

 

[scout]

Don't touch the bike; unless you're huge fat. OEM if perfect for small to normal guys with 175 pounds wet at top. Must be in shape; so much going on but Code hits on this well

here:

A Twist of the Wrist Vol. 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding: Keith Code, Doug Chandler: 9780965045025: Amazon.com: Books

high end pros do what they do:

We're not at that level.

 

[CLCRacingLos]

Don't touch the bike; unless you're huge fat. OEM if perfect for small to normal guys with 175 pounds wet at top. Must be in shape; so much going on but Code hits on this well

here:

A Twist of the Wrist Vol. 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding: Keith Code, Doug Chandler: 9780965045025: Amazon.com: Books

high end pros do what they do:

We're not at that level.

Sorry totally disagree one if your over 175 doesn?t mean your huge and fat lol secondly if your just gonna ride street yeah stock can be fine but for track the ZX10R can use work up front and in the rear. Doing suspension will never hurt it will only make the bike better and also make you a better rider

 

[ddipaola]

Sorry totally disagree one if your over 175 doesn?t mean your huge and fat lol secondly if your just gonna ride street yeah stock can be fine but for track the ZX10R can use work up front and in the rear. Doing suspension will never hurt it will only make the bike better and also make you a better rider

Does Ohlins provide dif. color springs? I would prefer not to have a yellow combined with red and green on my bike haha.

 

[evallarta1]

Does Ohlins provide dif. color springs? I would prefer not to have a yellow combined with red and green on my bike haha.

Nope, but you can have any spring power coated to whatever color you want.

 

[lenshead]

<opening can of worms, deliberately poking contents, fully expecting to be devoured by angry bloodworms>

You might also consider having your stock rear shock rebuilt/resprung by a reputable shop. Got mine done by Michael Alex
Best couple hundred I ever spent on my bike. If you're mostly a street rider as I am, you might decide you don't need to spend a grand or more for the Ohlins bling.
Total transformation of ride quality and confidence.