I'm making my Gixxer 1000 03 ready as a track bike and did order a race body from sebimoto, put braking wave rotors a magura 20mm radial pump,spiegler ss brake lines, gilles rear sets a akrapovic titanium exhaust on. But one of the important thinks will be the suspension. I wanna go with the ohlins springs on the front and the ohlins rear shock.I'm new to the US and did hear alot about Penske. So Iam not sure what brand ( ohlins or penske ) should I use. I must say my wife is in the air force and she tries to get a new assignment to Germany where I am from and it would be not so good for the service of the shock if I would go with the penske.But anyway what are the better shock for my Gixxer.

Thanks alot

They are both good. I've had 3 Penske shocks, 2 double clickers and 1 triple. Loved them all. Ohlins is every bit as good from what I'm told. A big difference is how easy they are to service. Penske shocks are generally much easier, no special tools if I understand it correctly. Ohlins, from what I'm told, are pretty difficult and normally requires it to be sent off to be serviced. Can you have a Penske sevice in Germany? That's a good question but my best guess is yes. In your situation, I'd just go with the Ohlins.

How is the set up? I heard the penske would be easyer to set up.

I'd have done the suspension first since the stock shock and forks suck. I just put an Ohlins on my 750 and it's a huge improvement - I'm sure the Penske is great too. The forks should be revalved and resprung for hard riding, and there are lots of shops that do that sort of work (Lindemann Engineering, Aftershocks, etc.).

I agree that the stock suspension sucks. Depending on your weight springs are a must. Valves are an impovement also but the stock valving isn't quite as bad as the spring.

The rear triple clicker Penske on the back is a big improvement.

You'd be amazed at what 3-5 mm of ride height (raise the forks) in the front and about 8mm up in the rear will do for the handling. The bike turns so much better now.

The other big advantage to the Penske is that they put the right spring in. Ohlins you sometimes have to send it off before you ever install it to have the spring changed. Atleast that's what a buddy of mine had to do.

I found a race supplier who will put the right spring for your weight on the ohlins shock ( for free ) before he sents it out.The asking price was a little over $900 and I think that's not to bad.I'm not yet 100% sure Ohlins or Penske but tomorrow I gonna order my rear shock so will be a short night.But I really think you can't do wrong with ohlins or penske.For the front fork I gonna put Wilbers springs (linear 9.5 spring rate))and W 20 oil in.I gonna keep the stock valves.How much oil must be filled in the fork after changing the springs? It will be my first time that I gonna work on my fork and change springs. I hope it will not to difficult.Any suggestions? By the way thanks for your input makes some dicisions alot easier. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

You may want to check www.le-suspension.com. (http://www.le-suspension.com.) They have been running some pretty decent prices on shocks.

How much do you weigh? I don't care what valves you have, 20w is way too heavy. Most guys run 5w or 7.5w. Check the manual and see what stock is but I beleive 20w will be totally off.

Stock oil height is about 105mm air gap. I'd try 125mm first. It's easier to add than remove. And 1ml=1mm or at least it's really close in Suzuki forks. If the forks are extended, make it 135mm.

You're probably gonna have to cut new internal preload spacers, or at least cut the stock ones down.

Ok, just did order my Penske rear shock and will get it next week after putting the ride spring on for me.I also orderd the springs for the fork.I really can't wait until the next track day at texas speed world to see the difference.

Nice thing about the Penske is you can upgrade the shock, if you have a double clicker it can be upgraded to a triple click in the future.

Philbie said:

You'd be amazed at what 3-5 mm of ride height (raise the forks) in the front and about 8mm up in the rear will do for the handling. The bike turns so much better now.





Philbie,
Do you mean raising the forks through the triples (decrease front ride height) or lowering the forks in the triples(increase front ride height)?

Sorry, I was refering to changing the ride heights, not necessarily adding more height.

Depending on the bike/rider you'd usually help handling by raising the forks in the triples and/or raising the rear. Lots of variables to come up with one perfect set-up for all bikes.

Philbie said:
Sorry, I was refering to changing the ride heights, not necessarily adding more height.

Depending on the bike/rider you'd usually help handling by raising the forks in the triples and/or raising the rear. Lots of variables to come up with one perfect set-up for all bikes.



All is cool Philbie http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I was just asking cause I am doing some experimenting to try to find the "perfect" set up.

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Moglie said:
Ok, just did order my Penske rear shock and will get it next week after putting the ride spring on for me.I also orderd the springs for the fork.I really can't wait until the next track day at texas speed world to see the difference.


Just be prepared to tune your suspension when you get there. It will most likely take a few sessions to get everything setup, but at first, you may not like it.

Did you go with the 2-clicker or 3-clicker?