What is the difference between an inverted fork and a conventional fork? I know all the better bikes have the inverted forks. Why are they better?

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

The GSXR 750 and 1000 come with the inverted forks.
From what I remember someone saying the inverted forks are stiffer and more durable yet they are also heavier than the standard.
I went through the FAQ but I can't find out why they are not on the 600's. Someone explained this to me or someone else a while ago.

I seem to rememeber even the AMA Factory 600's didn't have inverted forks.... images/icons/confused.gif


jontflesh

[ 01-12-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

Inverteds have the slider (the skinnier part) of the suspension mounted to the front wheel, where conventionals have the thicker part.

The reason to have the upside downs (though they seem more like right-side-up to me) is that you reduce the unsprung weight. That is, the weight that is not above the suspension system.

Generally the less unsprung weight, the better the suspension action (less force impacted onto the bike by the inertia of the unsprung mass).

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

Jon/nudiepix, I think you're BOTH right. Upside-downers are both stiffer and have less unsprung weight than conventional forks.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

What kind of price difference are they? You would think by now they would have'm on the 600's

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by mixxer:
Jon/nudiepix, I think you're BOTH right. Upside-downers are both stiffer and have less unsprung weight than conventional forks.<hr></blockquote>

The only thing I have left wondering is why are they not on 600's? And was I right that even the Factory Race 600's have standard forks?


Anyone?

jontflesh

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

The weight of the bike can't be a factor because 750's and liter bikes weigh the same now? It must have to do with horsepower. That's one of the differences betweem 600's and larger bikes.

The upside-down forks have always been said to be more expensive, thus they are "above" the price point where a 600 needs to be. Maybe it's harder to produce due to the way the calipers and axle mount to an upside down fork? Hmmm, not sure....

In any case, remember that cycle manufacturers don't make their own suspensions...Showa and Kayaba and Ohlins and others sell them to them. Manufacturers typically always charge higher for "better" technology. For instance, a CD has always been much cheaper to produce then a cassette, yet you pay more for the CD.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jon T. Flesh:
The only thing I have left wondering is why are they not on 600's? And was I right that even the Factory Race 600's have standard forks?<hr></blockquote>Jon, everything above was right...the inverted are better because of rigity and unsprung weight. They are better and more expensive and sdiver is right about 600's being under the $$$ limit for the inverted. Remember, the 600 ain't even got a braced swingarm. I smile when people tell me my 600 handles better than their 4 pound heavier 750's.

The racers aren't using inverted forks on their 600 racer-bikes because switching forks is against Super-Sport rules. They would if they could.
A friend of mine won a Suzuki $ race at Gateway in Oct, and was disqualified because he had 750 forks on his 600 super-sport bike.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

all the reasons above. the 1000 is actually about 12lbs heavier than the 750 though.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

Like sdiver says the upside-downers are, currently, more expensive to manufacture. The 600 class is so financially competitive for the bike manufacturers that they tend to fit conventional forks for production cost reasons.
The higher tooling expense is there only because they are DIFFERENT from std forks, and this cost is passed on to the bike manufacturer/buyer. As their use becomes more widespread the 'economies of scale' will make them a viable alternative to std forks.

[ 01-12-2002: Message edited by: mixxer ]

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

Speedie,

YOUR 600 does handle better than MOST OTHER PEOPLE'S 750's, and even 1000's...... images/icons/cool.gif

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon T. Flesh ]</p>

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Speedballer347:
Huh? whaddya mean?
<hr></blockquote>


I think he means you kick arse. images/icons/grin.gif