Broad question

[Yves514]

Ok, now this is a little broad as a question but I have to start somewhere. As I've been getting faster and getting closer to the front runners in the amateur/novice level 600/Open racing, I'm noticing my suspension is not right. Unfortunately, I have 3 problems: It's all stock, I known nothing about suspension (I know about compression, rebound, etc. but not how to apply it to solve my problems), I'm in Canada (no Race Tech, Traxxion Dynamics, etc. trackside) and I've got limited $$$.

So here's a quick run down of my scenario:

- bike: 2001 GSX-R600
- rider: 5'7" 160-165lbs (no gear)
- stock forks (including all stock internals)
- stock rear
- stock damper

Suspension can get expensive real quick so I want to spend it at the right place. I've had two crashes lately that I can point to my suspension as a big player in my crash. Sure I could have done some things from a riding point of view to avoid the crashes but adjustability and proper settings would have most likely avoided these crashes.

Now I do have access to ask this question to my local tuner and some track side people but I wanted to know what was the best bang for the buck on an '01 GSX-R600. Obviously, this forum has the best concentration of GSX-R knowledge! According to some sources, my forks have great adjustability but the springs are most often not the correct rate. I've also heard the rear has very little accuracy in terms of adjustability and the spring is most likely wrong too. So would need to be a replacement but at $1600-1900CAD for a rear shock, it's a lot. I also know from my own experience that the stock damper is crap and I need some adjustability so swaping the oil isn't my solution... But that's the limit of the direction I have right now...

Any thoughts anyone?

[GMDBoston]

How much do you have to spend on the suspension? I can give you a great fork set up for $400 less 20% gixxer.com promo ( $380 usd) and get you a Penkse Shock for dealer cost $658.75 usd. on the same promotion. Turn around time is 1 week on the forks and about ten days on the shock.

[fun2fly]

Geez I'd take GMD's offer on that, sounds like a very competitive price. Since you are in Canada you could call these guys.
http://www.protechsuspension.com/index2.htm
There site is pretty crappy and it looks as though they are mainly dirt bikes but they do sportbike suspension as well, at least down here on the east coast they do. Perhaps give them a call anyway and inquire. I had my forks worked with new springs, valves shims etc and the stock shock got a new spring and a race tech gold valve kit put in it. I'm happy but in retro I would have preferred an aftermarket shock such as GMD is offering up. I'd seriously consider the GMDBoston route at this moment if I hadn't had them done already. I might also add that your post is very well written, clear and presented well.

[COMEBACK]

Yeah, take GMD's offer.

I am quite sure you will not be dissapointed.

[KimDN]

You have a lot of good options. What's great is that your bike is very popular, and most good suspension people know what works well with your forks/shock. It just depends on your budget.

Pete is offering you a good deal; if you can afford it, go for it. If you are on a bit of a budget, you can get a revalved stock GSXR1000 shock and it will work great. That is what I used last year on my '01/02 GSXR1000, and am currently using it on my 750. I think my suspension guy sells them for $300 or so. If you send him a stock GSXR 1000 shock, it is even cheaper. Email him at dason@bazzazperformance.com.

[OutOfMyDepth]

First zero cost option is to check/set your sag. Most decent motorcycling portals like sportrider have instructions on how to do this.

This is the first thing done in any suspension set-up, without it fiddling with the rebound and compression is just that, fiddling.

Basically it is setting the preload for your weight. However, it will also let you whether you have the right springs for your weight. If you cant get the sag within acceptable limits with preload adjustment then you need to change the springs.