Is aftermarket forks better for touring or no different from OEM?

[stommer]

For 600cc street bikes like fz6, if want to tour and cruise 150-220km/h, does aftermarket forks like Ohlins make a difference? I dun play track, so i don't plan to adjust compression or rebound etc etc. So far my stock fork feels ok at this speed range but since they are old and i'm replacing them (got press before once after langar i think), i was wondering if better forks make a difference to ride stability cruising on nsh at higher speed. Or are they unnecessary and i should just stick to OEM forks coz they feel the same?

[mechwira]

the way i see it, suspension is primarily for A) bump management, and B) cornering.

 

I dont think NSH road is significantly more bumpy than singapore roads. this being the case, if on your current suspension there is nothing wrong, then a new aftermarket suspension wont feel any difference.

 

i also dont know if NSH has any corners fierce enough to require aftermarket suspension. even if there is, you'd need adjustable dampers AND know how to adjust them to really feel the difference.

 

personally i think for high speed touring you'd be better off upgrading things like tires or brakes, or even touring screens.i dont see how an aftermarket non-adjustable suspension can improve your quality on similar road surface simply because the speed is higher.

[Hydher]

hello, you can consider getting the springs inside changed to progressives.

Thats what i did when my suspension was getting too weak.

[Blueblood]

no doubt it will be a lot better then stock, if u gt e extra cash, go for it.

[superspeed123]

Aftermarket fork springs do makes a difference compare to stock spring. OEM spring are built to a tight budget and may not be suitable for everyone.

[stommer]

Ok. I think liddat i will go get Ohlin fork springs to put on stock fork. Gotta check if can fit. i try maybe go Unique or HKL. U all got reccomendation? Should be not hard to find.

[Jehuty]

You do know ohlins make racing shocks and racing shocks are stiffer, means it won't be plush and comfy as stock. Better luck with progressive.

[Blueblood]

Ok. I think liddat i will go get Ohlin fork springs to put on stock fork. Gotta check if can fit. i try maybe go Unique or HKL. U all got reccomendation? Should be not hard to find.

 

spring r made according to rider weight, if ur weight is out of OEM range then u shld change front n rear spring then ur suspension will work fine. changing spring to a Ohlins spring of e same weight will not make a diff.

 

whats gona make ur ride comfy is e damping. compression,rebound,oil viscosity.

[stommer]

Normally going high speed is better to have stiffer forks right? Since Ohlin fork springs are stiffer, put on OEM forks should stiffen the ride a bit. If too stiff i could consider using 5wt or 7.5wt fork oil instead of the usual 10wt motul fork oil i using with my 10yr old OEM fork springs

 

I average weight at 70+ kg so i think should be within the normal spec for most spring lah. But since want to replace old fork spring, i thought might as well replace with better one since this type of thing can last quite long.

[mechwira]

Normally going high speed is better to have stiffer forks

 

Not necessarily. It is always about the correct amount of stiffness. It is entirely possible that your current suspension is already at the correct amount, which means going stiffer is worse. Or that your suspension is already above the correct amount, which means going stiffer is wrong direction.

 

Plus the stiffness depends on both the spring and the damper, so even if there is a problem it might be the damper not the spring.

 

I do agree that a progressive spring is generally better than constant spring.

 

I think the most important thing that you have NOT said is what is it about your current suspension you are not satisfied. All i've gathered is your suspension is old therefore might want to change plus higher speed might need stiffer spring. I dont think there is enough info to conclude anything.

[mechwira]

*duplicate*

[stommer]

Currently with new fork oil and oil seal, there is still a little bit of vibration on the handlebars at higher speed. While this is a characteristic of fazer 6 and unavoidable, I wonder if stiffer springs could eliminate some of the vibrations and improve stability at higher speed. Currently i can do 150-220 and don't wish to go faster. I know that if want to go faster should change bike. I'm happy with this speed range and just looking for advice to make the bike more stable. If changing fork spring also same, then i will stick to OEM fork springs. But won't Ohlins do the job better?

 

Btw, is there any progressive springs u all can reccomended? Ohlin only got 1 type, the stiff one.

[stommer]

Bro mechwira, currently on stock forks n springs, 10wt Motul fork oil. Since its all OEM, surely at the moment it can't be more stiff than the correct amount? Fork springs are 10yrs old with 150k km. I reckon new springs may make a difference, even if i change to new OEM springs. But Surely changing to Ohlin springs won't make it too stiff?

[mechwira]

First of all bro if your ONLY complaint is handlebar vibrations and thats wat you mean by stability, then i recommend a much cheaper upgrade: heavier bar ends. I recommend motovation bar end sliders, i've used and found a significant difference in handlebar vibrations. Dun buy cheapo ones coz some of them are just fashion and not heavy at all.

 

Suspension is more than just vibes in the handlebar, its more of how the front 'bounce' and how much bump you feel thru ur butt.

 

And, there is no way i can say if a certain spring is too stiff. U are better off searching reviews for that exact spring model and noting the reviewer's weight. And whether ur stock is too stiff or wat, it depends completely on how you read or interpret your ride. How does the bike react over bumps? Does the front skip over hard bumps? Ur butt hurts? Any pogo effetc after the bump? How much dive in a corner? Oversteer, understeer?

[stommer]

Noted on all ur points bro. They have help me rethink what i am looking for.

 

Currently already using motovation balancers.

 

I think i will just change my 10yr old rear shock and front springs with 150k milege with oem parts. these should get the dive within i want since currently it is already almost ok for me. Maybe i try 12.5wt oil first. Will go for better brakes and maybe ss lines.

 

Once again, thanks for helping me clarify things:thumb:

Edited March 18, 2015 by stommer

[Pplater]

The stock OEM front springs are progressive springs. The rear shock uses linear springs. U can find more info on the international fazer forum 600riders.com

 

Stock OEM springs only cost $70 a pair from Yamaha Hong Leong. Ohlins or Racetec springs cost 300-400 a pair. I'm changing mine as they are old too and cost less than the fork oil and oil seals change.

 

Given the price difference, u may want to consider changing OEM springs more frequently than drag the high end springs over a longer period.

 

The stock fork springs have a spring rate of 0.77kg/mm while the reccomended spring rate listed at racetec.com for my weight of 73kg is 0.847kg/mm. Whether this difference is acceptable depends on individual rider but most of us may not need so much demands out of the bike

 

If new fork oil and springs still dives too much for ur liking then u may need stiffer aftermarket springs. Springs, like shocks don't last forever. Simply getting new stock springs and rear shocks may improve ur ride.

 

The rear shocks also cost under 400 for OEM but 1k for Ohlins. U can adjust the settings on stock rear shocks to set how stiff u want them to be. I'm at 3rd setting. Total got 7. I would rather change OEM rear shock more frequently than use aftermarket rear shocks as oem does the job adequately. There is a noticeable difference in ride stability simply changing to new shock. The rear does not squat as much and the front does not lift up as much under acceleration.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Pplater

[mechwira]

There you go. Very specific info including actual numbers data. Thats about the data you need to make your decisions.