jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted March 30, 2003 10:03 AM
Better back road sex with current mount
I have a little Gixxer 600 and my 12.
After riding on my trusty Gixxer on the track and twisties I've lately become reacquainted with my 12. The 12 seems to bob and weave on bumpy roads while cornering - she protests right when I get started fookin'. And I haven't even come yet.
I don't have the confidence level in the 12's handling that I do my little Gixxer (he is almost unflappable at speed - very solid feeling). I can stick him as deep as I want and he doesn't flinch.
I understand I'm doing a bit of apples and oranges here, but I really like the way the Gixxer feels (but I'm not gay).
Now what I need to do is get my girl as deep and feeling good as the little Gixxer. He may be small, but he has a lot of heart! And he really gives it GOOD!
I barely understand the dynamics of suspension tuning - and I have set the preloads to what the SportRider Kamma Sutra says. And I understand I need to tweak the rebound and damping.
NOW...
I'm ready to start tweaking my 12. So far she's been completely stock, save a change in rubber (and yes, I understand that rubber makes a HUGE difference in feel - if I can only get her to understand - oh. Yeah. That conversation is for my OTHER girls.)
GOAL...
I want to make my 12 handle as best she can. I will be turning her into a curvy back road burner. Stock HP is fine and I'm not interested in drag racing (Jesus, you guys talking turbos, NOS and shit blow me away). Strait up missionary sex is fine (the straights) but the other positions suck.
I want to make her go like stink on the Arkansas back roads so she needs to be flexable while bent/leaned over.
I've switched to a 180/55 already, and that's really helped the turn-in. She really came alive and goes down quick, but doesn't like it once she's there! She wants to come right up so all I get is a little lick - not the full deep throat.
Now, I humbly ask the peanut gallery here -
WHAT'S NEXT??
There's also a large amound of front-end dive when braking. I'd like to fix that and tweak the stability before I add steel braided lines. Will both of those be addressed by a properly tuned suspension? Will I need to do more (RaceTech revalve? New Springs? Different weight oil?)
I know you guys running the Dragon all the time and spanking 600's in the twisties up there have already been down this road. I'm looking at the map trying to figure out the best way to get there....
Don't tell me 'that's just the way she is'. I'll have to get a divorce and begin a new relationship with a Busa. I really want to save this relationship, but the back road sex needs to improve.
j
  
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swft
Needs a life
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posted March 30, 2003 10:42 AM
Race Tech revalve will make a huge difference for you. The front end will feel more compliant over the bumps, but firmer too! Speaking about those tight twisties, how's the rear feel to you? I'm a big guy, 225lbs, and the back end would get real flabby on me after just a little bit in the backwoods. You might want to investigate doing something with the stock shock, or an aftermarket unit. Only other suggestion I would have would be to get yer unsprung weight down with some aftermarket wheels. I can honestly say that my 12 feels a lot more like a 9 after these changes, very flickable and surefooted.
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted March 30, 2003 11:37 AM
Thanks, Swft. I have an '02 model, and I understand there were many tweaks to suspension components. I checked out Race Tech, and they don't have an 02 listed on their site.
I'll call them Monday and see what's up.
j
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Zhooligan
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posted March 30, 2003 04:40 PM
 Edited By: Zhooligan on 30 Mar 2003 16:47
Without a doubt Swft and I agree that the single biggest noticible improvement we have experienced with our 12's was the installation of our Marchesini Mag wheels. Day and night. And second was the Race Tech front end with our Ohlins rear shocks.
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has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
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posted March 30, 2003 04:45 PM
there is a section here on the suspension settings courtesy of TWO magazine.. . lemme find you a link.
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fish_antlers
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The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
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posted March 30, 2003 04:50 PM
here.. try this:
Front:
Comp: 2 clicks back from max
Rebound: 4 clicks back from max
Preload: 2 rings showing
Static Sag: 20mm
Rear:
Comp: 7 clicks back from max
Rebound: 2 clicks back from max
Preload/ Static Sag: 5mm
you'll like it. Best you can do with the stock gear.
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Zhooligan
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posted March 30, 2003 04:53 PM
In regard to Marchesini wheels you might check around, Swft and I got ours for $1500 for the set. They had a bunch of white wheels and discounted them. We paid $100 to have them painted black with emron. (sp?)
____________
To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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jonwright
Needs a job
Posts: 2416
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posted March 30, 2003 10:10 PM
Thanks, Hool. I'll sure keep the rims in mind.
Would you do that INSTEAD Race Tech revalve - let's say that one might have limited funds here and is looking for bang for handling buck....
Hey Fish: Those suspension settings are befuddling my little pea brain. What the hell does "click" mean? If it means 'turn,' I only have 5 turns in rear and 3 up front.
And right now I have all settings on softest they will go (except for rear preload - thats about 1/2" from full soft).
Funny thing is, it all still feels stiff to me. I can feel my Gixxer suspension working in bumps, but it doesn't want to stand up when it hits a bump - the 12 oddly enough does. And even though things are on completely soft, the suspension doesn't wallow at all. I used to have a Bandit 600, so I KNOW what that feels like.
Now, my BT010's are badly worn and it's time for a new set - I'm hitting wear bars on front AND rear at the same time (about 5k miles later). I'm replacing with D208's.
Eh, fook it. I'll shod the new tires, see what's up, dink with it a bit and get a suspension workover instead of a new helmet and Valentine One.
Guess I'll put off the pipe for a bit longer...
Maybe thinner oil up front would be fun to play with...5 wt. is stock. Anyone dinked with that?
Jeez...I'm getting into minutia almost like the Pastor Elk...somebody shoot me now.
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zx11king
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posted March 30, 2003 10:25 PM
what is website for marchesini rims
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted March 31, 2003 06:34 AM
http://www.tawvehicle.com/march.htm
Was talking to Mike Velasco, he was very excited about a wheel he had looked at while over in Japan earlier this year. I'll see if I can get the info from him for it later this week.
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted March 31, 2003 10:27 AM
quote:
Hey Fish: Those suspension settings are befuddling my little pea brain. What the hell does "click" mean? If it means 'turn,' I only have 5 turns in rear and 3 up front.
There were clicks on the earlier models. '02 suspension doesn't "click".
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DaytonaSportbikes Forum
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Zhooligan
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posted March 31, 2003 10:28 PM
jonwright I always say upgrade the suspension first. It is significantly cheaper and you might find it all you want. The wallowing, skipping, skatey feel you find with your stock 12 will go away with the Race Tech Forks. Revalve and fork springs first. Then wheels if you want and can afford them.
____________
To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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zx11king
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posted April 01, 2003 01:47 AM
are there any black or carbon fiber marchesini rims that will fit/work on a zx12r?
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted April 01, 2003 07:08 AM
Tis easy nuff to paint the white ones black. But I didn't see black ones for sale. Dymag makes CF wheels for the 12, if you want to pony up for them.
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