magzx12r
Expert Class
Posts: 252
|
posted December 17, 2003 08:13 AM
Rear ride height
For those of you that have played with the rear ride height, how much did you end up raising the rear. I plan to start off raising the rear seat height ~ 1/2" based on the recommendation from a local shop. Is this about right? Too little?
I am doing this to get over the front a little more.
I have a 2000 ZX-12R and am running a 190/50 rear tire.
____________
Mark
'03 ZX-12R
'12 1199S
  
|
D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
|
posted December 17, 2003 05:41 PM
Shim the rear shock with about 1/2" of fender shims - worked good for me on an 01 with the 190 as well (front lowered 12mm).
|
TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
|
posted December 17, 2003 08:52 PM
On my Ohlins... I have about 8mm.
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
|
David Preston
Novice Class
Posts: 47
|
posted December 17, 2003 09:01 PM
You do not mention why the local shop recommended this. What does the bike do now that does not match the way you want to ride it? I am always leery of various mods that people say you "have to do" because someone told them this or that about whatever.
I am not a suspension expert, and if I thought there was something amiss, I would first find someone I knew to be an expert and ask them directly. I had my "sag" checked by an excellent and extremely experienced race tech and it turned out to be just about perfect for someone of my height and weight, as stock. After that I could play with the settings, but I have never seen a reason to. My 12 handles just about like I want it to - a little too stiff on really bumpy roads at brisk speeds (around Mount Rainier for one) and very comfy elsewhere. True, I am not a terribly fast rider.
Track days? Drag racing? Your intended use will be a good starting point to start on a quest to get it where you want it to be.
Just a few thoughts to ponder,
Dave Preston
Cycle Barn
|
D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
|
posted December 17, 2003 09:10 PM
I raised the rear ride height after riding a friends 02 model - I noticed how much taller it felt in the rear and also how the handling seemed better (to me at least - mine is an 01 and I didn't want to lower the front any more than I already had and no I have had no stability issues - tested to 170).
|
TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
|
posted December 17, 2003 09:43 PM
On the 2002 Kawi raised the swingarm pivot area a few mms and increased the rake on the front. The 2002s do feel lighter around town and at pedestrian speeds... but for rough stuff and high speed washboards..its as twitchy as an R1 with 100 extra lbs.
In the 2yrs I rode my 2000.... I never once felt the need for a damper. 1 week of ownership of my 2002 had me singing a different tune. Hence I spent all my hp money on suspension.  Im not complaining... because I love the way it rides now... planted, confidence inspiring.
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
|
D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
|
posted December 17, 2003 10:13 PM
No need for a damper here either.
Just had the Racetech 1.0 springs put in the forks - big difference.
Still tweakin tryin ta get a setting I like though.
|
tuusinii
Pro
Posts: 1031
|
posted December 17, 2003 11:26 PM
I went with a 4.5mm shim over the rear shock and been very pleased. The bike came much easier to turn - the difference is comparable to going from wornout tires to almost new. That 1/2" sound little to drastic to me. Maybe You should first try something like 4-6mm(1/4") and if not pleased try the bigger. But usually You shouldn't go to extremes without goining by step. Because altering suspension makes a huge differences. The change I made haven't make the bike any more nervous - highspeed or twisties. But surely a much more agile. I got the number from German Motorrad magasine. They said that Kawasaki Germany recommends 5.5mm shim for 00-01 and was it 2-3mm for 02-. I didn't want to change it that much and went with 4.5mm - and been very pleased. You should try it. And remember that the 4.5mm is the thickness of the shimm so Your rear ride height will be much more than 4.5mm higher. Just not to mix things. But anyway I definatly recommend thin for those twisties oriented. And my front end is something like 3mm lower also. I won't go back.
|
magzx12r
Expert Class
Posts: 252
|
posted December 18, 2003 07:55 AM
I have had the sag adjusted properly.
The local shop was recommending raising the seat height 1/2". He was going to experiment with shims to see what shim height was needed to raise the seat height 1/2" This guy is pretty knowledgable about suspensions.
I normally ride backroads and just want the bike pitched a little more to the front.
____________
Mark
'03 ZX-12R
'12 1199S
|
Outlaw1
Zone Head
Posts: 803
|
posted December 18, 2003 06:04 PM
I have rasied and lowered and have mine totaly screwed up now.
I was trying to lower the bike for drag racing and also set it up for twisties. The two don't work.
The last adjustment I made I raised the rear a 1/4 inch and the bike started boucning mid turn. I removed rear preload and this helped but its still not right. I am going regroup and set it back to stock settings set sag and start a log on adjustments and the resuilts.
My front is a inch lower slipped though tree. And the rear I'm not sure what height. I use the Schnitz turnbuckles on the rear.
Whatever you do make a log of your adjustments and set sag and check sag after adjustments are made. I wish I had kept a log.
At one time handling felt pretty decent, Felt like I was close to having it perfect. Then I switched tire brand and made some adjustments for rear tire height from changing brands and I lost the handling.
Keep a log with tire type and psi of tire and settings. It will save you time.
|
TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
|
posted December 19, 2003 03:11 AM
Outlaw... lil tip for ya
Dragrace= slammed for low center of gravity
Roadrace= high for clearance and maximum suspension range
Slide the forks back down in the trees until the tops are flush and only the preload adjusters stick out. If you dragrace... you can still lower it with a $20 strap on the front and adjust your turnbuckles to the proper length.
Personally I only use the turn buckles for dragrace only.
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
|
magzx12r
Expert Class
Posts: 252
|
posted December 19, 2003 03:57 AM
He put a 10mm (~0.4") shim on the rear shock. I sat on the bike in the shop and it felt good. I will set the sag(front and rear) and ride it this weekend to see how it does. I am thinking I will have to decrease rear preload and increase front preload to keep the sag correct. I keep a log of suspension changes.
Thanks for the tips.
____________
Mark
'03 ZX-12R
'12 1199S
|
psycho1122
Pro
Posts: 1608
|
posted December 19, 2003 07:28 AM
mag; I firmly agree w/ TurboBlew and tuusinii....10mm SHIM!! Wholy Crap!! The 12 is not a 7R! The chassis does not respond well to too much rear ride hight! If you put 10mm at the shock, you get close to a full inch at the rear!! This will make the bike VERY unstable at higher speeds. I hope you have left the forks alone, because if you have lowered them at all you WILL have a major tank slapper sooner or later!
The best that I have found is a 3mm shim at the shock, thus giving me 6mm out back. Forks at stock hight and 1.05 springs in forks. Steers QWICK and rock solid stability!
____________
You say PSYCHO like it's a BAD thing!!
|
magzx12r
Expert Class
Posts: 252
|
posted December 19, 2003 12:04 PM
Thanks for the warning. I will take it out for a test ride this weekend and take my time "getting up to speed" to make sure I don't have any instability problems. If so, I will lower the rear some.
With the 190 rear tire (vs. 200), the ride height dropped ~ 0.2".
With the 10mm shim, the height measured from the rear axle straight up to the tail increased ~ 0.8".
This gives a net increase of 0.6" at the tail. I didn't know these bikes were that sensitive to ride height changes.
I will report back on my results after this weekend's ride.
____________
Mark
'03 ZX-12R
'12 1199S
|
magzx12r
Expert Class
Posts: 252
|
posted December 21, 2003 08:42 PM
Rode about 100 miles today on backroads. Before riding, I increased front preload slightly and lowered rear compression by 1 click. Here are my observations.
1. Turn-in was quicker, which was expected.
2. Bike felt good when cornering. My position felt more forward, which is what I was looking for.
3. The front moved a little more when accelerating hard through the gears, but nothing major. Not sure if that had anything to do with ride height change or not. I may bump the compression back up 1 click to see what happends. BTW, I do have a damper on the bike.
I plan to leave the rear ride height like it is and play with the suspension a little bit. Overall, I am satisfied.
____________
Mark
'03 ZX-12R
'12 1199S
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC