| Author | Message | ||
     Rogue_biker |
I was looking at the EBR suspension upgrades for the 1125R. Specifically, they have the Showa Big Piston Forks, and the Showa Race rear shock adjustable for ride height, High/Low speed damping. Has anyone here upgraded to these? If so how much of an improvement over stock did you get? Will these be too stiff for street use? What are my other options to upgrade both ride quality and control over the stock set up? I want BOTH compliance and control in the street anywhere from 45-100+ mph, but not really looking for a racing set up. Race Tech rebuild? Thoughts and Suggestions please. I have an ’08 1125R. Thanks. | ||
| Avalaugh |
Watching this thread, I hate the rear shock, in a word, it's crap. | ||
| Jdugger |
I think I've ridden just about every combination of suspension set ups available for this bike. Specifically, I've run stock, Race Tech Gold Valves, EBR/Showa Race and Penske shocks, and I've run stock, Race Tech Gold Valves EBR/Showa and AK-GAS forks. The EBR/Showa shock is a nice value, and you are going to have to spend significantly more money to get better. I'm running one now on my race bike, and slightly prefer it to the Penske, I think, but both are very good. Of course, getting the right spring for your weight and having the valving adjusted correctly are important. And, one of the challenges of higher end suspension equipment is they are easier to mis-dial, simply because they offer a much broader range of adjustment. For the money, I think the EBR stuff is the best value. AK-20s or AK-Gas are better forks, but they are way more than $600. Same goes for that shock... The Penske or Ohlins kit are as good or better, but they are $1500ish, and I honestly really like the EBR/Showa shock enough it's on the bike right now instead of my Penske. If I were just riding street, I probably just service the OEM stuff to keep fresh oil in it and spring it to my weight. If you have excessive compliance, you will have less control as a general rule, so that's something to keep in mind. A bike that works well in the twisties at highway and "2-times the sign" corner speeds is going to be a bit bumpy at commuting speeds. It's the same on the track, the scale is just different. My race bike ridden any slower than 2:04 or so at ECR is so miserably bumpy you swear you are going to get bucked off. Pick up the pace and it smooths out. | ||
| Therealassmikeg |
I purchased both BPF and rear race. My decision was based on the fact that I balked on the front cartridge kit and it sold out. I inquired about other options and was suggested the Ohlins by E B R. Quoted from Ohlins nearly 1500 for their upgrade to 30mm kit,and from asking a few questions and reading many posts I decided it would be easier to go with the BPF setup (when it showed up on the website) than mess around trying to get one of these better setups to where I liked it. I am a 30+ year mechanic by trade and the last thing I really want to do is mess with more shit ie: taking the forks off and sending them back for more adjustments.. Let me first say my intentions were and to install the components one at a time starting with the rear shock and ride to feel what difference each component made. Then ride and break in the components (with no adjustments) so that I get used to the new characteristics. So I installed the rear shock on xmas morning and rode that day. first thing I noticed is that the ride height was noticeably higher. First impressions were and still are I really like the difference I took the time to measure the height difference and it's around 3/4 inch. The bike was always reluctant to turn in and I had to figure out how to ride it which took a lot of concentration and body positioning to get it right. Now it turns in with ease and confidence.. Day after Xmas i went to Dirty Duks "Garage Mahal" and installed the front BPF kit. Again no adjustments made. I've put around 600 hard miles on it and am happy I made the decision. The bike handles the way it's supposed to now. I have started to notice a few lil things where some adjustment may help but until I go to the track I'm very content leaving it as is. The bike as I think Rod Rob had described his 1190 with Shawns' factory kit, feels like it's on rails. These are real quality components. and as the website says... When they're gone, they're gone | ||
| Stirz007 |
I also have the Showa upgrades (PN's J1165.08AZ and K0410D.08AZ) for track bike application. I'd defer to JD's comments. I'm not a good enough rider to justify spending another two grand on the Ohlins/Penske route - at least not yet. I was able to get a good deal on the EBR upgrade package a couple of years ago, and I agree that it was 'good bang for the buck' - for street, the stock package is pretty good when adjusted properly. If not, almost anything is not that great. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Okay. Sounds like I'm better off with tweaking the OEM suspension. I have been unhappy with my front forks for a while now, mainly because I believe it was only working properly for a couple of thousand miles after I bought it, then the seal broke and my fork fluid leaked out. Since then, the fluid in the forks were too thick and so I had too much damping on small bumps. I will get my forks back this weekend with thinner fork fluid so I will see how this goes. I don’t think the springing is the problem as I was able to adjust the forks to correct static sag before. I do remember my Firebolt forks were sublime on the street. It was highly compliant yet very much in control. That goes to the rear shock. |
