worker1 Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Hi all, I have a 2015 FZ-07 and OEM suspension. I'm about 180 lbs, probably closer to 190 w/ gear. I ride street and canyons. The weather here ranges from 60 to over 100 degrees. I'm looking at a K-Tech Razor-R Lite shock, and K-Tech front shock springs w/ 15 weight oil. Two k-tech springs are available and I reached out to K-tech for a recommendation on which one. 35-340 (6.0N-9.0N) and 36-345 (8.0N-9.0N) At my weight, the consensus seems to be that the front forks are the biggest concern. K-Tech springs and oil are probably around $170 or so. The Razor-R lite rear shock is $400. I don't have a stand or anything so will need to take it to a shop, I'm not worried about their competency. I'm trying to keep this under $1,000. Does this seem like a good plan, or should I move up from springs & oil to emulators (something like traxxion ar-25)? Since I'm not on the track and I want some comfort, I'm not sure which way to proceed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossrider Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 That sounds like a great start and you'll probably be perfectly happy with those mods for every day life and an occasional romp down a canyon road. Rock solid plan. Having said that I bet you'd be pee yourself happy if you added an emulator like race techs to the forks. Youd still be under a grand. The problem is if you're like me no matter what you do you're gonna wonder 'what if I'd only done x...'. Then again if you'd only opted for Ohlins ttx..... Good luck, I think you'll be fine! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worker1 Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 Thanks. I just adjusted the rear shock to 5 (up from 3) and it's much more predictable. I have had 0 trust in the cornering ability of this bike. With the rear stiffer, I can feel how squirly the front is, especially when letting off the gas or getting on it. I may go with emulators on the front and see how I like it, and leave the back shock in place for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossrider Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Just now, worker1 said: Thanks. I just adjusted the rear shock to 5 (up from 3) and it's much more predictable. I have had 0 trust in the cornering ability of this bike. With the rear stiffer, I can feel how squirly the front is, especially when letting off the gas or getting on it. I may go with emulators on the front and see how I like it, and leave the back shock in place for a while. Once you get the suspension sorted and balanced that rocking horse goes away and you'll like the cornering. It doesn't necessarily take big money either, just decent stuff set for your weight/riding style. You'll get er. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruizin Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 My fz09 had that same pogo stick rocking horse bullshet. Yamaha really went cheap on the stock suspension but then again, the bike is low priced so ... I went with a company named Cogent Dynamics Their contact info is Phone: (828) 628 9025 raceparts@motocd.com They have a great rear shock and the price is right. Let em know cruizin form the fz07 forum sent ya. Yamaha MT-10 ForumYamaha Tracer 900 Forum Yamaha Ténéré 700 Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worker1 Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 13 minutes ago, Cruizin said: My fz09 had that same pogo stick rocking horse bullshet. Yamaha really went cheap on the stock suspension but then again, the bike is low priced so ... I went with a company named Cogent Dynamics Their contact info is Phone: (828) 628 9025 raceparts@motocd.com They have a great rear shock and the price is right. Let em know cruizin form the fz07 forum sent ya. Thanks! Really stoked for the recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babisstinson Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Hi @worker1 , I have the K-Tech Razor-R Lite installed in my MT-07 and I believe it is worth the money.In the future you can upgrade it as well with an external reservoir. I am thinking on what to do at the front end as well and after some search and discussions with different mechanics I believe Andreani cartridges is the best value for quality option. This is where i am going with my MT-07. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topazsparrow Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 (edited) 11 hours ago, Cruizin said: My fz09 had that same pogo stick rocking horse bullshet. Yamaha really went cheap on the stock suspension but then again, the bike is low priced so ... I went with a company named Cogent Dynamics Their contact info is Phone: (828) 628 9025 raceparts@motocd.com They have a great rear shock and the price is right. Let em know cruizin form the fz07 forum sent ya. It's not just cost, it was just lazy engineering IMO. Pattonme has said a few times that the stock internals are actually not that bad, they just didn't think it through very well. 200 bucks in emulators and the right springs, and the stock suspension is fairly good. They don't need to spend another 200 dollars at the factory to make it better, just adjust the valving. It seems to be more and more common on "budget" bikes to apparently have intentionally gimped suspension. If the FZ-07 came with suspension that was bordering on good, it would probably really cut into the sale of higher end bikes. A big factor for considering the MT-10 over the 09 (for me) is simply because the suspension is amazing right out of the gate. Edited March 11, 2019 by topazsparrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skawdee Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 On 3/10/2019 at 5:09 PM, worker1 said: Hi all, I have a 2015 FZ-07 and OEM suspension. I'm about 180 lbs, probably closer to 190 w/ gear. I ride street and canyons. The weather here ranges from 60 to over 100 degrees. I'm looking at a K-Tech Razor-R Lite shock, and K-Tech front shock springs w/ 15 weight oil. Two k-tech springs are available and I reached out to K-tech for a recommendation on which one. 35-340 (6.0N-9.0N) and 36-345 (8.0N-9.0N) At my weight, the consensus seems to be that the front forks are the biggest concern. K-Tech springs and oil are probably around $170 or so. The Razor-R lite rear shock is $400. I don't have a stand or anything so will need to take it to a shop, I'm not worried about their competency. I'm trying to keep this under $1,000. Does this seem like a good plan, or should I move up from springs & oil to emulators (something like traxxion ar-25)? Since I'm not on the track and I want some comfort, I'm not sure which way to proceed. Hey @worker1 I'm curious how this upgrade went for you. I, too, am thinking on doing the same - Ktech springs and Razer R Lite rear shock. Which kTech fork springs did you end up going with? Did you select the "race" or "street" rear spring? I'm 180-185 and probably nearing 200lbs with gear and riding with panniers and tank bag at times (picture attached for example of added weight). I got ahold of Dave Moss and he said for my weight I should go with the Bel Ray 20w oil up front and keep the stock spring, as well as the stock height of the fork inside the triple tree. So I may just start out on the cheap end and do the 20w oil up front and get the rear shock, adjust for sag and roll with it like that this summer. Thanks for an update if you have one! Skawdee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member cornerslider Posted March 23, 2020 Premium Member Share Posted March 23, 2020 On 3/10/2019 at 7:01 PM, mossrider said: That sounds like a great start and you'll probably be perfectly happy with those mods for every day life and an occasional romp down a canyon road. Rock solid plan. Having said that I bet you'd be pee yourself happy if you added an emulator like race techs to the forks. Youd still be under a grand. The problem is if you're like me no matter what you do you're gonna wonder 'what if I'd only done x...'. Then again if you'd only opted for Ohlins ttx..... Good luck, I think you'll be fine! @mossrider is right.... Take a look at the race tech emulators. I have them, and VERY pleased with the outcome. I made a post in the how-to section called "DIY front end"( with step-by-step pictures). If you take your time, it's very easy to. I highly recommend you take a look- ""W.O.T. until you see god, then brake" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now