K Tech suspension upgrades?

[markstertt]

I'm looking to upgrade my -07's shock and forks so I spent many hours yesterday and read everything on this site, (a lot above my pay grade) now I'm even more undecided, ignorance is bliss, so I asked around (suspension shop & a race shop) and was recommended by both to go with the K Tech Razor R adjustable shock and in one case the Andreani cartridge kit and the other the K Tech IDS cartridge kit. In all my reading, I don't think any one mentioned K Tech components. The shock price is in line with other 3 way adjustables and the cartridge kit is a bit more plus springs are extra (but less than Traxxion I believe).
 
So the question is, what does any one know about K Tech components? Any first hand experience? I didn't know enough to ask about technical aspects of the fork such as valving etc. so don't know if it also could use tweeking like Andreani & Matris.  I'm basically looking for a more controlled but compliant street bike/ non race suspension set up, I would like to have adjustability but once set probably would leave well enough alone for the most part. I'm also trying not to break the bank and am considering one of Matt's combo's but need to be informed as to available options first and right now K Tech and one other, JRI are unknown to me. Thanks for any input...Mark
 
 

[delbee1]

I was also advised by someone to go K Tech but I havent looked in to them yet, my other option would be Maxton

[babisstinson]

I was also advised by someone to go K Tech but I havent looked in to them yet, my other option would be Maxton

K-Tech are supposed to be top performance stuff and they are widely used in BSB (British SuperBike). I am considering them as well for a rear shock upgrade as I am in the look for one for my MT-07.
 
Looking for first-hand info from someone that has installed it n his MT-07
 

[pattonme]

If you are in USA, my Andreani source is also a K-tech importer and nobody should be able to match my prices. AFAIK it's like the Andreani a 2-piston setup, looks better machined though. If you're interested I'll get a quote.
 

[jeffkisthename]

APMOTOARTS switched K-Tech for their rear shock.

[markstertt]

APMOTOARTS switched K-Tech for their rear shock. 
 
Yes, that's a pretty good endorsement right there, at least to me, thanks for that.

Thanks for responses guys, I'm thinking this K tech may be a good option, pricing will be interesting of course.
 
Matt, definitely interested and in the USA, I have a local suspension shop that I would like to patronize but I already told them I'd be doing my own install and bringing back for setup help if needed. It would be nice if the K tech cartridge kit was good out of the box unlike the Andreani etc. I know, they ( Andreani) can be used as delivered but still, for the price, I don't expect the deficiencies you've found and think that at whatever price point they should be as good as they can be and it doesn't sound like that's the case.
 
Matt, would this K tech cartridge kit go thru you? If so, maybe you'd like to take a look at it first? Let me know on front/rear combo please.

[delbee1]

I was also advised by someone to go K Tech but I havent looked in to them yet, my other option would be Maxton

K-Tech are supposed to be top performance stuff and they are widely used in BSB (British SuperBike). I am considering them as well for a rear shock upgrade as I am in the look for one for my MT-07. 
Looking for first-hand info from someone that has installed it n his MT-07

Yeah thats why I was considering them, Maxton do a lot of TT bikes though and as thats a road race thought Maxton may be a better option. I have all the prices for Maxton if you want the info, they make up the suspension for your weight and should be set for you straight up... 

[pattonme]

If you have no objection @markster, yes I'd like to give it a looksee. I too hope they did a good job of it.
 

[markstertt]

Matt let's see how they price out compared to your other offerings. I hate to be the guinea pig, but sure, if I go this route you're welcome to check them out.
 
Delbee1 you now have me curious of Maxton's offerings and I'd be curious how they're priced so yes and thanks... I checked their site, looks pretty nice, rebound & compression in both legs but don't know how they accomplish this and whether it's any better then IDS type... Mark

[delbee1]

Matt let's see how they price out compared to your other offerings. I hate to be the guinea pig, but sure, if I go this route you're welcome to check them out. 
Delbee1 you now have me curious of Maxton's offerings and I'd be curious how they're priced so yes and thanks... I checked their site, looks pretty nice, rebound & compression in both legs but don't know how they accomplish this and whether it's any better then IDS type... Mark

As said, the thing that is making me think about Maxton is the fact they make a lot of TT bike suspension. From reading a lot about all the other suspension set ups offered it seems that they would be not too bad on the track but lack in the road department, other than Matt's of course which I would love to get but think it will work out too much by the time I have it posted to the UK. Here is what Maxton sent me...
"FRONT
The front forks on the MT-07 are a very basic design inside, they are an old Damper Rod design
damping system. The forks have three problems. One is that the springs are too soft, so the
forks dive a lot under braking and can bottom out. The other problem is there is not enough
damping to control the original Yamaha springs. This means that when you let go of the brake
or accelerate, the front of the bike extends very quickly, causing the bike to run wide. We
carry out two options for modifying the MT-07 forks :
Option 1 – We throw everything inside the forks away and start again with our own Maxton
Cartridge damping system. The cartridge damping system is designed like any modern fork
internal; it has separate rebound and compression damping pistons, with shim stacks valved to
suit the MT-07 and what you use the bike for. This damping system gives a very progressive
action that supports the bike under braking with the springs, without making the ride too harsh.
The cartridge is adjustable for damping to. We also fit a spring to the cartridge; the spring is
chosen to suit your rider weight. The Maxton cartridge conversion costs £365.00 + V.A.T. To
install the cartridges and service the forks costs £115.00 + V.A.T plus fork seals at £25.00 + V.A.T a
pair.
Option 2 – For customers who do not want to spend as much money on their bike, but still
want to improve the handling we supply springs with a higher viscosity oil. The harder
springs reduce the harsh ride and make the front much more compliant. The higher viscosity
oil is added to try to control the springs and stop the forks returning too quickly. The
harder springs cost £85.00 + V.A.T and the oil is £10.00 + V.A.T. If you wanted us to fit the oil and
springs, we would recommend a service to the forks, which costs £140.00 + V.A.T, this includes
the cost of new fork seals and oil.
REAR
The standard rear shock on the MT-07 is a very cheap unit. The spring fitted to the shock
absorber is a little on the soft side for the average riderweight. This makes the bike sit down
under power a little too much if ridden hard or aggressively. The bigger problem with the
standard rear shock is the shock has very little damping so it feels very much like a pogostick
on the bike. Because the damper unit is very cheap, you may notice the shock “going
off” or losing its damping when it gets hot. There is nothing that can be done with the unit as its
a sealed unit. We can however replace the standard Yamaha spring if required, this costs
£95.00 + V.A.T but afterwards the bike will like more of a ‘pogostick’. We recommend a
replacement shock absorber.
We supply two types of replacement shock absorber for the MT-07.
We supply an NR4 rear shock which is a non-remote unit adjustable for rebound damping,
compression damping, preload and ride height adjustment. The NR4 shock costs £425.00 +
V.A.T.
We also supply an RT10 rear shock which is adjusable for rebound damping, high and low
speed compression damping, preload and ride height adjustment. The RT10 rear unit has a
remote reservoir mounted via a stailess steel braided hose, the remote mounts via a kit we
supply to the right hand passenger footrest carrier mount. The RT10 shock costs £595.00 +
V.A.T.
We build either unit to order so we valve, spring and base set the shock to suit your rider
weight and what you are using the bike for."
 

[markstertt]

Thanks delbee1, I'll have to do a conversion and see how that price compares and like you, I was thinking their approach might be more track then road oriented...maybe not.
 
I was looking at my street tracker with early ('99) Yam R6 forks (right side up) and am now wondering if they wouldn't make for a nice conversion, they are 43mm with preload, rebound and compression damping in both legs, 1/2" longer but then the -07 has a dropped top clamp of about 1/2" so that's sort of a wash. The calipers are situated for 298mm rotors so that would have to be remedied and I really don't know what's inside them or if they could use modifying or even need it. These forks are on a stalled project so I have no on road experience with them but maybe someone will comment on their viability.

[twf]

 
Here is what Maxton sent me...
"FRONT
One is that the springs are too soft, so the
forks dive a lot under braking and can bottom out.

 
 
Depends on your weight, springs are .85 so not really soft.

[gregjet]

I was with them until they said that the bike has a sealed unit rear shock. As we know from this forum , it isn't ( both in US and Australia). Makes me wonder just how much other stuff is incorrect. If they said it was too much work ( ie too expensive) to mod the std shock I would have been happier, but to say it is a sealed unit is just wrong.

[twf]

Stock shock is sealed unit.

[markstertt]

Didn't know that but it makes sense, why make a cheap shock that's rebuildable, counterintuitive. Why doesn't Yamaha offer shocks and cartridges in their accessory catalog, I think they're missing the boat, sell cheap make it up on accessories for those who want.
 
I like the base shocks most mfg. are selling( because of cleaner no reservoir install) but they are usually only 2 adjustments and I have no idea how well a shock with rebound/compression on the same adjuster would work for me, if it was set up for bike and rider wt., style etc. it may be more than adequate for street riding, just don't know. I'd hate to have a shock where as you adjusted one setting you'd be upsetting the other. Any input or experience out there, this route would save some money and install space with no reservoir to mount...Mark

[twf]

They used to. Yamaha used to own good part of Ohlin's
If you want to spend money for aftermarket shock there is no point avoiding remote reservoir. Especially since you can put it wherever you want.
I sold many Penske shocks were I specced it so reservoir is hidden under the seat or inside tool box like sv's have.

[gregjet]

"stock shock is a sealed unit"
Really. Doesn't look like that to me. Already posted about this and someone has dis-assembled and had a good look with a view to modding it.
Doesn't even need specialist tools to do it. But it would to put it back together.
 
 

 

[twf]

It is considered sealed unit. You can not recharge it and you can not take valve apart without grinding nut off.
Yes, any shock can be rebuilt if there is will. But none of this stock shocks are meant to be rebuilt, even adjustable ones like gsxr/cbr/? shocks. Those need nut ground off as well.
Rebuildable ones are very rare from OEM.

[pattonme]

probably arguing semantics at this point but it has been done, just probably not all that useful since the 07 doesn't have an adjustable needle which is more than a little handy.
 

[pattonme]

For street riding the 'combined' is perfectly usable. Unless you're really nitpicky about suspension and gotta have it just so. As with all things, the fewer the knobs the more latitude needed.

[markstertt]

For street riding the 'combined' is perfectly usable. Unless you're really nitpicky about suspension and gotta have it just so. As with all things, the fewer the knobs the more latitude needed.

Well, the combined adjuster ones aren't all that much more affordable so may as well stick to the original plan. 
Matt, I'd still be interested in what you come up with pricing and opinion wise on the K tech Razor R and Ids cartridge kit...Mark
 

[pattonme]

The Razor R will go for $730.
The IDS is $775 + 110 (springs) = $885
 
So the forks aren't cheap but the shock is downright reasonable.
I'll make an official thread in my vendor area.
 
Still trying to get concrete feature specifics on both products.

[markstertt]

Thanks Matt, will be curious what you find, I went for a good ride today and I must say I haven't had a stock bike this badly sprung in recent memory, very harsh for a 150[HASH]er, the rough ride and water in the turns was most annoying. Same rode I've ridden for 30 yrs. and don't remember ever feeling every bump and heave before...suspension first!

[robsoup]

Hey did you end up getting the k tech suspension? What did you think of it. I'm currently weighing up K-Tech and Maxton. Both a bit more expensive than I planned to spend, but are meant to be to notch.

[jkraft]

I've got the K-Tech front and rear. Only been to one trackday so far but suspension felt great.
K-Tech now includes the springs with their IDS cartridge kit!