I installed a set of R6s forks today, and WOW! What a difference!
Let me say that again with emphasis.
WOW!!! Why the bell didn't I do this sooner?
A few weeks ago my neighbor, who takes his Honda ST1100 through the twisties like a sport bike, swapped bikes with me for a bit. His main comment was "Wow, those forks are soft!" So we talked about it and he told me what an improvement he'd made for the ST with a simple change to replace the springs. He explained how the bike would feel more stable in just about any curve. I'd noticed that while I was on his bike, though we weren't really pushing it.
So, I started researching springs. Heavier springs from racetech. Not too expensive and not too challenging to make the change. But then in a conversation about windscreens with my new buddy, Motojoe122, he mentions that he's got a spare pair of R6 forks and offers to sell them to me for a really great price. DONE. He also sends me to Dako81 who makes a great set of bushings and doodads that make it REALLY simple to adapt the R6 forks to the FZ6. DONE! Honestly, it was more challenging to change the oil for the R6 forks than to install the forks and re-fit the fender.
I only had an hour left to play with the bike so I did a really quick check on the settings and decided to keep the ones the previous owner set in place for the first ride. If anything the sag seems a bit less than recommended which seems surprising since the FZ6 is heavier than the R6. The springs are very stiff compared to what I've been used to. I might try backing off the compression damping a bit.
So, what does it feel like? Back to WOW! First thing I notice is how much stiffer the suspension feels, not exactly comfy. Then I come to the very first curve that calls for a lean, still in the development and at a measley 25 mph, and wow, that was pretty promising. This curve is slow but has some ripple because the concrete plates have shifted a bit. With the stock forks, the bike would bobble and try to change the line. With the better forks, NOTHING!!! Well, I felt the road, but the bike just stayed stable and kept the line without any need for more input from me. After I got out to the real twisties, the difference was even more apparent. Hallelujah!
I think a good analogy is that riding with the standard forks is like trying to cut your steak using one of those flimsy plastic knives - not the ones that Outback gives you. The knife wobbles and buckles and you can't press too hard or it goes off line. But after you switch, it's like you picked up a scalpel and your only worry is that you don't want to slice right through the china plate.
Chris
Let me say that again with emphasis.
WOW!!! Why the bell didn't I do this sooner?
A few weeks ago my neighbor, who takes his Honda ST1100 through the twisties like a sport bike, swapped bikes with me for a bit. His main comment was "Wow, those forks are soft!" So we talked about it and he told me what an improvement he'd made for the ST with a simple change to replace the springs. He explained how the bike would feel more stable in just about any curve. I'd noticed that while I was on his bike, though we weren't really pushing it.
So, I started researching springs. Heavier springs from racetech. Not too expensive and not too challenging to make the change. But then in a conversation about windscreens with my new buddy, Motojoe122, he mentions that he's got a spare pair of R6 forks and offers to sell them to me for a really great price. DONE. He also sends me to Dako81 who makes a great set of bushings and doodads that make it REALLY simple to adapt the R6 forks to the FZ6. DONE! Honestly, it was more challenging to change the oil for the R6 forks than to install the forks and re-fit the fender.
I only had an hour left to play with the bike so I did a really quick check on the settings and decided to keep the ones the previous owner set in place for the first ride. If anything the sag seems a bit less than recommended which seems surprising since the FZ6 is heavier than the R6. The springs are very stiff compared to what I've been used to. I might try backing off the compression damping a bit.
So, what does it feel like? Back to WOW! First thing I notice is how much stiffer the suspension feels, not exactly comfy. Then I come to the very first curve that calls for a lean, still in the development and at a measley 25 mph, and wow, that was pretty promising. This curve is slow but has some ripple because the concrete plates have shifted a bit. With the stock forks, the bike would bobble and try to change the line. With the better forks, NOTHING!!! Well, I felt the road, but the bike just stayed stable and kept the line without any need for more input from me. After I got out to the real twisties, the difference was even more apparent. Hallelujah!
I think a good analogy is that riding with the standard forks is like trying to cut your steak using one of those flimsy plastic knives - not the ones that Outback gives you. The knife wobbles and buckles and you can't press too hard or it goes off line. But after you switch, it's like you picked up a scalpel and your only worry is that you don't want to slice right through the china plate.
Chris
