Is There a Softer Side to an FZR?

[pearsonbe]

I've been riding to work and taking short runs in the evenings and on weekends for the past couple of weeks. And it's been a lot of fun. However, my body has taken a beating and I'm in pretty good shape. What can I do to the suspension to get a smoother ride? It's ok if the best answer is to get a newer bike. This purchase was a relatively small investment to see what would work for me. I really need something that I can ride for a couple of hours at a time that doesn't require a hot tub at the end.

[ragedigital]

Unfortunately, that's the sport bike life. Sore arse, sore back, etc... I had a GSXR600 and I had the same thing.

You can help your FZR by installing MX-type bars and raising your position. You can rework the seat by adding in some GEL inserts.

I gave up and bought a sport cruiser (Suzuku M90). Road for almost 4 hours today and have no issues.

Darrin

[reelrazor]

You can "smoother ride"..

Soo, you mean suspension? Not riding position?

Is it harsh? I'd first make sure everything can move smoothly. The rear suspension has linkages and pivots whose bearings have probably never BEEN SERVICED-doing so will smooth things a bunch.

The front ends are generally soft on the FZR's unless someone has re-sprung it. Is it bottoming? Or just plain harsh/stiff?

And, you mention "and I'm in pretty good shape".

I'm 48, I'm in pretty good shape. A long time ago, my Doc (who is a biiiig workout/running/climbing freak)told me that women age and lose strength, men age and lose flexibility and for most guys it's about strength and muscle and many of them won't take 1 half hour to stretch.

My work makes me contort my body, we call it 'occupational yoga' , but I still do a yoga class a week. It helps with EVERYTHING, including long saddle hours on the FZR.

[pearsonbe]

It's the riding position and stiff rear and seat as Darrin said. If I didn't have to come off the seat as often for bumps it would save my knees too. I will try the gel seat inserts. The rear does not feel like it is bottoming. If I stay on the seat and hit a nice bump, it's like a buck from a small bull. The front is fine. Can the rear be re-sprung?

Ineresting what your doc said. I'm 44 and lead an active lifestyle. I had to leave the heavy weights alone for a while due to pain in my hands and joints. And I do a little stretching. Will do more and see if it helps.

I will go through the rear suspension if/when I replace the swingarm to allow a bigger tire and more options.

The M90 is nice. I am considering a yamaha vmax, honda vfr, bmw, or maybe a harley.

[reelrazor]

Yeah, when you go through the rear end, remove the swingarm and it's bearings..clean em and grease them, same with the linkage below the shock. That in itself will do wonders for the compliance of the rear end.

What do you weigh? Where's your spring preload set? really, the shock should bottom on the very worst bumps you encounter, otherwise you are too stiff.

An option to the gel seat insert is a pair of cycling shorts with gel in the butt area. They help..and the grrrlies like em. It's a wonderbra for men!

[twack]

why dont you adjust the preload on the rear shock so it isnt so harsh. just use a spanner wrench

[pearsonbe]

I weigh about 180.

Ha! Gel shorts. Manderbra! That would be fine for weekends, but not so sexy with my dress slacks.

Didn't know about the preload. Will start there.

[Sparky 61]

Hagon do a bespoke rear shock which will take into account your weight etc and they will just build it around how you want the bike to feel. They are about £250, but they are built here in the UK. Just had one made for my project.

[pearsonbe]

Thanks. That's a little pricey, but will keep it in mind.

[pearsonbe]

reerlrazor, stretching the back after each ride helped. I do it daily now even when I havent been on the bike and its definately better.

Replaced the plugs this weekend and that helped performance and reduced some of the engine harshness throughout the rpm range. I havent touched the preload on the shock. Maybe this weekend.