Discovered a Great Shock Upgrade for 5th Gen

This one has 4 days to go, and is at just under $150. Wonder what it will actually sell for?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17-Kawasaki-Ninja-ZX-10R-ZX10R-Rear-Shock-Mount-Linkage-119D/362480008175?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=9&asc=20140905073823&meid=8f9ee69959b2490db2d55a112b5ae895&pid=100284&rk=1&rkt=8&sd=362480008175&itm=362480008175&_trksid=p5713.c100284.m3505

Another option I thought about was from a CBR1000. They started using a balance free Showa in 2012, so they have the same performance as the ZX10R shock, and a shape really similar to the 929 shock that Jamie D was selling for our VFR's. Those CBR shocks are pretty inexpensive still.

https://www.ebay.com/i/283228694553?chn=ps

Jose

 

Guys, I have tested the ZX10 shocks on the dyno and I can say this for certain - DO NOT USE IT ON THE VFR. It would be outright dangerous to ride. Replacing the spring actually makes things worse in some ways. The damping is critical to safe operation.

Please guys, just don't do it. I'm not trying to push anyone toward our products, I just don't want to see anyone get hurt.

 

Hey Jamie. Damping adjusted to where the bike feels great. Is your concern something that can be fixed with a re-valve?

Jose

 

Amoung the other modifications needed to make it work (namely correcting the overall travel), a revalve would definitely be needed. Once you dig in and get the interal valving correct those shocks are actually pretty decent units.

 

Since I already have the unit, what would it cost to have you tweak it for me?

Jose

 

PM sent!

 

What's the Dyno/rear shock issue about?
Don't see the logic here

 

It’s a shock Dyno, it tests damping performance of a shock.
People think that because a shock has comp and rebound adjustment, you can just replace the spring and adjust the rest, you can’t.

 

Since we provide upgrades for all makes and models of motorcycles we have testing data on our suspension dynamometer (dyno) for the stock units. I can then compare that to the calculated ideal. This is usually done to give customers an idea of how bad their stock parts are compared to what they should be. In this case, I can compare how a stock ZX10 rear shock performs and apply that to the needs of the VFR. What I can tell you is the ZX10 shock produces a fraction of the damping you need just to get into a safe zone on the VFR, let alone be considered an upgrade. This is a safety issue IMHO.

I know how tempting it is to think there is a magic wand solution out there. Unfortunately the reality of the world is this just isn't the case. I hope this helps!

 

"Insert facepalm here"

Yeah, I was on another kind of Dyno...

So this is a no go as is, and takes x amount of usd to get sorted right? Add spring to cost and it gets us in the ball park of one of your custom rear shock?

 

And here I was thinking: oh, it does not work because our rear bank headers radiate to much heat and makes the showa shit itself

 

Thank you for very informative and great write up!!! I have been searching for something like this to upgrade to compared to other dated options around. Will do the upgrade and will get Ktech 110 spring 11kg/mm considering I am light load of 150 Lbs. Keep up great work!!! Any updates to the original review and thoughts since you had it long time now?

 

Hey Ottablue,

Now that Jaime has a new upgrade for our VFR's that would obviously be a great solution, but I like the look of my unit, and as I noted earlier, the balance free design is supposed to be essentially a "baby TTX", so I don't regret the purchase/experiment.

So ....... I have been limiting my riding after Jamie's concerns, and using the bike for just daily riding to/from work, and some errands. No hard riding in the canyons. It really has been working great, but I plan to pull the shock, and send it to Jamie for a re-valve, along with my forks. That probably has to wait until winter, because my cars have needed work, which takes up what little spare money, and free time I have.

Jose

 

Jose, have you felt the need to limit your riding while on the bike or just because Jamie's concern? Put aside hard riding in canyons, I dont have canyons where I live . Would you still consider this shock as an upgrade to the stock VFR ? Thank you.

 

I am avoiding hard riding because of Jaime's concerns, not because the bike has strange performance, or feel. It really feels totally planted during my daily commuting, and it feels WAY better than the stock unit, which was grossly undersprung for my weight.

Jose

 

Hey Jose,

How have you been getting on with the ZX10 shock? What's your long-term opinion?