For anyone who thought they needed to do something with the suspension of their Viffer but haven't gotten around to doing yet - all I can say is 'Holy @%&*! - do yourself a favour and make it your next priority!' After having my '00 Viffer 12 months, I finally realised (yeah - not always the sharpest tool in the shed) that the original springs were too soft. I had to wind up the rear preload to the max to get anywhere near the right amount of sag. The front wasn't any better. Finally bit the bullet and had the bike sorted by a guy here in Canberra who knows his stuff. According to my suspension guru, its a common problem with Honda in the main - great engines, chasis, build quality etc but they tend to go for cheap suspension components. I ended up with RaceTech springs front and rear plus a 5mm drop through the triple clamps and a 10mm shim in the rear. The guy who did the work also revalved the front and rear and replaced the shock fluid with a lighter weight oil. The first thing I noticed was that the front feels like its nailed to the road while the rear has become more capable for travelling the stuff we laughingly call 'modern roads' here in Oz. Cornering? Now I just have to think about the line I need to take and away we go. Just brilliant. So if your budget can afford it or you have to sell a kidney :tongue: - move 'suspension upgrade' up the To Do list - you wont' regret it.
hey skidvicious finding the same problem with my 97 viffer what is the ball park figure and do you recommend any one down in melbourne
I have to agree even though I have not resprung the bike yet. Just raising the rear with a shim, in my case 0.275" or 7mm, and leaving the front as is changed the bike dramatically.:biggrin: I'm bottoming the front on braking which is a real no no and I need to respring it. I will try the drop and see how it feels. For now I need the kidney so I'll do my best with adjustments and watch for deals on springs.
I also have the RACETECH spring in the front and on rails is an understatement.. very nice upgrade... I am going to get my POWER COMMANDER installed after all..Thanks for everyone input..
I was looking at the race Tech web site and the cost isn't too bad for the kits but I wonder just how many of the special tools you need. What can you McGuyver and get away with? Perhaps it is best to ship the forks in for them to do the work? What did you guys end up paying to have the kits installed? If I can do it with standard shop tools, no problemo.. Thoughts?
I shipped my forks to Traxxion Dynamics for a full service and added a Penske shock. I didnt want to buy fork tools. Still the price tag was probably too much. Still - the result is nothing short of phenomonal.
Hiya Raggi, mate - sorry but I've got no idea who in Melbourne would be able to do the job. I would suggest giving Dynobike a call (9553 0018) though - they dont appear to do suspension but I would expect that they would have contacts for businesses that do. Cost came to $790 - thats new springs front and rear, re-valving, new oil and front seals plus labour. Good luck with getting the bike sorted - let us know how you got on! Cheers!
I'm asuming you replaced original OEM equipment. I've had my '05 for a few weeks now and noticed the suspension has Showa markings on it. What (if any) indication did you get on the older parts replaced of the brand? I'm just curious as to what the OEM stuff was back then, to what it is now.:smile:
Hiya Daffy, the suspension specs for the 2000 model viffer that I have found don't state a recognised brand as such - I think the H.M.A.S could be Honda's 'Home Brand': Front: 41mm H.M.A.S. cartridge-type telescopic fork with preload adjustable damper, 120mm axle travel Rear: Pro arm mono arm system incorporating stepless rebound-adjustable gas-charged H.M.A.S. damper with pro-link, 120mm axle travel. When I took the bike to my suspension guy, the first thing he did was weigh me to confirm that I indeed did need stiffer springs. If I was (ahem) 40 kg lighter the original spring rates would probably be just fine. If the sixth gens come with Showa definitely a step up I would say but even so, if your curious and haven't done so - it might be interesting to see if you can set up your bike with the correct sag. Keep it shiny side up! Cheers,
I got 2000 vfr and had the race tech front work done and penske shock outback, I'm quicker now on the bike, I don't need a power commander.
