Iniital Report: Race Tech front springs and DMr Rear Shock

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by signal, Jan 17, 2014.

  1. signal

    signal Definitely Not New Member

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    I just had the guys at Apex Racing set me up with a new suspension setup. Race Tech springs in the front (.95) and a nice CBR600F4i rear shock from DMr.

    Bike is remarkably different. My front springs had 30k miles on them, and were soft like mush, VERY soft. I weigh about 190-198 depending on how badly I am eating. My bike feels very planted now. I have only done the initial trip home which was 50mi.

    The DMr shock definitely lowered the bike a bit. I already had a Lust Racing lowering link, as I am only 5'7" and it may even be too low now. I am going to give it some time to see how things feel. The side stand, which I already had chopped when I did the link is now not short enough, so I am going to have to either get it chopped again or just put a adjustable side stand on the bike, which it looks like Soupy is the only place that has these? I would prefer one in black…….

    We have a lot of wind in Florida, and one thing is that I noticed right away that the bike does better in the wind with the stiffer suspension.

    Jamie @ DMr was very easy to work with, and all I can say is that 100% happy there. Apex was great, they also did my wifes FZ-6R, with a real nice suspension. The stock suspension on the VFR800 definitely SUCKS, and you may not even realize how bad it sucks until you replace it. It didn't cost a whole lot and it does really change the bike. I will post more in this thread once I have put some more miles on.

    Brian
     
  2. wagzhp

    wagzhp New Member

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    I wonder if the increased stability might partially be due the lowered rear end (by changing the steering head angle, much like raising the forks in the tripples quickens the steering).
     
  3. signal

    signal Definitely Not New Member

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    I don't think so. If you lower the rear but keep the front up a bit, you will gain stability, but my bike is neutral (no rake), so its setup basically close to stock geometry, except that since I have this lowering link and 600F4i shock, I have a different swing arm angle……..But I just wanted to be clear that I don't have a lowered rear and the front up high. My front is lowered consistently with my rear so that my bike maintains a neutral angle. My stock shock was shot, front springs were shot. I could have had the Race Tech valve added to the rear shock so that it could be serviceable, but honestly with DMr's great product, why even bother, just goto the F4i on a 6th gen if you want a cheap but good upgrade, so that's what I did.
     
  4. nih

    nih New Member

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    any reason you did the F4 shock instead of the 929 shock from Jaimie?
     
  5. signal

    signal Definitely Not New Member

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    929 shock is for 98-01, I have a 2003, so the shock he sets you up with is the F4i shock. I do not believe he has the option of doing the 929 shock on the 6th gen.
     
  6. tbzep

    tbzep New Member

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    I just put a DMr F4i shock on my VFR today. The rear is now a bit higher because I have the proper spring for my weight now. Could Apex have used the OEM top mounting bracket instead of Jamie's extended one by mistake? It ships separated from the shock and you have to use the nut and bolt from the OEM to mount it.

    Jamie ships his shocks with the preload, compression, and rebound set pretty close to what you need for your weight and type of riding. Maybe he forgot to set the preload. You can get a cheap Progressive Suspension preload spanner off eBay to crank up the preload a notch or two. The one that came with the VFR won't work on the F4i's bottom preload ring.
     
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