elka rear shock first ride !

Just took my first ride after installing my ne Elka rear shock !!
Every winter I do something to bike, I have removed the pair system, got new catless headers, put on a high pipe and changed muffler, put the power commander on and got it dynode and set up properly and numerous other goodies. I figure I would try a new rear shock now that everything else is done.
I thought my suspension was fine before but I have to say this has transformed the bike ! It works much better than I could have imagined ! I am very, very happy........................ HOWEVER......................... Now the front of my bike seems like its off Fred Flintstones car and rear end is off a Ferrari !
I guess next winter I will have to do something with those Flintstone forks !!
:canada:

 

A good suspension really does make a difference! I did something similar with my 6 Gen, I had Jamie Daugherty rebuild an OEM shock and supply me with the internal components for the forks (springs, valves and shims). I installed the shock right away but didn't have the time to do the forks at the same time. Long story short, now that both ends have been installed, what a huge difference it made! The 5 Gen I did both at once. Best ROI I've made on either bike.

 

So what would you guys recommend on my 6th for suspension ?

 

I typically recommend speaking to Jamie Daugherty, he's a member on the forum and has helped many other members with their suspension. He's got a great reputation and seems to know the VFR very well. Plus his pricing is very affordable. www.daughertymotorsports.com

As far as what I did, since my 6 Gen is my commuter/tourer, I had Jamie just rebuild an OEM shock off of an ABS model VFR and like mentioned below provide the bits for the forks which I installed myself. I chose this route because it seemed to fit for what I was going to be using the bike for mostly. What I ended up paying, most rear aftermarket shocks would have cost more.

For my 5 Gen I bought a Penske shock off of eBay and a sent it and a pair of 5 Gen forks to have both rebuilt for sport riding. The forks actually have rebound adjusters now and both were revalved and new springs were installed. I went this route for its adjustability both front and rear, and since I planned on doing track days with it, I thought this would be a better option.

What you'll pay will depend on what you're looking for, but definitely give Jamie a call or send him an email, I'm sure he can help you out.

 

I'm not going to doing anything till this riding season is over . I'm having some powder coating I'm going to have done . But I want to do it all at the same time . But I want more adjustability then stock

 

I take it that this is a new bike (to you) and that you're looking to improve it? If that's the case it would be good to ride it for a while so that you can get an idea of what you need to change and/or improve. All I can tell you is that once you get a bike with good suspension you'll won't want to ride one that doesn't.

(Sorry for the hi-jack revguy)

 

I can see that . I got the bike back in feb it's a 2007 with only 2,700 miles on it when I got it . the bike is super clean . Clean as new .
I went from a 2006 CBR 600RR that I got new to the VFR . Maybe I'm getting old but I like the VFR much better lol . I can ride the VFR on much longer trips and I think its just as fast as the CBR 600 RR .

 

If you have the cash, the Elka brand shocks look like a real good value. Of course, they are not much less than Ohlins.

Jose

 

I love mine !!

 

it looks like a reworked stock shock would suit most people well. I think the vfr has a good suspension if your not too fat. I have not loaded up the bike with junk and took the boat anchor stock exhaust off and the carbon canister-23 pounds. So with on with heavy leathers that's less than 200 pounds of weight-I think the stock shocks were built to handle that much-add more weight then you got a problem!out::smokin::blabla:

 

You have 3 options for the forks:-
1. Strip clean, add Stiffer springs & heavier oil to suit your weight.
2. Strip clean, remove current cartridge & replace with Traxxion Dynamic's, which are fully adjustable. I did this.
3. Replace front forks with those from another model with the adjustment you want.

Interestingly, just read a write up on the New 2014 VFR yesterday in Performance Bike mag in UK.
Honda say they didn't fit USD forks because they retained the 6th Gen Frame & they considered USD as too stiff for the frame. Take from that what you will could just be corporate bluff, but the bike got a good write up.

 

I thought the stock suspesion was fine untill I tried the new shock too.