Suspension modification advice. Help!

Squishy, mushy, nose dive... How do you describe the VFR's stock suspension... Ugh?

I LUV my bike and I'm not an ultra aggressive rider but I do tear up the twisties pretty good when I get the chance. So does it have to feel like a '76 cadillac in the corners? I'm not looking for a race bike suspension/feel just a good solid suspension that responds to rider input the way it should and doesn't wallow it's way through the corners.

To the point. I've done a bit of research and looked for recommendations in the forums but most of the recommendations I've found are Ohlins or Penske + Racetech .90 or .95 (180lbs) and gold valves. I'm thinking that even though I'll own and ride the heck out of this bike for a long time thats more than I need and I don't want to spend $1500.

So my other options are to have a company like Traxxion Dynamics, Racetech or Noleen (which I haven't heard of before) rebuild my front and rear suspension. Traxxion and Racetech are about $1000, Noleen is about $650. Are there any other good options for rebuilders? I don't want to go with a 929 rear shock because it would have to be rebuilt anyway (if I could find one).

Have I missed anything? Are there other questions I should be asking? Do I have any options other than what I've mentioned here? Will a semi aggressive rider be satisfied with a rebuild or is the Ohlins/Penske rear really necessary?

Any suggestions, comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

BTW If anyone has heard of Noleen or has had experience with them or even knows what there reputation is, let me know. I think I'm leaning in that direction cuz they seem to know what they're doing (involved with race teams since '88) and also have a comparatively reasonable price.

 

Noleen has been around for years - primarily in the off-road/motocross markets. They are certainly a well respected suspension tuner. My suspension guru tells me that the Ohlins revalve kit and springs are the hot set-up for the stock forks, rather than the gold valve. He says similar function, but better quality when compared to the gold valve. I think either would be a huge improvement over the stock front end which, frankly, sucks. My quote for the fork revalve kit and springs was $800 Canadian, which seems pretty reasonable. As for the rear end, I'm going with Ohlins - around $1100.00, but apparently worlds better than stock. Good luck with your project!!

 

<scoe
Thanks for the input on Noleen. I feel better knowing they at least have a good rep.


I guess the question is not how much do I want to spend, The question is what is the cheapest way to get into a reasonably improved suspension. For instance I've heard talk of getting great results just from putting stiffer springs (.90's maybe) in the forks, moving one shim from rebound to compression and leaving it at that. Has anyone tried this? The rear shock is more difficult to work on so I'll probably have to have a shop do that rebuild.

I tried calling the number aftershocks lists on their website, but that number has been changed and the new number doesn't work either. Whats up with that? Is aftershocks belly up or something?

Thanks for the input guys.

 

Suspension upgrade is in my future, also. I'll probably go RaceTech and Penske double-clicker, and bite the bullet on the price.

Part of my reason for the Penske is that it can be externally adjusted for rebound and compression damping. However the front end is done, unless you spend a whole bunch of money, there isn't any external adjustment other than spring preload; you get what you get. At that point, the rear of the bike can be adjusted to match the front of the bike to some degree.

Just my humble opinion and perspective, though. The less expensive route will give you better than stock, but twice that price will most likely astound you.

 

I've heard of people putting on CBRF3 fork caps on VFR's to get compression damping adjustment (in conjunction with emulators) but don't know the details.
Similarly, if you get a 929 shock (I know you're not interested, but bear with me), you can have it resprung/revalved and you'll have adjustable rebound & compression and a remote reservoir for better performance. Doing that will end up costing significantly less than an aftermarket shock.

I just bolted up a stock 929 shock I got off ebay ($35 shipped, why the hell not), and it's still too soft for me (210lbs here) with the preload cranked, but the ride is significantly better than stock. I haven't fiddled with the dials yet but I imagine there are some gains to be had there too.

My plan is to get that shock (or another off ebay) resprung/revalved when funds permit. When I do that I'll upgrade the fork springs. Emulators (and hopefully adjustable damping) for the fork will probably come later.