Date: 28-03-24  Time: 14:59 pm

Author Topic: Forks - K-Tech or R1  (Read 7792 times)

MightyClown

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Forks - K-Tech or R1
« on: 06 April 2013, 08:08:01 am »

Hello Everyone,

I've got he chance to spend some money on the suspension, which is the one area of the bike that does annoy me.  I'm fed up with the hard front suspension "kicking" off small bumps and ripples.   It makes the bike tiring on a long journey and now it annoys me i find myself focussing on the front suspension aspect and probably being overly critical of it.

I've even thought about selling the bike but as many others find, it's difficult to find something else that offers such a versatile replacement.   However I am attracted back to V-Twins.

Anyway,   a K-Tech fork upgrade is £500 and has got very favourable comments from fellow forumites like Pitternator but many have fitted R1 forks also.    I'm not swayed by the look of the USD forks but am seeking the best improvement to the ride quality,  can i canvas opinion for those who've gone down the R1 fork route for the improvement in ride quality.  Ideally someone whose had both options fitted in the past,  i think Mike G may have been down that route.


I'm happy to spend the £500 on the fork upgrade, but wouldn't want to if the R1 forks are getting great thumbs up as i think it is a cheaper route.

what would you do ?

thanks.
« Last Edit: 06 April 2013, 09:21:48 am by MightyClown »

Kosmic Kartman

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #1 on: 06 April 2013, 04:54:57 pm »
Not been down the K-Tech route so can't comment but I did have Traxxion Dynamics valves fitted to the standard forks and this was a vast improvement over standard set up but came into it's own when riden hard (I don't weigh as much as your standard jockey). The ride was a hole lot smoother.

I've now gone down the R1 fork route and although the ride feels ever so slightly harder, the handling steering and feedback is much better. The steering is much faster due to the dropped front end, and it's very flickable. Just when I thought things coudn't improve I decided to add an R6 shock to the rear. Now I'm grinning like a cat on steroids everytime I look at the bike. The bike is now so precise in terms of handling. It goes where I want it to go... without fear if complaining. The nose is planted and the rear is playable.


Some say that he eats habanero chilli peppers dipped in oil of capsaicin for extra bite and that his pyjamas are made from Nomex. All we know is, he's called Ad the Bad

macmivvi

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #2 on: 06 April 2013, 05:18:49 pm »
I took even cheaper route and changed to 2.5wt oil which all but eliminates the kicking. I dont notice it anymore.

Tried my bike with forks at R1 ht and loved it but not enough clearance so now run mine pulled through 23mm and also have R6 shock ,



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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #3 on: 06 April 2013, 10:07:45 pm »
Lighter fork oil helps improve the harsh hi-speed compression damping which marrs the ride on standard forks.  However, it also effects rebound damping of which the standard forks are a bit short in normal circumstances.  Also, it might give you more dive on heavy braking and if you're an aggressive rider, you might not like the outcome.

Having ridden a Thou with the Hyperpro springs fitted, I felt that the ride with those was much better and if the Thou came with those fitted then most of us would be happy with the front end.  Worth considering.

There's no question that K-tech and Maxton, amongst others, do a good job with their upgrade to the stock forks.  The right weight springs and quality damping components improve the ride considerably and also the control over the front end.

I agree 100% with what Kosmic says about the R1 forks.  The change in steering geometry makes the bike far more agile.  Depending on your weight, though, you might still need to do something with the springs in the R1 forks.

Mike


MightyClown

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #4 on: 07 April 2013, 08:16:41 am »



Thanks for the feedback,   i've gone odwn the lighter fork oil route and an still not pleased with the results.  Again this could be due to my over critical stance on the issue now.   


I had the rear shock re-sprung / serviced a while back and this was great as it stopped the squatting under acceleration and gave the bike a new feel but i can see a new rear shock going on at some point.


The R1 forks are getting a lot of love but is this just because you are effectively dropping the forks and putting more weight over the front ?   I've played with dropping the forks around and it obviously quickens the steering.   


Mike - thanks for your comments as i thought you have been through both setups in the past.

« Last Edit: 07 April 2013, 08:20:14 am by MightyClown »

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #5 on: 07 April 2013, 08:30:00 am »
I had the K-Tech stuff fitted to my forks by HM Racing and have been really happy with the results. It's far from cheap though (400 odd in total I think) and I couldn't say if they're better or worse than the R1 option which may may only be a couple of hundred more to fit (possibly more if, as Falcon says, you end up having to do additional set up work on them).

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #6 on: 07 April 2013, 02:47:40 pm »
I've for R6 forks and very pleased!

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #7 on: 07 April 2013, 03:59:52 pm »
initially i went springs and oil and standard forks. it was a massive improvement over stock and a fun bike to ride.
then i went 5JJ forks and 5pw yokes and new springs (R1 springs are too soft) and turned the focus from all rounder to SPORTS-tourer. imo the USD forks bring the looks of the bike up to date and creates a far more sporty stance of the bike.
tbh if you spend £500 getting the forks revalved then they will probably be better than USD forks, but nobody gets excited about a K-tech sticker at a bike meet ;)
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Falcon 269

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #8 on: 07 April 2013, 05:13:36 pm »
... nobody gets excited about a K-tech sticker at a bike meet ;)

How about a K-tech sticker on R1 forks ... ? ;)

Kosmic Kartman

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #9 on: 07 April 2013, 06:21:56 pm »
The Traxxion valves I got for my standard forks were a gift from a guy that works at Traxxion. I'm very lucky. They were fitted in return for a beer by another mate when i got back to England. So I was laughing all the way to the bank. I played around with dropping the yolks and as mentioned the steering does quicken up. But I still reckon with the R1 forks the bike handles better. It's stiffer and has less flex and feels ultimately sharper. Plus I think they do look a lot nicer.

Some say that he eats habanero chilli peppers dipped in oil of capsaicin for extra bite and that his pyjamas are made from Nomex. All we know is, he's called Ad the Bad

1967fazer

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #10 on: 08 April 2013, 10:56:25 pm »
I like the look of  the usd R1 forks, but I'm not mechanically minded enough to take on that task, so I'm thinking, new springs, fresh oil and dropping the yokes a little! Should do it for now, until I can find someone to fit usd forks to it :b

pitternator

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #11 on: 09 April 2013, 01:29:53 pm »
all I can say to praise K tech is even with my weight on board, my fazer is only just outclassed by sports 1000s at a trackday.  :lol
 It really does make that sort of change.With decent sport touring rubber( 023, roadsmart etc) it will lean till everything scrapes out.Ultimately its the bikes weight and ground clearance which really preclude it from beating a sportsbike. But on the road I find very little is faster , and then its usually  cos I dont want to play when anything goes by.near to 140 bhp at the rear wheel with good suspension is a formidable package.I even think my gen1 is better than a vfr1200 at least up to 120.Its that good.Hence why I keep hold of it.Gixxer 1000 and S1000Rs are in another league for sure, but can their riders really use it when it count s??..me I prefer my " wolf in sheeps clothing " to being an impotent power ranger !  :lol
 
Stock sussies simply will by now be unserviceable on almost any gen1 bike for sale . IMO all gen1s need some sort of suspension work. I cant comment on the USD forks, but my K tech forks ,dropped through the yokes by 10mm give a very good turn in without making the bike unstable. I also believe my K tech shock is way superior to a simple rebuild of the old shock too. I have tried both .Havent tried the R1 shock so best not to comment on that. But tbh if you are fitting anything to a bike with an OE rear shock it will feel an improvement !
Just beware of spending money on cheap imitations then having to fork out later for the good stuff! I had this happen to me, bought a hagon shock cos it was cheap, only to fin dits harsh, and paid for a simple rebuild ,then found the K tech shock was so much better.It can be falso economy to buy the cheapest.  :\

1967fazer

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #12 on: 17 April 2013, 01:44:32 pm »
all I can say to praise K tech is even with my weight on board, my fazer is only just outclassed by sports 1000s at a trackday.  :lol
 It really does make that sort of change.With decent sport touring rubber( 023, roadsmart etc) it will lean till everything scrapes out.Ultimately its the bikes weight and ground clearance which really preclude it from beating a sportsbike. But on the road I find very little is faster , and then its usually  cos I dont want to play when anything goes by.near to 140 bhp at the rear wheel with good suspension is a formidable package.I even think my gen1 is better than a vfr1200 at least up to 120.Its that good.Hence why I keep hold of it.Gixxer 1000 and S1000Rs are in another league for sure, but can their riders really use it when it count s??..me I prefer my " wolf in sheeps clothing " to being an impotent power ranger !  :lol
 
Stock sussies simply will by now be unserviceable on almost any gen1 bike for sale . IMO all gen1s need some sort of suspension work. I cant comment on the USD forks, but my K tech forks ,dropped through the yokes by 10mm give a very good turn in without making the bike unstable. I also believe my K tech shock is way superior to a simple rebuild of the old shock too. I have tried both .Havent tried the R1 shock so best not to comment on that. But tbh if you are fitting anything to a bike with an OE rear shock it will feel an improvement !
Just beware of spending money on cheap imitations then having to fork out later for the good stuff! I had this happen to me, bought a hagon shock cos it was cheap, only to fin dits harsh, and paid for a simple rebuild ,then found the K tech shock was so much better.It can be falso economy to buy the cheapest.  :\
So true! nothing like upseting sportsbike riders with an aged sports tourer hounding their back wheels :evil

nippykarl

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #13 on: 17 April 2013, 06:41:53 pm »
I did not know that k-tech still did the upgrade for the thou, but when I had mine it was the best mod I ever did.

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #14 on: 20 April 2013, 08:44:11 am »
Yeah, they still do the upgrade, probably having mine done in the next couple of weeks. I've posted a similar thread on here.


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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #15 on: 20 April 2013, 10:00:53 am »
'08 R1 front end on mine, it has basically transformed the bike. Used to get a lot of "shimy" from the bike when pushing through bumpy corners etc and put it down to the chassis flexing and a heavy bike but after the r1 mod its literaly like a new bike. I also have maxton GP25 internals fitted, looks pretty cool too. Got the 6pot calipers on which has tranformed the braking too. The original calipers really are shite in comparison.
Got some usd forks if you want to buy a set, mint gold ones from a '03 R1

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Re: Forks - K-Tech or R1
« Reply #16 on: 20 April 2013, 05:57:18 pm »
08 R1 front end on mine, it has basically transformed the bike ++1

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