Touring settings on an R6 Shock (Gen 1 Fazer 1000)

[Billy Balthorpe]

I have just fitted the R6 Shock (supplied by Devilsyam RIP 2 years ago) to my Gen 1 Fazer 1000. I haven't really had a chance to push on and really test out the new shock, but I may have to do a long trip with the girlfriend and luggage. Does anyone know what I should be setting the Shock to??

[teecee90]

I would say it depends on how much weight we are talking. Last trip I went on with pillion and full luggage I had to wind the preload up to maximum.

[Billy Balthorpe]

That was basically what I was thinking. The R6 Shock feels softer than my original one, so I'll just crank it up to the max for the trip, then re set it when I get there. Should I bother messing with the damping you think? Just increase by a couple of clicks maybe? I think I'll start a thread about what people have theirs set on, their weight and riding style, see if we can't get some kind of database going for settings.

[Timbo]

That's the downside of the R6 shock on the Fazer, there is limited range of pre-load adjustment.


It would be interesting to know the spring rate of them too(?)


I am one notch back from maximum pre-load and I only weigh 75kg and that is for normal road riding


Bw


P.s Get a Maxton shock if you can afford it!

[Billy Balthorpe]

Well, i thought that because all the reports i'd seen on here about the R6 shock were all praising it, i thought id save the additional £150 it would have cost to get a Maxton and fit the R6 shock instead.


But i havent really ridden it properly yet, so maybe it will be fine. If not i'll get myself a Maxton or something similar and sell the R6 shock on here.

[Timbo]

Well, i thought that because all the reports i'd seen on here about the R6 shock were all praising it, i thought id save the additional £150 it would have cost to get a Maxton and fit the R6 shock instead.


But i havent really ridden it properly yet, so maybe it will be fine. If not i'll get myself a Maxton or something similar and sell the R6 shock on here.

It works well enough but you are limited as too how much preload adjustment there is. In effect the spring is soft, the 1000 is a lot heavier than an R6 so it make sense if you think about it.

[PieEater]

Just to clear up a common misconception, pre-load isn't there to make the shock firmer or softer although it will have that effect. The primary use for pre-load is to set up the best effective working range of the spring by dialling out sag. Once sag has been sorted its compression damping that is the main adjustment to make the shock firmer or softer. 

[Timbo]

Just to clear up a common misconception, pre-load isn't there to make the shock firmer or softer although it will have that effect. The primary use for pre-load is to set up the best effective working range of the spring by dialling out sag. Once sag has been sorted its compression damping that is the main adjustment to make the shock firmer or softer. 

Agreed spring rate is what it is, you can't change it.


As my inquisitiveness is aroused I have just measured the R6 shock on the bike (on center stand) 300mm overall length and the spring measuring 150mm in length on the 1st click back from max pre-load setting. The Yam standard shock in the loft is also 300mm overall length but the spring measures 160mm on the middle pre-load setting. Note that this is a Maxton spring that was replaced before I brought the bike.


Does this suggest the standard spring length is longer overall and explains the need for more pre-load on the R6 shock?


Can someone with a standard shock and spring measure the spring length out of interest?


Bw

[kebab19]

The standard 1000's shock spring is not heavier than the R6, nor are the two directly comparible. The R6 shock is shorter than the standard rear shock but has a heavier rate spring (550lbs-inch vs standard shock's 425lb spring). Shock length, spring rate and internal valving differences means a direct comparison between R6 and OEM shocks will be pointless. To emphasise this, the FZS600 has a shock whose length is within 5mm of the 1000's unit... but it has an 800lb spring fitted to it.

FWIW, I had a mid-range R2 Nitron shock & an R6 unit at the same time back in 2010 and there was no significant difference between the two.  It's well worth persevering with the R6 shock, set up right they are as good as many expensive aftermarket designs. 

FZS1000 has a 178mm / 7 inch springR6 has a 165mm / 6.5 inch spring.

[Timbo]

Thanks for the answer Kebab.


Now I know!!


Personally I have found the R6 shock more than good enough as a solo rider.


As the wife now has her own bike I have been not in the position of having to look to compensate for pillion and luggage on the Fazer.


It is an interesting subject tho and riding a well setup bike with suspenders to suit is fabulous.


Bw