Fork springs

[clunkie66]

In an effort to improve my bike's handling, new fork springs are on the cards.

I have seen Ohlins springs for £115, has anyone fitted them, and if so are they a good bet?

Cheers


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[AyJay]

Yes. But I barely notice the difference between my two Fazers, one with and one without Ohlins forks springs. With the Ohlins springs, I'd say it's slightly better, but it's the compression damping that's the big problem. There's not much control compared to an R1 of the same age. It feels crashy and harsh but the forks still dive like a submarine. An Ohlins rear shock makes a much bigger difference, and it does change the way you ride. Bury the front end on the brakes on the way in, turn it hard and get the weight off the front end and drive out. It's unstickable with an Ohlins rear shock. It's a very different style of riding to my other bike, a ZZR1400, on which you scythe round corners smoothly. Fazers are much more like point and shoot machines.


Fazer forks are a problem and not cheap to improve, unfortunately.

[Falcon 269]

Fazer forks are a problem and not cheap to improve, unfortunately.

This is true.  It's certainly not cheap to resolve the inherent flaws in the damping circuits, particularly the high speed compression side of things. 

You can, though, improve the spring rate(s).  The stock dual rate springs are too soft in the first part of the stroke but too stiff in the second.  Fitting linear rate springs matched to your weight is one way of fixing this but I also think the Hyperpro progressive springs do a good job because their spring rates are different.  It's the route I would take if I had to revert to stock forks again.

[sadlonelygit]

i bet you ohlins don't actually make their own springs.
however i bet their QC is a damn sight more stringent than k-tech..............g'wan, ask me how i know.

[clunkie66]

Thanks all, points taken. But I guess that replacement springs - not necessarily ohlins - are better than standard springs that have been on the bike for 65k miles?

I will be sorting the rear out as well, not sure yet whether ohlins, nitron or Luke's R6 mod but that's another thread...


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[Andy W]

If it helps...when I put Hyperpro progressive springs in my bike it was a night & day improvement in handling!
£100 well spent!

[Dave48]

As Ayjay suggests, Sort the rear first-it will improve matters no end. Then you can tweak the front

[PieEater]

Have a look at the FAQ at the top of this section if you haven't already, the rear is definitely the best place to start and there are a couple of low cost / free mods you can do to help handling.

I have no experience of Ohlins fork springs which they appear to offer in 8.5Nm and 9.0Nm linear. K-Tech have stiffer linear springs up to 10.0Nm which is what I went for as this was the best match for my weight, and I have no complaints regarding the quality.

Personally I would say that linear springs matched to your weight would be the best way to go unless you specifically want or need the characteristics of a progressive spring for instance if you have joint problems and need a softer ride. Progressive springs offer a one size fits all solution which unless you truly are the average weight, have the average riding style, carry the average amount of luggage etc. isn't going to work as well. With linear springs you get a more controlled dive when braking / cornering which I feel offers more predictable / confident handling, plus the pre-load adjusters have much more of an affect giving you an extra level of refinement and control to the feel of the forks.

As and when you're ready for new fork springs I would contact Ohlins and K-Tech with your weight and riding style / requirements and see what they suggest in terms of spring strength, oil weight and air gap. If you need more than 9.0Nm then you've eliminated Ohlins from the equation.

Hope that helps.

[Ricky]

I went down the hyperpro root and the bike handles much better, and the bike does not dive on braking as much as before. Every one rides and wants different things from there bike, I think hyperpro give a good compromise between the different type of ride and handling, and with a rear shock mod should greatly improve the FZS.

[tommyardin]

Have a look at the FAQ at the top of this section if you haven't already, the rear is definitely the best place to start and there are a couple of low cost / free mods you can do to help handling.

I have no experience of Ohlins fork springs which they appear to offer in 8.5Nm and 9.0Nm linear. K-Tech have stiffer linear springs up to 10.0Nm which is what I went for as this was the best match for my weight, and I have no complaints regarding the quality.

Personally I would say that linear springs matched to your weight would be the best way to go unless you specifically want or need the characteristics of a progressive spring for instance if you have joint problems and need a softer ride. Progressive springs offer a one size fits all solution which unless you truly are the average weight, have the average riding style, carry the average amount of luggage etc. isn't going to work as well. With linear springs you get a more controlled dive when braking / cornering which I feel offers more predictable / confident handling, plus the pre-load adjusters have much more of an affect giving you an extra level of refinement and control to the feel of the forks.

As and when you're ready for new fork springs I would contact Ohlins and K-Tech with your weight and riding style / requirements and see what they suggest in terms of spring strength, oil weight and air gap. If you need more than 9.0Nm then you've eliminated Ohlins from the equation.

Hope that helps.

Hi PiEater,
Been wondering how others manage smoking their joints whilst riding , I find the bloody ash gets in your eyes, and, the damn spliff never stays in the ash tray when you put it down.

[gixersix]

OK, how do you know?

i bet you ohlins don't actually make their own springs.
however i bet their QC is a damn sight more stringent than k-tech..............g'wan, ask me how i know.

[sadlonelygit]

because the pair of springs i bought from Ktech had a different number of coils per spring.
never happened with any other suppliers.

[unfazed]

because the pair of springs i bought from Ktech had a different number of coils per spring.
never happened with any other suppliers.

They thought you wouldn't notice them on a coach 

[seangee]

I had Hyperpro progressives on my first Fazer and Ohlins 9.0Nm linear on my second. Both had a Nitron Race rear shock and standard valves in front.
[/size]
[/size]IMO the bike with the linear springs was way better.

[clunkie66]

Fitted Hyperpro springs a couple of days ago, and first impressions are very good - rear shock next...


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[tommyardin]

I had Hyperpro progressives on my first Fazer and Ohlins 9.0Nm linear on my second.
Both had a Nitron Race rear shock and standard valves in front.

IMO the bike with the linear springs was way better.

text sorted

[cl1ve2004]

Read somewhere on a USA fazer site about a mod to shorten the existing stock spring with a grinder and put a piece


of tubing in to make up for the spring he cut off.. the guys all raved about the handling afterwards..cost em about


$15..anyone tried it here ??


Clive