Fazer1000 gen1 suspension upgrade

[freddie1000]

Hi. My 2004 fazer1000 could probably do with a suspension upgrade although I don't really want to butcher the bike too much by fitting R1 USD forks or anything like that. Just want a standard looking bike, so thinking of better springs etc. Can anyone suggest any useful improvements. Thanks

[bigbluebear]

Hi Freddy...welcome to the forum....firstly get your self across to Introductions and get some pictures up.

There are a few options on both front and rear...on the rear many have gone for R6 shocks, Nitrons, Ohlin's, Maxtons etc and can be made to suit your weight and riding style....and each will swear that theirs is better than the others....but all will offer much better handling.....on the front you can change height through the yolks, change the weight of the oil, or replace the springs, Racetech, K Tech, Ohlin's, Nitron....and there's also plenty on progressive against linear.

[Falcon 269]

Hi and welcome from me, too.

It would help to know your weight in riding gear and what type of riding you most do.  Solo or 2-up, sporty/touring/luggage etc.

[PieEater]

I'd definitely consider getting the rear end sorted first as this is likely the easiest and will make a big difference. If you are running the OEM rear shock then setting max pre-load and  adding more weight to the front of the bike by dropping the forks through the yokes, and jacking up the rear by fitting shorter dog-bones (~£15 on ebay) helps quicken up the steering to sports bike levels. After this the R6 shock mod would be worthwhile investigating unless you have double the cash to spend on a bespoke shock from the likes of Nitron.

[mhowse]

Along with what use you put your bike too, there is also your budget which did effect my choice at the time of upgrade, went for Hyperpro replacement springs front and back which are obviously Not the top of the range but made a tremendous difference and easy enough to change yourself if you have a set of spring compressors to do the rear, my use is mainly touring and some swift blasts but compared to the original springs was well worth the little upgrade, which ever route you choose, you as others will comment will notice a vast handling improvement.

[gixersix]

I'd definitely consider getting the rear end sorted first as this is likely the easiest and will make a big difference. If you are running the OEM rear shock then setting max pre-load and  adding more weight to the front of the bike by dropping the forks through the yokes, and jacking up the rear by fitting shorter dog-bones (~£15 on ebay) helps quicken up the steering to sports bike levels. After this the R6 shock mod would be worthwhile investigating unless you have double the cash to spend on a bespoke shock from the likes of Nitron.

Surely, dropping the YOKES down the forks is a more accurate description???
I dropped mine 10mm and together with the new T30's, the handling is much better (that said, it was on 8,000 mile old MEZ4's - the shite-est tyres ever to grace a modern motorbike  :o )
I currently have a Devilsyam R6 shock ready to go in.

[frostman]

Sorry to interupt but i am 19stone and have only had a Fazer1000 i have paid no attention to the suspension should i be doing?

f

[PieEater]

Sorry to interupt but i am 19stone and have only had a Fazer1000 i have paid no attention to the suspension should i be doing?

Absolutely, doing so will make the bike handle much better and give you more confidence when riding it.

[boorat]

Just fitted the r6 shock and used the settings and dogbone kit from luke..devilsyam and the ride is awesome compared to the standard shock

[hotmetal]

I put hyperpro front and rear springs on my gen 1 to cope with varying loads (solo vs luggage/pillion) and it made the bike ride a lot better. Obviously not as good as a complete suspension rebuild but for a couple of hundred quid well worth it. Also put a taper roller bearing in the head while it was apart. Supposed to be better than the standard ball race.

MEZ4s are the worst tyres ever! Yamaha might have sold loads more FZSs if they hadn't speccedv them with MEZ4s from new! Best thing I ever did was replace them even though they were hardly worn. And when they do wear they develop a little ridge in the middle of the front which makes it fell like you're riding on marbles!