[Marrsian]

Greetings. I've returned to biking after a LONG break. I had crotch rockets as a youngster (20's) and have just purchased a new 2007 ZX6R (at 44 yo!). I've only put just over 1k on it, so I'm still learning to be smooth and remember how to ride again. As a sports car road racer for ten years and a bit of a car buff, I feel very comfortable behind the wheel under any situation. There's a wonderful, twisty road near my house with lots of elevation changes and I'm four times faster in my beater Mazda pickup than I am with this bike! Quite embarrassing and frustrating!

Okay, to the point. Lots of adjustments that can be made on the suspension. I feel that it's a bit tight for street riding and our not so smooth conditions. From racing, I know that cranking on adjustments without knowledge is not a good thing. I'll never track the bike and soft would be fine for me, especially since I'm experiencing a lot of wrist pain thus far (I've read pointers on what not to do body positioning-wise, but still encounter pain and stiffness).

Thanks for any help.

 

[jbsmd]

Have your dealer adjust your suspension to what you want if you're unsure what to do. If you do the suspension yourself, make sure you remember the original settings. Your weight will have alot to do with how it is set. I believe it is normally set for a person weighing 150 lbs. Personally, I was told to wait till my bike was broken in and everything was settled before doing adjustments. I also don't know what my bike is supposed to feel like. I've just adjusted to the ride. Also squeezing the tank with the knees, wearing gloves, and basicly trying to keep the weight off the wrists. I have the Z1K which does not have the race type bars, but I'm 58, and don't like the feeling of my butt higher than my nose. Your owners manual should tell you what adjustments on your bike will do what to it. You're still going to be leaning forward, so I think your best bet is to figure out how to ride without putting so much weight on your wrists. Some say change grips, or a seat to change your ride position. Sorry if none of this helps.

 

[alec]

I've done a lot of playing around with the suspension on my zixxer, it's perfect now! The thing is that this is a crotch rocket, you could have it on the softest setting and it will still be hard.

Just use google. It's a lot more helpful.

P.S props to you riding a rocket. I'm planning giving up riding the rockets and getting myself a nice sport tourer and a sportscar by 30. I just couldn't imagine riding those things when I'm that old. I'll always be a speedfreak and physically fit, but I think I'll let the car do the speeding and the bike more like a relaxing thing haha

 

[Marrsian]

Thanks for the replies, they help. I've since found a lot of info on the forum for tweaking but again, I don't want to screw it up (will write down base settings). I think going "full" soft will make the ride a bit more comfortable. If I ever remember how to ride one half aggressively, I can firm it back up.

Hey, what is meant by "when I get THAT old"? Life is fast - I remember just yesterday I was playing sports in high school, chasing girls. Then college and more of the same. Got married and BAM, I'm 44 with four kids, mortgage, bills, college funds and not making enough to buy the toys I really want! Hold onto your twenties 'cause the years just coming faster and faster!

 

[Stormdragon]

Read through these, and buy the CD if you're really interested. Dave Moss is a really helpful guy.

 

[alec]

Thanks for the replies, they help. I've since found a lot of info on the forum for tweaking but again, I don't want to screw it up (will write down base settings). I think going "full" soft will make the ride a bit more comfortable. If I ever remember how to ride one half aggressively, I can firm it back up.

Remember though, going full soft will affect the ride a lot. These are race bikes and aren't meant to be a long distance/comfort ride. Lack of compression will lead to the bike bottoming out, the bike will feel very sluggish in corners (like a cruiser) and you will have bad brake dive. On the rear the back will feel that it won't come around, the back will squat causing the front to come up thus loosing traction to the road and you will have a too soft of a ride which can cause tank slapper and loss of control very easy. What you should do is set up the bike to your weight and then slowly make changes as you ride. Find that "sweet" spot where it's just right for the straights and the corners.

Hey, what is meant by "when I get THAT old"? Life is fast - I remember just yesterday I was playing sports in high school, chasing girls. Then college and more of the same. Got married and BAM, I'm 44 with four kids, mortgage, bills, college funds and not making enough to buy the toys I really want! Hold onto your twenties 'cause the years just coming faster and faster!

haha don't take it as offence I'm just saying that I don't want to be driving these things when I'm 30. My friends and I have talked about this stuff and we all agree that we would give up our rockets by 30 for reason that I will keep to myself becuase you might be offended. That's why I said "props to you" becuase not a lot of guys past 30 do I ever see on a rocket. Yeah I understand what you're saying, life is **** fast! Car's are getting pretty **** close to competing with a bike from 0-60, I just hope I can afford one of those soon!:mrgreen:

 

[gpzrider]

I'm 42, physically fit (6' 180 lbs) and don't plan to ever move on to a cruiser or touring bike for my primary ride. Yeah, it's a little odd when a group of us ride up and join another group and the helmets start coming off. I mean, come on, I have more gray facial hairs than a lot of the sport bike riders in my area can grow. But once we start talking bikes and riding the years seem to melt away and everyone forgets that I'm twice their age. Of course, being an over grown kid with ADD helps.

 

[adamp961]

try this bro, and welcome back!!!

Motorcycle Suspension Tuning, Sport Bike Suspension Settings & Setup at Sport Rider

 

[bretsk2500]

haha don't take it as offence I'm just saying that I don't want to be driving these things when I'm 30. My friends and I have talked about this stuff and we all agree that we would give up our rockets by 30 for reason that I will keep to myself becuase you might be offended.

I honestly find this hilarious... take this from a guy who was ummm.... very... ummmm.. busy this summer:twisted: ...... experience trumps enthusiasm any day of the week. I've found that very few people who think 30 is old that can keep up with me....

 

[Stormdragon]

I've found that very few people who think 30 is old that can keep up with me....

You know what they say: You're only as old as the woman you feel. :-D

 

[bretsk2500]

well I guess I'll feel a little older then... the young ones (18-24) bore me... and yes I've been there several times within the last 6 months.

 

[Stormdragon]

well I guess I'll feel a little older then... the young ones (18-24) bore me...

You let them talk.... didn't you? :lol:

 

[bretsk2500]

You let them talk.... didn't you? :lol:

eh... more like they don't know what they're doing yet, and I get tired of teaching.

I'm partial to the ones that'll leave you crumpled in a heap on the floor at the end of the bed...