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Old June 18th, 2022, 08:54 AM   #1
jjmaine
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New shock, worth the upgrade?

I am contemplating buying a fully adjustable rear shock but am wondering if it is worth the money for someone like me, riding at regular speeds on the street. No doubt it will be better than the harsh stock shock but is it worth paying $600+? Do you think I’ll really notice the difference at 50mph on a bumpy back road or am I best to keep my money?
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Old June 18th, 2022, 08:57 AM   #2
jjmaine
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I know about the gsxr shock but those still need to be re-sprung and I don’t want to cut into the airbox at all. I don’t mind spending the money on a nice shock if it means I don’t need to cringe and wince every time a bump in the road sneaks up on me haha.
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Old June 18th, 2022, 07:15 PM   #3
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What's your weight with gear?

I've found factory shock to be about perfect for commuting and crusing around. A little soft for spirited canyon-carving (especially 2-up). And definitely way too soft for any kind of track use.

Harshness may be byproduct of stiction, not shock damping. Verify by removing rear-wheel and disconnecting lower shock-linkage from swingarm. Then move swingarm up and down through entire travel range. Is buttery smooth with no play? Or is it stiff, difficult to move and perhaps even some grinding?
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Old June 19th, 2022, 04:47 AM   #4
jjmaine
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Soft?!? Are you talking about the Ninja 300? Mine is harsh bigtime, I'm 190lbs with gear. I may be a little sensitive to it though because I have bulging discs in my back and neck and the sharp hits don't treat it kindly.
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Old June 19th, 2022, 07:30 AM   #5
jjmaine
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What is the method of holding the bike up to disconnect the eear shock? Flip the pegs over and use jack-stands?
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Old June 19th, 2022, 04:50 PM   #6
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Njnja 250 & 300 uses same shock. You're about 15-lbs heavier than me, so total weight is +35 lb for you. So should have even softer ride than me. Is your pre-load setting on middle or lower?

I've tried GSX-R shocks, but they're all way too stiff because of 4:1 leverage ratio with linkage vs our 2:1. So shocks are configured for heavier bike with less shock-stroke.

Sure, you can use jackstands under pegs. I usually just hang rear-subframe from garage-rafters to work on rear suspension. Other people have had good luck with hanging front or rear-end from ladders.

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Old June 19th, 2022, 05:16 PM   #7
jjmaine
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The way I understood it is that the 300 shock is stiffer than the 250 and 500 but fits those bikes just fine. I don’t think my issue is with the spring rate but the valving. I have mine set right in the middle (3) and have too much sag but the ride isn’t so jarring. I can set it on the 4th stiffest setting and grt good sag (around 35mm) but I may as well bolt a 2x4 on my bike as it beats me to death lol.
Even on the middle setting, the shock will buck the back of my bike up going over a moderate sized bump.
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