Advice on suspension tuning/upgrade for my 08 S2R1000

[bobbybirds]

Hey everyone,

Hoping I could get some help from anyone with experience tuning suspension on this bike...

I am a big guy at 6'-1" at 250lbs and the stock suspension is just way to soft. I don't know if there is even enough adjustment in the stock set up to handle a guy my size properly. I am looking for suggestions on how I might upgrade or tune everything to handle me...

So if anyone has some advice, I would love to hear it!

Bob

[stopintime]

You'll get more specific/expensive advice, but new springs f/r will improve performance a lot.

Depending on expectations - better internals for proper compression/rebound performance will improve things even more.

Of course - there are no limits if you start buying new parts.

As with many other mechanical things - the first improvement steps are quite affordable, the closer to 'perfect' you get the more expensive minor improvements become.

Either way you won't regret it (from one 200+ rider to another)

[bobbybirds]

I was thinking about new springs for both front and rear suspension. Any recommendations on a good balance of quality and price? I am not cheap, but spending 30% more for a gain of only 5% (for example) is not always justifiable to me. I am not a super hardcore sport rider by any means, but improvements would definitely be nice!

[stopintime]

I don't live in your country, so I'm not sure about the cost of springs (about $200?)

Add a 'few' hours of work including proper adjustment (another $200?)

My opinion is that this gets you about half way between where you are now and blingy new $2,000 - 3,000 upgrades.

[sofadriver]

You're pretty close, Stoppie.

Yesterday I got my bike out of the shop.
All work performed at highly regarded KFG Racing in Kent,Wa., USA.  

I supplied my own fully adjustable Showa 749s rear shock ($70 on e-bay)

Work done;
-RaceTech springs installed front and rear.
-Stock forks rebuilt and stock internals custom machined to my weight and application. (the owner, an ex-racer with over 100 podium finishes, told me that once properly set up for the rider, the Showas are so good that even Ohlins forks would be a waste of money. BTW, he sells Ohlins and Pensky)
-Rear 749s shock totally rebuilt and revalved to my weight and application. (with same comments from owner).
-Swingarm service.
-Nitrogen, shock/fork oils, fork seals, labor, tax, etc.

$629 (half the cost of a new off-the-shelf Ohlins rear shock that will still need to be tuned to the rider)

A bargain.

I think the most important thing is to find a shop that really knows what they are doing and has a good rep with the local racers. They'll know how to get you set up.

[pcv57]

+1 Sofadriver. I had Racetech springs and valves installed on the front forks and an Ohlins spring for my weight on the rear. The most important thing is the setup and having someone who knows what they're doing. For every adjustment you make on the front end, the rear has to be adjusted as well. You can also start playing with your ride height which changes the rake. This is truly a science and one that evades me. Follow Sofadriver's advice and start there.

Good luck