S4/S4R vs 999 forks

[jim_0068]

If someone could tell me which are better would be helpful. I recently purchased a set of 999 forks but came across a set of S4R forks for sale for about the same price. Obviously the S4R would be a much easier swap than the 999 (even though i have all the stuff necessary to do it) and also would the S4R would end up cheaper.

However since i have everything already, are the 999 forks better than the S4R to warrant the extra cost? I don't do track days and mainly do commuting and maybe eventually some "spirited" riding. Main reason i am upgrading forks is because i have an S2R 800 and the stockers, well, aren't good and i weigh a whole lot more than what they were designed for lol. Plus i like the adjustibility.

So if anyone who knows the appreciable differences between the two OR kinda have a pro/con list as to one or the other it would helpful. Remember even if the 999 are "much better" i'd like the opinion of if i really would notice the "much better" based on my riding description above.

Thanks

[Speeddog]

The 999 forks are better than the S4R forks, but whether that's enough to warrant the extra cost, well, that depends how much the extra cost is.

Whether the S4R may be sprung better for you than the 999 forks depends on how much you weigh.

What year forks are the S4R?
And the 999 forks?

[jim_0068]

s4r are 2004 and 999 forks are from a 2003. i weigh 230 w/o gear but am losing weight. ideal is around 200lbs

[Speeddog]

Assuming both sets of forks have the OEM springs in 'em, the 999 forks would be sprung closer to optimum for you right now.
Probably a bit stiff for commuting.

At 200 lbs, the 999 forks will be too stiff, and the S4R forks would still be on the soft side even for commuting.

My advice?

Sell the 999 forks and stuff.
Use the money to get the S4R forks resprung, and get your shock resprung too while you're at it.

[jim_0068]

thats kinda what i was thinking, wish i saw them before i got all the other stuff.

any other opinions?

[TAftonomos]

If you've already got everything to put the 999 forks on, and you arn't going to loose 30lbs overnight...

I say put them on the bike.  You can do a spring change with them on the bike if you are careful /when you want....and they might be more tolerable than you think.

my .02

[booger]

Are the SBK forks longer than stock Monster forks? Would this require setting the rear ride height higher? I'm thinking about an SBK fork swap. 999 forks are abundant and much cheaper than adjustable Monster take-offs.

[jim_0068]

Are the SBK forks longer than stock Monster forks? Would this require setting the rear ride height higher? I'm thinking about an SBK fork swap. 999 forks are abundant and much cheaper than adjustable Monster take-offs.

no, because u would install the forks to the same height as stock. this might necessitate clip ons or bar risers. while adjustable monster forks can be more expensive than 999 forks the end cost is much cheaper due to no new or machining of the triple clamp and new fender and clip ons or bar risers

[booger]

This should have been my other question - how much fork tube protrusion above the top triple are you going to end up with using the SBK forks?

[jim_0068]

i am unsure. but enough for at a minium bar risers are needed

[TAftonomos]

My bike fits the bars with stock risers just fine, and according to the measurements I've taken and been given...the front end is at .5" lower than stock.

1098 forks = same length as 999 forks btw.

[jim_0068]

My bike fits the bars with stock risers just fine, and according to the measurements I've taken and been given...the front end is at .5" lower than stock.

1098 forks = same length as 999 forks btw.

Really? Hmph. What bike model do u have the 999 on?

[TAftonomos]

I have the 1098 forks on a s4rt (2007)

I have about 3 sets of 999 forks laying here, and I measured them vs. the 1098 forks.  Same length.  1098 fits, 999 same length = 999 fits. 

[corey]

One thing to consider about your 999 forks is that you will need to add a spacer to your caliper mounts, as the calipers on the 999 are farther apart than on a monster. Specifically, the rotor offset on the 999 15mm, the monster is 10mm. You need to move your calipers in 5mm on each side. Or the rotors out 5mm... Caliper spacer is easier & cheaper...

I'm in process of doing a 999 fork swap... with forks from theo no less...
If you're not in a hurry, you could wait and see how it goes for me, and then determine what to do...
I'm not anticipating any major problems, but... well, it's certainly not bolt-on.

Your 999 forks have better valving, linear rate springs (vs progressive, which is what you'd find in any monster adjustables), and probably have that fancy titanium nitride coating on the sliders... good stuff

If you everything already, i would stick with it... You already spent the money, and aren't missing it yet

[jim_0068]

well the s4r have the nitride coating as well and have linear fom what i understand.