Question about r6 shock installation

FrenchGS · January 17, 2011, 11:01:00 AM

Bonsoir tout le monde (good evening everybody),

I'm a new member of this forum (you can see my presentation in the "who are you and where are you from" topic.

I just bought a 09' R6 shock for my bike. It's got less than 100km, the guy just ride his bike from the shop to his garage and then removed it to put an Ohlins.

I searched on the forum to see how to install it and I have some questions, because I don't understand some things (My english is far from perfect).

I saw on this topic that you have to use the Yamaha spacer but I'm not sure. Is the spacer the only thing you need? You don't need the linkage?

Please, could you confirm, is the spacer needed the number 7 on this picture? It's the part list of the Yamaha R6 rear arm.

Thank you for your help.
Again, sorry for my english. If you could use simple phrases to respond...I have trouble to understand when it's too complicated.

tt_four · January 17, 2011, 06:59:43 PM

Don't even think I used the spacer on mine, just slapped it in there with all the original GS stuff. I know the GS bolt is ever so slightly smaller than the R6 bolt was but as long as there is constant tension on it I think it'll be ok. I believe someone here used the R6 linkage because it came with theirs, but most people don't.

FrenchGS · January 18, 2011, 09:52:25 AM

Thank you for your answer tt_four.

So you juste bolted it directly. Which bolt do you mean here: "I know the GS bolt is ever so slightly smaller than the R6 bolt was but as long as there is constant tension on it I think it'll be ok".

Do you have a picture?

If other people who have done this modification are reading, I'd like to hear about your experience too!!

Merci et bonne route! (Thanks and have a good ride!)

seamax · January 18, 2011, 10:56:52 AM

straight swap unless you change dogbones to raise your bike. With shorter dogbones (raise up the rear) you will need to grind swingarm and lower collar of the shock. with stock or longer dogbones (lower the rear) it a direct swap.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=50116.0

FrenchGS · January 18, 2011, 11:37:43 AM

Thanks!!

I think I'll go for shorter dogbones to raise the tail. I'm afraid of lowering the tail...is'nt it dangerous to have more weight on the rear?

Or, is it possible to keep the sotck dogbones, and then put the triple clamps lower on the fork?

seamax · January 18, 2011, 12:09:37 PM

r6 shock is already a little longer that stock shock so I would tried it out before getting short dogbones.

FrenchGS · January 18, 2011, 12:58:41 PM

Oh, I thought it was shorter (29cm), because I thought the GS one was 31cm, but it's the GSXR one. Same lenght for the GS and R6 then, I'll keep the stock dogbone.

Thanks for your help, I'm going to buy the collar needed (I already have the bolt), and as soon as I have a little time I put the shock on. Il will make pictures!!

burning1 · January 18, 2011, 02:04:20 PM

Don't do it, unless you want to spend a lot of money on the shock. The R6 uses a completely different linkage than the GS, and while the shock is a direct bolt on, the spring and damping rates are all wrong for the GS500. Basically, you're going to end up with a shock that's no stiffer than the stock one, and is completely under-dampened. Instead, look for a Katana 600 shock. Bolt in replacement, and cheap upgrade.

FrenchGS · January 19, 2011, 10:46:36 AM

Well, since I already have the shock I'll try it too see what it does, if it's not good for me I'll try a Katana then

kml.krk · January 19, 2011, 11:45:14 AM

I have not used Katana shock but installed R6 shock over the summer.

I am no expert but R6 shock FEELS much better than stock + you can adjust it to your liking (I didn't adjust anything because it feels OK to me)
(Yes I do ride in winter in NYC, almost every day)

Stock shock only allows you to adjust spring preload.

R6 shock is very easy to swap - direct bolt-on (you can grind swing arm tiny bit - I did just to be safe that spring doesn't touch it under heavy compression)

By the way - your written English is pretty much perfect - you could put some native speakers/ or writers for that matter, to shame

seamax · January 19, 2011, 01:26:36 PM

Quote from: kml.krk on January 19, 2011, 11:45:14 AM
I have not used Katana shock but installed R6 shock over the summer.

I am no expert but R6 shock FEELS much better than stock + you can adjust it to your liking (I didn't adjust anything because it feels OK to me)
(Yes I do ride in winter in NYC, almost every day)

Stock shock only allows you to adjust spring preload.

R6 shock is very easy to swap - direct bolt-on (you can grind swing arm tiny bit - I did just to be safe that spring doesn't touch it under heavy compression)

By the way - your written English is pretty much perfect - you could put some native speakers/ or writers for that matter, to shame

I have to agree. The r6 shock is nicer than stock but not as nice as my old gsxr shock. Can't comment on the kat shock. I weight 135lbs and mainly ride for commute now. The stock was too soft and the gsxr was too hard. A few years agao when I took her out for weekend rides the gsxr shock was the best.

FrenchGS · January 19, 2011, 01:46:10 PM

Ok, I think it will be good, I weight about 60 kilos, probably a bit less. 60kg = 132Lbs. The stock shock was ok alone on the bike but when my girlfriend come with me, it's too soft, even on the harder setting. And she's light too, I think 50kg so in total 110kg = 242Lbs.

The R6 shock is also a pretty good looking mechanical part!!! Mine is brand new, looks great.

Seamax, what means "ride for commute"?

redhenracing2 · January 19, 2011, 02:44:46 PM

Quote from: FrenchGS on January 19, 2011, 01:46:10 PM
Seamax, what means "ride for commute"?

That usually means just riding the bike to work or school, usually for the purpose of better gas mileage. I ride my bike daily, everywhere I go, so it is not 'for commute'. I have no car, so it is my only way to go. A commuter vehicle is secondary.

For a second language, your english is very good. I wish my spanish was as good.

FrenchGS · January 27, 2011, 01:18:17 PM

Thanks, to practice a language, a good way is to watch movies, with the subtitles (in the foreign laguage!), and then without. I practice by watching Top Gear

POWEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR haha this show is very good!

Saturday I'll mount the shock, there will be pictures!

rohde88 · January 28, 2011, 08:04:56 AM

Quote from: FrenchGS on January 27, 2011, 01:18:17 PM
I practice by watching Top Gear POWEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR haha this show is very good!

Awesome, do you like the show even though they don't like Frenchmen?

FrenchGS · January 31, 2011, 11:44:12 AM

@Rohde88

Yes, I don't really like British people too (

), but in the terms of humor and cars they are very good. Especially Jeremy Clarkson!

I've done the install!!!
The R6 shock is A LOT better than the stock one! I didn't mess with the tunings, only the big one, it's "précharge" in French I don't know how to say it en English. I put it in 4. I took it for a solo ride, perfect! And with a cute blonde girl at the back, very good too. It's harder than the stock but also more comfortable. I don't know how it does with a black-haired passenger but I will tell you as soon as I can try

simon79 · January 31, 2011, 12:27:41 PM

Précharge = "Preload" I suppose.

centuryghost · January 31, 2011, 12:28:59 PM

Hey frenchgs, how much did the R6 shock raise the rear end?

FrenchGS · January 31, 2011, 01:11:48 PM

Yes, it's preload! Thanks!

The two shocks are the same size so it didn't raise the tail. Or if it has, it's not noticeable. You can use shorter dogbones to raise the tail but then I think you may have to grind the rear arm.

centuryghost · January 31, 2011, 01:46:13 PM

Cool. I read one of the above posts wrong.

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Question about r6 shock installation