Question about rear shock mods

[fakejimmymorgan]

I have a standard rear shock and am about to replace the front springs.  I've considered changing the shock for some "balance" front to back.

I use my centre stand a lot, will changing my shock mean I can't use the centre stand anymore?
Which shock swap results in the least amount of "other mods" being needed?
which shock swap is the easiest to do?

Jimmy

[Janx101]

Katana is easiest. .., but best for 250lbs+ riders...

R6 is only marginally harder and has more adjustments possible for your ride taste...

with proper tools, a little mechanical karma and some patience either one is possible without anything being thrown down the driveway!

[fakejimmymorgan]

I weigh around 200lbs with riding gear so I guess I might just stay stock.  I have no real interest in "fun" riding.  To me the riding part is the fun.

[EdChen]

I swapped out the fork springs a little while back and that made a dramatic difference. I rode that for a short while (a week or two), then swapped out the rear for an R6 shock. I still need to do some adjustments, but so far, it wasn't nearly the dramatic difference from stock. I weigh about 200 with gear as well. Staying stock is probably perfectly fine.

BTW, if you're still considering a rear shock change, the change in height depends on which one you go with. The R6 I put on was about the same length. The Kats can be a little taller. I have a slightly larger rear tire and am still able to use the center stand with no issue.

[anoopb]

Katana is easiest. .., but best for 250lbs+ riders...

R6 is only marginally harder and has more adjustments possible for your ride taste...

with proper tools, a little mechanical karma and some patience either one is possible without anything being thrown down the driveway!

so under 250 lbs, what's the effect of the Katana shock? negligible? same as stock?

I put it in and i'm at 180 and i feel the difference and like it more but maybe it's more psychosomatic?

[Slack]

^^^
under 250ish the katana is too stiff for optimal suspension travel.
Anyone will benefit from an r6 though. It's a huge improvement once you get it set up to your taste.

[Bluesmudge]

Yeah, I have the Kat600 shock and it feels most correct when I have a passenger on the back or a lot of luggage, or both. I weigh 190.

[fakejimmymorgan]

^^^
under 250ish the katana is too stiff for optimal suspension travel.
Anyone will benefit from an r6 though. It's a huge improvement once you get it set up to your taste.

What effect will that have on the side/centre stands?
JImmy

[Bluesmudge]

The center stand works fine on my GS with the Kat600 shock, although maybe slightly harder to get it up and may sit differently, its been so long I can't remember.

The side stand is a different story; with the bike sitting up a half inch, it definitely leans more into the side stand. If you wanted the exact same bike angle you would have to lengthen the side stand, but it works just fine leaning over a little more.

[fakejimmymorgan]

Thanks all for the advice.  Think I'll wimp out at this stage and see how the bike behaves as its been 6 years since I rode it last.  Its nearly done.
Jimmy

[anoopb]

^^^
under 250ish the katana is too stiff for optimal suspension travel.
Anyone will benefit from an r6 though. It's a huge improvement once you get it set up to your taste.

so i shouldn't have replaced the stock shock with the kat shock? i always hear this is the easiest and best upgrade for the bike but not the "if you're > 250" part.

are there any negative effects to leaving it in? i hope not because i don't want to hit the undo button.

[Janx101]

Just wind it right down to preload #1 and see how that goes..... if it's still too stiff then... maybe issues? ... if you need more then click it up by one! ....

And twiddle with the damper setting screw... that can have noticeable effect also! ... you won't hurt anything by testing different settings.... learning experience! ...