fork upgrade?

[baleibec]

how many people changed the front valving and springs on their bike? im 200lbs on a 2008, have already adjusted the front preloads 3-4 turns down, and put the zip ties on the lower part of the fork to see where i normally ride. so far, normal riding leaves me with 1/4" or less (sometimes bottoms out). i have not adjusted anything else, but do ride kinda hard. upgrades may be in the future. thanks in advance

 

[BA BUSA]

I did the springs and valves on my '03...1.0kg springs. I haven't done the '08 YET

 

[baleibec]

did it make a big difference?

 

[BA BUSA]

For the street it does not make much of a difference, but at the track or serious twisty type of riding...it is a definite must do

 

[Tufbusa]

how many people changed the front valving and springs on their bike? im 200lbs on a 2008, have already adjusted the front preloads 3-4 turns down, and put the zip ties on the lower part of the fork to see where i normally ride. so far, normal riding leaves me with 1/4" or less (sometimes bottoms out). i have not adjusted anything else, but do ride kinda hard. upgrades may be in the future. thanks in advance

Cranking in more preload will not make your springs stiffer. Your busa has linear springs. The only thing more preload will give you is more ride height. However, adding a few clicks of compression WILL stiffen up the front.

Set your sag up first. Once your sag is properly adjusted, then move to rebound. I have my rebound down to only one click from full and it still needs a bit more rebound on both ends. Compression will be totally up to your taste.

I think you'll find your suspension works pretty dang well if you fine tune it a bit. If you are undecided on how to properly adjust your suspension, spend a few bucks to have a professional set it up. Only takes a few minutes and you'll have a baseline to work off of.

Before you adjust anything, write down all the stock adjustments so you'll be able to go back to stock in case you get all fookered up and lost. You can always go back to stock and start over.

Most importantly, only play with one adjustment at a time. If you make two adjustments, after a ride you won't know which adjustments made it ride better or worse. As long as you have your stock settings to fall back on, you can't hurt anything. Give her a try!

Be sure to be gentle when you turn the rebound/compression adjustments all the way in. If you get tough on them when they reach the bottom, you can damage the needle seat.

 

[HillbillyTom]

I changed the springs but not the valving. Got rid of the "front wheel fell off" feel when I get on the front brake hard. Have debated about changing to Race Tech valving, but that's as far as it's got.

 

[Wag]

Did the RaceTech Springs and gold valves front and rear on my '03. Never been happier. It's a bit hard on the butt nowadays is all. Bike handles like a dream now.



--Wag--

 

[megawatt]

I did the springs and valves from Lindemann Engineering. Primarily due to trackdays on the Busa. Big benefit, nicer ride, faster lap times, no boat on the water action during turning and breaking. It also made a bigger difference when riding two up on the street. Bike is more controllable on the street, so it is not just a benefit for the track.

I do have a wide range of adjustability in the front shocks after the rebuild to go from trackday setup to street setup. IMO, the $800 for the suspension upgrade will do your bike better than a full system exhaust or other common upgrade. We are the same weight.

 

[baleibec]

thanks, will try some of the other settings first, been reading up on what to adjust now i just gotta find some time to tweak it

 

[PDBusa]

Springs and valving from Traxxion. Night and Day difference, even on the street!