Now New owner of a 1400

[Big Geordi]

Dont listen to what anyone says just do your own thing

[Big Geordi]

TT2011

[BlueDragon]

Looks like you are still using the original headlight mounts

How did you managed to mount the fairing.  Can you post some pics of the brackets and how you mounted it?

[BlueDragon]

Well, I ended up buying the fairing brackets that Big Geordi had to see how the GS1000S fairing would fit up to the 1400.  Something I'll do when summer gets here and at the same time I'll do a respray on the 1400.

In between time (before I bought the brackets) I ended up buying a cheap headlight fairing on Aliexpress and found that it fitted up with a minimum of fuss.

Pretty much doesn't do a lot except protect the gauges from bugs splattering all over them. It offers no wind protection but I think it looks OK. 

The clear fly screen I had fitted on before fitting the fairing, actually provided more wind protection than this little fairing.  But then the fairing barely makes it over the top of the gauges, which is why it is more looks - for those who like bikini fairings.  Having started riding in the early 80s on the road, it was the "old school" thing back then to fit the small bikini fairings, so I like them.  Each to there own though.

[KiwiCol]

Looks good Blue Dragon.  If the screen were higher you'd be getting heaps of turbulence aimed straight at your helmet.   I have a higher screen & ended up cutting it down, less noise on head but more pressure on chest.

[Roo]

Mine had a big arse plastic screen on it when I bought the bike.  Horrendous wind noise,first thing I junked.... (first day !) 
Hate wind noise and always wear bungs in the ears.....

[Kiwifruit]

You'd  have to wear ear plugs just hanging the washing out in Windy Wellington aye Roo 

[BlueDragon]

A few weeks ago I had a nice delivery in the mail from Suspensions R Us.

As mentioned in another post on the forum, the customer service was awesome and they new all about the bike.

Had to let them know about my riding style, how I wanted to set the bike up (two-up touring). My weight with gear on and also my wife, the panniers and amount of luggage etc that I thought we would carry.

They mentioned that if I was riding alone, then the bike suspension would be on the firm side. Certainly not bone jarring when hitting bumps, but still firmer than what I might like.  But would be still ride-able.  I was OK with that.

Fitted the shocks up and then put the springs in the front forks.  Didn't need to put new oil or seals in as I had only had that done a few months prior when one of the seals started leaking.

First ride out last weekend to Walcha for lunch was by myself and then spent the rest of the day riding around on various roads before making my way home. about 4 hours of riding.

Verdict?

Its like a totally different bike. To the point where I would have to say that it handles as good as my VFR (which has already had a suspension upgrade - but is going to get another one).

The 1400 is now nimble, but my criticism of the Angel GT's making it nervous (no matter what suspension setting I tried) is now no longer valid. 

I'm able to throw it into corner and change my line at will in the middle of a corner. No twitching or slides - just totally stable and rock solid.  Really balanced now and stable under braking.

I found myself wondering why I was leaning the bike over so much in corners.  Then realised that I was entering corners around 15-25 kph faster than I was before, then getting back on the throttle at the apex and gassing it to the next corner. 

With the original shocks and springs - again no matter the settings the bike would still wallow a little in corners and move around just that little bit to make me uncomfortable - so I would back off.  Not now with the YSS suspension. 

Whilst it is firm, I like it the way it is and have no complaints.

I've since been for a ride two-up and made the appropriate adjustments..

Rear shocks have adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping.  Front forks - as everyone would know have the same adjustments.  The YSS front springs are perfectly balanced with the rear. - btw using 15w fork oil as that is what the bike shop put in a few months ago when they serviced the forks for me.  Front and rear springs are progressive rate.

Two-up, again, the bike is just as good,  totally balanced, comfortable and excellent handling.

Whilst I realise that other brands such as Wilbers, Ohlins etc have the name and the price tag to go with it as well as a longer warranty.  Great if you can afford it.  In my younger and when I was single as well - yep, I had Ohlins suspension on my previous bikes, but now?  well, I have a wife, kids and a mortgage etc.. so spending several thousand on suspension is out of the question.

But for those on a budget who think they can't get anything decent..  I will say that you won't be disappointed if you have this setup.  Not trying to promote the business or YSS, but just saying this is seriously good suspension and whilst I haven't tried any other suspension on a 1400, I wonder if paying over double the price for Wilbers/Nitron or Ohlins...  you would actually get "double" the performance..

For what this cost me - I'm extremely happy.  Cost?  well, I think depending on the options you want, price will vary.  I paid a bit extra for the upgraded rear springs and having them red.  If you are looking at an upgrade, give Suspensions R Us a phone call, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[grog]

A great result Mate.Mine is Wilbers progressive springs front, rears just worked on by shop. Similar feelings to you. Angels work and handling superb. Original 2/10, modded 9/10. Both solo and pillioned, i never change settings, no need to. Light wife helps i guess.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Thats a great result Bluedragon, can you list or post the part numbers you ordered? Thinking of doing the same,  have heard similar good reports on YSS gear.

Thanks for the post.

[Mick_J]

A great result and they sure Look the bizzo. 

[Hooli]

YSS are the company that used to be White Power aren't they?

[seth]

I thought YSS were koni or marazochi these days but I've been wrong before lol.
White power are W.P. now days owned by ktm.

[BlueDragon]

Thats a great result Bluedragon, can you list or post the part numbers you ordered? Thinking of doing the same,  have heard similar good reports on YSS gear.

Thanks for the post.

Best thing to do is give Suspensions R Us a phone call.  Those guys are extremely helpful.  Just tell them what sort of riding you do, what you want from the bike, your weight with all your riding gear etc.  pillion weight if you have a pillion most of the time, or not.. 

They will customise a setup for you.

The rear shock is the YSS RG362 with a custom rear spring (made to order and paint in my choice of Red) according to rider/passenger weight etc. Front fork springs will depend on rider/passenger weight etc. so part number will vary.

I couldn't be happier - especially with the money  I spent.  Which - well as I said, will depend on what you want, but I spent less than $1400 for my setup..  including express postage.

[BlueDragon]

Quick update on the suspension in case anyone is looking at upgrading to something similar.

All is still great.

but funny thing is that I went to clean and lube the chain the other day after a wash and polish.

Noticed that when I put the bike on the centre stand that the back wheel was barely off the ground.  At first I thought something had broken or gone wrong.

But Nope.  All good.

Ends up that the rear YSS shocks are a touch longer than the original items.

The guys at Suspensions R Us gave me the option of longer shocks, but I said standard length would be find - so that is what they made for me.

Doing some measuring the rear shocks are 7mm longer than the OEM from Suzuki.  Doesn't sounds like much, but I'm not complaining, the difference in handling is like chalk and cheese compared to the best I could tune the original setup to be.  Now, I can push really hard through corners and the bike just fills me with confidence to go even harder again the next time. Just totally stable and balanced. 

On tyre wear, this has also changed for the better.  The trailing and leading edges of the tyre grooves are now all even.  No raised or lowered edges.  So increased tyre life with proper suspension can only be a good thing - saving money on tyres. 

The Pirelli Angels now feel and perform like the Metzeler Roadtec-01 tyres did when I had them on my VFR. 

Will be an interesting "experiment" to go back to the Metzelers once the Angel GT's wear out and see what they feel like on the road.

Now, I need to look at upgrading the VFR's suspension some more and with summer here, a respray on the 1400 will be happening. 

But I have to admit, that I'm now getting tempted to buy some Yoshi cams and a power commander, just for some added fun

Then not tell my mate who has a Ninja 1000, when he comes up to visit for a ride through the Oxley..