Suspension issue and infos - RaceTech + K-Tech

[KoZi]

Hello guys !

Quick topic about my experience with front suspension modyfication.
From two years I was using hyperpro progressive springs with hyperpro 20 oil. It Was better than OEM but still not enough for me... In fast corners and very dynamic ride fron wasn't as stiff as I want to.
So I talk with a guy in my contry who is servicing and modyficate suspension to sport. He told me that racetech have gold valve kits and to that we will put linear springs to my weight.
Kit arrived - Type 3 Gold Valve Combo Kit FMGV S2047C. We started to put in on and... it doesn't fit. We were in contact with guys from RaceTech a lot of messages and they told that - "Yes you are right we have mistake in our catalogue, this kit doesn't fit to GSX 1400" - BE AWARE !

https://racetech.com/ProductSearch/12/Suzuki/GSX1400/2002

Great... and now i was in dark point... what we can do, and finally we found the solution.
K-Tech are making front cartridge kit (to use with their new springs) - for special order.

https://store.ktechsuspension.com/front-fork-cartridges-20ids-suzuki-gsx1400-2001-2006-120-001-230-020.html?find=suzuki-gsx1400-2002-729222&product_list_limit=all

We orederd it and now I'm waiting for package - 2-3 weeks. I hope that all will fit.
In this topic I will describe rest of works and how suspension feels after chagnes. 

[VladTepes]

Coo I;d like to upgrade my suspension one of these  days.
Watching.....

[CROS]

I have been informed that K-Tech no longer makes cartridge kits for the GSX1400. Leaving Nitron cartridge kits as the only remaining full cartridge I know of for the GSX1400.

Cheers CROS

[lurch]

I'm curious to hear about the K-Tech's. I personally went for Nitron TVT cartridges. The owner of the shop I bought them from is a lover of all things K-Tech so I was surprised he recommended Nitron. Unfortunately injury has kept me from riding much ever since.

I've never understood the Hyperpro "upgrade" for forks on any bike. For people who value handling over comfort a set of progressive springs and some excessively thick fork oil isn't the way to go.

[Hooli]

The one 14 I've tried with progressive springs worked well. Still comfy but when pushed a bit harder you felt it stiffen up as the suspension compressed. Might not be best for track etc but for the road speeds I'd do it worked well.

I did put normal 10w fork oil in that one when rebuilding the forks from the dangerous state a bike shop left them in.

[SpongeBob]

I have been informed that K-Tech no longer makes cartridge kits for the GSX1400. Leaving Nitron cartridge kits as the only remaining full cartridge I know of for the GSX1400.

Cheers CROS

I have Maxton's SD25-F3 cartridges installed for a few years, that come with (obviously) linear springs, rated to your weight, bike weight and riding expectations ("style").
Great piece of kit, and as opposed to K-tech at the time, they do not make installation by a "certified shop" mandatory. Comes with a comprehensive and detailed installation and settings manual.

[CROS]

Thanks SpongeBob - Looked at the website - they look good. Have bought Nitron 'race fitted' by local suspension expert.

[grog]

Just a question as i dont know. My forks are weight set, Wilbers springs,10w oil, all done for me by suspension bloke, work just fine.  What would i notice, find better with cartridge?

[SpongeBob]

Just a question as i dont know. My forks are weight set, Wilbers springs,10w oil, all done for me by suspension bloke, work just fine.  What would i notice, find better with cartridge?

Nicely put, politically correct question, @Grog :-) You managed to avoid the word 'bling' ;-)

I see that Wilbers do linear springs, so considering this together with the fact that your forks have been properly set up, most probably one won't notice big improvement with Maxton cartridges, as 14's OEM KYB forks look not bad, if not quite good, especially considering the whole bike construction,  having all necessary preload and compression/rebound damping adjusters and of a reasonable diameter. And linear springs as standard -- albeit a bit too soft.

Why I've installed Maxton SD25 cartridges, then?
Initially because I was looking for stiffer springs. I could simply change springs, for sure. But then:
I was very pleased with more recent technology with forks' damping, as experienced with the MVAgusta that shares my garage with the '14, that has completely separated damping elements for compression and rebound -- one leg handles compression, the other rebound. The two dampers are then different and each 'specialized' in it's duty, instead of do-it-all OEM dampers. That makes setup seemingly easier, and that proves to be efficient. The nice side effect is that you don't have to ensure that settings are identical on both legs, obviously, except for pre-load.
Finally, having a K2 with old style compression damping adjusters that are not (easily) serviceable, removable, etc. did make me nervous that one may seize at some point.

At the end of the day, I cannot really say there is a big difference, especially as I haven't tested the bike with OEM dampers back on it, or even tried another '14 since I switched dampers. But I can say that the front do behave nicely with those cartridges, and that any setup even slight change can be felt right away. For instance when I installed clip-ons, that then required to work on suspensions a bit.

[grog]

Thanks Spongey, great reply. When mine were done most i noticed was smoother over bumps, no dip on gear changes as it did stock.Maybe just my crappy gear changes😂 Im not changing just interested.When i first got 14, i tried every setting possible,wasted lots of time, annoyed me,shop settings one of the best mods done, have never touched since.Thanks Mate.

[Andre]

I see that Wilbers do linear springs

As I have Wilbers springs in my 14, I can assure you that they only make progressive springs for the 14.

I don't use their oil. I use Liqui Moly 7.5W whith cSt 22 @ 40°C.

They work very well for me together with YSS 362 shocks.

[grog]

Id forgotten Andre,what sort. Been a long time.I might even try 7.5, our roads are getting rougher.

[Andre]

Id forgotten Andre,what sort.

I don't understand what you mean by "what sort".

[grog]

What sort, what kind meaning progressive or linear springs fitted.

[Andre]

Progressive, as Wilbers makes NO LINEAR for the 14.

cSt values @ 40°C for Wilbers Fork oils:

2,5W    Wilbers TF Fork Oil    6,74
5W    Wilbers TF Fork Oil    22,50
7,5W    Wilbers TF Fork Oil    32,10
10W    Wilbers TF Fork Oil    50,10
15W    Wilbers TF Fork Oil    66,80
20W    Wilbers TF Fork Oil    99,40

From https://motoiservices.com/en/suspension-oil-equivalence-chart/