Ohlins

Talk me out of sticking an Ohlins shock on my RC51.

No can do. DO IT!

Bleh. I just got a used Scotts Steering Damper for it. There aren't any used shocks around, and they're not exactly cheap, new or used...I'd also need to get the forks reworked then. Why am I spending money on my old bike when I could just sell it and use this mod money towards something like a Daytona 675R, lol?

rotard wrote: Why am I spending money on my old bike when I could just sell it and use this mod money towards something like a Daytona 675R, lol?

To paraphrase many, because racebike.

675 is a great engine, but there is just something about a twin that is soooo very right. Makes one tingle in all the right places, and not due to the vibration of an inline four at higher RPMs.

I'd put an Ohlins on my CB900R if I could afford to. It sure needs something besides the OEM can.

I am picking up a Ohlins for my wife's bike. We already got the forks done. Suspension can transform a bike, but a high dollar shock may not be the answer and could make the bike worse.

Have you tried to play with the stock shock's adjusters? What is it that you want from a shock, other then gold anodizing? The RC didn't come with crap stuff from the factory.

An Ohlins shock and Dan Kyle reworked forks transform the RC51. The problem is that a newer stock GSX-R750 will waste one.

Yeah but no one lusts after 4cyl sport bikes. Unless your last name is Rossi, Stoner, or Hayden, any of them and your RC51 have more performance than any mere mortal can ever use. And Twins have character.

rotard wrote: An Ohlins shock and Dan Kyle reworked forks transform the RC51. The problem is that a newer stock GSX-R750 will waste one.

Don't get sucked into the hype. Are you racing the bike? In the fast group at track days? A very fast canyon carver?

The only real reason to upgrade is to solve a problem that can not be dialed out. The vast majority of the street riders will not notice the upgraded suspension.

The RC51 is an incredible bike in it's own right, but its 13 year old technology can't compare to what's available today. I'll probably just leave the suspension alone and get it a stablemate eventually.

It won't be winning anymore WSBK races or magazine shootouts, but that bike (even in stock form) has more potential then most rider will ever come close to using.

Play with the suspension (just be sure to keep notes on where you started and what changes you made), the fork and shock were very good out of the box and are very adjustable.

Set sag and measure the travel you are using (use a zip tie on the fork leg). Take the tools with you to the fun roads and make changes there and try them out.

If you have the skill, the bike set up and good tires, I have no doubt that your bike could run with the fastest group at any track day and still be fun on the street.

My wife and I both have 2007 Ducati's. I have Ohlins front and rear, she has the stock 1098 stuff. My forks were too soft (or I am too fat) I was getting too much rider sag even at full preload. I got new springs and the bike is great.

My wife's springs were OK, but the valving was too harsh. We thought it was springs, but the suspension guy said that Ducati is famous for having soft springs and using harder valving. He re-valved them and it works great. We didn't have the $ to do the rear of her bike but our guy said that the Ohlins from the 1098S will work for her (and they sell for $400 used). She couldn't believe how much better her bike was.

BTW: We use GMD in Atlanta. He has done work on 7 bikes for us now (5 race & 2 street).

Smartest thing that my rider ever did was to find a good shock guy. Eric (can't remember his last name, but if you ever met him, you know the guy I am talking about) custom built the entire suspension, tweaked the frame and the upgraded everything to match my riders skill levels.
For you, find your local "Eric" and pay him to make the bike unbelievable better.

I'm about a second off my (2009) GSX-R600 pace on the RC51. I suppose that's how it goes when you use an old platform, lol. The experience of riding one of HRC's finest makes up of it.

I have met a rather interesting motorcyclist named Eric in the Greenville area.