Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: daringdave on July 27, 2012, 03:36:36 PM
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Yesterday I got my usual Cycle Gear Bike Night email saying that Dave Moss would be at the store in Santa Rosa (~100 miles north of San Francisco on Hwy 101) AND for $20.00 he would set up your suspension. What's not to like about that? So, 125 miles later, I'm in Santa Rosa and sure enough, he's there in the parking lot setting up bikes and talking to the owners about their set-up.
Y'all may recall I got my 2010 in early March and with a 30" inseam, immediately had to perform the "Max" mods... lower links, low Sargent seat, Risers (3" from Kawi Police Authority), but of course the bike was new to me, so when I rode it, it didn't feel weird cause it was new to me and I had no comparative data. I did set the rear sag/preload to 18 clicks in, so that felt okay to me, too. But, I didn't lower the front of the bike cause I felt like that was too easy to screw up. So I've been riding the bike for 5 months now with "MY" setup. :-\
Dave also said the set up had minimal preload in the front and the damper needed adjusting, too. The rear static sag adjustment was way off so basically I was bouncing in the corners and when I hit the brakes, all the weight went to the front.
I know a lot of you (most, probably) are way more experienced with sport type suspension, but my experience is on a V-twin, which has no set up except rear preload (five positions to choose from).
so, you will probably NOT be surprised when I tell you that the ride home was like on a completely new bike. I got in a 100 mile ride this morning (with a bit of twisties up in the Oakland hills). Again, wow! What a difference.
My take-away is this... It's very nice to be part of the forum and to learn from you guys about my bike, but there is a simple axiom that still applies... I can do simple stuff like put on Canyon cages, and reflective tape on the back; Hell, even wire up a new horn relay... but when it comes to messing with things that can go very wrong and be "incompatible with life", like suspension set-up, I think I'll pay more attention to my personal abilities and prior experience. If I don't know how it's supposed to be like, how would I know if it's right.
Here is a pic of me and my bike with Dave Moss.
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Nice!
People seem to suspect horsepower gains are the way to be faster. Perhaps for a straight line, but for real riding suspension mods are where its at (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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Cool on the setup! I did a track day last Saturday. There was a suspension setup guy there but I was so busy I didn't get a chance to get over and have him set mine up. I wish I would have though.
Matt
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Very cool DD, congrats!! :thumbs: :thumbs:
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Can anyone suggest a good suspension set up person in Minnesota to help me with my C14?
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Interestingly, I had a suspension guy check out my basically stock 2011 and he said he wouldn't change anything (except he recommended running the tires at about 38-40 psi rather than 42).
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Y'all may recall I got my 2010 in early March and with a 30" inseam, immediately had to perform the "Max" mods..
OMG, I am famous now :)
My take-away is this... It's very nice to be part of the forum and to learn from you guys about my bike, but there is a simple axiom that still applies... I can do simple stuff like put on Canyon cages, and reflective tape on the back; Hell, even wire up a new horn relay... but when it comes to messing with things that can go very wrong and be "incompatible with life", like suspension set-up, I think I'll pay more attention to my personal abilities and prior experience. If I don't know how it's supposed to be like, how would I know if it's right.
I know EXACTLY what you mean. I wish there were something like that going on around here. I would certainly partake. I figured I wouldn't bother until I worse out the stock tires.... that hasn't happened yet...
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Dave Moss told me that he travels all over the US from May-Sept via RV, providing suspension set-ups for people... I don't know the venues, but
maybe he has a website (I'll check and report back) and if he doesn't I'll call the store I saw him at (tomorrow) and see if they have his contact info. His website is http://feelthetrack.com/ (http://feelthetrack.com/)
One thing is for sure. I watched his youtube video on suspension set up a couple of times and thought I had followed everything what he said... only I didn't... it took him less than 10 minutes to set my bike up and it rides completely different now...
I also noticed today that when riding now it seems like i am in a more neutral riding position than before, with less inclination to put my weight on my wrists and I didn't have ANY of the tingling or numbness in my right hand today.
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Dave Moss told me that he travels all over the US from May-Sept via RV, providing suspension set-ups for people... I don't know the venues, but maybe he has a website (I'll check and report back) and if he doesn't I'll call the store I saw him at (tomorrow) and see if they have his contact info. His website is http://feelthetrack.com/ (http://feelthetrack.com/)
Thanks. Unfortunately, it looks like he doesn't put his non-school/non-track stuff on the calendar. For example, your experience two days ago is not on the calendar; I suppose I could guess it was in Alabama, but who knows.
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Had a guy do my bike at a Trackday lastyear and ever since I've been reading and messing with my bike. Found Dave Moss and his website + videos this year and been learning a lot, suspension and how to read tire wear. I'm no expert, but now have a grasp.
I even pinged him on Facebook the other day and he was very responsive. I raised the question of have I reached the limits of the OEM and might I consider the Ohliens path. His response was the OEM needs an oil refresh sooner than most bike, especially the rear. He also said have the OEM re-valued would be money well spent.
As has been discussed before on the forum, there is always more than one way to skin a cat. I think I'm going to change out the oil for the next weight up and see what happens.
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I raised the question of have I reached the limits of the OEM and might I consider the Ohlins path.
I just pulled the trigger on that S, you might want to check out this thread below... :)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10019.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10019.0)
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Yep been reading all those threads, hence why I'm pondering it. But this falls low on the priority list, in fact it not on the official list of where the pay check goes.
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I watched his youtube man I could really use him on my race bike he knows his stuff for sure.