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All 650's Suspension
- Thread starter Remek
- Start date
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- Tags
- forks preload spring suspension
When you bought the Pilot Roads, did you buy the GT version or the regular?
Has the problem gotten worse since the new tires have been on?
The Roads, especially the GTs since they have a carcass specifically designed for heavier bikes, are stiff riding tires and may cause some of what you feel. Lots of guys with more miles on their bikes haven’t had an issue with the shock so I’d be sure your bike is working correctly before going too far down the needing a new shock road.
Starting with the basics: is your chain adjusted correctly (some slack) and in good shape along with your sprockets? How about the shock itself, does it move up and own as you push on the seat? Are the eyelet bushings OK? Have you done any work to the rear of the bike? Has it been in an accident? Is the shock leaking? Is it clean or is there loads of gunk on it, especially the shaft?
As far as preload setting, is that at stock or have you moved it? At your weight I’d think maybe one step up from stock would probably be about right.
So unless something outside affected the shock, like damage, I feel like it might be something else, maybe the tires.
To be clear, I’m not saying the shock isn’t bad, just that it shouldn’t be at this early stage, and your symptoms are opposite of what a worn out shock normally would be, which would be soft and wallowing feeling. If it were me I’d maybe buy a used stock and see how that feels; too bad, I’d have sent you my old 1,500 mile OEM unit for nothing but I just brought everything I had over to the dealer to give to the new owner of my bike this past weekend.
Having said all of that, the Ohlins suspension setup is about the best thing you can do to that bike and it’s a marked, very noticeable difference. It’s not cheap, but nothing good ever is. I would NOT spend money on a new, OEM shock, that’s just crazy. A good, used shock will last you another 20,000 miles plus do you need to decide what money is best spent where.
Has the problem gotten worse since the new tires have been on?
The Roads, especially the GTs since they have a carcass specifically designed for heavier bikes, are stiff riding tires and may cause some of what you feel. Lots of guys with more miles on their bikes haven’t had an issue with the shock so I’d be sure your bike is working correctly before going too far down the needing a new shock road.
Starting with the basics: is your chain adjusted correctly (some slack) and in good shape along with your sprockets? How about the shock itself, does it move up and own as you push on the seat? Are the eyelet bushings OK? Have you done any work to the rear of the bike? Has it been in an accident? Is the shock leaking? Is it clean or is there loads of gunk on it, especially the shaft?
As far as preload setting, is that at stock or have you moved it? At your weight I’d think maybe one step up from stock would probably be about right.
So unless something outside affected the shock, like damage, I feel like it might be something else, maybe the tires.
To be clear, I’m not saying the shock isn’t bad, just that it shouldn’t be at this early stage, and your symptoms are opposite of what a worn out shock normally would be, which would be soft and wallowing feeling. If it were me I’d maybe buy a used stock and see how that feels; too bad, I’d have sent you my old 1,500 mile OEM unit for nothing but I just brought everything I had over to the dealer to give to the new owner of my bike this past weekend.
Having said all of that, the Ohlins suspension setup is about the best thing you can do to that bike and it’s a marked, very noticeable difference. It’s not cheap, but nothing good ever is. I would NOT spend money on a new, OEM shock, that’s just crazy. A good, used shock will last you another 20,000 miles plus do you need to decide what money is best spent where.
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- May 16, 2017
Hi, I had similar issues, not as pronounced as yours. I weigh 158 pounds when I first had the bike at 1200 miles it would struggle for grip over shallow bumps on throttle. Very harsh ride, rear spring preload backed off. Swopped rear spring for one inch lower progressive rate and it was 75% better. I have covered 5,000 miles with this spring but I am still not happy with the constant jarring through my back. I have spoken to a shock specialist and he said a new specific shock for my weight will give me at least 50 to 75% better ride quality. The new shock will be lowered one inch with a lighter spring adjustable bump and rebound. £375 Inc vat. For me it is either a shock or a bike change I cannot carry on as it is at the moment. I tried adjusting rear spring pre load and tyre pressures to no avail. After all the rear shock is a budget compromise unit. This is just my personal experience. My bike doesn't like bumps full stop, but it handles well and I have a sensitive back. I hope this helps. Good luck.
This may be a cheaper way to go if required.It can't be all bad as it is made in thailand?
https://www.asian-motoparts.com/en/...-shock-absorber-yss-mz506-honda-cbr-650f.html
https://www.asian-motoparts.com/en/...-shock-absorber-yss-mz506-honda-cbr-650f.html
US currency shows that YSS at $531, an Ohlins can be had around $550-$600 and you have something anyone can work on and gets parts for.
Just something to think about.
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I think I found another option to tame the stock Cbr650f suspension. It looks like race tech sells gold valves for the Cbr650f fork and shock. I need to call them and find out if they can really put a cartridge emulator in the stock Cbr650f shock.
The dealer inspected my bike and found nothing wrong with the suspension.
So now I know I want to upgrade the suspension. Race Tech, Ohlins, Hyper Pro, ... which is best?
The dealer inspected my bike and found nothing wrong with the suspension.
So now I know I want to upgrade the suspension. Race Tech, Ohlins, Hyper Pro, ... which is best?
- Jun 2, 2018
I dont understand, i'v got my suspension on setting 4 on the rear, otherwise stock, and im loving it, even on track... Scraped pegs with it and felt great, its funny how different people feel about what should be the same setup 
- May 30, 2014
Haven't had confirmation on the tyre type in use? GT variety of Pr4 could easily explain this.
- May 16, 2017
That's the stiff version isn t it ?
Post #22, yup.
The tires are plain pilot road 4s, not the GTs.
I found the section of road and duplicated the rear suspension kicking feeling. It’s an overpass that has a sharp edge in the transition to flat at the top of the incline. The fork does ok but the rear suspension seems to non compliant and its a nasty jolt.
I drive my car over the same road often and would never have guessed this little bump would be such a problem for the CBR650F. There are worse bumps on all my favorite roads.
Looking back at your intro post, you have a long motorcycle history and your previous bike was a Versys, but let me ask if you’ve had a sport-styled cycle before? Because kicking back in sharp edged bumps is very normal for stiff OEM suspension on a short wheelbase bike and would be something not noticed in a car or softer suspended motorcycle. I ask because sometimes people have expectations that aren’t going to be true no matter what; this is designed to be a “sporting” riding motorcycle and will always have a sense of instability.
What I’m still struggling with understanding is the assertion that the suspension could be worn out at 20K causing this issue but the symptoms you are describing are of a too stiff and too much compression setup shock, the opposite of a “worn” shock. A worn shock will blow through its spring very quickly and bottom out than either not spring back very quickly or when it does bob and wobble the bike on the way back up because there no damping to slow it. Think of a mid 80’s Cadillac wobbling and bouncing down the road and you’re looking at worn shock behavior.
Factory, the front is VERY lightly sprung and quite underdampened so it will be soft and won’t kick back. The rear, however, has to handle the rider AND a passenger and is designed to work without a linkage so it will be a very stiff ride unless you soften the preload, your only adjustment on the OEM unit. Earlier you mentioned preload at halfway, have you tried lowering it to stock or a notch below? That may help.
I’m not trying to discourage you from going with an aftermarket setup, it’s the best money you’ll spend on this bike. But if you’re looking for a compliant riding, soft on bumps motorcycle, even upgraded stuff may disappoint you.
I owned a 2005 GSXR-750 K5 and a 2006 cbr600rr. I used them as primary transportation. I didn’t own a car back in those days.
The Cbr650f suspension is softer but seems to do fine up to 60 mph. After that, it does not seem to do as good a job of managing bumps.
I agree that the kickup problem could be the result of too much compression damping. But the shock is fine for low speed compression damping. It is high speed compression damping that seems excessive.
The gsxr750 and Cbr600rr both have cartridge dampers. It makes complete sense to me that having experience with two of the best sport bikes of their era would leave me dissappionted in the Cbr650f suspension which does not have cartridge dampers.
At this point I am thinking the Ohlins shock and cartridge damper setup is most likely to meet my expectations. It’s a lot of money so I’d like to hear from anyone who has done this upgrade so I can confirm it’s the right move.
There’s nothing else wrong with my Cbr650f. I see it as an upgrade away from being my ideal bike. I know I am asking more of it than it can do in stock form.
The gsxr750 was terrifying at full throttle. I admit it was too much bike for me. I tried going 150 once and will never try that again! The Cbr600rr and the gsxr750 both have riding positions that are not comfortable for me anymore and that’s why I picked the Cbr650f.
I dream of a Cbr650f with the Cbr600rr’s fantastic suspension!
The Cbr650f suspension is softer but seems to do fine up to 60 mph. After that, it does not seem to do as good a job of managing bumps.
I agree that the kickup problem could be the result of too much compression damping. But the shock is fine for low speed compression damping. It is high speed compression damping that seems excessive.
The gsxr750 and Cbr600rr both have cartridge dampers. It makes complete sense to me that having experience with two of the best sport bikes of their era would leave me dissappionted in the Cbr650f suspension which does not have cartridge dampers.
At this point I am thinking the Ohlins shock and cartridge damper setup is most likely to meet my expectations. It’s a lot of money so I’d like to hear from anyone who has done this upgrade so I can confirm it’s the right move.
There’s nothing else wrong with my Cbr650f. I see it as an upgrade away from being my ideal bike. I know I am asking more of it than it can do in stock form.
The gsxr750 was terrifying at full throttle. I admit it was too much bike for me. I tried going 150 once and will never try that again! The Cbr600rr and the gsxr750 both have riding positions that are not comfortable for me anymore and that’s why I picked the Cbr650f.
I dream of a Cbr650f with the Cbr600rr’s fantastic suspension!
Thanks for the info.
As you stated, both of those bikes had good, fully adjustable OEM suspension that will be light years ahead of the stock 650F stuff. Even better than both of those are the 07+ CBR600RR (my ‘11 600RR had a great factory setup), R1, R6 and 13+ CBR1000RR stuff. Even better than those are the OEM Ohlins setup my Duc has!!!! Sorry, had to go there
If you want a 650F with 600RR suspension, you’ll come pretty close with the Ohlins front spring kit and shock. You’ll come even closer with the NIX-22 (I think that’s it) cartridge kit for the forks.
Enjoy!!!
- May 16, 2017
Very interesting, I would like you're input and experience after the rear shock mod. I would especially like to hear how it performs over bumps and pot holes . I have to upgrade the rear shock or have a bike change which i do not want to do. It would be nice to hear how the bump and rebound make a difference from full stiff to fully backed off. I wait in anticipation.
- May 16, 2017
Do you know what spring rate you are getting.?
The shock will be a nice upgrade, but will really highlight how soft your forks are and I bet you’ll be looking to upgrade the forks soon after.
Please let us know your thoughts, universally we’ve all been pleased with the change.
Please let us know your thoughts, universally we’ve all been pleased with the change.