markstertt Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 I'm looking to upgrade my -07's shock and forks so I spent many hours yesterday and read everything on this site, (a lot above my pay grade) now I'm even more undecided, ignorance is bliss, so I asked around (suspension shop & a race shop) and was recommended by both to go with the K Tech Razor R adjustable shock and in one case the Andreani cartridge kit and the other the K Tech IDS cartridge kit. In all my reading, I don't think any one mentioned K Tech components. The shock price is in line with other 3 way adjustables and the cartridge kit is a bit more plus springs are extra (but less than Traxxion I believe). So the question is, what does any one know about K Tech components? Any first hand experience? I didn't know enough to ask about technical aspects of the fork such as valving etc. so don't know if it also could use tweeking like Andreani & Matris. I'm basically looking for a more controlled but compliant street bike/ non race suspension set up, I would like to have adjustability but once set probably would leave well enough alone for the most part. I'm also trying not to break the bank and am considering one of Matt's combo's but need to be informed as to available options first and right now K Tech and one other, JRI are unknown to me. Thanks for any input...Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delbee1 Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I was also advised by someone to go K Tech but I havent looked in to them yet, my other option would be Maxton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babisstinson Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I was also advised by someone to go K Tech but I havent looked in to them yet, my other option would be Maxton K-Tech are supposed to be top performance stuff and they are widely used in BSB (British SuperBike). I am considering them as well for a rear shock upgrade as I am in the look for one for my MT-07. Looking for first-hand info from someone that has installed it n his MT-07 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattonme Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 If you are in USA, my Andreani source is also a K-tech importer and nobody should be able to match my prices. AFAIK it's like the Andreani a 2-piston setup, looks better machined though. If you're interested I'll get a quote. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator jeffkisthename Posted March 12, 2016 Global Moderator Share Posted March 12, 2016 APMOTOARTS switched K-Tech for their rear shock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstertt Posted March 12, 2016 Author Share Posted March 12, 2016 APMOTOARTS switched K-Tech for their rear shock. Yes, that's a pretty good endorsement right there, at least to me, thanks for that. Thanks for responses guys, I'm thinking this K tech may be a good option, pricing will be interesting of course. Matt, definitely interested and in the USA, I have a local suspension shop that I would like to patronize but I already told them I'd be doing my own install and bringing back for setup help if needed. It would be nice if the K tech cartridge kit was good out of the box unlike the Andreani etc. I know, they ( Andreani) can be used as delivered but still, for the price, I don't expect the deficiencies you've found and think that at whatever price point they should be as good as they can be and it doesn't sound like that's the case. Matt, would this K tech cartridge kit go thru you? If so, maybe you'd like to take a look at it first? Let me know on front/rear combo please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delbee1 Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I was also advised by someone to go K Tech but I havent looked in to them yet, my other option would be MaxtonK-Tech are supposed to be top performance stuff and they are widely used in BSB (British SuperBike). I am considering them as well for a rear shock upgrade as I am in the look for one for my MT-07. Looking for first-hand info from someone that has installed it n his MT-07 Yeah thats why I was considering them, Maxton do a lot of TT bikes though and as thats a road race thought Maxton may be a better option. I have all the prices for Maxton if you want the info, they make up the suspension for your weight and should be set for you straight up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattonme Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 If you have no objection @markster, yes I'd like to give it a looksee. I too hope they did a good job of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstertt Posted March 12, 2016 Author Share Posted March 12, 2016 Matt let's see how they price out compared to your other offerings. I hate to be the guinea pig, but sure, if I go this route you're welcome to check them out. Delbee1 you now have me curious of Maxton's offerings and I'd be curious how they're priced so yes and thanks... I checked their site, looks pretty nice, rebound & compression in both legs but don't know how they accomplish this and whether it's any better then IDS type... Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delbee1 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Matt let's see how they price out compared to your other offerings. I hate to be the guinea pig, but sure, if I go this route you're welcome to check them out. Delbee1 you now have me curious of Maxton's offerings and I'd be curious how they're priced so yes and thanks... I checked their site, looks pretty nice, rebound & compression in both legs but don't know how they accomplish this and whether it's any better then IDS type... Mark As said, the thing that is making me think about Maxton is the fact they make a lot of TT bike suspension. From reading a lot about all the other suspension set ups offered it seems that they would be not too bad on the track but lack in the road department, other than Matt's of course which I would love to get but think it will work out too much by the time I have it posted to the UK. Here is what Maxton sent me... "FRONT The front forks on the MT-07 are a very basic design inside, they are an old Damper Rod design damping system. The forks have three problems. One is that the springs are too soft, so the forks dive a lot under braking and can bottom out. The other problem is there is not enough damping to control the original Yamaha springs. This means that when you let go of the brake or accelerate, the front of the bike extends very quickly, causing the bike to run wide. We carry out two options for modifying the MT-07 forks : Option 1 – We throw everything inside the forks away and start again with our own Maxton Cartridge damping system. The cartridge damping system is designed like any modern fork internal; it has separate rebound and compression damping pistons, with shim stacks valved to suit the MT-07 and what you use the bike for. This damping system gives a very progressive action that supports the bike under braking with the springs, without making the ride too harsh. The cartridge is adjustable for damping to. We also fit a spring to the cartridge; the spring is chosen to suit your rider weight. The Maxton cartridge conversion costs £365.00 + V.A.T. To install the cartridges and service the forks costs £115.00 + V.A.T plus fork seals at £25.00 + V.A.T a pair. Option 2 – For customers who do not want to spend as much money on their bike, but still want to improve the handling we supply springs with a higher viscosity oil. The harder springs reduce the harsh ride and make the front much more compliant. The higher viscosity oil is added to try to control the springs and stop the forks returning too quickly. The harder springs cost £85.00 + V.A.T and the oil is £10.00 + V.A.T. If you wanted us to fit the oil and springs, we would recommend a service to the forks, which costs £140.00 + V.A.T, this includes the cost of new fork seals and oil. REAR The standard rear shock on the MT-07 is a very cheap unit. The spring fitted to the shock absorber is a little on the soft side for the average riderweight. This makes the bike sit down under power a little too much if ridden hard or aggressively. The bigger problem with the standard rear shock is the shock has very little damping so it feels very much like a pogostick on the bike. Because the damper unit is very cheap, you may notice the shock “going off” or losing its damping when it gets hot. There is nothing that can be done with the unit as its a sealed unit. We can however replace the standard Yamaha spring if required, this costs £95.00 + V.A.T but afterwards the bike will like more of a ‘pogostick’. We recommend a replacement shock absorber. We supply two types of replacement shock absorber for the MT-07. We supply an NR4 rear shock which is a non-remote unit adjustable for rebound damping, compression damping, preload and ride height adjustment. The NR4 shock costs £425.00 + V.A.T. We also supply an RT10 rear shock which is adjusable for rebound damping, high and low speed compression damping, preload and ride height adjustment. The RT10 rear unit has a remote reservoir mounted via a stailess steel braided hose, the remote mounts via a kit we supply to the right hand passenger footrest carrier mount. The RT10 shock costs £595.00 + V.A.T. We build either unit to order so we valve, spring and base set the shock to suit your rider weight and what you are using the bike for." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstertt Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 Thanks delbee1, I'll have to do a conversion and see how that price compares and like you, I was thinking their approach might be more track then road oriented...maybe not. I was looking at my street tracker with early ('99) Yam R6 forks (right side up) and am now wondering if they wouldn't make for a nice conversion, they are 43mm with preload, rebound and compression damping in both legs, 1/2" longer but then the -07 has a dropped top clamp of about 1/2" so that's sort of a wash. The calipers are situated for 298mm rotors so that would have to be remedied and I really don't know what's inside them or if they could use modifying or even need it. These forks are on a stalled project so I have no on road experience with them but maybe someone will comment on their viability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twf Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Here is what Maxton sent me... "FRONT One is that the springs are too soft, so the forks dive a lot under braking and can bottom out. Depends on your weight, springs are .85 so not really soft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregjet Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I was with them until they said that the bike has a sealed unit rear shock. As we know from this forum , it isn't ( both in US and Australia). Makes me wonder just how much other stuff is incorrect. If they said it was too much work ( ie too expensive) to mod the std shock I would have been happier, but to say it is a sealed unit is just wrong. Go forth and modify my son...go forth and modify... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twf Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Stock shock is sealed unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstertt Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Didn't know that but it makes sense, why make a cheap shock that's rebuildable, counterintuitive. Why doesn't Yamaha offer shocks and cartridges in their accessory catalog, I think they're missing the boat, sell cheap make it up on accessories for those who want. I like the base shocks most mfg. are selling( because of cleaner no reservoir install) but they are usually only 2 adjustments and I have no idea how well a shock with rebound/compression on the same adjuster would work for me, if it was set up for bike and rider wt., style etc. it may be more than adequate for street riding, just don't know. I'd hate to have a shock where as you adjusted one setting you'd be upsetting the other. Any input or experience out there, this route would save some money and install space with no reservoir to mount...Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twf Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 They used to. Yamaha used to own good part of Ohlin's If you want to spend money for aftermarket shock there is no point avoiding remote reservoir. Especially since you can put it wherever you want. I sold many Penske shocks were I specced it so reservoir is hidden under the seat or inside tool box like sv's have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregjet Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 "stock shock is a sealed unit" Really. Doesn't look like that to me. Already posted about this and someone has dis-assembled and had a good look with a view to modding it. Doesn't even need specialist tools to do it. But it would to put it back together. Go forth and modify my son...go forth and modify... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twf Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 It is considered sealed unit. You can not recharge it and you can not take valve apart without grinding nut off. Yes, any shock can be rebuilt if there is will. But none of this stock shocks are meant to be rebuilt, even adjustable ones like gsxr/cbr/? shocks. Those need nut ground off as well. Rebuildable ones are very rare from OEM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattonme Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 probably arguing semantics at this point but it has been done, just probably not all that useful since the 07 doesn't have an adjustable needle which is more than a little handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattonme Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 For street riding the 'combined' is perfectly usable. Unless you're really nitpicky about suspension and gotta have it just so. As with all things, the fewer the knobs the more latitude needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstertt Posted March 15, 2016 Author Share Posted March 15, 2016 For street riding the 'combined' is perfectly usable. Unless you're really nitpicky about suspension and gotta have it just so. As with all things, the fewer the knobs the more latitude needed.Well, the combined adjuster ones aren't all that much more affordable so may as well stick to the original plan. Matt, I'd still be interested in what you come up with pricing and opinion wise on the K tech Razor R and Ids cartridge kit...Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattonme Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 The Razor R will go for $730. The IDS is $775 + 110 (springs) = $885 So the forks aren't cheap but the shock is downright reasonable. I'll make an official thread in my vendor area. Still trying to get concrete feature specifics on both products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstertt Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 Thanks Matt, will be curious what you find, I went for a good ride today and I must say I haven't had a stock bike this badly sprung in recent memory, very harsh for a 150[HASH]er, the rough ride and water in the turns was most annoying. Same rode I've ridden for 30 yrs. and don't remember ever feeling every bump and heave before...suspension first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsoup Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Hey did you end up getting the k tech suspension? What did you think of it. I'm currently weighing up K-Tech and Maxton. Both a bit more expensive than I planned to spend, but are meant to be to notch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkraft Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 I've got the K-Tech front and rear. Only been to one trackday so far but suspension felt great. K-Tech now includes the springs with their IDS cartridge kit! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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