Installing a ZX750 shock: Difference between revisions

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Notes and opinions:

So, I got this thing by mistake. I figured what the hell and changed the oil and put it on my bike to see how it would work. After a short ride a week or so ago, I was pretty pleased with how it felt. Then I took a 125 mile run through some of my favorite twisties. Lots of long sweepers, tight switchbacks, and plenty of rough pavement, with some freeway riding going to and coming from. Overall, I think this shock is perfect ''for me'', at about 250-260 pounds in gear. It did not seem to be too stiff, ~~but~~ it definitely performed better than my old EX500 shock ~~with the preload cranked down~~. With the EX500 shock set for me (cranked about 2/3 - 3/4 of the way down) the ride was stiff enough, but tended to be harsh on particularly bumpy roads.

So, I got this thing by mistake. I figured what the hell and changed the oil and put it on my bike to see how it would work. After a short ride a week or so ago, I was pretty pleased with how it felt. Then I took a 125 mile run through some of my favorite twisties. Lots of long sweepers, tight switchbacks, and plenty of rough pavement, with some freeway riding going to and coming from. Overall, I think this shock is perfect ''for me'', at about 250-260 pounds in gear. It did not seem to be too stiff, and it definitely performed better than my old EX500 shock. With the EX500 shock set for me (cranked about 2/3 - 3/4 of the way down) the ride was stiff enough, but tended to be harsh on particularly bumpy roads.

Tearing through the twisties the back end felt planted, and the bike felt more balanced front to rear. I was being particularly harsh in my riding style, so I think it's fair to say that you can definitely use a shock from a ZX750, but you should be at the "heavy" end of the spectrum. My buddy who sometimes gets to ride my 250 only weighs about 170-ish, and he barely compressed the shock when he sat on it. The EX500 shock at about 1/4 preload fit him fine.

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3. Depending on what you need in suspension, you might be better off with an [[Aftermarket Shocks|aftermarket shock]] specifically suited to your weight and riding style.

Me, I ~~made lemonade when~~ I got ~~a bunch~~ of ~~lemons~~. I ~~may eventually see how~~ it ~~feels if~~ I ~~add air~~ to it, ~~but right now~~ I~~'m not~~ that ~~interested~~, ~~cause she feels pretty good~~ as is.

====2000 mile update====

This shock is definitely NOT for light riders. I use this bike to commute daily and the shock is actually pretty "tame" on the streets during normal commuting. I weigh about 250 geared up; a 175-pound friend finds it a little harsh for him. The bike definitely sits lower than it did with the EX500 shock, but I also had the preload on the 500 cranked about 2/3 or more of the way. I never got around to adding any air or changing any of the settings from base other than the oil swap.

I've now taken it out into the canyons in several different conditions, from smooth, freshly-paved 2 lanes to older, less well maintained (read: bumpy as hell) 2 lanes. For riding in the twisties, you get a lot more feedback from the rear end, and it seems to get stiffer as you hit more bumps in quick succession. It never gets out of shape for me, and I have yet to bottom it out. Overall, I am pleased that my "lemonade" turned out as well as it did, and I would definitely recommend this as an upgrade for riders in my weight range who don't have the $$ to spring (pardon the pun) for an aftermarket shock.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 Notes and opinions:
-So, I got this thing by mistake. I figured what the hell and changed the oil and put it on my bike to see how it would work. After a short ride a week or so ago, I was pretty pleased with how it felt. Then I took a 125 mile run through some of my favorite twisties. Lots of long sweepers, tight switchbacks, and plenty of rough pavement, with some freeway riding going to and coming from. Overall, I think this shock is perfect ''for me'', at about 250-260 pounds in gear. It did not seem to be too stiff, but it definitely performed better than my old EX500 shock with the preload cranked down. With the EX500 shock set for me (cranked about 2/3 - 3/4 of the way down) the ride was stiff enough, but tended to be harsh on particularly bumpy roads.
+So, I got this thing by mistake. I figured what the hell and changed the oil and put it on my bike to see how it would work. After a short ride a week or so ago, I was pretty pleased with how it felt. Then I took a 125 mile run through some of my favorite twisties. Lots of long sweepers, tight switchbacks, and plenty of rough pavement, with some freeway riding going to and coming from. Overall, I think this shock is perfect ''for me'', at about 250-260 pounds in gear. It did not seem to be too stiff, and it definitely performed better than my old EX500 shock. With the EX500 shock set for me (cranked about 2/3 - 3/4 of the way down) the ride was stiff enough, but tended to be harsh on particularly bumpy roads.
 Tearing through the twisties the back end felt planted, and the bike felt more balanced front to rear. I was being particularly harsh in my riding style, so I think it's fair to say that you can definitely use a shock from a ZX750, but you should be at the "heavy" end of the spectrum. My buddy who sometimes gets to ride my 250 only weighs about 170-ish, and he barely compressed the shock when he sat on it. The EX500 shock at about 1/4 preload fit him fine.
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 . Depending on what you need in suspension, you might be better off with an [[Aftermarket Shocks|aftermarket shock]] specifically suited to your weight and riding style.
-Me, I made lemonade when I got a bunch of lemons. I may eventually see how it feels if I add air to it, but right now I'm not that interested, cause she feels pretty good as is.
+====2000 mile update====
+This shock is definitely NOT for light riders. I use this bike to commute daily and the shock is actually pretty "tame" on the streets during normal commuting. I weigh about 250 geared up; a 175-pound friend finds it a little harsh for him. The bike definitely sits lower than it did with the EX500 shock, but I also had the preload on the 500 cranked about 2/3 or more of the way. I never got around to adding any air or changing any of the settings from base other than the oil swap.
+I've now taken it out into the canyons in several different conditions, from smooth, freshly-paved 2 lanes to older, less well maintained (read: bumpy as hell) 2 lanes. For riding in the twisties, you get a lot more feedback from the rear end, and it seems to get stiffer as you hit more bumps in quick succession. It never gets out of shape for me, and I have yet to bottom it out. Overall, I am pleased that my "lemonade" turned out as well as it did, and I would definitely recommend this as an upgrade for riders in my weight range who don't have the $$ to spring (pardon the pun) for an aftermarket shock.