R6 Shock spring rate help wanted

General forum on frames, brakes, suspension, wheels and tires

Moderator: rztom

Post Reply
Message
Author
MotoMark84
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:30 pm
Location: Winnipeg, Mb, Canada

R6 Shock spring rate help wanted

#1 Post by MotoMark84 » Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:27 pm

Hey guys I'm looking for some advice on what spring rate I should use on my R6 shock. I'm using the aluminum 1986 FZ 600 swing arm, fzr600 wheel and R6 shock on my 1983 RZ350 hybrid. I weight about 220 lbs and the rear shock is way too soft for me. I'm wondering what other people my weight have used for a spring on the R6 shock? Any advice or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

User avatar
tkm433
Posts: 166
Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2003 9:56 pm

Re: R6 Shock spring rate help wanted

#2 Post by tkm433 » Sat Sep 24, 2016 9:02 pm

MotoMark84 wrote:Hey guys I'm looking for some advice on what spring rate I should use on my R6 shock. I'm using the aluminum 1986 FZ 600 swing arm, fzr600 wheel and R6 shock on my 1983 RZ350 hybrid. I weight about 220 lbs and the rear shock is way too soft for me. I'm wondering what other people my weight have used for a spring on the R6 shock? Any advice or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.
According to Racetech the stock R6 spring for the 99-02 rear shock is rated at 9.3 kg/mm. I had the same setup more or less yers ago on my RZ and felt the stock R6 spring was a little soft for my 195lbs.

Racetech offers the their replacement spring rates:
9.4kg (more or less stock)
9.8kg
10.7kg
11.6kg

It is a hard call but I would say try the 10.7kg for your 220lbs. I was going to try the 9.8kg or the next firmest from stock before i sold mt rz.

ghezzi
Posts: 180
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 8:27 pm
Location: Brisbane OZ
Contact:

Re: R6 Shock spring rate help wanted

#3 Post by ghezzi » Sat Sep 24, 2016 9:22 pm

Careful planning needs to be done here.
Not only are you asking the spring to support your backside, and the weight of a different motorcycle, you have fitted it to a different swingarm.
That means rocker ratio/rising rate is most likely different as well. Not to mention the stroke length of the shock, and how it was valved to cope with compliance etc in its original application.
Need to talk to a suspension guru .............. here's a spring chart from Ohlins. Did see a chart on an R1 forum stating what spring weight matches rider weight, but that would be relative to an R1.
OhlinsRearSpringRateChart57mm.jpg
OhlinsRearSpringRateChart57mm.jpg (234.97 KiB) Viewed 2346 times
I'd rather ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow.

MotoMark84
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:30 pm
Location: Winnipeg, Mb, Canada

Re: R6 Shock spring rate help wanted

#4 Post by MotoMark84 » Sat Sep 24, 2016 11:34 pm

Thanks guys this is great info I have a local suspension guru guy that is helping me out so I will share this info with him. Another thing with my bike is I've cut the rear frame off, re enforced the frame, and built an aluminum bolt on sub frame along with a Ninja gas tank, front end and clip on bars with risers. I kept the new seat at the same height and distance from the stealing stem as the stock RZ seat / ride position. But that being said it's like riding a completely different bike then a stock RZ. Everything is a bit of a guessing game. I want to get the rear shock sorted out then move to the forks and get them set up proper.

gpaddict
Posts: 643
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:35 pm
Location: WISCONSIN

Re: R6 Shock spring rate help wanted

#5 Post by gpaddict » Mon Sep 26, 2016 12:05 am

Off topic, but do you still have the stock subframe? I'm looking for one if you still do. Thanks, Bruce.
tuned to Paris Hilton specs............rich and retarded!

MotoMark84
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:30 pm
Location: Winnipeg, Mb, Canada

Re: R6 Shock spring rate help wanted

#6 Post by MotoMark84 » Wed Sep 28, 2016 11:59 am

Hi Bruce I'm sorry I don't have the stock sub frame anymore.

Post Reply