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SP2 Suspension Advice [message #208673] Sat, 20 March 2010 10:51 Go to next message
Bluetinfloor is currently offline Bluetinfloor  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2010
(1) Club Racer
Hello all, new member here with new (to me) SP2.

I appreciate suspension is an individual thing, but wondered if any heavier SP2 owners have any adjustment advice from the standard settings.

I am 16 stone and imagine the standard honda settings are for an average wt 12 stoneish rider. I realise I will need to tweak the settings for me, but any suggested starting point for fairly nippy road use ?

Did a search, quite a few posts on SP1, but not on SP2 and I think the suspension is different, front at least.

Grateful for any advice smile
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #208677 is a reply to message #208673] Sat, 20 March 2010 11:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SP2 Riley is currently offline SP2 Riley  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 3968
Registered: January 2008
Location: peterborough
(11) MotoGP Podium Finisher
yes there different Thumbs Up

get a set of linear springs that are for your weight and riding style.


and you may be ok with the rear but an after mkt job will improve things Thumbs Up

if your happy to spend a bit try kais or maxton as there top for this sort of prob smile


hi by the way and enjoy your sp2 there lovely bikes Thumbs Up
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #208679 is a reply to message #208673] Sat, 20 March 2010 11:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Quazi is currently online Quazi  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 10683
Registered: March 2004
Location: Hiding behind Hadrian's W...
(21) Valentino Rossi
I had an SP2 for 5 years I am 16st after a good shit. Wink


The Sp2 doesn't have enough rebound on the front, the compression springs are not good. They are too harsh which exagerates the bumps forcing the problem up through your wrists and hands.

The bike also has a tendency to run wide and the slightest dab on the brakes whilst at anything than bolt upright, will fight with you to stand it up again from any lean agnle what so ever.

I had my forks redone with new springs and a revalve, totally transformed the bike.

The rear has no free sag at all, the spring is too harsh, the valving is too brutal.

I also fitted a Penske to mine which again totally transformed the bike.

The standard kit is only ok if you haven't tried anything else, because in effect you have no idea what you're missing.

Hello also. Thumbs Up
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #208680 is a reply to message #208673] Sat, 20 March 2010 11:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bluetinfloor is currently offline Bluetinfloor  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2010
(1) Club Racer
Thanks - guessed that for a proper job, new parts would likley be needed, but had a slim hope that some tweaking of the standard settings could be big step forward.

I guess my weight plus the limitations of the OE kit means some changes will be needed to improve things.

Got a 954 blade as well and need to decide which one to keep, before any big spending - the original suspesnion has been properly set up, but at 18,000 miles it needs a suspension refurb with new springs front and back too for a proper job and can't do both bikes.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...............

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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #208681 is a reply to message #208673] Sat, 20 March 2010 11:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Quazi is currently online Quazi  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 10683
Registered: March 2004
Location: Hiding behind Hadrian's W...
(21) Valentino Rossi
When I say compreession spring, I mean the spring under compression, the compression control of the forks is down to the valving obviously.

How many miles has the SP done?
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #208683 is a reply to message #208681] Sat, 20 March 2010 12:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bluetinfloor is currently offline Bluetinfloor  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2010
(1) Club Racer
Yep - got that

The SP2 is a 54 plate and done 14000 miles.

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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #209633 is a reply to message #208673] Thu, 01 April 2010 18:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bluetinfloor is currently offline Bluetinfloor  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2010
(1) Club Racer
Had the suspension checked out today by a super nice bloke from Revolution Racing, which is local to me. Loads of advice and a few teaks here and there have improved things, but as suggested above the forks will need the inners upgraded to get the best out of them. Fortunately Revolution have done a lot of them in the past for racers that they support/supply,so I am in good hands.
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #209635 is a reply to message #209633] Thu, 01 April 2010 18:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Quazi is currently online Quazi  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 10683
Registered: March 2004
Location: Hiding behind Hadrian's W...
(21) Valentino Rossi
Bluetinfloor wrote on Thu, 01 April 2010 18:00
Had the suspension checked out today by a super nice bloke from Revolution Racing, which is local to me. Loads of advice and a few teaks here and there have improved things, but as suggested above the forks will need the inners upgraded to get the best out of them. Fortunately Revolution have done a lot of them in the past for racers that they support/supply,so I am in good hands.


That'll be Roger then yes?

He did my forks and supplied my Penske shock, he knows everything about the twins, and yes he is a very nice and genuine guy. Thumbs Up

I also had mine on his dyno. smile
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #209637 is a reply to message #209635] Thu, 01 April 2010 18:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bluetinfloor is currently offline Bluetinfloor  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2010
(1) Club Racer
Quazi wrote on Thu, 01 April 2010 18:04
Bluetinfloor wrote on Thu, 01 April 2010 18:00
Had the suspension checked out today by a super nice bloke from Revolution Racing, which is local to me. Loads of advice and a few teaks here and there have improved things, but as suggested above the forks will need the inners upgraded to get the best out of them. Fortunately Revolution have done a lot of them in the past for racers that they support/supply,so I am in good hands.


That'll be Roger then yes?

He did my forks and supplied my Penske shock, he knows everything about the twins, and yes he is a very nice and genuine guy. Thumbs Up

I also had mine on his dyno. smile


Yep - he came round to the house !

Top bloke Thumbs Up
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #216757 is a reply to message #209637] Sat, 03 July 2010 10:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
steve p is currently offline steve p  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2010
Location: leicester
(2) BSS Racer
Hi lads, im a bit late to this thread but im interested in upgrading my SP1 suspension front and back. i weigh about 17 1/2 stone kitted up. i have read that theres not much that can be done to the rear shock without replacing it, but that the front forks can be reworked effectivly without going down the "ohlins " line. springs and revalving. anyone have any suggestions for me and any ball park costings for mainly road use assuming new rear and reworked front thanks.
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #216759 is a reply to message #208673] Sat, 03 July 2010 11:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kakugo is currently online Kakugo  ITALY
Messages: 3377
Registered: August 2003
Location: Lugdunon
(11) MotoGP Podium Finisher
If you are lucky and keep an eye out on eBay and the local classified you can land yourself a deal in the form of a second hand rear shock. Aftermarket shocks can be rebuilt no problem to "as new" conditions. I bought a WP 4618 (local classified) for 350€, about a quarter of its brand new price. That's the price you should pay for a second hand shock. Ohlins usually command a premium price but that's just the image you are paying (words from my suspension guru, who's also an Ohlins dealer). WP, Penske, MUPO, Wilbers etc are all on par with Ohlins if not better (because some are easier to set up properly). After buying the shock the best course of action is to have it checked by an authorized dealer since you never know how many miles/track days it has on it. I spent 110€ on mine including full strip, a few new parts and a new nitrogen/oil charge. After two years of use I had it stripped, checked and serviced again: 80€.
Forks are actually good quality as far as OE is concerned. The problem is settings. Apparently Honda used numerology charts or the horoscope to pick them. K-Tech or other similar outfits can fit the forks with new springs, new hydraulics and adjust oil level to suit your needs. Price for a similar operation is 450-550€ here depending on which components are used (Ohlins, Andreani, MUPO etc).
This the best spent money on the bike. Thumbs Up
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #216823 is a reply to message #216759] Sun, 04 July 2010 11:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
steve p is currently offline steve p  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2010
Location: leicester
(2) BSS Racer
second best money spent on bikes after petrol! thanks for the sound and comprehensive info.theres a nice set of ohlins fronts going on ebay right now. il keep my eye on them but my usage dosnt merit stupid money.
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #217606 is a reply to message #208673] Sun, 11 July 2010 21:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
steve p is currently offline steve p  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2010
Location: leicester
(2) BSS Racer
had a quote back from K-tech for reworking the showa forks with new springs and valves £400 ish plus seals etc. and them to do the work (my favorite as i hacksawed the bottom off my battery putting on an undertail unit last year). also looking at a Nitron rear shock NTR Sport without the piggy back reservoir. any thoughts on this choice, its mainly for road use and infinitely variable suspension units are hardly my strong point and would probably never be used to full potential for the extra £150.
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #217627 is a reply to message #217606] Mon, 12 July 2010 08:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SP2 Riley is currently offline SP2 Riley  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 3968
Registered: January 2008
Location: peterborough
(11) MotoGP Podium Finisher
lol on the battery thing Laugh

your forks will be fantastic Thumbs Up


take all the advice you can from the nitron site and make sure you get a spring for your weight.

K-tec may be worth talking too as they supply shocks so they could supply with a good base setting as they can match it to your forks which is what its all about (are you getting the shock from k-tec)
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #217906 is a reply to message #208673] Fri, 16 July 2010 10:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
steve p is currently offline steve p  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2010
Location: leicester
(2) BSS Racer
rear shock from HPS and as with new Nitron units they take your weight details, riding style, pillion details etc to taylor the unit for you. iv oppted for the Sport shock with a simpler compression and rebound setup and sprung for mainly solo and road use at my weight. k-tech have the same info for the forks. there may well be better setups out there but im sure that this will be more than adequate for me and one hell of an improvement. thanks for the imput lads il keep you posted as to the conclusions, itl be about 3 weeks. Grin
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #218461 is a reply to message #208673] Wed, 21 July 2010 14:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
steve p is currently offline steve p  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2010
Location: leicester
(2) BSS Racer
just dropped my forks into K-Tech, going camping 2moz for a week with my nipper so pick them up next friday, till then the beast is suspended at the front under an old set of step ladders and around the top clamp. precarious but ingenious and wouldnt look good in the pits at donnington.
steve
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #218468 is a reply to message #218461] Wed, 21 July 2010 15:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Yorkie is currently online Yorkie  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 1183
Registered: August 2003
Location: North Yorkshire
(8) 250 GP Racer
steve p wrote on Wed, 21 July 2010 14:16
just dropped my forks into K-Tech, going camping 2moz for a week with my nipper so pick them up next friday, till then the beast is suspended at the front under an old set of step ladders and around the top clamp. precarious but ingenious and wouldnt look good in the pits at donnington. steve



At the moment anything would look good in the pits at Donnington Grin

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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #218488 is a reply to message #218468] Wed, 21 July 2010 18:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
steve p is currently offline steve p  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2010
Location: leicester
(2) BSS Racer
Yorkie wrote on Wed, 21 July 2010 15:01
steve p wrote on Wed, 21 July 2010 14:16
just dropped my forks into K-Tech, going camping 2moz for a week with my nipper so pick them up next friday, till then the beast is suspended at the front under an old set of step ladders and around the top clamp. precarious but ingenious and wouldnt look good in the pits at donnington. steve



At the moment anything would look good in the pits at Donnington Grin


your right mate, but it don't matter now cus 98db is neither use nor ornament to your average track day-er. think mines 105db on tick over and last time i went even with the baffles in i was black flagged and then they asked me to shut off in front of the stand. WTF in front of the missus no chance. meanwhile i was overtaken by 3 500db jets!!! can we have our own Nurburgring?
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Re: SP2 Suspension Advice [message #219365 is a reply to message #208673] Sun, 01 August 2010 10:00 Go to previous message
steve p is currently offline steve p  UNITED KINGDOM
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2010
Location: leicester
(2) BSS Racer
got the forks back from K-Tech, fitted and fitted new Nitron rear shock all set up and sprung for my riding weight 17 and half stone. what a difference it has made. and the ride height adjustment means i got rid of that 3mm spacer on the shock. feels like im in the road not on or above it! would highly recommend anyone above average weight paying for this.£750 in total but like a new bike. Thumbs Up Thumbs Up Thumbs Up Grin
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