is there a disadvantage from raising the rear?

[Ninja Geoff]

what's the matter verm? weigh so little the suspension can't be set soft enough for your weight?

[DivideOverflow]

...... I can drag my knees on the 79 KZ650... but that ruins my jeans.


I have neither wide, nor sticky tires.. this bike weighs at least 150lbs more than yours (plus I weigh about 100lbs more than you). I'm not trying to boast, just point out that it isn't the machine's fault.

Here is a tip: Warm your tires up. Also, watch the road surfaces. Even if you get "stickier" tires, if you hit a patch of light oil, or moisture, you will lose traction in your tire. Practice dragging a knee at slower speeds. You really only need 15-30mph (depending on the bike).

The main times I've had tires slide on me are when they aren't warmed up properly, or the road is slick... that being said, any of the tires on any of my bikes aren't as good as the ones you have.

Also, with your suspension, you are saying you need your shocks softer because of your weight... That is good for the street, but bad for riding aggressively (which you like to do). With a softer suspension, your bike is going to "dive" and wallow in corners instead of feeling like it is riding on rails.

That GP suspension won't help you... it will likely be even stiffer, but have better rebound rate control. Everyone I know of rides stiffer at the track, for the reasons I stated. You are lucky enough to have a bike that is stiff enough for your weight at the track... you don't need new suspension. If you are looking for a softer suspension, get one from an older gixxer or a cruiser or something.

I'm glad they didn't charge you for tinkering with your suspension...
Just to make sure, go look at your bike, and turn your pre-load all the way down, and make sure the dampening rates are down too.

Do NOT raise the rear of your bike for street riding. Even with your steering dampner, you have a better chance of inducing headshake. You also increase the risk of sliding out your rear tire and losing traction easily, especially with your lower weight. You also wear your front tire out a lot faster (and your rear if you are losing traction).

It sounds like the *racer* you talked to probably just knew what was best for him.

"if i can't drag knees w/ the corsa... i might as well quit riding. Laughing"
If you can't drag a knee on a stock gixxer, you just need to practice more. If you don't learn to do it without good tires, then you will only be able to do it on good tires.

This is the whole thing everyone has been talking about.... By learning to ride the way you are, you are severely limiting yourself. You won't be able to go to a more basic bike and ride it to its potential, because you need "the best" parts just to "customize" your bike to you so you can ride it effectively.

I say save the money... dont get tires and suspension. Instead, buy a ninja 250 or a GS500 or something and learn to do the things you want to do before just throwing money at a "problem" which doesn't exist.

I have friends that still rock their 250s and can lean those things over as far as they can.. on *gasp* stock tires.

[storysunfolding]

+1

I can drag a knee with Sheng-Cheng tires on my Vision (the tires on it when I bought it)... Granted I did it at 20 mph to show the previous owner that it wasn't a "poor performing junk bike"

Of course, I understand where you're coming from Verm. The reason I can't play the guitar is because my cheap ibanez doesn't let me form cords due to my current weight. I tried to get lighter strings but they just don't order them around here- it would have to be special order and that costs an extra $5.... I'll never make it to amature night until I get a new guitar, some cool strings, a great strap, an amp and some high duty cables.

[CNF2002]

Meh...raising your rear is just going to change the balance of your bike and you'll be back to learning how to handle it. Keep what you got and keep learning.

Really, your suspension is fine. Don't lose sleep over it.

As for the racer who told you that you needed to get a new suspension setup for your 'weight' in order to enjoy/ride your bike properly, did you ever stop to think that this racer may have just been a complete moron?

[VermilionX]

what's the matter verm? weigh so little the suspension can't be set soft enough for your weight?

yes accdg to the guys at racetech where i brought it to setup my static sag.






and thanks for the info Divide,

the other month some guys did a PLP for dragging knees, body positioning, and other track riding goodies.

i wasn't able to attend it but for sure... when they do it again... i'll attend it and get instructions and tips from experienced riders.

and thanks for the info guys... i'll stick to my stock rear setup for now... im not gonna raise it.

[VermilionX]

Of course, I understand where you're coming from Verm. The reason I can't play the guitar is because my cheap ibanez doesn't let me form cords due to my current weight. I tried to get lighter strings but they just don't order them around here- it would have to be special order and that costs an extra $5.... I'll never make it to amature night until I get a new guitar, some cool strings, a great strap, an amp and some high duty cables.

damn! no light strings?

unless you're joking. all the guitar shops here have all kinds of strings.

i use XL (extra light) but some people like XXL so that they can bend strings more easily for some serious riffs.

im not a lead guitarist so im fine w/ XL.

[storysunfolding]

unless you're joking....

[totalmotorcycle]

The Crimson Rider -

I know and see what you are trying to accomplish. I think you asked a very good and valid question about raising the rear suspension. DivideOverflow's answer is right on the mark and something to think about.

I know you are just trying your best to be the best you can be as a rider, learn the most you can and push that limit to learn even more. I know you are stuck with the GSXR750 and won't really want to sell it to get a Ninja 250R, GS500 or Ninja 650R. Why would I suggest such a thing? Its because what you are really trying to do can be done on those bikes more easily as it's easier to gain the skills you are looking for by using the right tool to do it. The GSXR750 can of course be used to do what you are looking for, but it will just take a lot longer to get your riding skills (ie. tones more practice) before you can do it on THAT bike.

Honda test riders in Japan couldn't push the CBR1000RR and Honda Japan had to hire MotoGP racers to push the CBR1000RR. Just think how many thousands of hours, training and all the different motorcycles the Honda test riders have and used and in the end, they couldn't push the CBR1000RR.

I'll give you some insight to think about. It's not the bike that makes a rider good or fast, it's their skills. A highly skilled rider can be faster on a smaller bike than an average skilled rider on a big bike. I've seen riders on a 30 year old bike best those on new sportbikes in the twisties.

I have many years of riding experience and I'm on my 5th bike which is 100cc smaller (650cc), 24 years older (1982), weights more (510lbs), using skinny bias-ply tires and has less horsepower (73hp) than yours and I ride at 80% of the bikes ability. When I hit the 100% of the bikes ability the bike lets me know and I slow down. To "raise" the bikes level to meet my level I'd then look at even more aftermarket parts or a newer bike. But it took me this long to get there and I got here quicker by riding small motorcycles along the way... My next bike will be a 650-800cc newer bike so I can continue my 15 year riding learning curve.

So in conclusion, do I think you have the wrong motorcycle for where you want to be in riding skills? Yes and No. If you are willing to spend a lot more time learning than you would on a smaller bike then no, but I'd expect you'd need another few years over what you would need on a 250 or 500cc bike to do on what you are aiming for on the 750. Remember as the bike gets more "extreme" (like the CBR1000RR) it may take you a lifetime of riding skill building to do it.

Mike.

[VermilionX]

thanks mike and i know it's not the bike, it's the rider.

i just don't feel very confident to push my stock tires to the limit for the reasons i already stated.

but like i said... if the guys that did the PLP do it again even before i wear down my stock tires... i'll attend it w/ my stock tires.

[storysunfolding]

Verm-

I'm not going to be able to make it out to your area like I thought- company moved conference from LA to Boston But one day I'm going to make it out there and destroy you in the twisties or die trying