Hoping the weather stays nice tomorrow up here in the North West as I've booked in with TST Tyres to have some Metzeler M7rr's fitted and then I'm off up the road to Kais to have my suspension set up afterwards. Lost a lot of confidence in my current 200/55 Super Corsa after a slide the other day. They are not the best in the wet anyway and track days being a rarity means a better around tyre would suit me better anyway. Only had the bike a couple of months and I've been wanting to change them since I got it. I'm going to go back to standard size too for reasons you will read below. As for the suspension, I've not been happy with that since I got it. I've come form a 675 Daytona so getting used to the bike is something I'm learning to do as I've never had a litre bike anyway but the standard settings are not working for me and I just can't seem to get right feel from the bike like I had with my Daytona. I'm not sure the larger 200/55 tyre has had something to do with it too. I've been told by some people in the know that it won't help the handling of the bike as it changes the geometry etc. Anyway, I'm going to go back to standard sizes and let the professionals have a go at getting the best from my stock suspension. I'm sure they will suggest some suitable upgrades and seeing as though I plan to have this bike for a few years yet I will take on board what they say and look to upgrade sooner rather than later. At the end of the day, I'm no racer. I'm just hoping for a more confidence inspiring ride because at the minute I have angling in my mind which is holding me back and making me a little nervous. Hopefully I will feel better after tomorrow. Will let you know how I get on......TBC
2012 Anniversary Edition (Big Piston Forks) The base settings as per the manual are: Front Suspension Spring Preload: 7 ½ Turns from min Rebound (TEN): 4 3/4 Turns from max Compression (COM): 5 ½ Turns fro, max Rear Suspension Spring Preload: Position 4 Rebound (TEN): 2 ½ Turns from max Compression (COM): 2 3/4 Turns from max
What do you weigh with all riding gear on? Its important to set your rider SAG up according to your weight. Plenty of video's online, Dave Moss video's are particularly good.
If you'd done a forum search you'd have found I've posted all the settings for this model after my visit to KAIS Tyre wise Super Corsas are a liability in the wet 190/55 is ideal for the Blade
I weigh 12st 8lbs without kit on. Don't be offended by this question as it's genuinely meant as inquisitive rather than condescending but if 190/55 is perfect for a blade, why does it come with 190/50? Also, if the bike is designed with a 190/50, is it fair to say a 200/55 would be make the handling worse. Especially if the bike wasn't altered elsewhere (I.e. Suspension). I'll check out the search feature for your KAIS info. If I'm honest, I don't mind spending £50 for specialists and people in the know sharing their knowledge and setting my bike up. If it doesn't work it won't bankrupt me and if it does it's money well spent.
Don't know why Honda fit a 50 series ozzer? All the other manufactures fit a 55 on their sports bikes. Sussie setting thread here http://1000rr.co.uk/showthread.php?t=13861
KAIS set my suspension up virtually as soon as I got my Fireblade just over 12 months ago. No parts. Just knowledge etc. £50 very well spent - instant improvement !
Ozzer, out of curiosity can you post the suspension settings before and after. I'm approx 13.5 stone without gear don't imagine it being too different to my weight. Can't ride my bike to go get set up for another 4 weeks yet. Cheers Steve
Sure thing Stevie.........just pop £25 in my paypal account and I'll PM you the settings. Only joking of course......I will have a fiddle and check what they changed the too and post them up. Only managed to ride the bike home is not really had a proper chance to compare the feel but first impressions are the front end feels much better. I'll post up settings and a proper review as soon as I get the chance.
OK, not had enough time on the bike to properly review the tyres but first impressions are good..........as with most new tyres to be fair. I will say more about them as time goes on. What I would say is that the guys at KAIS were great. Made to feel very welcome (brew and chats etc) and they really know their stuff. Problems I was having was the bike felt unstable and twitchy and too hard at the front and back. Small bumps would have front need moving around and bike felt unstable in corners and even on straight bumpy roads. Plus I was easily being bumped out of my seat with road bumps. Something the Ohlins TTX shock on my 675 cured instantly. You have to remember this is my first 1000cc bike and I felt right at home on the Daytona so I'm still getting used to the bigger bike and from the off I've not really felt comfortable with it. The feedback I got from them was the back was in range and needed only slight adjustment. It was the best I would get from the shock. If I was to emininate the bumping out of the seat over bumps I would have to look for an after market shock. The front end settings were way off what I needed and they put these right. The good news was the front shocks would likely be good enough for anything I throw at them for my level of riding and should cope fine. He explained what the changes would likely do and sure enough he was right. Bike now feels plusher at the front, less twitchy and as a result more confidence inspiring in the corners. Also, just riding in a straight line on a bumpy road felt much better. I'm still getting a kick from the seat which is a shame but knowing what I know about changing to an Ohlins shock I think I will put my hand in my pocket and upgrade soon. £50 for the set up. Value for money? Yes. I would of course prefer to pay £25-£40 but at the end of the day, the bike is as good as it can be now and it was done properly rather then by me having to mess about hoping I get it right. Money well spent. I will post up the settings when I get a chance (busy working now...supposedly).
