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Suggested Suspension Settings
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These tables show suggested suspension settings for each bike. You can also use the tables to find which issues of Sport Rider each bike was tested. For more information on suspension, check out the Sportbike Suspension Guide.

Suggested Suspension Settings - Kawasaki


motorcycle issue front preload front rebound damping front comp. damping rear preload rear rebound damping rear comp. damping
ZX-6R ('97) 4/97 3 lines showing 2 clicks out 3 turns out 30mm down threaded collar stiff 4 turns out
note: raise fork tubes 5mm in clamps
ZX-9R ('97) 10/97 7 lines showing 1 click out 6 clicks out 90 percent of max stiff 4 clicks out
note: raise fork tubes 6mm in clamps, raise rear 4mm
ZX-11 ('97) 2/97 standard sag 1 click out n/a standard sag position 3 n/a
note:
ZX-6R ('98) 8/98 6 lines showing 5 clicks out 7 clicks out 1.125 in. sag 1 click out 3 clicks out
note:
ZX-6R ('98) 12/98 2 lines showing stiff 6 clicks out 1.25 in. sag stiff 3 clicks out
note:
ZX-9R ('98) 12/98 3 lines showing 4 clicks out 8 clicks out 1.25 in. sag 2 clicks out 12 clicks out
note:
ZX-6R ('99) 6/99 5 lines showing stiff 5 clicks out 15mm from top ring 3 clicks out 7 clicks out
note: raise fork tubes 10mm in clamps with D207GP tires
ZX-9R ('99) 12/99 5 lines showing stiff 8 clicks out 1.25 in. sag 1 click out 15 clicks out
note:
ZRX1100 ('99) 10/99 3 lines showing 1 click out 5 clicks out position 2 position 2 position 2
note:
ZX-6R ('00) 10/00 4 lines showing stiff 7 clicks out standard stiff 6 clicks out
note: with Michelin Pilot Race tires
ZX-7R ('00) 6/00 4 lines showing 9 clicks out 4 clicks out 25mm thread showing position 3 19 clicks out
note:
ZX-9R ('00) 4/00 2 lines showing 3 clicks out 8 clicks out 6 turns out from soft 2 clicks out 10 clicks out
note:
ZX-9R ('00) 8/00 4 lines showing 4 clicks out 4 clicks out 3 turns in from stock 3 clicks out 10 clicks out
note: with Metzeler Rennsport race tires
ZX-6R ('01) 6/02 5 lines showing 7 clicks out 11 clicks out stock stiff 4 clicks out
note: set fork tube height to 10mm above top triple clamp, with Dunlop D208GP tires fitted
ZX-9R ('02) 8/04 5 lines showing 1.25 turns out 1.25 turns out 15mm thread showing 5 turns out 3 turns out
note: set fork tube height to 5mm showing above triple clamp with Michelin Pilot race tires fitted
ZX-6R ('03) 6/03 4 lines showing 6 clicks out full soft 30mm from top of spring to top of threads 4 turns out 4.5 turns out
note: set fork tube height to 4mm above top triple clamp with Pirelli Supercorsa tires, 0mm with stock Dunlop D208ZR tires
Z1000 ('03) 8/03 1 line showing .25 turns out n/a 10mm thread showing .25 turns out n/a
note:
ZX-6R ('04) 8/04 5 lines showing 9 clicks out 2.25 turns out 13mm thread showing 2 turns out 3.25 turns out
note: set fork tube height to 5mm above triple clamp with Dunlop D208 GP-A tires
ZX-6RR ('04) 8/04 7 lines showing 11 clicks out 17 clicks out 19mm thread showing 10 clicks out 23 clicks out
note: set fork tube height to 10mm above triple clamp with Dunlop D208 GP-A tires
ZX-10R ('04) 6/04, 10/04 2 lines showing 9 clicks out 7 clicks out 22mm thread showing 1.75 turns out 5.5 turns out
note: set fork tube height to 3mm showing above triple clamp
ZX-6R ('05) 4/05 3 lines showing 2.5 turns out 1.5 turns out 2 threads showing 14 clicks out 0.75 turns out
note: set fork tube height to 6mm above triple clamp
ZX-6RR ('05) 6/05 4 lines showing 2.5 turns out 2 turns out minimum 8 clicks out 1.5 turns out
note:
ZX-10R ('05) 5/05 5 lines showing 4 clicks out 7 clicks out 14mm thread showing 1.5 turns out 3.5 turns out
note: set fork tubes flush with triple clamp
ZX-12R ('05) 10/05 5 lines showing full soft full soft 10mm thread showing 3.75 turns out 2.5 turns out
note: set fork tube height flush with triple clamp
ZZR1200 ('05) 6/05 7 lines showing 2 turns out position 3 position 3
note:
ZX-6R ('06) 7/06 4 lines showing 2.5 turns out 1.5 turns out 15mm thread showing from top of threads to top of spring 11 clicks out 0.5 turns out
note:
ZZR600 ('06) 10/06 6 lines showing 1.5 turns out 2 turns out 9mm thread showing full stiff 1.5 turns out
note: Ride height: fork tubes flush with triple clamp
ZX-6RR ('06) 7/06 5 lines showing 2.5 turns out 2 turns out 19mm of thread showing from top of threads to top of spring 15 clicks out Low Speed: 12 clicks out ; High Speed: 3 turns out
note:
ZX-10R ('06) 6/06 4 lines showing 8 clicks out 8 clicks out 17mm thread showing 2.5 turns out 2 turns out
note: set fork tubes flush with triple clamp
ZX-14R ('06) 8/06 7 lines showing 4 clicks out 10 clicks out 22mm from top of spring to top of threads 1 turn out 2.5 turns out
note:
ZX-6R ('07) 5/07 10 turns out 1.5 turns out 2 turns out 8mm thread showing 17 clicks out Low-speed: 2 turns out; High-speed: 2.5 turns out
note:
ZX-10R ('07) 7/07 7 lines showing 6 clicks out 8 clicks out 15mm thread showing 2.5 turns out 2 turns out
note: Ride height: set fork tubes flush with triple clamp
Versys (''08) 5/08 7 turns out 1.75 turns out position 5 of 7 4 clicks out
note:
ZX-10R ('08) 6/08 4 lines showing 6 clicks out 8 clicks out 25mm thread showing .75 turns out High-speed: 2.75 turns out; Low-speed: 2.5 turns out
note: Ride height: 4mm fork tube showing above triple clamp
ZX-10R ('08) 10/08 3 lines showing 8 clicks out 15 clicks out 25mm thread showing 1.25 turns out High-speed: 2.75 turns out; Low-speed: 3 turns out
note: Ride height: 4mm fork tube showing above triple clamp
ZX-6R ('09) 6/09 15 turns out 3.5 turns out 6 turns out 12mm thread showing 6 clicks out Low-speed: 2.5 turns out; High-speed: 3 turns out
note: Ride height: 11mm from triple clamp to fork tube cap top
ZX-10R ('09) 8/09 6.5 lines showing 8 clicks out 4 clicks out 27mm thread showing 2.0 turns out High-speed: 2.5 turns out; Low-speed: 1.75 turns out
note: Ride height: 6mm from top of fork cap to triple clamp
Z1000 ('10) 5/10 10 turns out 2 turns out 1.75 turns out 25mm thread showing 1.75 turns out
note:
ZX-10R ('10) 6/10 4 lines showing 8 clicks out 10 clicks out 25mm thread showing 1.75 turns out High-speed: 2.75 turns out; Low-speed: 2.5 turns out
note:
ZX-6R ('10) 10/10 15 turns out 3.5 turns out 4.5 turns out 15mm thread showing 6 clicks out High-speed: 3 turns out; Low-speed: 2.5 turns out
note: Ride height: 11mm from triple clamp to fork tube cap top
Z1000 ('10) 12/10 8 turns out .5 turns out 1.75 turns out 25mm thread showing .25 turns out
note:

Full Article
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Community Comments

dandrino  (07/01/09 05:54 AM)

hello again
I forget to say my weight. I´m 90kg
thanks

daniel_andrino@hotmail.com
dealmarktech  (09/22/09 10:38 AM)

Are these recommended suggestion settings for the track or the street?
kento1  (09/23/09 07:54 AM)

They can handle both. If too stiff for the street, you can back off the rebound damping settings a bit.
dealmarktech  (09/24/09 07:30 AM)

^ Cool. Would the suggested suspension settings for the 06 R6 be the same for the 07 R6? Also, what tires were used in the setup?
kento1  (09/29/09 05:24 PM)

Metzeler Racetec tires were used in the '06 test. Bridgestone BT-002 Pro was used in the '07 test.
We'll get the '07 R6 suspension settings up as soon as we can. You can post the question in the forum and I can get you the settings. Not enough room here in the comments section.
dandrino  (03/02/10 02:06 PM)

my question is: in the fork tube of 06 rsv aprilia hollins, each line is the fringe view that lies between two lines, or each line? serial order comes with 3 finges, four lines, and I am not sure about how to set it,
jaxxon  (04/22/10 01:57 PM)

On the 08'600RR -With the Sport Rider suggested front preload of 10 turns out from full stiff... the front rebound damping suggested of 2.5 turns out from full stiff (stock setting) seems to be WAY soft on rebound damping.

According to SR's suggestions in their "Suspension Tuning Guide" the forks should return back [when fully compressed] in about 1 sec. They fly back (on my bike at those settings) and seem way too bouncy.

One (1) turn out on front rebound seems to be work much better with that much preload.

What's up SR? Did you prefer very little rebound damping during testing? Did the suspension perform better? I mainly do track days.
kento1  (04/23/10 08:31 AM)

When stock suspension gets some mileage on it, it tends to lose damping capability because the oil gets contaminated with wear particles from the fork, which gets lodged into the shim stack of the damping cartridge. This forces you to continue firming up the rebound damping in order to get the proper setting.

Also, because of production tolerances, every setting will be different to obtain the same characteristics.
jaxxon  (04/29/10 09:11 AM)

Thanks Kento! I have about 1200 miles on the 08 600RR clock, and yes you are correct, it has loosened up the the point where 1/2 turn out from full stiff is perfect. I supposed when I run out of rebound damping an Ohlins or Racetech cartridge kit is due. ...Then I suppose I'll have to do a shock too.

I used your 08 1000RR settings for a base point on my 1000 too. It seems to be sprung heavier and damped stronger is this the case? By the way, I weigh about 220 w/gear.
kento1  (04/30/10 06:51 AM)

If you mean heavier springs and damping than the 600, yes, the 1000 is definitely set up stiffer due to the higher loads it will encounter.

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