There’s just about no restriction to the extent you could modify a bike. This, after all, consists of its efficiency and if it’s higher dealing with you need there are 2 sure-fire methods to realize it. One way is to suit a set of efficiency tires. The different is to improve the suspension.
Since I’m obsessive about tweaking my Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe, and since I’d already put in higher tires, I made a decision it was time to have a play with the bike’s suspension. For this mission, I used to be significantly involved in swapping out the rear shock since I felt the usual unit was the weakest hyperlink within the setup. While out driving the Zed I’ve skilled the occasional harsh jolt up the backbone and it’s a sensation I can do with out. So I started looking for a brand new mono-shock.
Ducatista will wax lyrical that Ohlins supply one of the best bike suspension round, however those that aren’t blinded by model hype know there are many different distinctive manufacturers on the market. One such model that has all the time appealed to me is the UK producer Nitron Suspension.
After a fast online search, I found that Nitron offered suspension to go well with the Zed. To be taught extra I downloaded their newest bike suspension catalog. After serendipitously discovering a picture of the Kawasaki Z1-R behind {the catalog} in-built collaboration with the Japanese tuner Bull Dock my thoughts was made up.
Who is Nitron Suspension?
Sine 1998 Nitron Suspension have been designing, growing and manufacturing suspension from their Oxfordshire HQ within the United Kingdom. Under the steerage of firm founder and CEO Guy Evans, they produce efficiency suspension elements for each road and race functions. Today together with an in depth bike suspension catalog Nitron supply a complete vary (4000+ components) for all method of automotive functions. The Nitron group of workers is made up of skilled engineers, a lot of whom have private racing expertise they usually apply their very own learnings on the monitor to the merchandise they design.
Nitron develops its merchandise using the most recent 3D CAD modeling strategies, state-of-the-art Dynomometers and 5-Axis CNC machines. Their merchandise is machined from billet aluminum, charged utilizing Nitron fuel, and are constructed totally by hand. All of Nitron’s merchandise are additionally totally serviceable which suggests prospects can take pleasure in a lifetime of use from their merchandise.
“Nitron aims to provide the highest quality motorcycle suspension through a combination of innovation, uncompromising quality and attention to detail.” – Nitron Suspension
Along with a devoted give attention to producing high-performance suspension, Nitron pays particular consideration to the design and look of its merchandise. Nitron suspension is recognizable by the model’s hanging trademark blue color which is utilized to their product’s springs. They do nonetheless supply black variations for patrons wanting one thing extra subdued.
Choosing the best bike suspension
Most of the highest suspension manufacturers supply prospects a variety of various choices designed to go well with totally different functions. Niton Suspension isn’t any totally different. For the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe, I had the selection of three totally different shocks. These included the NTR R1, the corporate’s greatest promoting road driving resolution, the NTR R2, a premium shock for track-days and spirited street driving and the prime quality NTR R3 designed particularly for riders searching for the best stage of adjustability and efficiency. I opted for the center of the vary NTR R2.
The Nitron NTR R2 is a monoshock spring that utilizes a remote reservoir that permits fast tool-free adjustment. The R2 within the shock’s title pertains to the variety of kinds of changes that may be carried out on the unit. In this case, it permits spring preload adjustment (utilizing an included instrument) and compression and rebound damping utilizing the distant reservoir.
When buying a model-specific shock it might additionally include a bracket for mounting the reservoir in a predefined location. In the case of the Z900RS, the included bracket permits the reservoir to be mounted off the pillion footrest mount.
The Nitron Suspension Ordering Process
I ordered my Z900RS Nitron shock from their Australian distributor Suspension R Us. Suspension R US is the largest importer of suspension in Australia and supply a variety of manufacturers together with Nitron. After contacting them I mentioned my wants with managing director Izzy Dafni. He agreed that the NTR R2 was the best utility for my driving wants. Izzy himself is a race veteran who has supported native and nationwide racers for some 20 years and has a wealth of suspension information.
After deciding on the Nitron NTR R2 I offered some fundamental details about myself and my driving. This included my weight in full driving gear, my driving practices (road vs monitor) and the way typically I carried a pillion. Izzy then used this data to pre-tune my shock earlier than it was shipped. This removes any want for having to try to discover the suitable setting your self.
When the Nitron NTR R2 shock arrived I used to be blown away by the standard of the unit. All of the person elements are completed to exacting requirements. Sitting beside the inventory Kawasaki shock made the OEM merchandise look positively low-cost. The NTR R2 additionally weighs 500 grams lower than the inventory shock regardless of the addition of the distant reservoir and any weight saving is all the time welcome.
Installing the Nitron NTR R2 rear shock
With a little bit of widespread sense, the best instruments and an consideration to element you’ll be able to safely carry out most modifications or fundamental servicing duties in your bike your self. If, nonetheless, you don’t really feel snug with modifying your bike take it to a good workshop. I love to do this stuff myself. So and not using a minute’s hesitation, I jumped straight into the set up of the NTR R2.
The most difficult job of this specific modification is that you just want the rear wheel off the bottom and the swingarm have to be free to maneuver. This means no paddock stands. If you’ve got a center stand it shouldn’t be a problem. If you don’t you’ll want to carry a stand that may assist the load of your bike. For the purpose of this set up, I made my very own stand that sat beneath the sump of the engine. I additionally secured the entrance wheel so there was no likelihood of the bike transferring whereas I labored on it.
With the wheel up you’ll be able to undo the two bolts holding the mono-shock in place. It’s a little bit of a decent squeeze attending to the bolt on the prime of the shock so that you’ll want an extension in your socket wrench. To take away the highest bolt you’ll additionally have to carry the rear wheel to take strain off the bolt. This will take the strain off the shaft of the bolt so it may be pulled out. Once that’s accomplished the rear wheel will drop and you may take away the decrease bolt. I additionally eliminated the best aspect passenger peg bracket since that is the place the distant reservoir bracket was to be moiunted.
See additionally
Fitting the Nitron NTR R2 was merely a matter of bolting it in place the inventory shock beforehand sat. The solely factor to contemplate throughout this step is how the hose for the distant reservoir ought to be routed. Nitron makes use of a specifically designed Bi-Axis becoming on the hose. This allows 360 levels of motion the place the hose attaches to the physique of the shock. This ingenious design makes working with the cable very simple.
Once your Nitron NTR R2 is sitting in place you’ll be able to torque each bolts to the manufacturing facility settings. You then connect the remote reservoir to the included mounting bracket and fasten the bracket between the passenger footpeg bracket and the body. Lower the bike down and push down on the seat a number of occasions to verify that it is performing correctly and that the cable just isn’t being pinched by something.
Lastly double-check every little thing is mounted accurately and also you’re good to go. It can also be a good suggestion to verify the bolts once more after your first trip simply to verify every little thing continues to be sitting because it ought to.
How it rides – Nitron NTR R2 Verdict
I’d like to inform you that the distinction between the Z900RS rear shock inventory and the NTR R2 is so huge it’s like evaluating apples to oranges, however I can’t. If I used to be a monitor day junkie maybe the variations can be extra apparent, however in actuality, I’m extra of a road rider. So for me, since there may be an apparent enchancment, it hasn’t reworked the bike into one totally different thing. This is as a result of the mono-shock inventory that Kawasaki used on the Z900RS isn’t all that unhealthy. But in saying that it’s the refined enhancements that made this mission and the expense worthwhile.
Gone are the occasional harsh jolts within the rear. Now after I cross over a very bumpy part of street the entrance finish is the place I really feel essentially the most bumps. The rear additionally feels very properly planted in corners which makes me really feel like a greater rider. As for adjusting the shock, I haven’t performed with it but. The present settings that Suspension R Us utilized are certainly ideally suited for me. The solely time I foresee myself messing with it will be if I used to be carrying a pillion or a bunch of tenting gear on an extended journey, however till then I’m very happy with the way it’s set.
Along with the advantages the NTR R2 has added to my Zed it additionally appears to be like nice. The Nitron blue compliments the gray scheme of my bike and it will get plenty of feedback. One day it’s doubtless I’ll fork out the additional {dollars} for a Nitron entrance finish improve too, however for now, my backbone will bask within the silky smoothness of my new rear shock.
NITRON SUSPENSION | SUSPENSION R US
