Making your Hawk better: Ohlins Shocks
09-07-2004 | 12:05 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Making your Hawk better: Ohlins Shocks
Do you have an Ohlins rear shock on your bike?
I've researched the web and find lots of people recommending them, but virtually no one who actually has one on their bike. I've got one on order, along with the Racetech Goldvalves, and I'll post the results in a couple of weeks when I get them installed.
Until then I'm looking for someone to say, "I know it's a lot of money but once you ride your bike you'll know that it was worth it."
I've researched the web and find lots of people recommending them, but virtually no one who actually has one on their bike. I've got one on order, along with the Racetech Goldvalves, and I'll post the results in a couple of weeks when I get them installed.
Until then I'm looking for someone to say, "I know it's a lot of money but once you ride your bike you'll know that it was worth it."
09-07-2004 | 02:29 PM
#2
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
Re: Making your Hawk better: Ohlins Shocks
I've got the Ohlins out back and the Racetech setup up front.
Regarding the Ohlins. Without a doubt the best purchase I have ever made for my bike. I in less than 10 seconds, I can change from Long Distance soft to Racetrack hard. The adjustments are nice and linear. (regardless of where you are in the adjustment "window" 1 click always equals the same amount of change in compression, preload or Rebound) My only beef with it is that it is not height adjustable. *pout* For the money, they should have made this unit height adjustable.
I'm NOT as happy with the Racetech fork work. "as delivered" from racetech the front forks were WAY off (soft). Following their "reccomendations" they were way to stiff for even the smoothest strech of pavement. It's taken me nearly 750 miles to "adjust" them to the way I like them. When I go to the RaceTrack in October, I'm sure I'm going to end up wasting half a day dialing them in. The Race Tech adjustments are NOT linear. (sometimes 2 turns = next to no effect, sometimes .25 of a turn= a HUGE change, it all depends on how far "out" or "in" you are on the adjuster The closer in, the bigger effect for a small adjustment)
Don't get me wrong, the racetech fork is a big improvement on the stock fork now that I've got it adjusted right, but for the Money that Racetech charges, they should be able to deliver the forks back to you with a setup that is at least somewhere CLOSE to what you requested. Just keep this in mind when you first put them on, if they are not what you "wanted" at first. They take a lot of "fiddling" with to get dialed in.
Regarding the Ohlins. Without a doubt the best purchase I have ever made for my bike. I in less than 10 seconds, I can change from Long Distance soft to Racetrack hard. The adjustments are nice and linear. (regardless of where you are in the adjustment "window" 1 click always equals the same amount of change in compression, preload or Rebound) My only beef with it is that it is not height adjustable. *pout* For the money, they should have made this unit height adjustable.
I'm NOT as happy with the Racetech fork work. "as delivered" from racetech the front forks were WAY off (soft). Following their "reccomendations" they were way to stiff for even the smoothest strech of pavement. It's taken me nearly 750 miles to "adjust" them to the way I like them. When I go to the RaceTrack in October, I'm sure I'm going to end up wasting half a day dialing them in. The Race Tech adjustments are NOT linear. (sometimes 2 turns = next to no effect, sometimes .25 of a turn= a HUGE change, it all depends on how far "out" or "in" you are on the adjuster The closer in, the bigger effect for a small adjustment)
Don't get me wrong, the racetech fork is a big improvement on the stock fork now that I've got it adjusted right, but for the Money that Racetech charges, they should be able to deliver the forks back to you with a setup that is at least somewhere CLOSE to what you requested. Just keep this in mind when you first put them on, if they are not what you "wanted" at first. They take a lot of "fiddling" with to get dialed in.
09-07-2004 | 02:57 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Making your Hawk better: Ohlins Shocks
Thanks for your reply.
I bought some high end suspension for my R1150GS. (Bitubos.) I love the end result but I've come to two conclusions.
1. Setting suspension is like math or jazz. Either you "get it", or you don't. I don't. I listen as the tech guy explains sag and rebound and he might as well be talking French.
2. For me, a good mechanic is critical.
I've got my GS set so that it's pretty good for most conditions. Do you adjust yours frequently?
I bought some high end suspension for my R1150GS. (Bitubos.) I love the end result but I've come to two conclusions.
1. Setting suspension is like math or jazz. Either you "get it", or you don't. I don't. I listen as the tech guy explains sag and rebound and he might as well be talking French.
2. For me, a good mechanic is critical.
I've got my GS set so that it's pretty good for most conditions. Do you adjust yours frequently?
09-07-2004 | 06:06 PM
#4
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
Re: Making your Hawk better: Ohlins Shocks
Now that i've got it set for "street use", no, I don't mess with it. I'm sure I'll have to mess with it when I go to the racetrack, as the "street" settings Use are on the "cushy" side. I do have my settings written down though, so it will be easy for me to get "back" to this setup with minimal fuss.
Once I get the "track" setup figured out, I'll write that down too, that way I'll be set for any conditions.
You're right, that suspension setup is like "math"...either you get it or you don't, but ANYONE can be taught math, just like anyone can learn suspension setup. It just has to be explained to you in a way that you understand/learn best. If you're a "visual" person, unless you SEE someone make the changes, and SEE the difference in the setup, no ammount of "turn **** A 3 time counterclockwise" is going to make sense to you. Conversely, if you're a "feel" kinda guy, you'll have to do your own fiddling, making major and minor adjustments and "feeling" the difference to figure out what each adjustment does (only make one change at a time). Or you might be neither of the above, and need empirical data (charts, graphs and spec pages), or some other option I've not mentioned.
The truth is ANYONE can learn ANYTHING, it's just a matter of finding the way that they learn best, and tailoring the course material/subject for the way that person learns best. Don't get down on yourself or feel that you "can't" or "won't" get suspension tuning. You can. You just have to find the way that makes learning make sense to you!
Once I get the "track" setup figured out, I'll write that down too, that way I'll be set for any conditions.
You're right, that suspension setup is like "math"...either you get it or you don't, but ANYONE can be taught math, just like anyone can learn suspension setup. It just has to be explained to you in a way that you understand/learn best. If you're a "visual" person, unless you SEE someone make the changes, and SEE the difference in the setup, no ammount of "turn **** A 3 time counterclockwise" is going to make sense to you. Conversely, if you're a "feel" kinda guy, you'll have to do your own fiddling, making major and minor adjustments and "feeling" the difference to figure out what each adjustment does (only make one change at a time). Or you might be neither of the above, and need empirical data (charts, graphs and spec pages), or some other option I've not mentioned.
The truth is ANYONE can learn ANYTHING, it's just a matter of finding the way that they learn best, and tailoring the course material/subject for the way that person learns best. Don't get down on yourself or feel that you "can't" or "won't" get suspension tuning. You can. You just have to find the way that makes learning make sense to you!
09-08-2004 | 02:47 PM
#5
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 409
From: Southeast PA
I have a fox shock on the rear (Ohlins..$$$) and it made a world of difference right from the start. In my opinion, its probably the single best upgrade you can do to the hawk, although it needs many others as well.
If your just doing street riding, just take the bike to a competent mechanic to help you set it up. Once your there, forget about it. If you want to learn what does what, write down all your settings, then change one thing at a time and ride it. Then you can tell if you like more damping, more rebound, etc. Just don't forget to write down your "baseline" so you know where you started from.
If your just doing street riding, just take the bike to a competent mechanic to help you set it up. Once your there, forget about it. If you want to learn what does what, write down all your settings, then change one thing at a time and ride it. Then you can tell if you like more damping, more rebound, etc. Just don't forget to write down your "baseline" so you know where you started from.
09-08-2004 | 03:22 PM
#7
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 409
From: Southeast PA
Well lets see
1. Suspension too soft up front
2. Suspension - no adjustments in the rear
3. Brakes - fronts are super mushy at stock set-up, back is about the same
4. Seat - although I don't like the corbins because the piping digs into your *** when you are hanging off.
5. Gearbox - shifting tends to be notchy
6. Mirrors - are useless unless you like looking at your elbows.
Thats all I can think of at the moment.
Other then those things, I love my hawk. You just have to spend some money to get it to where it should be coming off the showroom floor.
My list of mods is way too long to go into, besides my tastes are not for everyone.
1. Suspension too soft up front
2. Suspension - no adjustments in the rear
3. Brakes - fronts are super mushy at stock set-up, back is about the same
4. Seat - although I don't like the corbins because the piping digs into your *** when you are hanging off.
5. Gearbox - shifting tends to be notchy
6. Mirrors - are useless unless you like looking at your elbows.
Thats all I can think of at the moment.
Other then those things, I love my hawk. You just have to spend some money to get it to where it should be coming off the showroom floor.
My list of mods is way too long to go into, besides my tastes are not for everyone.
09-08-2004 | 03:38 PM
#8
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
Re: Making your Hawk better: Ohlins Shocks
I agree with all of those points, other than, I don't have a problem with the corbin seat, but I don't "hang off" much.
Other beef's...
Ground Clearance (rearset foot pegs, high mount exhaust)
Fuel Mileage (not much you can do, other than make sure it's in top shape/tune up/TPS mod)
Short riding range due to small tank (see my other thread as I attempt to build my own 6+ gallon tank)
Some have had problems with overheating, but it doesn't appear to be endemic. Ditto with regulator/recifiers, mine just went (17.6V is NOT good for your bike's electrical system, but it sure makes your headlight BRIGHT!!!!).
Other beef's...
Ground Clearance (rearset foot pegs, high mount exhaust)
Fuel Mileage (not much you can do, other than make sure it's in top shape/tune up/TPS mod)
Short riding range due to small tank (see my other thread as I attempt to build my own 6+ gallon tank)
Some have had problems with overheating, but it doesn't appear to be endemic. Ditto with regulator/recifiers, mine just went (17.6V is NOT good for your bike's electrical system, but it sure makes your headlight BRIGHT!!!!).
09-08-2004 | 03:47 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
I think I'm addressing all of the problems that can be fixed. (Or in my case, the ones that I find to really be a problem. I can live with a lot of the little stuff. The Hawk is my second bike.)
Last night it made a grinding noise that went away. Has anyone had problems with the fan?
Last night it made a grinding noise that went away. Has anyone had problems with the fan?
09-09-2004 | 04:17 AM
#10
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
Re: Making your Hawk better: Ohlins Shocks
It's a good idea to check the fan every time you think of it (while the bike is off...keep all your fingers).
the front wheel can kick up rocks that can get wedged between the fan blades and the radiator or the fan shroud. Other than that, I've never heard of a fan dying.
I added some "PC" cooling fans to my right side radiator. They are small and move about 100 CFM each (I installed 3). they draw less than 1 amp each, and sure to seem to move a LOT of air when the bike is moving slow. Once you're up to speed, natural airmovement should take over.
I'm not too confident in the PC fans ability to last through incliment weather, so I'm just going to see how long they last. if they die in a month, I won't replace them.
the front wheel can kick up rocks that can get wedged between the fan blades and the radiator or the fan shroud. Other than that, I've never heard of a fan dying.
I added some "PC" cooling fans to my right side radiator. They are small and move about 100 CFM each (I installed 3). they draw less than 1 amp each, and sure to seem to move a LOT of air when the bike is moving slow. Once you're up to speed, natural airmovement should take over.
I'm not too confident in the PC fans ability to last through incliment weather, so I'm just going to see how long they last. if they die in a month, I won't replace them.
09-09-2004 | 07:02 AM
#11
Super Moderator
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 213
From: Deer Park, NY
Yeah, sounds like debris cought between the blade and the housing. I had the same problem and thought it "went away". What really happened is the fan eventually blew a fuse and stopped working 
. Did not realize until she started to overheat in traffic. Removed the rock, replaced the fuse and all was good 
. Did not realize until she started to overheat in traffic. Removed the rock, replaced the fuse and all was good
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Otto Man
General Discussion
6
03-04-2009 12:56 AM
CNI Dawg
Modifications - Cosmetic
15
12-16-2005 10:09 PM
