2 technical questions

[shigidar]

1) on the MT09, after how many km, did you replaced the front brake pads? and are there any good aftermarket pads?

2) Let's say that you can do suspension upgrades only to one end of the motorcycle on the MT09, which one would you modify? Only the front or only the rear and why ?

Thank you for your input guys and girls

 

[motorcycleboy]

1) on the MT09, after how many km, did you replaced the front brake pads? and are there any good aftermarket pads?

2) Let's say that you can do suspension upgrades only to one end of the motorcycle on the MT09, which one would you modify? Only the front or only the rear and why ?

Thank you for your input guys and girls

1) I'm on 23.500km still on stock pads. Seems that the rear may be changed with genuine at next oil change (25.000km), the front has had about the half wear so are OK for the winter.
The best is to do pads and fluids changes together so you can check the pad's wear visually on the botlles as the fluid goes down... when it reaches "low" then it's time for change.
2) Difficult question... it depends from your body weight. For example, for me who i'm now 68kg (150lbs) the stock front springs were colapse even on my weight, but the rear it was worst with preload in 5 and better with preload in 4..
So, if you are a "heavy" guy you may need to update the front mostly.. The front linear spings (90kg/cm) of Ohlins that i have in my front are very stiff even with no preload (7 rings showing) fork oil Denicol sae5 400cc in each leg... rebound fully in half turn out. Standard sprins are 75kg/cm (in mine were at 73,5kg when changed at 16.000km) suspension specialist told me that they are for Enduro bikes and that road bikes equipped with stiffer springs from 80kg/cm - 110kg/cm.
Rear the ZX10R '10 shock suits to my body weight with preload at 168mm (springs height) but its close to its limit.. a cheap option is to put Ohlins Spring (90kg/cm) for 70 euros but i don't find any reason to do it as i really use all the crown of my rear PR4 left side turning and let just 1mm of not used tyre on right side turning.. So i'm very happy and satisfied but if i was heavier the stock rear shock may would be better..
In conclusion, if you are not heavier than 72kg, theres not any need to change anything except to play with sae andthe ammount of the fork oil..
KiDa

 

[shigidar]

it is strange that your rear brake pads wear faster than the front

 

[stevecbr]

Mines done 13000 miles and pads are fine both front and rear. As for pads, I'd get something cheap (but a name I have heard off) from Ebay, Gold fren, EBC, SBS etc when I need to replace

As for suspension, I'm happy with mine as it is, but if I was to change I would change the rear suspension unit first, and probably go for Ohlins. The rear suspension looks cheap and is basic, a decent shock will both look loads better, perform better and last longer.

 

[motorcycleboy]

it is strange that your rear brake pads wear faster than the front

Sometimes when i''m wheeling or i need to close my lane during turning, i'm using the rear brake, so this is the reason..

 

[ToastedBlue]

15k miles so far on original fronts and still look good, now on 3rd set of rears and my rear rotar (disc) is scored badly

 

[carsicchris]

Brake pads

Look, its your brakes, your life , why skimp on pads get the best , Brembo or EBC, and 15000 mls on same front pads they have got to be glazed by now . 3 sets of rears your not Miss Daisey by any chance ?

 

[Fichtenelch]

Speaking of suspension, i was personally impressed when i changed the rear shock for a zx10r damper. This changed the motorcycle entirely. However, i then noticed even more how bad the front was.
so, i changed the front to 2 r/h cartridges, and boom! there was my new motorcycle with a great suspension! (all together paid...200€, did all the work myself)

 

[carsicchris]

Sounds perfect, what year zx10 damper, if you don't mind me asking, sounds like my next job.

 

[motorcycleboy]

Sounds perfect, what year zx10 damper, if you don't mind me asking, sounds like my next job.

ZX10R 2008-2010 models.. look at "ZX10 shock conversion" thread for pictures and more infos

 

[carsicchris]

Cheers mate.

 

[shigidar]

Thank you for the info
So the rear shock is the first thing to do with suspension.
Regarding the K"M for the front brake, i still waiting to hear from people.

 

[MT09 Kiwi]

Just completed my suspension mods, 2005 ZX10R shock, stock MT-09 spring fitted (heavier rate than the Kawa one), Suzuki bolt, bush and nut kit (saves drilling out the lower shock mount), preload set at max preload setting on stock shock (in terms of spring length), 2.5 turns from min rebound, 2.0 turns from min comp, rear end about 20mm higher (340mm zx10r shock, 330mm stock), sag 30mm sitting on it. Up front fitted another r/h cartridge to the left side (second hand unit, the stock l/h unit is an empty blank which does nothing), 0.95 sonic springs, 7.5w fork oil, preload 5 rings from top, rebound set at 1.5 turns out from max, sag 30mm sitting on it. Im 115kg. The turn in is neutral (neither counter or positive steering required), brake deep into turns on the side of the tyre, rear end is planted and trustworthy, rocking horse motion eliminated, perfectly planted on the road. Next upgrade is HH EBC front pads (don't think braided line are even needed on the road, and once the stock tyres are worn out, probably going for super corsa's front and rear. The HH pads will give a bit more bite, the suspension changes have allowed me to use the front brakes properly and I now notice the lack of initial bite. Happy man