Ohlins springs vs cartridge

If you didn't pick up the ttx yet, you get a pretty good discount buying them together (cartridge + shock).

There is a difference between the spring and 30mm kit, whether you can perceive that is another issue

 

Springs are springs... just coiled pieces of metal that compress at a given rate. That is only part of the equation.

The big difference is in the valving. Stock vs. Ohlins is night and day, if you take the time to buy what's right for YOU, and then set it up for YOU. It is not plug n' play like many people think.

Yes, Its expensive, but its also the best money you can spend on a bike. Better than exhaust, engine work, fancy carbon fiber or any other performance parts. Well, except for braided brake lines... those are important.

Get a hold of Joe at witchkraft racing, or Reuben at 35Motorsports. I know Joe was offering free installation recently. That is a savings there as well.

FWIW, I have a TTX/ 30mm combo on my R6, and it's far and away better than stock.

 

I would say that there is a difference, if you are racing and looking to get that extra feel, feedback to gain those 10ths then a well set up cartridge is a great way to find your way there. Although I heard a 25mil kit is better than the 30 (but every rider is different). I wouldn't just go with springs; I would at least do the springs and customized valving (20mil kit) and that will take you pretty far.

A buddy of mine has a 25mil kit and Penske on his bike and I have a TTX and Ohlins sprung/valves (super sport kit) front end on mine and I love the feel of both.

Then again, an AMA or top level racer can take a stock suspended bike and smoke most of us so....

 

If you are looking for a combo deal Superbikes Unlimited has a great deal on a combo. www.superbikeunlimited.com I recently had the suspension serviced and rebuilt on my 2009 R1 with great results. I run Racetech and they will build everything custom to your liking even the color of the spring and shock. I was recently told by the tuner of my suspension that i would like or get the best results from the 25 mil kit. The Racetech stuff works great the faster you go. No matter what set up you go with a good tuner does wonders.
Try Racetech ( www.racetech.com ) if you want full custom suspension from the manufacturer for the same price or less as the Ohlins. And no im not knocking Ohlins just just giving options.

 

There is no comparison between springs and full cartridges. Reuben has several combos with discounts. http://35motorsports.com/suspension-packages.html

 

Your question indicates that you lack the most basic understanding of motorcycle suspension. That's OK, let me help.

Springs are springs. As a most basic explanation, they hold the bike up. Doesn't matter who made them. Ohlins springs do the same thing as stock ones, or Race Tech, or JRI, or whoever. A spring is a spring and brand name doesn't make one better than another. What matters is SPRING RATE. Lighter riders need less spring because their weight doesn't compress the suspension much and heavier riders need more because they almost bottom stock springs just by sitting on the bike. Other factors come into play when you get really, really fast, such as the terrain of the track. Don't worry about that part. Just get springs that are suitable for your weight.

Cartridges provide the hydraulic control of your suspension, expressed as "damping." Damping = control. Picture a basketball as an undamped spring. The only force that slows the basketball down is the gravity it faces on the up bounce. So you can drop a basketball and it will bounce a whole lot of times before it runs out of energy. Your springs would do that without "valving," which is the hydraulic trickery inside the fork cartridges and shock. Your stock forks have stock cartridges and inside them is stock valving. Ohlins cartridges have higher quality, more adjustable valving than what comes in the stock cartridges, offering much better damping control.

 

The improvement going from Ohlins springs to a Ohlins cartridge is going to be WAY bigger than the improvement going from stock springs to Ohlins springs.

If your buddy can't tell the difference between a Cartridge and springs, he definitely couldn't tell the difference between stock and Ohlins springs. Any improvement there would have just been in setup, or the improvement you get from servicing your suspension.

 

Yup. Don't just do the springs. If you are changing out the springs to suit your weight also at the very least get a valve kit etc. if you want to go to the next step then a custom cartridge (25 or 30 mil kit) is great too. And good quality fluids.

The stock forks on an R1 are pretty good, get the right spring and valve kit and it will do wonders. I notice the faster I go the more compliant the bike becomes.

 

I've been using the Ohlin's FPK(fork piston kit). At $260 a nice alternative to a full cartridge kit. Obviously proper springs and set-up are still required.

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=8751

 

^ that's what I have and love it. Most newer bikes have great forks from stock and good piston/valving and springs make huge differences for less $$

My previous R6s had a 30 mil kit and that was great too!! Decisions decisions!!

 

Excellent choice. Now if possible, try to get them from a tuner who will give you at-track support. Good suspension requires good steup to be worth what you pay, and few rides understand how to do this. A good suspension tuner is a priceless ally in getting maximum enjoyment from your bike.

(BTW, I reread my previous post. I sounded like a DICK! Sorry, that was not the intent! We all had to start learning from the beginning. No one is born knowing this stuff.) :sorry:

 

I was interested in this thread in hopes to learn a few things about suspension, but when I read your initial response - as to your second paragraph above - I kept quiet! Figuring I wouldn't get any insight unless it was accompanied with pissy, know-it-all opinions being knocked down because of not knowing. This wasn't my thread but thanks for renewing what I already knew - STT is not like other forums

I myself am deciding on a full out suspension upgrade or just a fork piston kit. Somewhere around here I've got a book from Racetech titled The Suspension Bible and I need to find it for some understanding.

 

It's what happens when you're trying to answer a question as you're running out the door.