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[Le Z Turbo]

Hello,
I have a 2013 DS with the Fastace rear shock. The length of the shock is 275mm (10.83 inches) uncompressed.
Is the 2014 DS shock the same length ?
And what about the new 2015 one ?
Happy new year !!!
Laurent

[firepower]

Suggest contact zero and ask if they interchangeable.
If it is zero should offer it as an upgrade.

I did same to my SV650S used a shock out of a GSXR same length but lot less spring rate and fully adjustable.
different model/years had different spring rate so you choose depending on riders weight.
Kawasaki and Suzuki shocks were swap-able.

seeing a lot of SV owners here also I post the info. We should create same chart for Zero.


YEAR:MOTORCYCLE:LENGTH:SPRING RATE:CIRCUMFERENCE:DIAMETER

99-02 SV650 337mm 510#  250mm 80mm

96-99 GSXR750 356mm  375#   356 +6/-6 mm
97-00 GSXR600 356mm 375mm 375#             356 +6/-6 mm

03-04 SV650 330mm 430#  232mm 74mm
03-04 SV1000 330mm 400#  232mm 74mm

00-03 GSXR750 325mm 400#  285mm 91mm
01-03 GSXR600 325mm 325#  285mm 91mm
01-02 GSXR1000 329.5mm 430#

04 GSXR750 332.5mm 408#  285mm 91mm
04 GSXR600 332.5mm 425#  285mm 91mm
03-04 GSXR1000 332.5mm 480#  285mm 91mm
99-03 GSXR1300(Busa) 330mm 700#

04 ZX10R 338mm 540#
03-04 ZX6RR(636) 340mm 540#  257mm 82mm

GSXR shocks 00-01(black spring), 02(red spring), 03-04(yellow spring)

DogBones length and how much they raise the bike.
103 +4.8 mm (recommended for use with adj length shocks)
100 +12 mm (recommended for GSXR shock equipped bikes)
97 +19.2mm (recommended for racers who want ride ht)

[Doug S]

I just had the rear shock replaced on my 2014 SR a couple of weeks ago, under warranty. I asked the shop if the new Showa unit would fit on my bike (since I'm not looking forward to replacing the FastAce unit every 9000 miles if the first cycle was any indicator), and they said they'd ask the factory, which apparently replied that it wouldn't fit....didn't say why though.

I'm guessing I'll go through the exercise again in another 9000 miles or so, perhaps not under warranty next time, so if anybody's figured out a good aftermarket alternative, I'd be very happy to hear about it.

[Le Z Turbo]

I'm asking the length question because I've been testing several shocks on my 2013 DS
The stock shock is 275mm with 75mm travel. And it's sized not for a motorcycle but for a mountain bike !!!
I had good luke with a 280mm DNM shock with remote piggy back. It really changes the bike ! I used several spring, the travel is small (55mm) and I was good with a 1000 spring.
I had bad luck with a 275mm DNM because in that case the spring is too close from the upper eyelet of the shock and it simply won't fit on the tiny frame upper space !
Bad luck also with the FOX Float MXR designed for pit bike: even with the max air pressure allowed the shock is too soft !

And now I have a Penske Rear shock specially design for the DS with my weight (800 spring). But it's 290mm length. Bought it at hollywood electric, not installed yet
The 290mm bother me, I hope it's not made for a 2014 DS. That's why I'm asking for the 2014 rear shock length to see if there is no mistake

Here a little picture of all the shocks, the original is still on my bike !

So anyone with the shock length on 2014 and 2015 DS ? Happy 2015 for you all !!!

[JefRo]

I am following your findings with great interest. I, too, have been on a quest to find a suitable rear shock option for the '13 DS. It is a shame that a good frame should suffer such a liability of poor suspension both front and rear. The bike should not have a "DS" nomenclature with such poor suspension that was meant for a "pit bike".

I applaud you for trying out several shock versions and I was hoping that the Penske shock would be the one. I think that a major hurdle to overcome would be the tight clearance between the shock spring (body) and the front of the controller chassis. A suitable shock would have a larger diameter spring which would preclude its use because of this tight clearance. The top and lower mounting configurations could likely be modified on many shock offerings which would increase the possibilities available.

It would be good to know the required spring rate of a suitable shock. The stock shock would always bottom out in moderate dips despite my 220 pound weight with the correct preload settings. This should be expected from a "pit bike" shock.

Thanks again for your findings.

[ultrarnr]

Doug S,

I checked with my dealer and the rear shock on the 2015 SR will not fit on a 2014 SR. Guess the mounts or something are different. Hollywood Electrics can get a custom Penske shock for $1200.00. Pricy but will probably  end up getting it. Have pulled off the road a few times thinking I had a flat tire based on how the bike was handling only to find the tire was fine. I had the same kind of problems with my V-Strom before I upgraded the suspension on that. I have played with the adjustability on my rear shock and it doesn't seem to make much difference.

[Richard230]

Doug S,

I checked with my dealer and the rear shock on the 2015 SR will not fit on a 2014 SR. Guess the mounts or something are different. Hollywood Electrics can get a custom Penske shock for $1200.00. Pricy but will probably  end up getting it. Have pulled off the road a few times thinking I had a flat tire based on how the bike was handling only to find the tire was fine. I had the same kind of problems with my V-Strom before I upgraded the suspension on that. I have played with the adjustability on my rear shock and it doesn't seem to make much difference.

Once you spend $1200 to fix the Fast Ace rear shock, what do you plan to do about the Fast Ace front forks?  In my opinion they work just about as well as the rear shock and match it perfectly.  Both ends seem to have a lot of static seal friction, are "springy" with little rebound damping and if the damping adjusters actually do anything I haven't noticed.     But at least my 43mm Fast Ace forks are not leaking oil and are an improvement over the 2012 Fast Ace suspension.    

I would love to have waited for a 2015 model, if I knew what improvements were going to be made to the brakes and suspension.  But if I knew that, I would have told everyone on the internet and everyone else would have waited until next year to buy a 2015 model, too.     Oh well, such is (new motorcycle buying) life.   

[Doug S]

Once you spend $1200 to fix the Fast Ace rear shock, what do you plan to do about the Fast Ace front forks?

My answer is nothing, until they fail. I was okay with the performance (not great but acceptable), I just don't want them failing every 9000 miles.

[firepower]

Hopefully the new Shows rear shock is similar used by other Japanese makes. That be why not swappable with fastace. Recommend taking your fastace to large motorcycle wrecker and see what other shocks same length, mount, size.

[Le Z Turbo]

It would be good to know the required spring rate of a suitable shock.

I've been trying also several springs on the original shock. I used DNM springs which are a little bigger. I'm using a 800 spring, plastic plumbing to center the bigger spring on the Fastace shock and a DNM top spring retainer.

[Le Z Turbo]

I'm also using plomber teflon coated tape to cure the play in the upper and lower bushes:

[Le Z Turbo]

Once you spend $1200 to fix the Fast Ace rear shock, what do you plan to do about the Fast Ace front forks?  In my opinion they work just about as well as the rear shock and match it perfectly

I'm doing too (well 3 in fact, see further down) things for the fork:

First switch to 10W oil (I've tried 15W and it's too hard dumped)

[Le Z Turbo]

And second thing: I've made a spring preloader with copper plomber tubings for the preloader itself and platic plomber tube for a little part that will maintain the spring inline with the preloader
The length of the preloader is limited 'cause you still have to get a wrench to tight back the upper part of the fork with the rebound knob

Third: I have ordered new tuned cartridges and spring from Hollywood Electric. Not yet on my bike !

[morimaxx]

How difficult is it to change oil on 2013 Fastace forks?

[NEW2elec]

Hi guys just got a 2013 DS and after the joy of the electric feel died down now I feel the shocks or lack there of.  I'm new to riding period but have been researching these bikes for a while now.  Just a thought, I was looking at the specs on the new Ducati Scrambler and it is a 410 pound (wet) bike with a Kayaba rear. Didn't know if that could work on the DS and I can't seem to find much more info on the Kayaba sizing. I thought I would post the idea and see if anyone with more experience  had any thoughts.