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Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:53 pm
by Jackamory
Hi people!
I'm new to zxr400's and have recently bought an l5.. It's currently in pieces and I'm rebuilding it,
I've been searching for a shock for it non stop amoungst other things..
I've read about all these different shocks off of other bikes fitting it but I keep finding info contradicting the last info I read about certain shocks...
Can I please have some guidance and advice preferably with some detailed info and maybe pictures to help me come to a conclusion on which shock to buy for it?
I'm not looking at spending mega money one one and would rather have a standard shock from a different bike...
Someone help please?
Thanks, jack

Re: Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 10:21 am
by banner001
dont bother fitting another bikes standard shock, you will have no end of hassle getting one to fit as most have piggyback reservoirs now and that will facilitate moving your reg/rec and maybe battery box slightly.

the shocks on these bikes are bad as they are between 11 - 23 years old, why would you want to fit an old shock of someones thrashed 600...save up the money if you need to and buy a modern shock, prices start from about £300 and go up to about £600, after that you wont be able to tell the difference. as well as doing that factor in about £60 for new swingarm/linkage bearings and refresh your back end as a job lot.

TBH just stripping the linkages out, replacing the bearings and repacking with fresh grease will make the back end a million times better.

Re: Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 9:34 pm
by day01543
Hi ya bud,before splashing the cash is £300+.ask yourself this.what's my budget? Will I be able to set the" sag" up correctly? Do I ride the bike hard enough to even tell? And last of all is my bike worth spending that sort of dollar on? Let's face it there aren't many that can answer yes to all of those truthly.I've got a zx6r g/j (98-02) on mine that I purchased from a zxr400 god that swears by this upgrade.he's had over 230 zxr's.there are plenty about from low mileage bikes.no drilling required,fits straight in with only minor modification required.I might get slated from the die hard crowd but just ask this.what's up scared of a proper bike lads? No comparison for cc.until you've ridden a 12r or a blade.stop picking on the little people with little budgets.thought these forums are for help.not hindrance.

Re: Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:38 pm
by alanh
I had a gsxr shock on my old racebike, miles better than the standard shock and although it wasn't quite up to the job on the track it'll be ideal on a roadbike as it has plenty of adjustment. the zx6 shock would be the same i'd imagine and easier to fit.

Re: Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 11:01 am
by antares
Looked at using GSXR 626 shock but most guys find that they have to adjust it to the lightest setting as it is much stiffer than the ZXR shock. Thats fine if you weigh 11 stone plus but my daughter weighs two tenths of nothing so it outside her adjustment range.

Re: Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:56 am
by krystian579
I know this post is old but for anyone interested i just fitted a 95 ZX9R shock to my L5. Its the one with separate reservoir so there is no battery box modification needed. All you need to do is get a zx9r top mount and grind off a tiny bit to make it fit, and its all ready to go! raised the bike a bit which is perfect for me being 180cm, and handles much better.

Re: Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 3:50 pm
by Blaine zxr
So guys just wondering also what's a good shock to fit to my l5 the one atm is rock hard and sends my ass into air on bumps 😂 take into account I'm 10 and a half stone so a light shock perfably or one with good adjustments to suit

Re: Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:35 pm
by greenhowta
Has anyone ever used a YSS rear shock, I've located a new one on eBay at £235 for a ZXR400 L5. Can anyone recommend the YSS unit or otherwise, and are they a straight swap or are there further mods required ?

Re: Rear shock upgrades...

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:51 pm
by greenhowta
I bought a Nitron NTR-1 for my 1995 L5, it fits perfectly without any mods required. I use th ebike for track days and this shock made a hugh improvement to handling.