02-03 Forks Raised 5mm in Clamps? or More?

Hey Gang, (02-03 Community) I just raised my forks up by 5mm in the triple trees. It seems to have helped the bike stear a little quicker and with less effort. I'm wondering how many of you have gone further then 5mm, and what your results have been thus far? Is it advisable to go any further without a steering dampner? Ive done searches on suspension, etc already...this is specifically a question to find out who has gone BEYOND 5mm and the results.... Thanks!

You can go more than 5mm. Everything is about compromise on changing your bike's geometry. You can also get the same effect by raising the rear as well. Test and see how you like it. You should have a steering damper as a saftety precaution.

I have 5mm showing since i switched the 60 series front tire to a 70 series and to a 55 series rear tire. I hope (at least I think) that I have restored the geometry back to normal with this route.

soiunds like a lot of changes. You should try to keep a separate database for each different tire/size you use and not try to get back to the stock settings.

You can go more than 5mm. Everything is about compromise on changing your bike's geometry. You can also get the same effect by raising the rear as well. Test and see how you like it. You should have a steering damper as a saftety precaution. Kangaroo, Thanks for the input. I'm mainly doing this to compensate for lack of rear ride height adjustment. At some point I'll afford an aftermarket rear shock with an adjustable ride height. But just to be clear...even the guys who have raised the rear a few mm, also drop the front atleast 5mm right? My next option might be to try a 190/55 rear to add a little bit of ride height in the rear. Another question. What's the average maintenance period for having your suspension fluids replaced? (Mileage or Time) Thanks!

Kangaroo, Thanks for the input. I'm mainly doing this to compensate for lack of rear ride height adjustment. At some point I'll afford an aftermarket rear shock with an adjustable ride height. But just to be clear...even the guys who have raised the rear a few mm, also drop the front atleast 5mm right? My next option might be to try a 190/55 rear to add a little bit of ride height in the rear. Another question. What's the average maintenance period for having your suspension fluids replaced? (Mileage or Time) Thanks! If you're going from a 190/50 to a 190/55 rear, you're increasing the rear by 9.5mm. If you then drop the triples another 5mm at the front, that is a drastic geometry change. This will literally cause your bike to fall into turns and also some high speed weaving on the front tire. Before making changes to the front, settle the rear first in terms of sag, compression and rebound. Then fine tune the front.

just gotta watch the Fender clearance.

If you're going from a 190/50 to a 190/55 rear, you're increasing the rear by 9.5mm. If you then drop the triples another 5mm at the front, that is a drastic geometry change. This will literally cause your bike to fall into turns and also some high speed weaving on the front tire. Before making changes to the front, settle the rear first in terms of sag, compression and rebound. Then fine tune the front. When you say "another 5mm" do you mean 10mm total or the orginal 5mm change I made mention of? So the final settings would be a 5mm Drop at the front forks, and a 190/55 tire at the rear. I've pretty much got the rear SAG set as it is. I could fine tune it a little better if I had a stiffer spring, but for what it has currently its the best compromise. I set the front and rear SAG as per the Traxxion Dynamics DVD Recommended values. The bike just runs a little wide (push) on initial turn in.

i got mine up 4mm, i havent been able to test it out yet:( stupid snow

i got mine up 4mm, i havent been able to test it out yet:( stupid snow Be sure to post up when you get a chance to try it out. I'm curious what everyone's experience is!

When you say "another 5mm" do you mean 10mm total or the orginal 5mm change I made mention of? So the final settings would be a 5mm Drop at the front forks, and a 190/55 tire at the rear. I've pretty much got the rear SAG set as it is. I could fine tune it a little better if I had a stiffer spring, but for what it has currently its the best compromise. I set the front and rear SAG as per the Traxxion Dynamics DVD Recommended values. The bike just runs a little wide (push) on initial turn in. the original 5mm mentioned in the beginning. Is the turn a slow or a fast turn? Or basically in general there is a resistance to turn? Are you on the brakes hard or moderate? If the bike generally resists turning, it could be the preload and compression on the REAR causing it. Try stiffening up the rear first then. I'm guessing a fast turn as you already mention that the rear is sorted. On a fast turn momentum tends to keep the front from wanting to turn. Also it tends to make the front vague as you're starting to countersteer which doesn't help either. So if the front is pushing as you're trying to turn in, it could be the compression and preload are too hard also. If the compression and rebound plus preload are set as good as its gonna get then go and drop the triples. For every 2 or 3mm you will need to go through the setup all over again from rear to front before dropping the triples further.

I have in text the designer of the 02-03 R1 stating you can drop the triple up to 15mm. This was in comment of our bikes not have a ride height adjustment faculty. I myself wouldnt do this. An adjustable shock, AND dropping the triples is prudent. Mine I have down 6 mm, but this is with fresh rubber. I adjust it slightly as tires wear. Bike clearance becomes an issue if you dump the triple to much...

I set my bike up to run the stock ride height in the rear with a 190/50 with the penske rear shock. Then when I went to the 190/55 i dropped the front forks in the tripples so that the top of the fork tubes are flush with the tripple. If I didn't have these set here I got ugly head shake under acceleration. with dropping the forks and adjusting rebound I was able to eliminate this. To drop the forks anymore or raise the ride height at all I will have to buy an aftermarket tripple. I love the way my bike handles the way it is. It likes to fall into the corners and holds real well.

good advice

i dont mean to threadjack at all but i just got my bike and only one side of the forks has shims above the triple clamp( i think 4 or 5 of them) and the left side has none. the bike has a full Lindemann Engineering racing suspension. any input is appreciated.