Kyle Racing Shock Link for Superhawk
07-23-2007, 06:08 PM
#1
Dirty Bird
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 36
Kyle Racing Shock Link for Superhawk
After reading the latest string about suspension settings for the 'Hawk, I too was looking for a lower cost alternative to an aftermarket shock. Kyle Racing makes a shock link for the RC51 and other Honda CBR models that increases rear end height and improves suspension compliance. According to Motor Cyclist mag, this link made the single biggest improvement to the handling of their long term RC.
With this in mind I called Kyle Racing to ask if they would produce this link for the Superhawk to which they immediately said no. I believe this was a knee jerk response given without due consideration to real world market analysis. In the years Superhawks were produced, Honda went through several significant model changes for their CBR line and one for their RC51, but nothing significant for the Superhawk. If Kyle was to compare the sales history of the Superhawk/Firestorm vs the entire CBR line, over the years the SH was in production I'd be curious to know what the potential sales opportunity would be for Kyle Racing.
Has the Superhawk Forum community ever petitioned a manufacturer to produce a specific aftermarket part for the bike? Would you guys be interested in creating a petition or in some way showing Kyle Racing legitamate interest in producing their shock link for the SH? Does an easier solution already exist? Thoughts guys?
With this in mind I called Kyle Racing to ask if they would produce this link for the Superhawk to which they immediately said no. I believe this was a knee jerk response given without due consideration to real world market analysis. In the years Superhawks were produced, Honda went through several significant model changes for their CBR line and one for their RC51, but nothing significant for the Superhawk. If Kyle was to compare the sales history of the Superhawk/Firestorm vs the entire CBR line, over the years the SH was in production I'd be curious to know what the potential sales opportunity would be for Kyle Racing.
Has the Superhawk Forum community ever petitioned a manufacturer to produce a specific aftermarket part for the bike? Would you guys be interested in creating a petition or in some way showing Kyle Racing legitamate interest in producing their shock link for the SH? Does an easier solution already exist? Thoughts guys?
07-23-2007, 06:58 PM
#3
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 882
I did it the easy & cheap way....
Got 2 thick washers (each about 4mm thick), cut a slot just big enough for the upper shock mount, loosened the top shock nut enough to slide the washers between the shock & frame.
Raised the rear 8mm. There is enough threads to go even higher if you want.
You will have to lift the rear of the bike to relieve the pressure from the shock to slide the washers in.
Some people have made a 10mm aluminum spacer with a single hole to raise the rear. This requires removing the top of the shock from the frame. I chose the slotted washers because it was easier (no shock removal).
Once it is all tightened down the washers will not move.
It does make the bike 'turn in' faster.
More info here
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ead.php?t=5615
Hope this helps ya !
Got 2 thick washers (each about 4mm thick), cut a slot just big enough for the upper shock mount, loosened the top shock nut enough to slide the washers between the shock & frame.
Raised the rear 8mm. There is enough threads to go even higher if you want.
You will have to lift the rear of the bike to relieve the pressure from the shock to slide the washers in.
Some people have made a 10mm aluminum spacer with a single hole to raise the rear. This requires removing the top of the shock from the frame. I chose the slotted washers because it was easier (no shock removal).
Once it is all tightened down the washers will not move.
It does make the bike 'turn in' faster.
More info here
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ead.php?t=5615
Hope this helps ya !
07-23-2007, 08:30 PM
#4
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 277
I did 2 pieces (3mm each and get them thru ebay) spacer for my rear now and lower forks front both 12mm . But if comparo to my others Penske rear suspension also w/front lower: OEM rear shock like chalk and Penske like cheese.
07-24-2007, 08:52 AM
#5
ole dirty bastard
SuperSport
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: my house
Posts: 975
After reading the latest string about suspension settings for the 'Hawk, I too was looking for a lower cost alternative to an aftermarket shock. Kyle Racing makes a shock link for the RC51 and other Honda CBR models that increases rear end height and improves suspension compliance. According to Motor Cyclist mag, this link made the single biggest improvement to the handling of their long term RC.
With this in mind I called Kyle Racing to ask if they would produce this link for the Superhawk to which they immediately said no. I believe this was a knee jerk response given without due consideration to real world market analysis. In the years Superhawks were produced, Honda went through several significant model changes for their CBR line and one for their RC51, but nothing significant for the Superhawk. If Kyle was to compare the sales history of the Superhawk/Firestorm vs the entire CBR line, over the years the SH was in production I'd be curious to know what the potential sales opportunity would be for Kyle Racing.
Has the Superhawk Forum community ever petitioned a manufacturer to produce a specific aftermarket part for the bike? Would you guys be interested in creating a petition or in some way showing Kyle Racing legitamate interest in producing their shock link for the SH? Does an easier solution already exist? Thoughts guys?
With this in mind I called Kyle Racing to ask if they would produce this link for the Superhawk to which they immediately said no. I believe this was a knee jerk response given without due consideration to real world market analysis. In the years Superhawks were produced, Honda went through several significant model changes for their CBR line and one for their RC51, but nothing significant for the Superhawk. If Kyle was to compare the sales history of the Superhawk/Firestorm vs the entire CBR line, over the years the SH was in production I'd be curious to know what the potential sales opportunity would be for Kyle Racing.
Has the Superhawk Forum community ever petitioned a manufacturer to produce a specific aftermarket part for the bike? Would you guys be interested in creating a petition or in some way showing Kyle Racing legitamate interest in producing their shock link for the SH? Does an easier solution already exist? Thoughts guys?
for an rc51 swingarm swap.
maybe he could be contacted and persuaded to produce some.
07-24-2007, 06:15 PM
#6
Administrator
World Champion
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Fulton, MO
Posts: 105,287
Here's the problem with changing the linkage ratio - it also changes the rear suspension characteristics, generally to a more linear motion. I haven't done any research on this, but I'll bet you $20 the Superhawk linkage is progressive, which means that there is more shock travel as you go deeper into the stroke of the swingarm. See the below graph of 1000RR shock links. The stock link is more progressive, probably for two-up riding so the shock doesn't bottom. The '04-05 HRC part (which also happens to be very similar to the '06-07 stock link) is more linear. Now this is all fine and dandy to have a more linear curve, right? Should provide better damping characteristics and such as you go through the stroke, right? Nope! You have to revalve the shock to take advantage of the more linear characteristics of the linkage, maybe give it a bit more spring too!
07-26-2007, 06:41 PM
#7
Dirty Bird
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 36
I spoke w/ Dan Kyle myself and asked him if he'd be willing to do the development work. For Dan, he would need to sell a minimum of 50 racing shock links to justify the cost of development. If there's sufficient interest, the final retail price would be around $300.
He's never developed a racing link shock because few people have bought after market shocks from him for the 'Hawk; unlike the RC51 inwhich riders generally by BOTH the shock and racing shock linkage.
Dan's a good man, and in fact he's offering riders of the Superhawk Forum the Ohlins shock for $825 plus $15 for shipping in the U.S. He'll even have the shock set up for your weight, etc.
Well guys, what's on your mind, what would you be willing to pay for:
* a fully adjustable high end replacement shock, or
* a shock link that may bridge the gap between stock and a new Ohlins
He's never developed a racing link shock because few people have bought after market shocks from him for the 'Hawk; unlike the RC51 inwhich riders generally by BOTH the shock and racing shock linkage.
Dan's a good man, and in fact he's offering riders of the Superhawk Forum the Ohlins shock for $825 plus $15 for shipping in the U.S. He'll even have the shock set up for your weight, etc.
Well guys, what's on your mind, what would you be willing to pay for:
* a fully adjustable high end replacement shock, or
* a shock link that may bridge the gap between stock and a new Ohlins
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