2 Clicks Out: Kawasaki Z900 Street Suspension Setup Intro

INTRO: full video here davemosstuning...
We hardly ever see Kawasaki Z900's; a rare Japanese bird, this one. We see grundles and grundles of Yamaha MT09's. We even see more Suzuki SV 650's than Z900's. There used to be another company called Honda, but they might be out of business now. This guy rode his Z900 a couple of hours to see Dave at a "nearby" track for tuning.

[@aaronc3389]

Had Dave tune my suspension on my 2020 Z900 and boy was it a world of difference. More confident in my ability to control the bike through every turn. Thanks Dave. I'll see you again when I get the fork oil changed out and possibly buy a k-Tech rear shock and have you tune it again.

[@TheBikerCrewUAE]

I ride a Z900 on the street! This is great info!

[@raykarpuska]

I tried the remote tuning on my z900 and Dave was really helpful, enjoying the bike and riding comfortably

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Thank you for sharing your positive experience! I am very grateful for your support.

[@m.damyanov]

How did you make the remote tuning ? I have Z900 2022 and want to set the suspension as it should be for me.

[@raykarpuska]

@@m.damyanov we did over zoom, I had my camera setup on a stand, so he can see it from distance and with my earbuds, i could hear it... It was great we looked over ergonomics of my siting and also the suspension was based on data that i have provided, sag numbers, turns clicks and tire wear. Recommending as after that i have improved my tire wear meaning suspension was touching the road instead of bounsing all over the place.. He sent an email with required info, then setup a call and go over it... done

[@bujabusiness]

It's cool to see people that are just incredibly good at something.

[@NiSE_Rafter]

I thought he was being rude on his phone at first but it looks like he might have actually been recording the interaction to review later

[@jsprite123]

Nah, he's still rude.

[@Hargitai20]

rude, he was more interested on his phone to show to friends than trully having the bike tuned correctly or learn something

[@SprintKing76]

As a new rider at 44 years of age, these videos have been instrumental in my learning process. I quickly realised that despite having bought a new ninja 650 (2020), the basically non adjustable settings was lacking. With the knowledge from this amazing channel i sort a recommended professional in my local area. After waiting 12 weeks for the parts to arrive I am excited to finally take my bike in Monday for an Ohlins fully adjustable suspension. I look forward to a much safer experience on the road. Thank you Dave.

[@TheStickyMud]

I am interested into your experience !! I have a 2012 ER-6F and the idea of a tunable suspension is making its way through :) I wish you a lot of pleasure with your torquey machine :D

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Thanks for taking the time to get into your 650 and get started on a better handling machine once the Ohlins are installed. Make sure fork bottom out is installed. and you have a cable tie on the right fork leg!

[@kz6fittycent]

One day, I want to meet Dave in person.

[@dansku6627]

Me too

[@marcusgeorge1825]

I third that! I’d pay heaps just for 1-2 hours!!! 👍😎

[@Gtknoob]

Finally z 900 lol... I m using 36 psi front and 40 psi rear .. almost same as the manual recommendation...love the video..

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Greatly appreciated!

[@singlespeedman]

Everything useful thing I know about suspension I learned from Dave.

[@Bryanj2222]

I used to think there was no way I could get the last quarter inch of my chicken strips safely on the street. This street king did it with a pogo stick. *salute*

[@daveh5625]

Thank you Dave.... from Dave, a new rider, a senior...

[@mei-tb6og]

These videos have been immensely helpful.

[@arliebright]

Thank you so much for all of your videos!. This is really important to know. When I eventually get to the track, I won't feel so woefully under-educated.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

You will be very impressed with what you have learned when you get to the track and apply it. Thank you for watching!

[@timbo_slice86]

Very helpful video. Thanks, Dave. 🤙🏼

[@outdoors-gs9td]

ive got a 2020 green frame. ive not road a bike in 30 years. lol i only owned dirt and borrowed a few street back in late 80s. lol this bike is so sweet and easy to ride just RESPECT your right hand! Road mode is awesome, im at 900 miles, just added slip on only,,, and cant imagine full sport mode! lol another bike,, dual on the way for off and street

[@TurboAcki]

Yes!!!! Thanks!!! I was waiting for this!

[@StarryNightSky587]

trackday setting was cold ~30ish/29ish for me on the dunlops (~98kg), but honestly other than in the absolute beginners group i would not ride the oem rubber, especially not in summer

[@sinkin1133]

very detail, thanks dave!

[@therionman52]

You're the man Dave!

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Glad you are enjoying the content to learn from it.

[@motoraki]

I rode a z900 I never touch the suspension since I bought it last year and the suspension right now makes me feel trading in to a different motorcycle

[@catalystreactionsbw]

I can help you with that and make the bike ride much better via my Remote Tuning service. You can email me for more information via [e-mail]

[@motoraki]

@@catalystreactionsbw I heard you’re coming to Fresno?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

@@motoraki October 21st to Clovis.

[@motoraki]

@@catalystreactionsbw I saw a post it is tomorrow

[@lifeontwo2292]

i can tell Dave love this shit.

[@radoslawnowicki2868]

Please do on yamaha mt09 2015

[@MotoEnLoCo]

If you're ever in the Denver area, I'll ride my Z900 out to you. Haven't adjusted the factory setup on my 2020 yet and would love to get it dialed in for me.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

That's why I designed and developed the Remote Tune process so you can do the adjustment with me in your own home.

[@kamleshchand5982]

I am coming for you Dave! Please expect the email response from me in a couple of days. Need that tuning before I hit the long roads soon!

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Understood - remote tuning awaits you!

[@cortneyholt]

I’m gonna have Dave tune my new bike soon as I buy it, can’t wait for my new naked bike, now what do I get, Japanese four or Italian Ducati ,mv dragster, or Aprilia or triumph or Kim, I like the zx900

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Sit on them all and see what is the most comfortable. If you go outside that mantra, do what it takes to get comfortable. Enjoy the sitting part!!!

[@smurik1]

Hi Dave Do I need to adjust suspension on my new 2022 Z900?

[@9feetfrog]

So if Dave go adjust for every riders bike then we will see a dramatic drop in second hand bike on the market

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Or slower to get to the market :)

[@wobblysauce]

Dave, the people love, but some manufacturers hate him :P

[@williambutler1955]

I’m here cause I was riding with my wife on the back of my 2020 z900 hit a bump and bottomed out. It’s about 50-50 riding alone and with my wife on the back. Do I need to keep changing these settings when I ride alone

[@catalystreactionsbw]

You should but there can be a middle ground between preload and rebound settings. Eg: 5 threads showing and rebound at 1 turn from maximum. That would be a starting point. The other part that gets forgotten is that cold pressures in the rear need to be much higher wwith a pillion.

[@williambutler1955]

@@catalystreactionsbw thank you. I played with the settings yesterday evening. Will be doing a first test run after work. The pre load was only set for me

[@aressimbamt0959]

you sure know what ypu are doing great guy

[@robzz9002]

The wavy line on the edge of the tyre (chicken strip), how did you smooth that out? Was it by making the rebound faster or slower?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Slower

[@robzz9002]

Dave Moss Tuning thanks, will give it a try. I’ve got a fully adjustable shock on my Z900 and while the edge of the line is fairly good, just wondering if I can smooth it out further. Will add a click of rebound and see what happens.

[@druegeme]

Me running to the garage checking my bikes.

[@AdryDoic]

Hey Dave im from Italy. i Have a New Z900 2020 ..they changed some things in suspensions to 2018 model and tyres are now Dunlop roadsport 2. my pressure. bar 2.3 front 2.5 rear. My tuning for SAG looks always like this formula taken from a German Guy : front static : 25-35mm front dynamic : 35-45mm rear static : 10-15mm rear dynamic : 25-40mm (sport 25-30mm) what is your opinion to this ? thank you. My weight is about 92kg.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Sounds very reasonable as numbers to total travel.

[@AdryDoic]

@@catalystreactionsbw thank you !

[@denchua]

What's the reason why you suggest to use the same tire pressure for both the front and back? The front tire usually slimmer than the back tire so there would be a difference, right? Even in stock form and in stock tires, the recommened tire pressure for that stock setup is different for the front and back. I'm sure this can be answered by experiementing and getting a feel of the ride but whats the logic for it to be the same?

[@NiSE_Rafter]

That's a good question I'm also curious about. I run different pressures on my mountain bicycle which has different sized tires and so do many other mountain bikers so I wonder why that concept wouldn't apply here. On my road bicycle I run matched psi because no suspension and equal sizing. I'm an engineering student but I can't really think of any reasons running matched pressures would be ideal, especially when it's mismatched when stock. I know stock isn't ever the optimal configuration but it's also never a horrible one, stock just does its job to function as best as possible for the majority of people out of the box within the bike's price constraints. I don't own a motorcycle to go out and test though since having a car is more valuable for practical reasons as a student. Owning both is possible but I just can't make it happen yet.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

I have no passenger, no load and via testing, I like the bump compliance when the rear is the same pressure as the front. The only exception has been the Pirelli Angel GT2 where I run 40 rear and 42 front cold.

[@mxjoaoo]

@@catalystreactionsbw Hi Dave, i have the Angel GT2 and weight 185lb, those settings still apply? I only commute.

[@denchua]

@@catalystreactionsbw So it's only a preference and experienced through testing? No strict mechanical reason?

[@lorenzogarcia9890]

I thought that only Z650 have a very soft front damping in stock form. 😢

[@catalystreactionsbw]

If you were to sample all bikes in the showroom per brand, you would be amazed how soft most forks are outside of sport bikes.

[@ButchoyFeliciano]

@3:03 omg that's new for me.

[@INDIANGAMER-pd8nw]

Hello, how are you doing sir?, I own the Kawasaki z800 2014 model... My weight is 49KGs and my height is 5feet 6inches, I'm barely find comfortable while resting my foot on floor/Road while I'm seating on motorcycle.. In short can you please help me out to make a bit lower or soft suspension for z800...? Please!

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Turn the fork preload adjusters counter clockwise until they stop, then go clockwise .5 of a turn. For the rear shock, make sure there are 3 threads showing above the upper lock ring. You can see what that means by looking at these OEM shocks: www.ebay.com/b/Motorcycle-Shocks-for-Kawasaki-Z800/178042/bn_7091517777

[@christianacebo5109]

Why do we need equal tire pressure rather than the recommended tire pressure?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

You do not need it - I am sharing my knowledge via decades of testing for you to consider options. I carry no passenger and no load, so why MUST it be higher? I prefer to ask the question, do the research and find what happens.

[@Jak0bIRL]

There are thousands of Z900 in Spain, its weird that are so few in US.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

How many are bouncing down the road with poor rebound settings? Sounds like I need to travel to Spain once Cvid is over!

[@Jak0bIRL]

@@catalystreactionsbw Please come to the south, I live in Jerez!

[@petr0rabbit]

so the front end can be acceptable with just a good setup? i've seen you saying the oil is too thin in the z900.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

As suggested, yes.

[@jpz9004]

I have a 2020 z900 and run it 32/32 psi all the time.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Thanks for sharing the pressures that you use!

[@TurboAcki]

Be careful with the Standard D214 "china dunlop" tyre! Aweful tyre! A littel bit cold and some rain, you have wheel spin... At 30°C the tyre works a littel bit, 28 or 32°C (ambient) not anymore... You fell the rear became unstable - or let better say, I will uncomfortable... You find a lot of riders which are happy with this tyre, and you will also find a lot of crashed bikes caused of the tyre, offen with a little slip because of the wet road... I have M7RR and I ride 2,5-2,7 bar cold (both) on the street., it way much much better. Even in the mountains with snow rain ab 10°C I have much more grip than with stock tyre in the summer.

[@MrPRIYANK94]

I really need someone to help me out tune my z900's suspension for street use It is stiff from the factory.. very stable, but stiff!

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Have you collated data from fork and shock travel to validate that claim or is that just an impression?

[@MrPRIYANK94]

@@catalystreactionsbw just what I've felt riding it so far. Really didn't want to mess up the suspension settings myself Will have to do some changes 😁

[@jampiserapah]

Dammit I live in Malaysia. There's no way I could get a proper suspension tutoring from Dave. Dave could you teach us how to properly adjust our suspension and handle reach, etc? I mean like a proper paid video. Because all motorcyclists around the world need this to really 'make the bike our own' like you said.

[@catalystreactionsbw]

That's what Remote Tuning was created for. You in the comfort of your own home with tools. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpymeKJ6n9mhg5Y

[@catalystreactionsbw]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ami8eGeadtyCf68

[@jampiserapah]

@@catalystreactionsbw Gosh, you and your team made this for free? Thanks a bunch Dave Moss Tuning team!

[@ashmyrmidonsminions9271]

I did the remote tuning with Dave, just to ask questions and gather info on my two bikes - BEST money ever spent ! Highly recommend it ( I was out of country and it worked great) Ash

[@rud_01]

que mestre.....💪

[@blasterze]

I have z900 and man... It is so unstable especialy when i have a passanger with me...barely touching a brake and she goes onto me pushing me....i hate this setup i have..

[@catalystreactionsbw]

T hat's why I offer remote tuning to help riders like you anywhere in the world. Start by assessing how much fork and shock travel you are using: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqDQaqKmipqEa9k

[@ITGuruTutorials]

How do we adjust the front forks on the z900?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

Use this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpymeKJ6n9mhg5Y

[@alexp-w8237]

You tune 10 bikes a day every day??

[@catalystreactionsbw]

That is about the average, some days 60 or more.

[@NacamPro]

damn 3:40 lol

[@JNPhotography]

Shame I can’t find anyone local to help me out with this that doesn’t want to charge me £75 for a 10 min job!

[@catalystreactionsbw]

That's why I offer Remote Tuning for instances like this.

[@JNPhotography]

Dave Moss Tuning How much would you charge and what tools would I need to sort my 2020 Z900?

[@catalystreactionsbw]

@@JNPhotography Tools needed are screwdriver for rebound, socket for fork preload, C spanner for shock preload. Cost is $40 via email.

[@granite676]

Fgs put the phone away ! Holding it like his teddy bear sad g1t !! Pay attention to the man trying to help you sort your bike ! 🙄🙄🙄

[@Johnny_Thumper]

Put your phone away you tween