MOTOVUDU - Simon Crafar - SUZUKI GSX-R 1000R Essential Track Setup Guide

UPDATED 2019: After using the Suzuki GSX-R 1000R for 18 +/- months as our fleet bike, we've created a new guide to get your bike from street to track with minimum expense. Simon Crafar talks you through his essential changes to get you enjoying your Suzuki on track
www.motovudu.com
Footage: Thanks to www.wheelspics.com

[@kdr3310]

After I did this the bike turned properly, I could FEEL what was happening, and for now it has postponed me putting the ABS in the bin! Thanks Simon. Primo!

[@MotoLen51]

I can confirm that Simon's settings work very well. I'm no racer, just a "middle of the fast group" track day rider, and his settings made my bike fast and safe from the first day.

[@yongyea4147]

L P do you ride your bike on the street as well with these settings

[@MotoLen51]

@@yongyea4147 No, my bike is track-only.

[@lonpfrb]

Simon used to work for Ohlins as race suspension engineer so what he doesn't know isn't worth knowing!

[@rubendelrio6120]

Let me ask you . What do you have in terms of SAG ? Can you tell me your RIDER SAG for example?

[@jsalemi9711]

@@MotoLen51 I own a 2020 GSX-R1000R, intermediate track rider and hit the canyons. I adjusted my front forks as recommended by Simon. This will change your rake and trail. The bike is very slow to turn in and will be changing it back to stock. Don't know why so many comments say it was the best thing since sliced bread. A good friend that was top 20 road racer in the U.S. agrees and mentioned it being very lazy and takes more effort to turn. It worked well without any changes in fork length but I thought it would be better. What is your take on my comment?

[@MothershipVideos]

Good stuff Simon.

[@illwil1005]

More great videos!

[@mike216ism]

I have the exact same 2018 gsxr 1000r, same color. I absolutely love it. I love your settings for street riding. It's a little to soft stock. I'm around 160 pounds 5,9. I have no idea who stock is set up for. Maybe 140 pound person 😊. Absolutely appreciate the amazing setup video. This is my first bike with a quick shifter. I had the legendary K5 for 15 years. I just sold it and bought this one. Definitely a bitter sweet day. I love that bike. Do have any tips on using this quick shifter. Through trial and error it seems you have to be accelerating to use it. It's no good below 6K. It's very smooth above 8K. I've had some very rough shifts learning to use it. I've already snapped 3 teeth of my front OEM sprocket. I have no idea how exactly. My guess is the rough shifts early on learning the quick shifter. Chain tension was stock 25mm. I actually run it looser towards 30 until I figure out why my teeth snapped. I've got better sprockets and EK 3d chain. This chain is so incredible. It shifts so smooth with this high end chain. Appreciate any tips on quick shifting smooth. Thanks

[@FilipDemianiuk]

Hi Simon, great video! thank you! Would you be able to tell us more on the EBC discs and pads? I assume you are using top of the line items. Is it on a similar level to Brembo or Galfer? Would you recommend EBC discs/pads combo for racing? I'm sure they are good, but are they that good? Thank you for any feedback on this and kind regards

[@RamboRob]

Just did this before last session on the track, raised the front 8mm from stock. Does the rear need a spacer/new linkage or additional adjustment?

[@Chris-xv6hq]

Question to Simon: Has the standard GSX-R 1000 L7 a shorter fork than the R-Model? I purchased the standard L7 this year and started to tranform it into a race bike. You said the Ohlins TTX GP sets the bike higher than the standard rear shock. In addition with the standard fork lengh will there be any geometry troubles? Thank you, Chris

[@motovudu]

Hi Chris. I believe you are correct that the non "R" model has shorter forks. I don't know how much shorter as i don't have one. I believe Ohlins make a fork lengthening spacer with their internals kit which I also run in the R model I have (internals kit). Ive seen the spacer on many bikes. Yes the Ohlins shock is set a little longer than stock and the correct fork ride height (spacer) is a super import part of the puzzle. You have done the right thing getting the Non R model if you are changing the suspension for the track anyway. No point paying for the better R suspension then the ohlins afterwards. good luck!

[@Chris-xv6hq]

@@motovudu Thanks a lot. Found the right guy who told me about the Ohlins cartridge with the fork lengthening spacer too. Perfect, thanks again for your great videos and explainations.

[@jryer1]

@Simon - Much appreciated. May I ask your approximate body weight? Thanks for all the great videos!

[@motovudu]

82 kilos Getis

[@motovudu]

Around 82 kilos

[@WitoldStawarz]

2019R version has adjustable swingarm pivot. Would you touch and change that?

[@motovudu]

We are due to get our 2019 Rs in November for our instruction season Autumn/Winter 2019/20. We'll get back to you on this Witold, it's a good question.

[@WitoldStawarz]

@@motovudu Thank you. Do you change gearing - sprockets/chain?

[@motovudu]

No I run them standard. If you don't want to change gearing from track to track leave it standard is the best option.

[@motovudu]

.People will say that stock (tall) gearing loses you acceleration and in certain cases they are right but its a small % in gain for a lot of time spent changing sprockets from track to track and its +/- 200 hp motorcycle! All that hassle and the people at trackdays doing it are often the same people that don't have the throttle on 100% between the turns, which has bigger gains than sprockets will ever give. Also, I like a tall 1st gear because its useful. As soon as i lower the gearing I have to use second and that's often too tall for the tight turns and 6th runs out at the really fast tracks. The important point is that unless you are squeezing absolutely everything out of the bike you have there is just no point. I leave my bikes stock. I do Track-days on them not races. Less time working on them and more time enjoying is the aim. I have to add that your question is often talked about and is a good one. Thanks.

[@yongyea4147]

can these settings be applied to the street... or is this too "stiff" being all the potholes and dips.... I use my pegs and legs to do a lot of the suspension dampening instead of plowing through sitting on my ass lol

[@yongyea4147]

wow... I watch all the commercials to help fund you... your info is priceless.... and perfectly presented.... I'm learning to ride on a 2007 cbr1000rr I was given (3 weeks after saying I'll never ride a motorcycle but I thought sport bikes where cool) and have 8000 miles in 8 months I can't stop riding and wear full leather Alpinestars smx boots and a shoei and gauntlet gloves I always ride qualified for any track in the states... I love learning to ride on it and can't imagine a slower bike.... I've been offered but don't want to change what I have to learn on

[@yongyea4147]

each time I watch your series I learn or more understand everything and how it ties together.... I watch the series once every month or two... you know the leiter bike and can't thank you enough for the information you continue to share!!!!

[@R32STE]

Just followed your setup and wow what a difference 🙌🏻 bike now turns in smoother and you can feel so much more. Thank you Simon 👍🏻

[@mike216ism]

It is a big difference. This suspension is very plush. I think it takes bumps better than my car. Have any tips on being smooth with this quick shifter? It's my first bike with a quick shifter. I've had some very rough shifts learning how to use it. The manual says to use it above 2k. That's poor advice. It should say above 6k. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[@andrecanaveira7965]

Hey Simon. How do I know when I have reached full stif on the preload of the front shock? From rigth (clockwise) I have a physical stop but when to the left (anticlockwise) i do not have a physical stop, the bolt spin and spin. It’s normal? I know it’s very long time but i hope you can help me. Thanks!

[@gsxr88]

I lowered my forks too,omg so much better!!

[@jrod4538]

You know your learning from a master when they are not afraid to share their wisdom with you. 👍👍

[@Leri0th]

What do you mean brembo pump without master cylinder? I though the pump is the master cylinder? RCS19 CORSA CORTA

[@flamintasty]

He’s talking about the ABS. “Without ABS” Have another listen. He says without ABS, after correcting himself for saying Brembo pump, he says master cylinder without ABS. Because some of the world calls it a pump, and other parts of the world call it a master cylinder. So he says both.

[@marcoboyantonio]

I find your videos to be the best - straight simple advice - no mumbo jumbo

[@motovudu]

Thank you. That was our aim exactly :-)

[@Justwanthavefun_100]

Thank You Simon 🙏🏻 for sharing your experiences and wisdom !

[@Quazi1966]

Great info Simon, thank you. I'm about to pick up my own 1000r for this year, I'm a reasonably competent rider, suspension and geometry are always on my initial to do list with a stock bike.

[@martinpearce359]

This actually works!!

[@KeepinItReal]

Great advice

[@konstantinmatveev1410]

Hi Simon, Recently discovered your channel on KZbin and absolutely love it !!! And love your work in MotoGP! Best commentator ever :) I bought Suzuki GSX-R 1000 R as well and using your settings to try to get the most of the stock suspension on the track. It is my daily as well. Question, with this settings what rear size are you using? The Original is 190/50 And I'm between using 190/55 or 200/55 as most good tires are only come in those sizes. Also which would be your preferred tire choice? If keeping road legal - Bridgestone RS11 or Michelin Cup2 or Pirelli Supercorsa SP ? And if track only - Bridgestone R11 or Michelin SlickS or Pirelli Supercorsa SC 1 front and SC2 rear ? Thank you so much for all your videos and sharing the knowledge and experience !!! And would be very keen to see more videos updates on how is your gsxr going and if you discovered more useful mods :)

[@beer77monster]

Simon is basically awesome...

[@thepropertyinspectors]

Great videos, so helpful. Did you have any challenges achieving typical sag numbers with the BFF suspension?

[@SilkLotus]

so in your initial video you dropped the front forks and additonal 2mm, now you raised it the opposite way 10mm? which one :(

[@jsalemi9711]

Hello Simon, just picked up a 2020 GSX-R1000R, have 1500 miles on her and going to set up the suspension. I am upper intermediate, track at Chuckwalla and Big Willow as well as ride canyons in San Diego. My weight is 205lbs. without gear. Been watching your video's and I know these are base lines. Can you help me in tuning front and rear with stock springs and shock. Will be upgrading when I get faster. Thank you for all your video's!!!

[@rubendelrio6120]

Excuse me simon. Let me ask you . What do you have in terms of SAG ? Can you tell me your RIDER SAG for example? 35 front and 25 rear?

[@neloo23]

Suspension setup recommendation for standard GSX-R 1000?

[@jsalemi9711]

Hi Simon, where did you get the t-wrench to adjust the front preload. I have checked my resources and no one can help me. They all improvise and I'm afraid it will get damaged using a hard metal. I can always make something out of pvc. but that would take time and would rather have the correct tool in my box. Thank You

[@freelancerider100]

Superb!

[@jacquierbaptiste7072]

Great video ! One question about the front fork position. I have an Öhlins TTX GP for the rear suspension. Do you think I should also lower the front fork tube like you explain ? Thank you

[@motovudu]

Hi Jacquier. Good question that. My other bike has the TTXGP in it. Because its longer than the stock shock the rear ride height is higher. To get the balance of the bike correct again I needed to compensate by running the front fork outer tubes flush (same height) as the triple clamps, not 4 to 6 mm through like with the standard shock. Basically the bike front and rear is higher but with the same balance. I run the shock length that the TTX GP came with from Ohlins, within 1 mm anyway. Nothing else to worry, it works.

[@jsalemi9711]

@@motovudu Hello Simon, own a 2020 GSX-R1000 and dropped the front forks as you recommended. Rear is stock. As you know the drop in front changes rake and trail. The bike is lazy in turing and feels like like I have to muscle it into a turn compared to stock. Changes the rake and trail will effect turning. Please tell me why dropping the forks is better. I am a upper intermediate tracker and left numerous messages. Thank You

[@rickyd2186]

Simon, has does this translate to the non R model?

[@peregsxr1000]

Please come here in Barcelona track!

[@MatriX75]

Thanks for the info, Simon!

[@freelancerider100]

So I did move the forks down thru the triple clamp... And at first I did like it. On the track but when pushing speeds above 160mph the front tire floated real bad! So I moved them back and I also discovered the bike is more solid thru the turn-

[@rubendelrio6120]

freelancerider100 that means your rear shock was too soft. If you raise the front and you use all the travel you need to stiff the rear.

[@jsalemi9711]

Freelancerider, did you notice the bike being lazy in turns. Not as quick and agile in stock form.

[@cdcomyt]

Simon. Can I ask you what tires you are running with this setup? Just curious as to how much taller that rear is compared to stock.

[@motovudu]

Simon said he uses the 195 and the 200/205 dunlop Ntech rears. depending on what he has in stock.

[@freelancerider100]

How much do you weigh? Just for comparison... I'm only 145 with my suit and helmet-

[@motovudu]

Between 80-81kgs before suit/helmet/boots

[@freelancerider100]

Any chance you will be near the west coast for a lesson?

[@motovudu]

West coast of? US? Nothing planned in the US at the moment

[@Matatay]

Just had my 2019 R-R delivered which after run in will be for track only. I’ve not even ridden it yet but will be dialling these settings in before I hit the track in the spring. Be interested to hear how you find the new uprated front brakes (considering ABS delete straight away) and whether there’s any value in moving the new adjustable swing-arm pivot? Great videos!

[@freelancerider100]

I'm curious about the adj swingarm myself?? No winglets- on the 19 either

[@jsalemi9711]

I would think the reason for the adjustment is to make it more stable at higher speeds. I'll keep mine stock. I know a expro that tracks as well as owning a 2019 GSX-R1000R, only change was shimming the rear shock. Not dropping the front forks and ran 4 seconds slower than track record.

[@kentowers2802]

@motovudu Simon, should I raise the front end on the road as you suggest in the video or is that just for the track? Thanks

[@motovudu]

Hi Ken. There will be benefits on the road also, with no negative., just like on track. Enjoy!

[@motovudu]

Yes, just like on the track there is benefits with no negative. Enjoy!

[@kentowers2802]

Cheers I’ll give it a try I was worried this might make the bike understeer by taking weight off the front Thanks

[@kentowers2802]

@@motovudu Simon, I am using 11 turns preload on the front and i have about 10mm travel remaining below the zip tie. Do you know when the fork is bottomed out? does it bottom out with some fork tube remaining or does it bottom out when the dust seal touched the base Thanks

[@kentowers2802]

Motovudu this raising the front does work - just done it and tried it in the road and bike feels great

[@drewmorg.]

Simon what is your opinion on pushing out the grips for more leverage? Sylvain Guintoli just talked about this on his stock GSXR and says most GP bikes are set up this way.

[@motovudu]

we've covered that in the last weeks too

[@MrScoti74]

Hi Simon, Thinking about moving to a GSXR after a few years on the BMW. Would you recommend any gearing changes or just leave it stock. Cheers

[@motovudu]

No sorry, I just leave mine stock. I need to be able to go to lots of different tracks without changing anything

[@MrScoti74]

@@motovudu cheers Simon