Suspension or power?
 

Im trying to decide if i should buy a Power Commander USB III+ K&N and get it set up on a dyno or upgrade my rear shock to an Ohlins. Both look like they will cost around £400 - £500.General opinions,which would be best to have on its own for now?

unless you know the upcoming tracks like the back of your hand, i think you'd get a better boost in results from a couple of track days at said tracks

if not id probably go for the shock

Jed judging by your lap times at Cadwell I doubt if the shock is holding you back unless you have serious ground clearance problems.
Maybe worth getting it on a dyno and checking the fueling before spending out on the tuning parts.
As suggested maybe more track time would be a better use of the money.
Bit hard to comment on bike as I don't know whats been done to it or seen what its setup is like.
Which is something than can be discussed at Brands on the Saturday evening

Suspension - if your bike doesn't handle no amount of bhp will fix it.

Definately suspension first.

We ran totally stock showroom spec (2005 Monster) suspension at Cadwell and I thought it was very good actually. The rear was a bit soft (but nice) and I did deck the pipes out, but that can be dialed out.

As it happens, Chass has put the Ohlins out of his 916 in it now :lol:

I wouldn't think you'd tell the difference between Ohlins and a standard shock, that's not a dig at you, I wouldn't know unless it was very bad.

I would just spend money on tracktime and when you're held back by the suspension (and you'll know) then buy suspension upgrades.

I don't think a PC3 makes that much difference.

Our bike out dragged bikes with more toys on, and it's only got an air filter and end cans.

Try harder ;)

[Edited on 4-4-2006 by domski]

if you are running stock suspension and it needs sorting brands will show it up for sure. if its to soft or the ride height is too low you will be decking cans, belly pan, and pegs round druids and clearways and it will definitely affect your times. if its ok then look at time on the bike for experience.

Time on the bike...my major investment this year is..tracktime!!!

Good example is Glen on Tonio's bike at Cadwell, it's bog standard! doing 148's!!!!

agree with that man 100%

Track time is the key.....................

In the order, I think we need:

1 - a lot of track time
2 - good suspensions
3 - balls
4 - a bit more power

:lol:

Has to be track time, there are plenty of standard suspension bikes finishing in the top 10.
Maybe concentrate a bit on getting the perfect gearing at each track too :)

Thankyou. I was planning to do as many trackdays as i could to learn my bike. Is it possible to adjust the fueling on an 04 620ie Monster without buying any add on's? Ive not got an off the shelf exhaust though, will this make it more difficult?

Dyno time will be the way to tell, and it isn't that expensive - it's the hours of fiddling which is the expensive bit! There's only limited ability to weaken or richen the mixture and this is through the range, but you may find that the bike runs fine if it gets setup (reset) properly.

I'd get a simple power run done, see what you're getting and what the fuelling is doing thru' the range. The exhaust could weaken it up a bit at the top end.
The PC is good for the finer tuning but you won't get a lot more power, if any, for £'s spent, just finesse :)
Track time is key as already said, and if suspension improves the experience then spend your money there.

some one told me a great tip on this borad when i was preparing my bike dont mess with it untill you know you got a problem. i asked a lot about the frount suspension and now it clear to me after racing at cadwell i need progressive sring in them but first im going to try just replacing the oil in them.

the work i did to my bike (583) was add scopion race system, kand n filter and a usual service i.e oil, filter new spark plugs, new belts and then braded brake lines frount and back and ecb double h pads i also had it run on a dyno and after one or two runs the guy said if fueling perfect dont mess.

i also learnt from cadwell just how hard you can brake into a corner so iv just spent £60 on ebay so i can up grade to twin brakes on the frount.

so my advise is to just run it and see could save your self some money