Aftermarket front forks for 650R? : KawiForums.com Kawasaki Forums: Kawasaki motorcycle forums

Devestator · 08-10-2012, 12:09 PM

Are there any front forks you can get for a '06 650R? On ninja650shop and blueridge all i see are replacement rear shocks, but no forks? Is putting valve emulators in them really all you can do?

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'06 NINJA 650R with:

Two Brothers Aluminum Slip-on
RandG Frame Sliders
RandG Bar End Sliders
Woodcraft Spool Sliders
Street FX Red Leds

kingnba6 · 08-10-2012, 12:27 PM

lets see what we get for answeres.

chevy42083 · 08-10-2012, 12:32 PM

What is it you don't like about the forks? It the internals that do the work, why replace the tubes?

You can do a full swap (triples?, forks, brakes, wheel) to the 636 or zx6r... just do a search on it.

Personally, I did Racetech springs and Racetech gold valve emulators. Although they don't allow adjustments as easily (it's all internal)... they seem to be miles better than factory. I only have about 200 miles on them so far.

You'd have to do a cost comparison to see which you prefer. I got the springs/emulators for $200 total (unused with a bike purchase), then had them installed while having the forks rebuilt (which they probably needed being at 24k miles). My total out of pocket was $500 including all seals, oil, labor, springs, & emulators.

The 636/zx6 stuff you'd have to find used, and then decide how much needed rebuild/replace. And figure out something with the handle bars. So, there isn't really a direct comparison between the two.

BTW, what they say is true... after doing the forks, you just want to spend the money on the rear shock. Front is nice, back feels like it kicks/bucks now.

kingnba6 · 08-10-2012, 12:38 PM

doing the complete swap will take more time and also more money. but it will give you a new world of feel for the bike. for the handle bars you can either use stock bars from the swap which will give you a more sporty ergo. you will also need to get right size brake lines and such. shouldnt be that much money tho.

chevy42083 · 08-10-2012, 12:47 PM

clip-ons clear the 650r body work?

I assumed you'd need to use SV650 bars at least, maybe an aftermarket riser clipon (there's a bunch, just start looking at the aftermarket SV stuff), or mod the SS triple to mount our bars (look at street fighter stuff).

BTW, you can sell the stock stuff if you do the swap... nothing to sell if you do internals.

kingnba6 · 08-10-2012, 01:52 PM

well not sure. my 650s a naked street fighter now and i have sports bar on it.

i remember reading somewhere else with the stock clipons from the zx6 swap, you arent able to get full turn radius. to some people it doesnt matter and to others it does.

Devestator · 08-10-2012, 02:27 PM

Well im lookin for something to give me a better ride, im already plannin on upgrading my rear shock.

What I want to know is, for just street riding and havin fun with my friends, would it just be cheaper/easier/better to get emulators?

I never go to the track, i dont even know where one is, and i dont need super-performance or anything.

So would emulators be more cost effective for what i would use them for?

------------------------------------
'06 NINJA 650R with:

Two Brothers Aluminum Slip-on
RandG Frame Sliders
RandG Bar End Sliders
Woodcraft Spool Sliders
Street FX Red Leds

RacinJason44 · 08-10-2012, 02:31 PM

If you can DIY and sell off your old stuff a 636 fork swap is pretty cheap, doesn't cost much more than a set of emulators and springs.

easy · 08-10-2012, 03:15 PM

define better ride

Devestator · 08-10-2012, 04:27 PM

Will the 636 conversion work with my stock bodywork? I dont really wanna do the street fighter thing.

------------------------------------
'06 NINJA 650R with:

Two Brothers Aluminum Slip-on
RandG Frame Sliders
RandG Bar End Sliders
Woodcraft Spool Sliders
Street FX Red Leds