I'm going to have my forks revalved and sprung this winter. I'm wondering what alternatives i have besides an ohlins, penske, etc...? Also will other kawasaki shocks interchange? Such as ZX-6R or ZX-10R? I was looking at an 07 ZX-6RR rear shock. It is sprung for a 260 lb rider(i'm around 280), and has low speed and high speed damping adjustments. I'm trying to do this for under $400. I talked to my local suspension place GP Suspension and they told me they had never rebuilt a factory 12R shock. That people that had their forks rebuilt just replaced the rear with an aftermarket one. This is a street bike that will see one or two trackdays a year. Thanks.

I wouldn't waste your time considering an OEM shock from another model. If you can afford it invest in an Ohlins KA209 (the one with the adjustable preload), ride height adjustability as well as the normal compression/ rebound circuit that would be my recommendation if you ride on the streets. If you race then you can consider an Ohlins model with both high and low speed damping as well as the other features. Yes, they cost more but it's worth it.
Buy another OEM shock and not only will you waste the money you spend for it but you'll wind up with the same crude functionality. Do yourself a favor and invest wisely in a quality aftermarket shock.

I have no doubt that is good advice, BUT, for some, price really is a factor. A lightly used "take-off" from another bike can often be had for around $100 or so, often times less. An Ohlins unit is what, $1000 or more?! Pricewise, those aren't even in the same universe. It would be nice to know if there are any low-buck substitutes that will give worthwhile improvement over the stock unit. I see this done with lots of other bikes on other forums. Surely there must be some decent retrofit options out there. Maybe not 100% of what a Ohlins unit would supply, but many I'm sure would be happy with say a 75% option for far less.

I am in the same boat and looking to get the stock shock rebuilt by racetech next season. I looked around and had sticker shock as well when I looked at the $500+ price of even the most basic aftermarket shock. Should be somewhere around $300 or so to have racetech rebuild the stock shock and I am going to have the forks done locally. For the price of a Ohlins shock, I will have my whole suspension done and probably end up with change in my pocket.

As far as other bikes, I don't think it will be much (if any) improvement...

I'm looking to spend under $400 on the rear shock. The reason i asked if something off another bike will fit is so i can look for aftermarket shocks for more than one model. There isn't exactly a flood of 12R trackbikes. But there are alot of zx6r's and zx10r's. Also if i can get a zx6rr shock for around $100 then get it rebuilt for 300. I'll have a shock with low and high speed damping that is decent for less than half the price of an ohlins.

I would look for a USED Ohlins on e-bay or in the Board Classifieds where someone wrecked their bike! There is just nothing better specially with the remote adjustment of the spring!

Ok. If i'm looking for a used ohlins. Will one off any other bikes fit? Or only 12R?

I saw a used 12r ohlins on ebay a few months back. I think it sold for $600, but who knows what kind of condition it was really in. Bumpy roads and heavy riders eat high-performance track-oriented shocks for breakfast. I would seriously consider racetech.

Well does anyone have a revalved and resprung factory shock? If so how was it? Was it worth the money?

i bought a zx14 rear shock it looks like it will go right on i'm not sure what size rider they are set up for but i was thinking its 7 years newer and from a heavier bike?

I have a used (1400 km) ZX-10R rear shock. It does indeed work quite well on the 12R if set up properly. I am 225lbs, and found it worked quite well. I now have an Ohlins ZX-10R rear shock with remote preload adjustment, mated to a 05 rear swingarm. The swingarm mod is not a straight swap...

A well set up 12R is an amazing ride, conversely if it is not set up properly, it is a huge handfull....

Or you could just lose 150 lbs!

But if i lost 150 lbs. I'd probably start running my mouth. And I'd piss everyone off by beating them on slower less powerful bikes. And who would want to be that guy? Not to mention I'd look kinda funny. Like one of those ethiopians on the feed the poor commercials.

What year zx10? Do you know what year range fits? Do you still have the factory 10r shock?

hey edge, are you running an akra hex or yoshi?

hk98, It was a 05 swingarm, and to do it safely required lots of work. I still have the factory ZX10R shock if your interested. It is also not a straight swap, you need to swap out the 12R bushing in the linkage with one from an 05 ZX10R. The swap was worth it for the type of riding I do, although it makes launches difficult the shorter swingarm allows the bike to turn and transition from side to side faster.

ZX, It is the muffler off Matt Mladins superbike, coupled with a TiForce Titanium header. Took me a bit to get it in the ball park with regard to fueling, I am pretty happy...I do have a yosh full race duplex with Ti Tri-oval dual exit exhaust...I liked it as well, but both are loud.