Take a look and make a quick inventory of your entire suspension system. Got it. OK, you missed 4 things: Tires, Elbows, Knees, and Groin.

Tires are actually THE most important component in the suspension system, let alone on the entire bike. They are what everything on the entire bike works to serve. They flex and roll with the road surface providing grip in turns. They transmit acceleration and braking forces to make you go and stop. Tire pressure, rubber compound, casing design and size all contribute greatly to how well your bike works. Take the time to learn more about tires and spend the money to get quality rubber under your bike. Trevor White has published an extensive page on tires here.

When choosing a tire, remember that a tire that works well for one bike may not work well for another. The weight of a 600 is very different from that of a 1300. It is important to listen to as many riders that ride the same or very similar bike as you with regard to tires. Filter out the bullshit and factor in that racing needs are very different from street. Then get some tires. When they are spent, reevaluate whether they did everything you wanted in terms of performance / life / conditions. If they did not live up to your needs, try a different tire. Always listen up when riders talk about tires. Again, they are what everything on the entire bike works to serve.

Dead weight is a bitch to carry. Have you ever tried to carry a drunk or better yet a corpse? It is not easy. Why? The weight is doing nothing to help you carry it. This is what your bike is going through when you are not using your elbows, knees, and groin to their full potential. Watch a horse jockey, descending bicyclist, or motocross rider move about their ride. They float over their ride to make the whole system move much faster and in greater control. This motion is done on a sport bike as well although not as pronounced if at all visible. Get your weight off the seat, not so much out of contact, but your weight. Get your weight onto your pegs. Get off the seat over big bumps and very rough surfaces. Rock forward or rear back as needed. Motorcycling is called a sport because you have to use your body, so use it. Probably the best way to keep this in mind is to remember that a motorcycle doesn't have seat, it has a saddle.

Photography

 

Motorcycles:
Introduction
Suspension
  Springs
  Oil Height
  Understanding Damping
  Low Speed Damping
  High Speed Damping
  Oil Locks
  Passive Elements
Geometry
  Ride Height & Sag
  Squat & Jack
  Castor &Trail
Gearing
  Understanding gearing
  Choosing a FDR gear
  Speedometer Recalibration
  Chains & Sprockets
Tires
Lubrication
  Motor Oils
  Oil Filters
  Oil Filter Testing
Fuel
  Understaning The System
  The Throttle
  Power Comanders
  Gasoline & Octane
Rider Position & Controls
  Feet
  Hands
    CRG Levers
  Windscreen
  Saddle
Breaking in a New Bike
Wave Rotors
Plumbing
Special Tools
  About Torque Wrenches
  Books to Own
2005 Honda CBR600RR
  All Crashed up
  General
  Break-in
  Forks
  Shock
  Gearing
  Yoyodyne Slipper Clutch
  Speedometer Recalibration
  Yoyodyne Throttle
  HRC Throttle
  Tapered Roller Head Bearings
  PAIR / SMOG Removal
  Power Commander & Map
  Double Bubble Windscreen
  AIM Laptimer & Mount
  CRG Shorty Levers
  TCM Rear Rotor Modification
  1000RR Radial Master
  Factory Evo Star Shift Kit
  Frame Sliders
2001 Honda CBR600F4i
2004 600RR Shock Disassembly
Forums & Links
Dan Kyle Suspension Seminar
 
Skateboard:
PVD Pro Slalom Trucks
Bearings & Lubrication
Skateboarding and the Law
Removing Skate Prevention Blocks
General Info
My Story
 
Bicycle:
Shimano Mineral Oil
HollowTech II Bottom Brackets
Bicycle Chains
Chain Cleaning and Lube
Suspension
Choosing One-Speed Gears
Wheels
Wheel Components and Disk Wheel Lacing Patterns
General
 
GPS Dynomometer
 
Media:
Photo
Video
Sound
 
Resume:
Resume
Portfolio
Solid Models
References
 

 

 

 

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