Since I am messed up in the brain, Part of my dream last nite was about this subject.
Guys spend big money on buying aftermarket parts including new forks and shocks. Those items that you are replacing have been tested and retested 100's of times by riders many times more talented then you or I. They have designed endless amounts of oils, springs, clickers and internal workings to give anyone who purchases these machines off the show room floor the ability to fine tune the suspension to every riders abilities and styles. Then guys buy a $8500 motorcycle, take it home and rip those off and toss on another 4 grand in Ohlins this and that. The factories have millions of dollars and use factory riders to develop parts specifically for that make and model. Companies like Ohlins have 10's of dollars and guy named Jerry that is 55 and missing a finger from a CNC accident. They designed a set of forks for a '72 Hodaka and just keep making changes to the clamps to make it fit new bikes.
Now don't fire back and say "I love my Ohlins stuff, its the best" Yes, I have used a few of their shocks and of course Whitepower stuff and liked most of them. What I am saying is did it actually make the bike better? or did it fill that spot between your ears that makes you think, it made the bike better?
Side question, How much time and money did you invest in testing and fine tuning the stock parts before buying the new gold anodized toys?
Side question 2. How much time and money did you invest in testing and fine tuning the replacement money pit?... I mean replacement parts?
The second part of the dream was a flashback to coed dorm life... I will keep that one all to myself.