OK, Front Suspension adjustment/ advice

So after a couple of weekends on the new machine, I am still impressed by the handling, and the confidence that stiff chassis gives me. However on our bumpier roads, the ride is bouncy enough to shake your false teeth out. I am no expert, but my guess is that, over-damping is the reason rather than just the soft spring. I am 14 stone (91kg 200lb) and both preloads are set on position 3. Most people advocate cranking up the preload, but the ride does seem pretty harsh already. Any experts out there?

[fizzwheel]

You've got two options.

1. Change the springs and oil in your forks.

2. Upgrade the whole damn lot to a GSXR front end.

[northwind]

I like the look of the Matris cartridge kit, £300... Never actually met a set but if they perform half as well as they should that's dynamite. Springs and oil is a good mod for most, and cartridge emulators are a proven option.

TBH though at your weight and with standard springs it ought to be too soft, not too hard... I wonder if it's maybe that you're using too much of the travel already?

Well, first of all I apologize for my english (I am Italian). I thinck that you can find several handmade kits for you front. I know an artisan in Italy, which produce new springs, pre-load cylinders and also the connecting rod for the rear shoch absorber, increasing the load on the fore fork. In my Italian forum we all have tested these upgrades. You can change also the oil viscosity.
All for 100-150 euro.
If you are interested you have to register to the forum of www.sv-italia.it and contact the user dilone .

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by northwind

TBH though at your weight and with standard springs it ought to be too soft, not too hard... I wonder if it's maybe that you're using too much of the travel already?

I thought that.

At 14st I found that the forks bottomed out on big bumps and with a pillion we got it worse. High speed bumps are worse, because the springs give too easily and give hydraulic lock on the damping rods.

I found .85 springs and 15wt oil with emulators sorted the front end a treat.

Thanks everyone. I do like the sound of the cartridge emulators, but can't swing the dosh at the moment. There is only so much I can hide from the wife! After what Northwind and Luckypants said I will crank up the preload, If that's no good then its either new springs or cartridges. £300 doesn't sound that bad, but I don't think I would fit them myself, so probably another £100 for labour.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by ccurts

Thanks everyone. I do like the sound of the cartridge emulators, but can't swing the dosh at the moment. There is only so much I can hide from the wife! After what Northwind and Luckypants said I will crank up the preload, If that's no good then its either new springs or cartridges. £300 doesn't sound that bad, but I don't think I would fit them myself, so probably another £100 for labour.

£199.99 for springs and emulators delivered from PDQ. Fitted myself, not a hard job. (I had never done this before).

[Taipan]

I decided to fit Hyperpro progressives in mine. The hyperpro kit coinsists of springs and oil and costs £97 to your door from Calsport. I'm going to fit the hyperpro rear spring as well soon.

How would you both rate the improvement for the emulators (Luckypants) and the progressive springs (Taipan)?

[Luckypants]

Well have a search on here for other opinions as the springs / emulator debate has been done to death.

FWIW The springs allow the bike to support my weight with sufficient travel not to be overwhelmed by big bumps / dips or under braking.

The emulators only work in compression damping, rebound is still by oil / damper rod. The compression damping is now more controlled, so initial dive under braking is more controlled. Powerful hits from dips (low speed damping) are more controlled and I can feel the damping resisting the compression. Hit from potholes etc where a fast movement is needed (high speed damping) is better as the emulators open to allow oil to flow faster. The standard damper rods can stop the oil flowing fast enough resulting in a hydraulic lock that makes the forks temporarily solid. Overall the ride is smoother and more controlled, the front wheel tracks properly and does not skip on bumps mid bend. I have more confidence in the front end now.

Rebound damping is controlled by the oil, I fitted 15W (instead of 10W std) to control the stronger springs I fitted.

Braking is also improved by the better dive control. Out and out stopping power is not improved, but is made more accessible by the reduced front dive.