SV650.org - SV650 & Gladius 650 Forum

So when I bought the Tiger, I thought I was buying into a higher class of motorcycle than the budget SV.

On my old bike, I changed the rear shock for a GSXR1000 unit and loved it, then upgraded the fork with Hyperpro progressive springs and good oil and loved that too. It went 'round corners well, was comfy and I was happy.

The Tiger arrived and I vcarried on riding around corners fast, enjoying the power and comfort of the machine.

However, I was never happy with the bouncy bits and having NO knowlege of adjusting bouncy bits (other than thrutching an itch) I went with the setting recommended in the book that came with the bike.

Since doing the advanced course last year, the issue with suspension has been niggling even more, so I started reading around the interwebs and I am shocked to find that the suspension on my Tiger is considered to be utter poo!

I'm keeping this bike for ever, I love it to bits, but I can see that an upgrade is required to the suspension.

So the interweb was consulted again, and the name Maxton keeps coming up as a very, very good company. I think Luckypants had his old VFR fettled by them and there was nothing wrong with that bike's handling!

Maxton aren't far from me and I don't start work until 3.00pm, so out into the sun I toddled, analysing every corner to try and figure out what I didn't like about the Tiger's suspension.

The business is in a newly built unit, right in the middle of feck all! I rode straight past, despite Homer telling me I was there... (better oberservation required :rolleyes:)

Very welcoming, lots of parts to dribble over and a factory tour all offered and gladly accepted. They make everything apart from the springs. The CNC machine was busy onsome new ZX10R shock parts - fascinating stuff. There were shocks ready for packing off to some race teams and a very beaten up TT bike on a lift getting some TLC!

Then I had a chat with Richard Adams, the man in charge of research and development who I knows what he is talking about. He's a really pleasent chap, happy to chat and explain what's what with my Tiger in simple terms, which I needed!

It turns out that the issue is mostly with the rear shock being sprung for a rider who is about nine stone wet through! He got out the screwdriver and twiddled adjusters right there and then, explaining that he had done many, many Tigers, so knew what was needed.

Then we got chatting about how to improve things. Firstly, we talked about re-springing the original shock, but with the limited adjustment available, it won't really help.

So, and I hope Mrs BP doesn't read this, I'm saving up the £400 for a bespoke rear shock. They will weigh me (industrial strength scales, obviously) chat about riding style and so on, then build me my own shock!

I'll fit it, then I can go visit and have final adjustments done.

Once the rear is sorted, the front fork can deal a lot better with it's limitations. They do make a complete cartridge kit for the Tiger, but at another £500, I'll never afford it. To be honest, Richard doubts it's really needed, which is a suprising attitude, considering he talked me out of a possible sale, but I appreciated the honesty.

So, piggy bank raiding, savings draining and begging to start ASAP!

Pete ;)

PS, I'm late for work now!