My 2008 Blade is heading for 38,000 miles now. I've had it since new and the suspension is getting tired - bike feels like it's crashing into big bumps on the road, rather than smoothing over them. I tried winding up the compression camping, but not sure if it improved things. I don't want to do any work on the bike myself, I'd rather pay a garage to do it. I wonder if new fork oil will help (wonder how much I will have to pay to have this done?) or do I need to take bike to a suspension company and get them to rebuild forks and replace rear shock? I'm not going to start stripping bits off the bike, I have no mechanical knowledge so I would just wreck it. I've no idea of where to take bike or what it would cost. I'm willing to pay a good few £hundreds as I want to keep the bike for many more years. All advice welcome!
It's well worth getting the suspension refreshed and possibly upgraded while you're at it with ohlins or ktech valve kits and springs
I was just going to update my thread about sorting my own suspension. Anyway, I got Maxtons to rebuild my forks and fit their own shock. Like night and day. I aim for potholes and brake late just for fun. The OEM stuff is, as you'd expect, cheap rubbish. Rebuild your bike, don't buy newer bike OEM same.
Depends where you are located really as there are a number of suspension specialists around that offer ride in ride out services. I've always upgraded my suspension on all the bikes I've owned as I personally find it to be the best performance mod you can make to your bike. Over the years I've used k-tech, MH racing, Cresent Suzuki and most recently MCT for a fork kit and WP shock service. Would recommend all but was really impressed with the service received from MCT. Plus I found they were very reasonably priced. I didn't have time to pop up for the ride in ride out service but it includes suspension set up which is definitely worth it. Hope this helps
Thanks very much. That sounds very good, just what I want. Can you post a link to your thread on this? Also, can you remember how much it cost approximately?
Just had my forks taken off and serviced etc( new oil) and then set up for me ( me sitting on the bike); by reactive suspension near York. It cost £340. I had to leave the bike there for 2 days. Next summer I will have the rear shock done. I must admit the bike feels a lot better ( mileage was 31000). Their recommendation is, change the fork oil every 10,000 miles. NB. My rear shock is not the original one, it is the updated one from a 2014 blade.
Find out when colin from 100% suspension is next at Donni as you are close. You can book in with him prior, then just ride there and he will service your forks and stick some K-tech springs in for your weight.
Thanks very much. Looks like they are at Donnington on Sunday 30th July - might try and go and meet them.
Make sure you Ring Colin and book it in first. He will be doing support for the track day lot so he will need to allocate time for yours. A fork service, clean, new seals, decent oil and K-tech springs will make the front feel good. Expect to pay £250 - £300. With regards to the rear, you are better off trying to find a low mileage 2012 on balance free shock. You can pick them up for no more than £150 and it will make the rear loads better. It's a common mod.
