Hi. I’m after some advice from you knowledgable lot, please. I have owned the bike a couple of years now and have never really been happy with the front end. I have played around with the damping and preload, but the bike just seems too high at the front. I took it to Maxton to get softer springs in it (9.75’s), and although it felt better, I’m still about 30mm off the bottom of the fork leg with ALL the preload wound off and with the brake lever pulsing from the ABS kicking in. I’m considering going softer again, down to a 9.25 spring, but, would this mean the inertia unit would sense the front diving more and apply the ABS earlier to keep the back on the ground?? Any advice greatfully received, thanks.
Hey. Are you just road riding, or is this on the track? I had a 2017 non-SP, and could get within 15mm of bottoming out the forks on standard settings. And closer still when softened off. I weigh 65kg. Have you considered that the forks might be bent? And they are not able to travel their full stroke? You can check this by building up the forks with no spring inserted, and seeing if they will compress fully without stiction. Also.. have you wound all the compression off?
Thanks Saqib. Mostly road riding and twice around oulton park with the same results. I’ve had it set up recently at Kais suspension, where I’m going to go for the softer springs. I’m pretty sure the forks are straight. I haven’t wound all the compression off because I’m quite happy with the rate they compress, it’s just they’re not compressing enough, which I think is down to the spring rate.
The compression damping will also affect how far down the stroke the fork is travelling. Ultimately it is controlling the speed at which it is compressing, and slowing down how far it can travel. Try backing off the compression and rebound (rebound setting changes the compression damping also).
I found KAIS to be very knowledgeable and helpful when they set up the suspension on my 2016. Have you discussed your concerns/requirements with them as they have got to be best placed to give you an explanation of what you’re experiencing and how best to achieve the results you are looking for.
Hi Boothman. I have discussed my concerns and am due to book in for softer springs this week, I’ve no doubt they know what they’re talking about, and they seem to agree on the softer spring idea. I just don’t want to put softer springs in and be left in the same position due to the rear wheel lift mitigation, which works in tandem with the ABS. Thanks for the reply.
Thanks Lowside. One of my mates suggested that, but there’s only Maxton who have ever touched the forks, and they know what they’re doing. Believe me, I have NEVER been near them for obvious reasons!!
