I have decided that the front forks still need a small amount of tuning eventhough i have changed the springs and oil weight. I now find that having new Brembo brake pads causes the front to dive far more initially compared to the standard Honda brake pads. Also having the new balance free 2012 shock on the back does imo show that the front end is a little shaky and not quite as controlled as it would be with the big piston forks. I have ordered the road 20mm piston kit also have the rebound valves odered too. Anyone use this kit? Thanks.
Good, as i need to keep up with my mates new bike................................... A Ducati Panigale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Peter I had had the K-Tech 20mm piston kits fitted and k-tech springs , I have yet to try them out , I have an Ohlins TTX on the rear so i am hopeing they both complment each other and make the bike alot more stable going hard into corners , the rear shock when fitted made alot of difference to the handling , fingers crossed front end is now sorted !!!!!!!
Thanks, i can't believe you have not tried it yet??? Man up and get yer bike out and let me know!!!! Cheers.
Right i have now had my forks all done and they are now fitted to the bike, all i want now is a dry spell in the morning to try them out. I will report as soon as i have had a ride.
Wait no more Jamie !!! I have now been out and tested the forks for over a hundred miles........................... WOW The first couple of miles i did not realise that i had any suspension at all, by this i mean that i was not concsious that i had changed the way the bike rode..... then it hit me that it was like riding on a cushion of air. I had no feeling of pot holes or ruts or cambers of the road which before i did, now it just works over every road surface like chocolate flowing from one of those fountains!!! The first couple of bends were like heaven, by that i mean it just steered it's way round with no fuss or effort and i found myself riding much faster into corners that i have ever done even with the roads being quite wet around here but the confidence the forks gave me wrer a delight!! The bike on the motorway was even better by this in the way of comfort it glides along now and feels like i am riding on a carpet, next came the lovely twisties around shere and capel and box hill and this is where they really shone it eats the bends now with fantastic front tyre loading giving excellent feedback through my Pilot 3s and i found myself overtaking on bends and roads that i would not have done in the wet. So the scores are a big 150% out of 100% if you see what i mean, this is something i should have done when i bought the blade some 9000 miles agao because i sure would have enjoyed it even more. If anyone is looking to improve the suspension of their machine then this is it. And if someone wants to try my bike then you are welcome. Now all i have to do is wait until it stops raining so i can pile up some more milage and feel the Blade.
What a relief ....... Brilliant review mate, looks like i am going to go for a ktec front fork rebuild and ohlins shock once funds allow but if its as good as you say it will be money well spent
Just under £400 including labour. That included the K-tech Road 20mm valves and the Compression needles all topped of with Silkolene pro s 5 weight oil. Worth every penny when you consider Ohlins start at around £1K. I will get the part numbers if you want.
i thinks thats not too bad........dont they do some sort of upgrade for standard rear shock..... utlilising existing and rebuilding it ? (far cheaper than ohlins route)...?
just worth noting you can get the equivalent Ohlins for around the same money, but for UK roads & circuits you will struggle to beat Ktec.
So did you send the forks off to ktech, or just order the parts and get them fitted locally or what? Also how did you know what strength springs you needed? Ta
I had them modified at Steve Jordans who are a K-Tech and Ohlins suspension dealer in Bookham just down the road from me. The springs fitted are determined by what you weigh and whether you use the bike primarily for raod or race use. You can off course send your forks of to K-Tech but using a local dealer was far easier for me.
