Hi my 2010 ABS blade is probably due for some attention on the forks, its done 10k miles and i'd like to see if I can get a bit more confidence for with handling during trackdays and road riding. ive been reading a lot of peoples threads on front suspension upgrades, and its getting a bit confusing. from what I can tell, my cheapest and easiest option is to do a simple fork oil change, but then I read that people have had amazing experiences after changing just the springs and others have had even better ones after changing the whole internals. I don't think I want to spend a shed load, but I do want to be able to feel the difference. whats your experience on any of the different upgrades and what would you think a novice trackday rider would benefit the most from ?
If you don't want to spend a lot, the I would simply get the forks serviced, and have a spring suited to you weight added. Then I would get the suspension set for you by a pro.
Next option would be to get the likes of a K-Tech piston kit, spring for your weight, flow control valves and fresh oil done. I've been quoted £400 for that lot plus they will set it up.
spend £250-£300 and get springs for your weight, shims and the inside redone with new oil... you'll be spending £100-£150 for a service anyway, so you might aswell get it all done for your weight.... cartridges are too expensive for what you want and need by the sound of it
thanks Skippy/Colin, I thinking springs and oil change is the way to go. PDQ aren't too far, i'll see how much they quote. any suggestions on the type/make of springs that are good ?
don't think they make bad suspension anymore, some like ohlins, others k-tech, others WP or maxton I've had god experience with maxton and wilbers for the front, happy with the maxton, didn't really feel a difference with the wilbers.... If I get mine done this time round it'll be K-tech with the re valving, piston kit, you'd probably be 400£ lighter, but have heard very good things about them... It's just down to where you want to go and what brand they use, recommend.... make sure you believe in the company that does it!
You've probably read my experience of fitting K-tech internals. http://1000rr.co.uk/mods-upgrades-accessories-products/15009.htm Like said, if the springs are suited to you, then professional set-up would probably suffice. I'm 67kg and found the springs to be too stiff (IIRC the springs are 11NM in the Blade) I got them replaced with 9NM. The bike would skip around and bounce me off on the bumps and occasionally I could feel the ABS kick in earlier that it should, probably due to the suspension not reacting fast enough with the road surface. I did seek pro advice and they suggested lighter springs and internals to improve control. Previously I had 40mm of travel left over on the forks regardless tinkering with the setting without affecting the ride too much, now I have left about 20mm therefore using much more travel. I have improved soaking up of the harsher bumps and much more controlled diving under heavy braking. My forks were leaking anyway so a service and an upgrade was a no brainer!
Really recommend PDQ, Larry and the guys there really know what they are doing. My quotes from them, this is for ride in ride out but note this includes new oil and dust seals
thanks Slick, that simple for me to understand my choices. £300 for springs and oil vs £600 for springs, oil and valves. Will I really notice the new valves, im thinking springs and oil should be more than enough for me. Just to add a little more for my reasons to do this, my main reason is to move on up to the inters group, ive done a fair few novice trackdays but still lacking the confidence to go that little bit quicker with braking and cornering. But also for better road riding experience too. don't want to spend £300 and think, I wish I had done the full internals for another £300.
You can also save a fair amount of cash if you strip the forks from the bike yourself. Slicks £600 for the valves and everything would cost you £450 if you are able to do some of the work yourself.
yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing . I'll check it out on youtube and see how hard it is to do.
TBH I cant really answer what the difference between spring only and the full internals, but I think suited springs and a service would bring most of the benefit. The way I saw it was I would have to pay labour again + the extra 300 in parts so really it's 150 quid extra! You can get this job done cheaper but you may have to travel and you bike will out of action longer. I probably could have lived with the bike OEM but in all honesty whether it is from this upgrade or not I am definitely more confident riding, the bike feels much more planted and feels like I can push harder and still be within my comfort zone.
Yea forgot to add that it depends if you ride the bike at this time of year or not and if you can live without it for a week or so. Most companies do a collect and return service. Again I was quoted £38 for this.
been looking online for a kit and came across this - Fork Piston Kits £300 for an Ohlins kit ? doesn't sound right, or is it just a very good deal. the K Tech version is £445 - Motorcycle Forks
I may be wrong but the k-tech price includes fitting, also note that kit from hps doesn't include the compression valves
The ohlins kit is only the pistons, spring and oil without fitting, and as above the K-Tech is a comprehensive service.
