Journeyed down to York this morning for my appointment with Gareth at Reactive Suspension. In total it only took him about 30 / 40 minutes to set the suspension up and cost a mere £45 but OH MY GOD. WHAT a difference I'm literally beaming from ear to ear. I just can't believe how much better the bike feels Surface imperfections and lumps and bumps in the road that previously upset the bike, especially if just about to tip into a corner, just seem like they're not there anymore and larger lumps and bumps just feel almost totally planed-off. I've just come home over the top of the moors and I've never come along there so fast and (more importantly) so relaxed. The bike just felt totally glued to the road and so much more comfortable too. Also seemed to drive more smoothly out of corners and oddly doesn't noticeably dive under braking any more than it did If you're in the North East and you've got a small amount of time and money spare then I'd heartily recommend a visit. Gareth the owner clearly knows his stuff and when I change my bike again I know that the first thing I'll be doing is to head to Reactive
Yep Rich, Gareth is indeed a top man. He sorted out the forks on my track cbr600rr 05 when someone else f*$"ed them up, he was surprised that I hadn't crashed with them, which some unlucky fella did who used the same unamed pr*$k to do his forks. I've already been in contact with Gareth regarding my Blade but I need to get a feel of the bike once i've got the sportsmarts & the 2012 rear shock fitted. That's so I can give him some feed back on how the bike is handling and any issues I may have with them fitted.
thats my decision made then, i was unsure about getting it done but quite a few people have recommended him to me and as its not expensive it has to be worth it, what did he fiddle with then during the set up
To be honest I kinda lost track, mate, because another bloke with a Blade turned up and I was chatting to him. He adjusted the compression and rebound adjusters. From what I could gather he turned them all the way hard and then his predetermined amount softer. Then with the front brake on he pushed down on the front sus to see how it felt (he was clearly looking for it to feel a certain way). He kept switching between the rebound and compression until it felt like he wanted it to. Then he did the same thing with the back. When he was happy with the bike he put it onto the bike lift and got me to sit on it to measure the amount of sag. Adjusted something else at the rear, then took the bike off the ramp and put it back on arse first and put the bike up on a headstock stand to unload the front. Took a couple of measurements and then it was off the ramp, a bit more bouncing, a little more adjustment and then told me to take it for a short ride to see what I thought. I knew by the time I got 100 yards down the road that it was transformed. I'm glad I didn't attempt it myself.
Glad you finally got it done mate... It's amazing ain't it, I couldn't put a finger on it but just felt so right straight away!! I'd def say get it done before any mods (after decent rubber) and certainly before you weigh out on trick suspension upgrades as it really does make that much of a difference...
Absolutely right, mate. I'm with you. First thing I'll do on getting a new bike is take it there and get it sorted. I can't wait to get out on it tomorrow!
Sounds great, can't you get him to do a clinic this side of the pennines!? Have a good ride tomorrow Rich.
You never know if there were enough of you? I noticed he had a decent sized trailer thing which I presume he takes to tracks to set up people's suspension.
