Suspension

[Jyrays]

Hi,

In other forums there is evidence the front forks are not up to their task, anodizing is too soft.

Also we all know rear is undersprung for "full load" bad roads ride.

Kiwi has changed his rear, anyone done modifications to the front?

I been riding alone with moderate load so I am still fine, lots of pre-load to add and just some small modifications of other adjustments have been needed...

[MrKiwi]

I'm still trying to figure out the front suspension issues outlined in the suspension thread on AdvRider.com. I think the issue comes from extended use of the bike on rough terrain.

Given the AT is designed and marketed as an around the world adventure bike this has to be a bit of a worry.

My view is the suspension seems fine for one up riding with gear on the AT. I knew soon after buying the AT that I would more than likely need to increase the rear spring rate as the load I need to carry with me, my wife and gear is 220 kgs, which as we all know exceeds the OEM recommendations. I could have gone with just a heavier spring rate but I also wanted more control over pre-load, rebound and compression adjustments. The Ohlins I fitted (plus a number of other brands) gives me a wider range of adjustment settings. So my need to replace the rear was not because the OEM rear was a bad shock, it was simply the shock performance criteria was not adequate for what I am asking of the bike.

This is a different issue to front fork wear.

Following my ride back from the shock specialist works hop to home (a 400 km trip) I was not going to change my front suspension. Now I am keeping an eye of the experiences of others.  I'll wait for a bit and see how this pans out.

[MrKiwi]

Hi,

In other forums there is evidence the front forks are not up to their task, anodizing is too soft.

...

Are you tempted to pull your forks apart to check the internal wear?

[Two Plugs]

@ David, have you considered to give the Africa Twin the full job in one go? In other words, also add progressive front springs with spacers and thicker fork oil as well?
You have experienced first hand on the Transalp what a big difference it makes!

[MrKiwi]

@ David, have you considered to give the Africa Twin the full job in one go? In other words, also add progressive front springs with spacers and thicker fork oil as well?
You have experienced first hand on the Transalp what a big difference it makes!

Yes, but not progressives. I do not like progressive springs. I'm going to wait as the front appear to be good still.

[Jyrays]

Hi,

In other forums there is evidence the front forks are not up to their task, anodizing is too soft.

...

Are you tempted to pull your forks apart to check the internal wear?

No, not yet as mine are smooths as "silk" after 22k 

But I recommend if anyone is setting up front to check the tubes very well...

[zebulon]

Yes rear show its limitations on two and luggages, bad roads or off roads tracks trips ... I' m looking first for an economical evolution, perhaps add hyperpro spring on the rear, with perhaps +20mm, perhaps a solution to have some more preload ... Wait and see
 

[MrKiwi]

Yes rear show its limitations on two and luggages, bad roads or off roads tracks trips ... I' m looking first for an economical evolution, perhaps add hyperpro spring on the rear, with perhaps +20mm, perhaps a solution to have some more preload ... Wait and see
 

Antonia is about the same size as your wife, but I am a lot bigger than you so you can imagine then the limitations I was riding under. The new rear suspension gives me lots of adjustable scope for pre-load, rebound and compression, but I need it. I would think for you starting with a heavier spring is a good option.

[Djairouks]

This weekend was sunny and warm in Switzerland, so I went riding but I got quickly annoyed by the front dive after riding hard and since
I had a passenger for a while, I decided to tackle the forks settings which I never did before.

I had the surprise of the compression setting being on 8/12, so I maxed it to see the difference and honestly I didn't feel a difference, so
I thought especially for riding with passenger lets try and crank the pre-load, it was as said by the manual on 5 for manual AT, I added
3 turns and must say I'm now very pleased with the behavior under breaking and corner handling got crazy precise !

I know normally adding pre-load isn't the solution, but weird that the compression setting doesn't do much, anyone found the same !?

[SB]

I know normally adding pre-load isn't the solution, but weird that the compression setting doesn't do much, anyone found the same !?

If you're riding with a passenger and the pre-load in not correct, the rear ride height will be wrong which will also slightly change the front fork angle.

[Djairouks]

I know normally adding pre-load isn't the solution, but weird that the compression setting doesn't do much, anyone found the same !?

If you're riding with a passenger and the pre-load in not correct, the rear ride height will be wrong which will also slightly change the front fork angle.

Well the rear is really not strong enough I already know that, I think I'll change the spring, but I measured today after 8 turns on front pre-load, sag is at 35% so this means at the original 5 turns, it was really too soft I'm surprised !

What sag value do you guys use ?

[zebulon]

Not at home for instance (and no bike) ...

[Jack Sawdayee]

Do as I did change to AS

[Djairouks]

Do as I did change to AS

No thanks I really don't feel like it, to me first value of my AT is being light, simple and efficient and it is that all to me.
I don't wish to switch to more weight, more electronics and bigger, I will be travelling more so less electronics equals
less issues even if it's no BMuu, I'm fine with the simple 3 steps TC as well.

Honestly I'm only 74kg and ride 90% alone, so the front forks after adjustment are just fine, I'll just upgrade the rear
spring for a few 100 euros, no need to sell a 1 year bike for a new and invest thousands for things I don't need.

I'm happy some people love the 2018 model, but really I don't want it this weekend I already left an R6 almost standing
out of a corner, overtaking him on the inside with luggage  then didn't see him in the mirrors he couldn't follow !

[Djairouks]

I continued tweaking and front feels amazing now, I am at 10/15 preload reaching  28% sag so good, dive is much more subtle now,
I reduced compression to 4/12 and increased rebound to 2/3, will maybe revisit rebound later.

Now rear I'm lost for words, 2 up on the bike it's definitely too soft, but yesterday measuring the difference in sag according the preload, the bike
would be at the same height whatever the setting  , 0 to 21 turns exactly the same I don't understand that, is my shock toast or what !?