front suspension'

[feejgeez]

Anyone out there have any preference for aftermarket front suspension upgrades?

[clocklaw]

My setup is Traxxion.

[extrememarine]

Ohlins. Ya-707 rear, 20mm drop in fork cartridges with appropriate springs. It's the best, because it's what I have.

[Intech]

Ohlins. Ya-707 rear, 20mm drop in fork cartridges with appropriate springs. It's the best, because it's what I have.

Keep that up and I will start calling you Bounce.

[Name Etc.]

Shameless plug about half the price of new.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1728" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fontanaman]

GP Suspension in the front of mine with a Penske out back installed by KFG Racing in Auburn Washington. Love it.

[smithpa68]

I went with Traxxion. Very happy. Much less dive in braking. I did a Penske Shock out back too. Corners are like riding on rails. I never quite understood suspension action describe as "wallowing" in the past. Now I get it. My bike doesn't do that anymore.


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[raYzerman]

Ohlins. Ya-707 rear, 20mm drop in fork cartridges with appropriate springs. It's the best, because it's what I have.

So, when is the next ride-in-plant-tour-group/discount-buy to Ohlins Hendersonville? I don't know what my new scoot needs yet, but surely it's gotta need something to be the best.........

[Burnspot]

My '07 has Traxxion's AK20's in the front and a Penske in the rear. The one good mountain trip the bike got before a liquid graphite beauty intervened and took over ride duties, it was as if the bike was on rails...it was a complete transformation.

[raYzerman]

I have the RaceTech gold valves in the '07 with 1.0 springs, it too was a transformation but I attribute that mostly to the change from the rather weak OEM .85 progressive type springs. Combined with a new RaceTech G3 all adjustable shock, and it was quite the transformation. I actually think the OEM fork damping is decent, but yes other options should be better.

On the '14, I'm going to ride it as is for a wee bit, but I expect at minimum the G3 will make it on the back. It will be interesting to see what the front is like, but perhaps this time I'll eye up those AK-20's.

[OldButNotDead]

On my 06 I started by installing HyperPro springs front and rear. That was a significant improvement. Cost $300 and a bunch of elbow grease on the shock. Later I replaced the forks with an AK20's and a Penske double clicker. Shock made the most difference. Yes, I could tell the difference between the HP springs and the AK20's but NOT $1600 worth. I put a top of the line, fully adjustable HP461 on my 14A. That alone transformed the handling. I highly recommend doing some research on shocks before you buy. Look into HyperPro and Yacugar (Wilber's too but I personally have heard too many failure stories) but don't just surf the web because although "good" shocks both ohlin and penske are IMO over rated and over priced.

[raYzerman]

Interesting comment on the AK20's, I thought I might want to go there..... I have RaceTech springs and gold valves in the '07, the springs made a heck of difference but dunno about the valves. The stock damping (GenII experience) I don't think is all that bad, but there are those who would say an upgrade is noticeable improvement. I haven't had my new '14 out yet, mainly because it's being stored at the dealer til I decide to pick it up......... I've looked at the FSM, and those front springs look like they'll need replacing eventually.
As for the rear, I'll test the OEM shock for a while, but I see the day when my RaceTech G3 goes on the back...... or should I just do it an get it over with? Kinda curious on the OEM though, just for S&G.

[OldButNotDead]

raYzer,
The 14 is IMO complicated. So complicated that, it might be better to find some crazy who was willing to trade a Gen II set of forks for a Gen III. Traxxion and GP both have a method to revalve and respring that single fork setup. Both are pricey and IMO it is so pricey that if you absolutely "can't do without" some kind of fork upgrade you are better off with the AK20's. When I was looking at that, it appeared that the Ohlin cartridge setup similar to an AK20 was not available on Gen III's. At the time of the last EOM, I rode with an MSTA buddy and we ran like wild men over those WV roads. The HP461 made all the difference in the world, with the only think I saw wrong with my forks is maybe I'd change to HP springs. Despite what all the "experts" say the HP rising rate fully progressive springs work extremely well. Used them on three bikes with excellent results on all three.

[raYzerman]

I had read another comment somebody swapped their GenII aftermarket enhanced forks onto a GenIIIA and put the GenIII setup on the GenII. He thought the GenIII forks were OK, not as big a difference as he was expecting...... but who knows weight, etc. but it did seem he was a twisty rider as I recall. I'd say the GenII setup was better myself. I got digging into the service manual, GenIIIA spring rate K1 = 0.85, 0-67mm and K2 = 1.02.... which I interpret as progressive. Pictorially, the springs look thin and tapered........ I also interpret the disassembly/replacement/reassembly to be almost identical to GenII on the right side, and on the left (gutless cartridge, i.e., no damping, no rebound knob, no rebound rod), it's just a matter of the preload spacer being a large diameter with big washers. Doesn't look more complicated than that, so replace the springs is easy enough.

I hear you on the HP springs, as I'd say they're way better than OEM, but in the past we upped the spring rate when we went aftermarket, now perhaps not such a big jump...... maybe I'll give them a go, springs are cheap enough. But I do have the opportunity to swap out my GenII forks into the 2014...... hmmmm.

[OldButNotDead]

When I said complicated I meant the rebound and damping of the forks as a whole. Swapping springs is as you say easy. I talked to Lee at Traxxion about upgrading to either AK20's or revalving the 14A. It is not all that difficult but there is enough differences that I would not want to mess with it myself. I would have no problem with putting in new springs. IMO, I would not think there would be enough difference between stock Gen II and Gen III forks to warrant a switch if all you were going to do was change springs. Now if you already have gold valved the Gen II's and upgraded the springs, that's a totally different story.

[raYzerman]

To keep it simple if going for valve changes, if one can get his head around having only valving on the right fork, need to find a provider that will supply one sided solution, whether it be one gold valve, one AK-20, etc. Yep, springs are the easy part.. the right fork is just a GenII fork. If one wanted to do the left, just need a GenII cartridge, fork cap, and lower fork leg....... there is a really really bent set on ebay right now. Worth it? You can buy a brand new fork lower for $211 from Partzilla. STill need the cartridge though.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/08-FJR1300-AS-A ... Za&vxp=mtr

[OldButNotDead]

I'm not all that sure what you said is valid about a one sided solution. In the Gen III one HAS TO assume that the forks are so RIGID one valve can do the job. One therefore, must assume that the valve must be different than the Gen II's because it has to flow oil at different flow rates and quantities than the earlier models. When I talked to Lee, he said that there were differences and that he had to get some different parts to make it work. I guess what I'm saying is the left fork isn't the same as a Gen II without the valves. If that was the case this would be in fact "simple." The more I think about this, the more I lean to just a swap of a Gen II to Gen III but with new springs. There are a whole bunch of guys who believe just because they are Gen III they have to be better than Gen II. Maybe that comes from the shock situation. The Gen III shock probably is a bit better than the Gen II because the springs are a bit different; however, the fact is that ALL stock FJR shocks suck.

[K Rider]

My '08 is in need of new front suspension. Does anyone know of a reputable suspension shop near Cincinnati, OH? If I have to take a road trip, then that's what I'll do. It seems like there are only a few decent shops in the country.


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[raYzerman]

In my opinion, the stock valving on all Gens is just fine for most, only the purist suspension types will want aftermarket. I don't see the need to spend a ton of money. I don't see a whole lot wrong with the one-sided damping either, it's working OK for me. The rear shock is OK too, just reaching the limits of damping, and I will put my recently refreshed RaceTech shock on to further evaluate the differences. New springs for your '08 forks, refresh of oil, bushings and seals and you're likely to be happy. Hard core twisty guy and you'll want aftermarket valving.

[K Rider]

In my opinion, the stock valving on all Gens is just fine for most, only the purist suspension types will want aftermarket. I don't see the need to spend a ton of money. I don't see a whole lot wrong with the one-sided damping either, it's working OK for me. The rear shock is OK too, just reaching the limits of damping, and I will put my recently refreshed RaceTech shock on to further evaluate the differences. New springs for your '08 forks, refresh of oil, bushings and seals and you're likely to be happy. Hard core twisty guy and you'll want aftermarket valving.

I was fine with the stock suspension up front for 47k so I don't need anything high dollar. Would you replace with OEM or would you go with a cheaper aftermarket setup?


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