New Suspension and Twitchy Throttle recommendations?

These topics have been discussed at length on the forum. Look around the mechanical/technical section. Basically you can do a cartridge/shock upgrade for the suspension and add a fuel module for the engine.

deyassu said:

Hello:



I have a 2016 939 and I love the bike, except for:



- Harsh suspension

- Surging twitchy throttle



Does anyone have recommendations on how to address these two issues?



Thanks

Dan

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I have the exact same issue.
For suspension I went With the Mupo race kit for the front and rear
For twitchy throttle I went with the rapid Nike Evo.
All in all I spent an additional 2500
It's worth it if u plan to keep the bike.
I am in love with my bike as it has been completely transformed.
If you live in Socal I can recommend a dealer for Mupo that u can go to. If not you can just mail in your forks and he can change them for you.
Let me know if you have any questions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I found than I had to change my riding style when I first got mine. Keep it about 4k RPM and it's quite smooth. As for harsh suspension, that's the price you pay for sharp handling.

bayotte said:

I found than I had to change my riding style when I first got mine. Keep it about 4k RPM and it's quite smooth. As for harsh suspension, that's the price you pay for sharp handling.

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That last statement is, to say it nicely, false. If the forks are the same as on my 2013 then they are pretty bad as delivered. Damping in one leg only! The ride over square edged bumps is just terrible. I have other bikes that ride, turn in and hold a line much better, like our Ohlins/Racetech equipped SV650. Even my "visiting" FZ-09 rides better, and turns at least as well.

As for the throttle, try running in "touring." It makes the launch from a stop much easier.

zippy49 said:

That last statement is, to say it nicely, false. If the forks are the same as on my 2013 then they are pretty bad as delivered. Damping in one leg only! The ride over square edged bumps is just terrible. I have other bikes that ride, turn in and hold a line much better, like our Ohlins/Racetech equipped SV650. Even my "visiting" FZ-09 rides better, and turns at least as well.

As for the throttle, try running in "touring." It makes the launch from a stop much easier.

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While I can't speak about your sv650, stating that the fz09, a bike with a dangerously sloppy and universally criticized suspension setup, is better than the 'strada, is also, to put it nicely, false . Unless of course you're talking about the new fz09, in which case you may very well be correct.

Suspension is such an odd topic.. without knowing how you ride, your weight, tire selection, tire pressure, the road conditions.. it's VERY hard to diagnose online what everyone needs because there's just too many variables. For me, the suspension in factory form is actually quite good.. but I'm 120 lbs naked weight, about 135 in full gear so maybe the original design of the bike was intended for someone near my size.. who knows.

Throttle on mine while it has some quirks and took a little while to learn, seems to perform well. I don't run the bike in high rpm lots and it's never been in any other setting than Sport with TC/ABS either on 1 or ---.

The suspension is better at higher speeds, and clunky at low. Never stepped out on me though. Up the road, I'd consider a plusher set up, but for now it's fine.

Strangely - or not - I find the "sport" setting the smoothest when out of the city. Seems more direct to the wrist, and I've learned long ago (I have a 2013 strada) to be pretty precise with the throttle.

bayotte said:

While I can't speak about your sv650, stating that the fz09, a bike with a dangerously sloppy and universally criticized suspension setup, is better than the 'strada, is also, to put it nicely, false . Unless of course you're talking about the new fz09, in which case you may very well be correct.

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It's true, original FZ-09 suspension was pretty BAD. Sure, it "turns" OK but what happens when you hit bumps mid corner or dips? .. NOT OK, IMO

Perhaps Zippy's FZ9 had suspension modded? Many do this. The new '17 FZ9 is claimed to be much improved. The '15 is Way too soft, underdamped IMO.

My "new to me" Hyper just spent the last 10 days in the shop so the mech's could break things. (another story!)

I was lent two bikes during this time. Some weird and very low seat air cooled scrambler (I guess?) and a dealer demo HyperStrada.

The Scrambler suspension was truly horrific. The seat? even worse. Ah, but the clutch! A real, smooth broad engagement clutch! (fix coming on my bike I hope)

The hyper was better but was harsh and choppy in places. Better over 80 mph. My '13 Strada had it's suspension gone through at both ends and has those Italian valves whose name I can't recall? (Andriatti .. or something?)

Result? Fantastic suspension, some of the best I've encountered. PLUSH and very good when pushed in corners too. Riding other bikes really shows up the
differences dramatically. This bike is GOOD!

BTW, plenty of bikes with really good suspension have compression in one fork leg, rebound in the other leg. A common practice for years now.

So that is not necessarily the problem. Welll chosen valves do make a difference as well as a carefully made up shim stack and correct fork oil.
(these skill above my pay grade .. experts only territory I guess)

I'm about 185, suspension works very well. I'd guesstimate stock Strada's suspension is set up to handle a rider from about 150 to 160 lbs.?
But damping values are OFF, IMO. Both ends need fettling ... and then?
Magic carpet time.

I would never have bought my bike if it rode like the stocker I rode. NEVER.

I agree. I weigh 160 in gear and it seems about right. About that clutch, you're aware of the clutch fix kit that is in the works, correct?

Unlike my Strada, the FZ has forks that are adjustable for preload and rebound. The ride on our concrete highways is much better, even after the RT mods to the forks on the Strada. Anything over 70 still beats me to death.

As for back road performance, I've only had one good back road ride on the FZ with the Q3s. My initial impression was that the suspenders were no worse there than the stock stuff on the Strada. Also, the FZ's plank of a seat makes the bike feel harsher, too - the accessory "Comfort seat" was an improvement over what both bikes came with.

Bottom line...When you consider the price difference, the Strada should have come with better suspension.

All that said, I'm not keeping the Yam. Too much overlap with our SV, which is still my back road weapon of choice. The extra power does not matter; as I used to warn the guys in my HOG group - "I speed up for corners."

PS If you haven't actually ridden an FZ-09, then you really can't comment on this. If the magazine guys were always right, nobody would have bought an 821 due to all the whining about the clutch.

bayotte said:

I agree. I weigh 160 in gear and it seems about right. About that clutch, you're aware of the clutch fix kit that is in the works, correct?

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Yes, and thanks again to YOU for setting this up!
I'm all set to do the swap with the new components. So looking forward to this
very worth while upgrade!

My dealer did one thing while my '13 was in to have the rear master cylinder replaced ... some bright bulb adjusted the clutch. That mech must have taken the bike for a test ride and said "... wow! that clutch sucks!" Anyway, its much better now but still nowhere near what good clutch engagement should be like.

Awaiting your update on the Italian clutch kits.

zippy49 said:

Unlike my Strada, the FZ has forks that are adjustable for preload and rebound. The ride on our concrete highways is much better, even after the RT mods to the forks on the Strada. Anything over 70 still beats me to death.

As for back road performance, I've only had one good back road ride on the FZ with the Q3s. My initial impression was that the suspenders were no worse there than the stock stuff on the Strada. Also, the FZ's plank of a seat makes the bike feel harsher, too - the accessory "Comfort seat" was an improvement over what both bikes came with.

Bottom line...When you consider the price difference, the Strada should have come with better suspension.

All that said, I'm not keeping the Yam. Too much overlap with our SV, which is still my back road weapon of choice. The extra power does not matter; as I used to warn the guys in my HOG group - "I speed up for corners."

PS If you haven't actually ridden an FZ-09, then you really can't comment on this. If the magazine guys were always right, nobody would have bought an 821 due to all the whining about the clutch.

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Agree, Ducati could have done a better job dialing in suspension. The components aren't bad and are tune-able in the right hands. Biggest issue I have is dragging hard parts at relatively conservative lean angles.

I've ridden original FZ-09 and owned (briefly) an FJ-09. Both, IMO, had substandard suspension and "marginal" handling compared to what the Strada is capable of. (just my opinion)

I've used Race Tech components, sent many shocks and forks to them ...
starting in mid 90's. Never, ever was happy with results. ALWAYS too stiff. OK on silky smooth race track, but HORRIBLE on real beat up California roads.

We have local guys who produce, IMO, a better result, really listen and give us what we want. One outfit is Super Plush (In San Fran), the other is Catalyst Reaction. C-R did forks on my 1050 Tiger. I put an Ohlins on the rear. Another Hopeless bike. Just bad geometry I guess? could never get the Tiger to really perform. Fantastic motor however.

IMO, the Strada has some potential. Problem is, I'm getting slower ... fast.
(old age, old injuries)

Since I have had a connection with the Motorcycle press, I will defend them based on FACTS and my own experience over 20 years in that world. City Bike are a tiny, non conformist, NON commercial player in this world. Rebels really.

But some years back City Bike was highly respected. It was an honor for me to represent at the dozens of Bike intros and other events I attended for City Bike.

The current City Bike (run by new owners) have sort of gone off the rails. Seems they think they can get good writers ... FREE! Off the Internet!

The MC mag guys I met were usually about 90% spot on regards summing up bikes. Just because they complained about the HyperStrada clutch does not mean they thought the whole bike was crap. I bet if you talked to them in person, you'd get a different take. They have so much experience on so many different machines ... biggest issue is they get jaded.

But the Hyperstrada does fall into a rather small niche, clearly not a bike for every rider.

I got to know a few mag guys, now many are retired or working On Line MC forums rather than the Glossies. John Burns was one of the funniest writers to ever grace the pages of the MC mags. Now? He's rather subdued.

Hyp Noob said:

I got to know a few mag guys, now many are retired or working On Line MC forums rather than the Glossies. John Burns was one of the funniest writers to ever grace the pages of the MC mags. Now? He's rather subdued.

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Face it, we are getting OLD.

I've met and still correspond a bit with CW's Mark Hoyer, loaned him a timing gear that got him to the finish on one of our VOCNA annual Summer Rides. That doesn't mean I agree with him all the time.

And I remember when Mr. Burns was referred to as "J. Prurient Burns."

Race Tech can easily set up their stuff for street as well as track; I've only had to tell them which. Many riders over-estimate their needs when they do this. I've used their cartridge emulators in every "right side up" fork set for decades and they can be as plush as you want. The valve change on the Strada was a mere $500 with labor including machine work, and I did not expect that to feel like a $1000 set of cartridges. It was a definite improvement and kept the OEM springs. As for the rear, I'm saving up for an Ohlins before I go after the front again.

PS just sitting on an FJ-09 made me think I was on a Multistrada...what a tank compared to the Hyperstrada!

zippy49 said:

PS If you haven't actually ridden an FZ-09, then you really can't comment on this. If the magazine guys were always right, nobody would have bought an 821 due to all the whining about the clutch.

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I have, the FZ09 was near the top of my list when I bought. A 45 minute test ride was all I needed to know that the bike would be downright dangerous on back roads. Having adjustable suspension isn't worth much if you need to max out the setting anyways. Rides like a sofa on the free way, but will just about skid off the road if you hit a bump mid-corner.

And the "whining" about the clutch was justified, in my opinion. I don't think I'm alone in thinking that.

Hyp Noob said:

Yes, and thanks again to YOU for setting this up!
I'm all set to do the swap with the new components. So looking forward to this
very worth while upgrade!

My dealer did one thing while my '13 was in to have the rear master cylinder replaced ... some bright bulb adjusted the clutch. That mech must have taken the bike for a test ride and said "... wow! that clutch sucks!" Anyway, its much better now but still nowhere near what good clutch engagement should be like.

Awaiting your update on the Italian clutch kits.

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Awesome, post in the DIY when you get the swap done!

I have no where near the experience of the other posters here. I will say however that I put a Race Tech shock and gold valve/springs on my CRF250l and it transformed the bike. I also put the Ohlins TTX36 shock and Mupo K911 carts on the 939. Huge improvement. I'm actually having it dialed in by my suspension guy tomorrow and will report back. It's fairly stiff for me on the DC roads at the moment and I doubt I ever push this bike to the limit.

bayotte said:

I have, the FZ09 was near the top of my list when I bought. A 45 minute test ride was all I needed to know that the bike would be downright dangerous on back roads. Having adjustable suspension isn't worth much if you need to max out the setting anyways. Rides like a sofa on the free way, but will just about skid off the road if you hit a bump mid-corner.

And the "whining" about the clutch was justified, in my opinion. I don't think I'm alone in thinking that.

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So, you never actually took it down, say, Skyline. I have a 70 mile "standard ride" on 100% back roads to Ortega Highway and back. Once I got the new Q3s broken in I got the chicken strips down to my usual 1/2" first time on that ride. I do weigh a bit less than you, and most of the roads here are not as bumpy as, say, Ice Cream Grade in the Santa Cruz mountains.

Back on subject, OP has gotten some good advice here. Like just about any bike, some adjustments must be made to suit one's riding style and routes. Either to your riding, or the bike. My Strada has been molested less than nearly every other bike in the garage; I've concentrated on learning what it wants.

I had the Ohlins shock and Mupo carts dialed in today. Just some compression adjustment to soften both up a little for the rough DC roads. The bike was pretty stiff after the original install. Very happy with the results. Well worth the money as I plan on keeping this bike a long while.