The Suspension Thread!!! BOOING
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Due to be shipped back from Italy this week to the UK. If all goes to plan the changeover will be next wee.
Mupo Kit Fitted
The forks arrived at my dealer yesterday and today I have had them fitted. I have ridden just over 30 miles with them along a motorway so no extensive riding with them. I can report that within the first feet of moving off there was a more tactile feel of the road through the bars. Of the few bumps on my return that I was aware of the kick up through the bars was also reduced.
The forks arrived at my dealer yesterday and today I have had them fitted. I have ridden just over 30 miles with them along a motorway so no extensive riding with them. I can report that within the first feet of moving off there was a more tactile feel of the road through the bars. Of the few bumps on my return that I was aware of the kick up through the bars was also reduced.
On the rear suspension front I have just checked out Mupo's website and they list a number of options for the HS, including remote preload. Something I will follow up once I have sorted out the between centres measurements for my LS.
Joined Aug 2014
109 Posts | 0+
Minneapolis, Minnesota
David please give us an update when you have put down some more miles. Could you post some pictures of the adjustment caps at the top of the forks please? I'd like to add any info to the opening post of this thread!
Joined Jan 2015
23 Posts | 0+
Seattle
Yesterday I had my standard HM forks resprung/valved and a Penske 8983 installed by KFG/GP Suspension. As a big guy (6'2"/240) the stock suspension was mushy and unpredictable. It is a night and day difference after the upgrade.
I get so much more feedback from the front and rear. The bike feels firmly planted yet it absorbs bumps without discomfort. It feels like a new bike...best $1500 I've ever spent on a motorcycle.
My bike was the first 821 HM that they've revalved. They've recorded all of the suspension information and based on my job they're going to start offering a revalve kit soon. They also plan on making a cartage for the 821 after their new CNC machine arrives. I didn't get an ETA on that but, if funds allow, I'll probably offer up my bike to be a prototype for that too.
Already went for a 100 mile ride today...think I might go ride some more!
I get so much more feedback from the front and rear. The bike feels firmly planted yet it absorbs bumps without discomfort. It feels like a new bike...best $1500 I've ever spent on a motorcycle.
My bike was the first 821 HM that they've revalved. They've recorded all of the suspension information and based on my job they're going to start offering a revalve kit soon. They also plan on making a cartage for the 821 after their new CNC machine arrives. I didn't get an ETA on that but, if funds allow, I'll probably offer up my bike to be a prototype for that too.
Already went for a 100 mile ride today...think I might go ride some more!
Joined Aug 2014
109 Posts | 0+
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ohh awesome! What was the cost on the forks? Could we have more pictures of the shock. I'm wondering how hard it will be to adjust preload. It would be nice to not pay for hydralic preload adjustment when I upgrade.
Joined Jan 2015
23 Posts | 0+
Seattle
Too dark for pictures now but here's the manual for the shock to tide you over: http://www.penskeshocks.com/assets/8300-DA SHOCK Manual.pdf
As for the front shock, it broke down like this:
-Revalve kit: $188
-Springs: $55
-Oil/seal: $64
-Labor: $190
Thanks to a sale, I received parts and labor for the entire project at %25 off!
As for the front shock, it broke down like this:
-Revalve kit: $188
-Springs: $55
-Oil/seal: $64
-Labor: $190
Thanks to a sale, I received parts and labor for the entire project at %25 off!
Joined Nov 2013
1K Posts | 1+
Inland SoCal
That sounds like a very good price. What spring rate did they choose for the forks, and what do you weigh?
I still like the standard Strada shock, needed the hydraulic preload adjuster yesterday. It seems to be sprung and damped well enough even when I'm two-up.
I still like the standard Strada shock, needed the hydraulic preload adjuster yesterday. It seems to be sprung and damped well enough even when I'm two-up.
Joined Jan 2015
23 Posts | 0+
Seattle
The spring rate they went with for the forks was .85 and I'm 240ish. It seemed like a pretty good deal installed. I could have gone with a triple click rear shock for a bit more but I figured it would have been wasted on me. I very glad I got this first and saved my exhaust/PC5/tune for later.
Not sure I understand "Well MUPO is the only suspension company that at the base price you get the entire cartridge, forks or shock built to you for no additional charge including valving. " They're charging a lot for something.
The racetech cartridge emulator is pretty sophisticated and the whole rebuild is customized for the rider's needs.
It does seem that mupo offers a lot of adjustments - I guess the question is: Do you need this on the forks (as opposed to the rear shock). If you're doing track days it might be useful to have a specific setting for that, and one for the street. Otherwise do people really do new settings for the road once they find what they like?
I'd also question the need for progressive springs on a street bike - seems like a recipe for a lot fork dive, and the way the emulators work takes into account slow and fast rebound etc..
Seems like a lot of scratch with little real world advantage.
Joined Nov 2013
1K Posts | 1+
Inland SoCal
That's the same rate as RT put in mine, but I only weigh 170 in my gear. It's still tons better than the stock .62!
And hey appliance821, you are right on with your comments. Once I get the setup right, I leave it alone.
Joined Jan 2015
23 Posts | 0+
Seattle
Hmm...that doesn't seem right then. I swear he said 85 but you'd think we'd have different rates considering out weight difference. I ran out of the shop before they could finish writing up all the details but I'll get them later this week when I go pick up my spare parts!
The spring rate they choose has a lot to do with what you tell the suspension guy your goals are with the bike. It is not the same for a track rider as it is for a two up tourer and everything in between.
If you took your bike to a reputable shop, I wouldn't necessarily second guess them right away.
If you took your bike to a reputable shop, I wouldn't necessarily second guess them right away.
Joined Jan 2015
23 Posts | 0+
Seattle
Oh I definitely am not second guessing them...I'm second guessing my memory!
I know KFG does amazing work based on my riding nirvana the last few days and by all the excellent reviews from the local riding community.It's killing me to be sitting at my desk right now when the weather is drying out/warming up outside (60 degrees on the way to work today!).
Oh I definitely am not second guessing them...I'm second guessing my memory!
It's killing me to be sitting at my desk right now when the weather is drying out/warming up outside (60 degrees on the way to work today!).
We have 4 feet of snow in Boston - feel my pain.
Joined Jan 2015
465 Posts | 2+
Victoria BC Canada
Anyone ever run the standard 13-15 Hypermotard rear shock on the Strada? Reason for asking, is I know the standard HM has an adjustable spring seat, both probably have similar spring rates.. which might equate to being able to achieve proper seat sag for lighter riders..
