Post trackday...front fork thoughts.

[alex]

So I went to Snetterton on Sunday, did a few sessions and then finally spoke to the suspension guy there.

I said to him I have a standard S1000RR...he instantly said 'does it feel vague and not give you confidence on turn in?' Hmmm Yup.

I had utterly failed before yesterday to really look into the settings of my bike since buying it. The front rebounds were set to 8 and compression on 3. The rebound was far to agressive with the amount of travel the compression setting was allowing. The suspension guy said to START at around 9 rebound and 8 compression for the track, but that basically even on maximum's it wouldn't stabilise the platform fully.

I tried it and it work a whole lot better (note to self sort these things out when you buy the bike not a year later (even if that is only 1,000 miles for various reasons)). Better entry confidence and the new SBS 875's brake pads were a joy to use. Ony got one session in before the rain arrived but I went much quicker.

Any hoo, he (from 100% Suspension) said that the 25mm K-Tech kit would be a good starting place to upgrade the front forks to allow actual tuning of the shocks. He said they would be about ?900 and would ahve resale value unlike just rebuilding the 30mm stock units for ~?600.

?~900 seems pretty good. But what are other peoples thoughts on fork upgrades for ?700-1200? Is a cartridge kit the way to go? I see there's a BiTurbo kit that's similar, has anyone tried them?

 

[bananaman]

Had bitubo front cartridge in mine, awesome.

 

[alex]

Noted...thanks
Matris appear to be an option too. Anyone got the F12R's?

 

[soofsayer]

If you're thinking of spending on front suspension, does it make the new model with ddc any more interesting?

 

[alex]

If you're thinking of spending on front suspension, does it make the new model with ddc any more interesting?

Depends if its as cheap as the 2012 suspension (excluding the electronics). This maybe a defining area which make an HP4 non-Carbon still the best bet if you're going to tracks (for a similar purchase price).
My bike was 10k. I figure a set of front forks would be enough to satisfy the track bug, so I just feel confident on it. However I will not make a rash purchase I need a better go on the stockers now I know what settings they should be on. Next I need to work on the power wheelie...as that will make the mountain will be scarier than it should be!

 

[alex]

Hmmm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bmw-s1000...t-/271870488236?&_trksid=p2056016.m2516.l5255

 

[mike g]

mmm difficult one, on several previous bikes i've had forks resprung oiled or valved with some success, particularly my early r1 very good change I had full ktec job on my old gsxr 1000 - can't say it was that much of an improvement - but was a bit better, have to say BM seems pretty good as it is, done a couple of sessions at brands and couldn't find any real problems, now it's on "comfort" settings for road use, quite happy really. dive on brakes and rebound / turn in are ok. and bumps don't seem to bad either. I've considered ohlins for the back, but not really sure what it would improve. (i've had this on my last 3 bikes and again only marginallly beter than just setting up stock).
but theres nothing like a bit of bling and i have an ohlins steering damper sitting in the garage (for gsxr / r1) that will have to go on soon - once harris come back on fitting kit!

 

[chorsley]

I got mine re-sprung at FTR Suspension made a massive difference to the way my bike rides

 

[baz]

depends on your lap times? if your 20 seconds off no point,, if your 5 seconds of get the cartridge kit, 25mm more usable than the dds ,for that you need to be pretty close to lap record pace,

Couldn't agree more!

 

[Niven770]

Put Ohlins front forks (not inserts) on mine. Worked a treat plus had a spare set of originals if I binned it.
But as mentioned above it depends on how fast you go.

 

[alex]

Its more about the feel of the front end. Maybe that's the tyre too, I intend to test some Pirelli's next, but 100% Suspension said that a vague front was typical of the stock suspension. Whatever it is tt reduces my confidence. So I want to get the gear to give the adjustment range possible to make her more positive at the front, less prone to lifting the front wheel, whilst also capable of a nicely damped commute. It's a road bike, but I just want to dial out the understeer.
A second hand cartrige set was something I noticed, wondered if it was the best way to go.
Of new kit, the Matris F12R, M46R and SDR (Forks, Shock and Steering Damper) look like a nice combination of kit without going too crazy on costs. Taking it to a specialist to get all setup together. I guess I need to decide if I want to take all the bells and whistles to a suspension expert once...of try getting what I've got setup and then decide if I still need to go back with new bits.

 

[baz]

Its more about the feel of the front end. Maybe that's the tyre too, I intend to test some Pirelli's next, but 100% Suspension said that a vague front was typical of the stock suspension. Whatever it is tt reduces my confidence. So I want to get the gear to give the adjustment range possible to make her more positive at the front, less prone to lifting the front wheel, whilst also capable of a nicely damped commute. It's a road bike, but I just want to dial out the understeer.
A second hand cartrige set was something I noticed, wondered if it was the best way to go.
Of new kit, the Matris F12R, M46R and SDR (Forks, Shock and Steering Damper) look like a nice combination of kit without going too crazy on costs. Taking it to a specialist to get all setup together. I guess I need to decide if I want to take all the bells and whistles to a suspension expert once...of try getting what I've got setup and then decide if I still need to go back with new bits.

You want to get rid of the understeer?
Is it on corner entry?
Is it mid-corner?
Is it exiting the corner?
Are you trail braking?
Are you on throttle or off throttle?
where do you apply a neutral throttle?
Where do you start to apply more throttle?
Are you turning in too early?
Etc.etc.
There are so many variables affecting the bike other than suspension.
Next time you go on track,get an instructor to go out with you to see if he can spot any obvious faults.

if you have booked either of the BMW club days,I or one of the other instructors will go out with you,if you ask.

 

[alex]

Yeah I'm on the Cadwell one...Tends to wash out as rolling on after the apex...