| Author | Message | ||
     Bandirola |
For those of you who have replaced your fork springs: Is the difference in day to day performance really worth the expense or is it just the "cool factor" of having custom suspension? Which springs and valves have you tried and would you use the same ones again? Will stiffer fork springs ruin the smooth ride I love so much on 500 mile days? My 00 S3T has a blown fork seal and GP Suspension in OR suggested replacing the valves and springs at the same time. I weigh about 190 and do mostly spirited cruising in the twisties. This is not a race bike and I am unsure if I really need stiffer forks or did Erik get it right? Let the opinions fly... Dave | ||
| Rocketman |
I put the stiffer Buell Race Kit springs in my S1W and the difference is noticeable especially when braking. The dive is much less and more controlled. Outside of braking, pure handling wise I can't say whether a noticeable performance gain can be felt or not given even hard road use, as in soaking up road imperfections. Ask me about the rear suspension and it would be easy to point out an improvement given the spring rate there was too harsh. The front from a stock point of view is a much better performer, therefore not so easy to find a vast improvement except when braking. But braking is a very obvious place to feel the spring rate difference in the front suspension. Whatever you end up doing, having the suspension worked at either end by a reputable suspension tuner should reap you rewards that improve upon stock by some considerable amount. Reputable suspension tuning doesn't come cheap when it involves more than just setting up what you have as stock. Rocket | ||
| Henrik |
I had Traxxion redo the front end of my S2 and put a Penske shock on the rear. I really liked the result. I use the S2 mostly for sport touring, and do not find the suspension to be harsh at all. And you can ask the Fireman how he likes a Buell with a well sorted suspension  Henrik | ||
| Bomber |
Replace your springs -- especially so long as you've got your forks apart anyways -- the stockers are not strong enough, very likely, for you when your geared up not that anyone got it wrong, mind you, but the development target was, er, ehm, lighter than I am certainly, and likely you too As Rocket said, reduced brake dive will be the most noticable change -- I have also noticed a difference in handling on the crummy roads I tend to like ;-} lastly, springs do tend to settle over time, and your's probobly have done so by now please tell me how to cash in the cool point on the my srpings -- no one seems to notice ;-} | ||
| Henrik |
please tell me how to cash in the cool point on the my srping I left the big honkin' Traxxion Dynamics stickers on my forks  Henrik | ||
| Jayvee |
I've replaced front fork spring to Progressive on a couple non-Buell bikes, and it made a very noticeable difference in handling. I weigh about 185. Tracks better over bumps, just works better, it's a pretty good "bang-for-the-buck" upgrade. Seems like Progressive doesn't make springs for my M2, so I just bought some Race Tech, but I haven't even put them in yet. I got mine from California Sport Touring for $96.79, it's slightly less than most sellers. Oops, just searched and they are on sale right now for $95 at Speedwerks.com | ||
| Buellistic |
The Part Number is 45989-96Y for the Lighting Series Race Fork Springs ... They may still be avalible, "BUT" will have the NEW "BUELLschite" Part NUMBER !!! | ||
| Xldevil |
I use progressive springs from Wilbers. http://www.wilbers-products.net/shop/index_shop.html?gabelf_buell.htm And yes,they are worth the money,IMO. Ralph | ||
| Djkaplan |
How much sag do you have with the springs you have now? If you can't dial in enough preload for the recommended setting, you need stiffer springs. Compression damping has more to do with a plush front end than spring rate. Measure your sag. | ||
| Tankhead |
Hey guys I have had my City X since April. My front suspension is very hard not plush. Bumps are very harsh. What should I do to it? Adjust damping or let some of the compression preload out? tanks | ||
| Bomber |
Tank -- first, I'd suggest setting it to the specs in the owner's manual -- next, try reducing the compression damping, a little at a time (by little, I mean a fraction of a turn of the screw) . . . . there's a buncha Buellers in your neck of the woods, and I'm sure they'd be happy to help, live, which is so much better than virtually | ||
| Tankhead |
Tanks Bomber, I will try the compression dampening. The settings were done to my specs (weight) when I bought the bike but ya never know. |
