Been riding the Bonnie for two summers now and have never been happy with the stock suspension. Seen several bits of info re resolving this and have fitted TEC progresive fork springs as a first step as I am too tight to start with changing rear shocks. Small improvement but not as much as hoped for. Performance is still stiff and not that planted/ comfortable on my awful backroads. Thinking about checking level and replacing fork oil. Any thoughts / advice welcomed. (Technical that is, not about my meanness)
Assuming you have no damping adjusters and there is a good free sag then you could try lower viscosity oil in forks. If you got the bike second hand maybe the oil on there is higher viscosity than standard . Of course if you are very light you may need softer springs both ends but oil is easiest to start with. The level will have more effect when forks approach end of travel for normal use the standard level is probably best. Normally measured with springs out and forks fully compressed. If it's bothering you it may be worth getting over your stinginess and getting a suspension expert to look at it. Probably a very quick diagnosis at least . Good luck anyways
Helpfully.......Fork oil viscosity of the same nominal weight varies between manufacturers! I used Motul 10w with my progressives but.... the air gap matters every bit as much since air compression is part of the suspension set up. 120mm to top of fork - spring out fork fully compressed. I changed the back end first as that is where the greater benefit is to be had by taking care of the wallow.
Thanks for that. Seems like the sort of messing about that could be rather open ended. Dont mind having a go at things as I'm not a total numpty but think your advice re getting a professional opinion might be the best option. Bike is 2013 Mag Wheel Bonnie. Any sugestions for rear shocks? Back end feels like it is leaving the road above 50 on my local road? switchback?
