Speed Twin Front Forks

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by bob1, Jul 18, 2019.

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  1. bob1

    bob1 Noble Member

    Mar 12, 2018
    410
    313
    Somerset
    got the back end sorted out no problems it's the front if I come up to a sharpish bend at speed say about 80 to 90 hit the brakes then turn in for the bend the the bike gets out of shape can get quite scary. it feels like the forks are twisting this is the first bike I have ridden with conventional forks for over twenty years doesn't seem right to me but is this part for the course for right way up forks.
     
  2. RSReggie

    RSReggie Active Member

    Apr 9, 2019
    114
    43
    North West UK
    The speed twin is quite a quick bike for its old fashioned suspension!
    Maybe you need to brake more gently. Otherwise maybe get the oil
    changed for a thicker grade (old skool) or get a suspension expert on it.
    I test rode a Speed Twin for a couple of hours round north Wales and found it to be underdamped but not too bad. Probably worth checking the front end is secure
    by holding the wheel between your knees and moving the bars side to side (not while riding of course ;)) Maybe just the "character" of the bike if ridden harder than
    it wants. I would try braking a little earlier an progressively and see if it helps.
    BTW _ am about 12 1/2 stone - if you are a lot heavier maybe you need stronger springs too ?
     
  3. bob1

    bob1 Noble Member

    Mar 12, 2018
    410
    313
    Somerset
    thanks for the reply I'm 2 stone heavier than you I think you might have hit the nail on the head character of the bike my previous bike was a fireblade and I think I might be expecting to much just need to adapt my riding style a bit.
     
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  4. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
    7,545
    1,000
    Southcoast of the UK Earth
    I mentioned this after my first test ride and it's down to the basic fork internals being overwhelmed by the fantastick brake set up, also if you trailbrake into bends the uncontrolled rebound will cause the front tyre to slip away. I have looked into what's available and it's not much at the moment, you could fit fork emulators to help but the end result is a halfway house as you spend ages fitting and removing them trying to set them up with a small gain but most people will be pleased with or like me go for the two cartridge set up giving bump and rebound in either leg. I believe Matris have a kit already and i am waiting to see what Ohlins come up with. The YSS rears have made a huge improvement to the rear :)

    20190705_180051.jpg
     
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  5. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2015
    3,401
    1,000
    Barnsley
    I don’t think it’s very good of Triumph to offer this bike with no adjustment at all on the front suspension, surely it could have had at least preload and rebound damping, something that could be altered to better suit people’s weight and riding style, and still been competitive on price? I got rid of an MT09 for that reason, shite suspension, great engine but it tied itself in knots just going up the drop kerb out side YM manor.
    Or are we going to get a Speed Twin R, with USD forks like the Thruxton R? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
     
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  6. Kinjane

    Kinjane Active Member

    Oct 15, 2017
    233
    43
    Bristol, Land of Enger
    Those YSS units certainly don't look out of place :)
     
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  7. mpllineman

    mpllineman First Class Member

    Feb 12, 2018
    826
    500
    Pearl,Ms.
    I have read a lot about the new Speed Twin since it came out. I love the look of the bike and am not knocking it at all, but I do think it's sad that with a bike with a premium price tag has to be" fixed" so soon. Nobody seems to be happy with the suspension at all!
     
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  8. SpeedTwin1200

    SpeedTwin1200 Senior Member

    Jul 21, 2019
    261
    113
    Hampshire
  9. Kinjane

    Kinjane Active Member

    Oct 15, 2017
    233
    43
    Bristol, Land of Enger
    I think the only people that are going to be happy with the stock suspension are those whose weight and riding style is the same that the suspension was set up for. It’s not going to be many of us at all if we represent a typical cross section of humanity. Perusing the numerous suspension discussions across various forums it would appear anyone over 200lbs will be spending money.
     
  10. SpeedTwin1200

    SpeedTwin1200 Senior Member

    Jul 21, 2019
    261
    113
    Hampshire
    Yeah, I'm 70kg, about 160lbs I think, plus riding gear so definitely sub-200lbs. I put another 160lbs of son on the back on Thursday whilst still on the softest preload and I actually felt the arm swing as it were.
     
  11. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
    800
    Three Counties
    :joy::joy: Most people on here last saw 70kgs about 30 years ago, or as the numbers swung passed on its way towards the 100 mark :joy::joy:
     
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  12. SpeedTwin1200

    SpeedTwin1200 Senior Member

    Jul 21, 2019
    261
    113
    Hampshire
    :) As Colin Chapman famously said, "Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
     
  13. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,318
    1,000
    North West England
    So the speed twin suspension debate continues....
     
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  14. Vanguard

    Vanguard Member

    Aug 1, 2019
    8
    8
    UK
    K-Tech Tracker front cartridge kit for the street twin fits the Speed twin, I'm having it installed and the Razor rear shocks later this month
     
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  15. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
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    Any more info on the cartridge kit ?
     
  16. Vanguard

    Vanguard Member

    Aug 1, 2019
    8
    8
    UK
    What would you like to know? I've been chatting with Chris at K-Tech, they bought some Speed twin forks in to take apart and measure and he said it's the same as the Street twin. This is the part number for the cartridge kit that will fit the Speed Twin and I quote directly from his email to me

    The part number for these is 120-016-250-018 and we would recommend the 35-340-85 springs to go with them.
     
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  17. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
    7,545
    1,000
    Southcoast of the UK Earth
    That's good info ta, thinking of a kit for my Speed but not decided yet. Keep us up to date please.
     
  18. Englishbandit

    Englishbandit Active Member

    Jul 31, 2019
    133
    43
    Huddersfield
    #18 Englishbandit, Aug 10, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2019
    That’s triumph for you over priced with lots of faults. You think they would take into account all riders sizes and needs if charging top dollar. But they do look bloody nice lol
     
  19. Terry

    Terry New Member

    Apr 29, 2015
    17
    3
    kent
    Hi Vanguard, I'm thinking of fitting this type of suspension to my 865 thruxton. would you mind telling me how you are finding it?
    Thanks
     
  20. Ethan_Rogers10

    Ethan_Rogers10 New Member

    Jun 21, 2020
    27
    3
    United Kingdom
    Hi Vanguard,

    Did you get the K Tech set up fitted in the end? How is it? Was the front fork fitting a straight swap as over heard some options need some work to the forks (Ohlins Nixx for example).

    Thanks
     
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