Looking at my 2013 T100, I found that the rear suspension units were set to the lowest setting by the PO. I cranked them round to mid-way and took the bike out for a 40-mile canter round the back roads between Peterborough and Market Deeping. Those long straight, uneven fen roads give a pretty good idea of suspension settings.... the "crashing" at the back is definitely gone and the handling over 50mph on the Parkway and A16 is much improved, too.
If you have still got the OEM shocks fitted and weigh any less than 20 stone the ride will never be as good as it can be. I put up with mine for 6 months, then fitted Hagons and what a difference!
If you're satisfied with it that's what counts, I was just relaying my own experience which may have helped improve it further.
I didn't say I was satisfied, just that it was an improvement. I don't doubt that Hagons and probably AM26 tyres will be on the list over the winter..
Rear suspension seems to be settling in now, the bike had only done 2000 miles when I got it, which is nothing in 3 years... Hagon springs and Ricors certainly tamed the handling on my 1992 XL, which was pretty wild when I first got it, having been lowered to some stupid level as Sportsters often are. Avon Cobras suit the brute, as well. The "rigid" (i.e., frame-mounted engine, in Sportster-speak) XLs are pretty much first cousins to the XR flat-track bikes, and feel pretty much like a flat track bike to ride (this is an informed opinion, by the way ... I don't mean this as a compliment, simply as an observation. They have very quick steering and lack stability at speed, especially in cross-winds)
The TEC adjusters look good for the forks. Might be worth fitting for what they cost if you're experimenting with spacers.
Did you feel like you needed to modify the front as mine feels precise as std? I'm being lazy at the moment as I'm pre-occupied with work and not got round to sorting the arse out. Is yours a t100 with longer shocks as I don't remember seeing it on last gmu?
I can say I can't fault the front end. I can hammer it through the bends and it stays planted although the rear brays the arse out of my back.
Had the bike out in between showers at the weekend. The rear shocks are better, but the bike still feels skittish at the back, on wet roads. Possibly some of this comes from riding Sportsters, which are definitely tail-heavy and tend to wag their heads - you can push the forks up through the yokes until they feel unstable at 60mph and the back is STILL secure. I rode an XR1200 last week, a huge barge of a bike weighing at least 60lb more than a Bonneville, taller as well. The suspension isn't "sport bike" standard but it's definitely better than the T100, and if course it has 17" rear and 18" front wheels. I've reached the point now where I definitely feel something needs to be done..
