[ducatim900me]

Hey guys I am new to the site, but I am not new to monsters. I have a heavily modded M900S 01' which I love. Anyway I have 2 questions. First off I really need to work on the handling of the bike, and I was wondering what works and what doesn't. Hyperpro gold valve emulators in the front? Ohlins in the back, is it necessary that I go with a 600 dollar shock to cure the handling problems?? Just some insight would be great.

 

[terrible_viking]

Well, exactly what are your handling problems?

Dunno if the $600.- Ohlins is going to be a huge improvement over what you're currently running. Their $1.100.- unit is the dog's bollocks though (or at least the $700.- to $1.000.- Fox or Penske shocks).

Our bikes definitely benefit from the improved high-speed damping that comes with aftermarket (gold) valves, wheter you need to drop big $$ on a completely new shock is a bit hard to determine without knowing specifics...

-R.

 

[mnztr]

I have Hyperpro springs front and rear, they are a BIG improvement over the stock suspension.

 

[terrible_viking]

Just the springs or did you get an entire rebuild incl valves?

-R.

 

[DaffeDuc]

... and what's the difference b/t a Penske shock vs an Ohlins shock vs a Fox shock? Is it just the name or is one better than the other?

 

[terrible_viking]

... and what's the difference...

What's the difference between a Speed Triple and a Monster? Different brands, buy what you like. All these come sprung and valved for your weight, consensus seems to be that the Penske is the stiffest and most track-oriented of the bunch out of the box. It's also about $100.- cheaper than the top-of-the-line Ohlins.

Fox is the cheapest and probably more than most of us will ever need (or know how to use), but appears to require the most work to set up - I have a racer friend who sent two new Fox shocks back two times each to have them re-valved because he didn't like the way they were valved.

I've seen some good comparisons online of people that know much more about these things than I ever will, just google them up.

-R.

 

[DaffeDuc]

What's the difference between a Speed Triple and a Monster? Different brands, buy what you like. All these come sprung and valved for your weight, consensus seems to be that the Penske is the stiffest and most track-oriented of the bunch out of the box. It's also about $100.- cheaper than the top-of-the-line Ohlins.

Fox is the cheapest and probably more than most of us will ever need (or know how to use), but appears to require the most work to set up - I have a racer friend who sent two new Fox shocks back two times each to have them re-valved because he didn't like the way they were valved.

I've seen some good comparisons online of people that know much more about these things than I ever will, just google them up.

-R.

... or maybe Ohlins just has that "sport bike" type connotation, Fox has that "dual sport" connotation, and Penske has that "NASCAR" connotation? Just curious... by no means does a brand name denote what bike it should be used for... just an observation on what I've seen and what people have told me.

 

[ducatim900me]

I guess the real problem that I have is at speed I get a high speed wobble. I want to crank the back end-up, I had the service department do it, but it still has a problem. The front forks really don't have any problems but they sprung a leak, so I should just upgrade. The 900s has a crap sachs shock, which I think is crap. So to upgrade the rear, if fox or Penske is cheaper I have no problem going with that. Really just want to make the best decision. Also the bike has a tendency to squat heavily under load entering a corner.

 

[terrible_viking]

High speed wobble can be caused by a variety of things other than the suspension, for example a loose head bearing.

Leaking forks are no good, my Duc did that and it was fixed under warranty. If you can upgrade the valves while you're at it, do it. It will greatly improve your high-speed damping (not mph, how fast the shock has to compress when you hit a bump). I'd also get a spring that's rated for my weight if I had to do it over again.

But first of all, I'd set up what I have for my weight and see how it that works. I'm including some links below. Start out setting sag with factory rebound and compression settings and take it from there. Much fiddling and trial-and error is involved, so be warned. I have only begun to comprehend the complexity that is supensions, and it can be frustrating but really rewarding once you start figuring things out.

As to what shock, maybe somebody with first-hand experience will chime in here. Otherwise, if I didn't want to do a lot of the legwork myself, I'd find a knowledgeable suspension tuner in my area and just go with whatever he specializes in.

Good luck,

-R.

The Racers Resource Center
www.racebikesite.com/moto...ations.htm

Circuit 1
www.circuit1.com/circuito...guide.html

Ohlins "The Ultimate Tuning" Manual
www.ohlins.com/pdf/ultima...g_bike.pdf

Fox Shock Setup Manual
www.foxracingshox.com/mot...Manual.pdf

Penske Shock Setup Manual
www.penskeshocks.com/8900...Manual.pdf

Dale Rathwell on Suspension
cgi.motorcycle.com/mo/mcm...hwell.html

Setting up sag - WITH PICTURES!
www.sebimoto-germany.de/e...ttest2.htm

Setting static sag (the rule of thumb method)
www.cornerspeed.net/sus_sag.html

The Club Racer's Guide
venus.13x.com/roadracingw...axclub.htm

The UK Version
www.bemsee.co.uk/tech/setup.html

Factory rules for suspension tuning
www.factorypro.com/tech/S...tting.html

Sport Rider Suspension Tuning Guide-Dialing It In
www.sportrider.com/tech/1...sp_dialin/

Faultline Suspension Tips
Forks:
www.faultlinesuspension.c...sfork.html
Shock:
www.faultlinesuspension.c...shock.html

Technical information for the non-factory rider
www.floridatrailriders.or...chinf1.htm

Tuning Guide - Not just suspension
www.gpsuspension.com/tuningguide.htm

Suspension and Springs
www.tsrltd.com/sag.htm

Fineline Suspension Tuning
www.finelinesuspension.com/sag1.htm

 

[ducatim900me]

Thanks Viking-
;D

Your insight was great. I have already set-up my suspension for my weight. Prior to going to the track a mechanic friend of mine helped me out. I never thought that the front forks would be covered under warranty. I can probably get them upgraded while they do this. The rear shock does need replacement. So I guess I will do my homework on this. Ohlins reaps quality, I work at a dealership so i can get a break on the price, but if penske can save me some money i am all in.

 

[Guest]

Penske also should have a height adjustable shock for you monster....Ohlins I think does not..so if you have the hoop rear linkage and want more rear height it might also be worth considering Penske for that..I have the Ohlins on mine though and it is a very very noticable difference in the plus.
I also had a glimmer of hope form Ohlins that they could adapt my shock to an adjustable ride height version, but I never heard back from them and I never followed through on it.....

 

[Guest]

... or maybe Ohlins just has that "sport bike" type connotation, Fox has that "dual sport" connotation, and Penske has that "NASCAR" connotation? Just curious... by no means does a brand name denote what bike it should be used for... just an observation on what I've seen and what people have told me.

I don't chew enough tobacco to use the Penske!

 

[DaffeDuc]

I don't chew enough tobacco to use the Penske!

but do you have a gun rack in your pick-up?

 

[Guest]

"If you think DOOKATTI is some kind of martial arts, You might be a red neck!"

 

[Guest]

I found that it is possible to convert the Ohlins into a height adjustable shock. Thot I would just pass that info on.......

 

[ducman851]

Hehehehe Ryan said "Dogs Bullocks" ;D

 

[terrible_viking]

Doesn't make a lot of sense technically, huh? 8)

-R.

 

[DaffeDuc]

... dog's bullocks... as in: "Bullocks" = castrated bull? so a dog's castrated bull? didn't know pets could have pets.

 

[Speeddog]

Uhh..it's 'bollocks'. AFAIK, British/UK slang for 'balls'.

Not that it makes any more literal sense.

 

[dj]

I found that it is possible to convert the Ohlins into a height adjustable shock. Thot I would just pass that info on.......

Okay, so how do ya do it then?

I've finally had to admit that it's time to park the monster for the season, so it's time to start thinking about winter projects.
I'm thinking of having the forks revalved (non-adjustable Showa, yech!) and replacing the shock. Should make things a little 'funner' come spring time. ;D