SKF fork seals and dust seal - yucky green but good?

[justplainbill]

A friend suggested replacing my OEM fork and dust seals with SKF parts (KITG-41K) because of their reduced stiction and longer life.  Watched a few videos on YouTube which are convincing so far as showing lower stiction with SKF seals, and some dirt bike riders swear by them for improving off road plushness and extending seal life.  I also found a video of a race Yamaha R6 using SKF seals running on a track, with a voice over narration stating that the R6 suspension was smoother and better with those seals.
 
All impressive, but I [span]haven't found[/span] much support for SKF seals used on street bikes such as FJ-09's.  It can't be the color, at least on USD forks where you can't see the yucky green. Maybe it's the price, which is about double OEM or aftermarket seals. Finally, could it be there is no discernible improvement on a street bike using low stiction fork seals?
 
My question is, does anyone have any information or experience regarding these seals used by ordinary street riders on ordinary street motorcycles?   
 
 
 
 
 

[betoney]

I have heard several local suspension guys use and recommend SKF seals. They have used them on my bikes and I have no complaints, now, whether they are “better” or not is beyond my end-user knowledge.

[micah2074]

If I’m riding 100% on the street, the oem seals are fine, and I’m not doing any suspension surgery I would leave them alone. But hey, it’s you’re bike and money.

[justplainbill]

If I’m riding 100% on the street, the oem seals are fine, and I’m not doing any suspension surgery I would leave them alone. But hey, it’s you’re bike and money.

So you're saying you don't have any information or experience with SKF seals?  Well, thanks anyway.

[micah2074]

You’re most welcome. The only info I’ve been able to get on them is that they’re yucky green.... but not everyone thinks green is yucky so I say go for it. 

[Buggy Nate]

I’ve got them in mine, they are definitely a nicer action, but from my dirt experience with them they do not last as long. For the road with minimal dust etc they are great. My Skf seal kit was black as well. Not that it really matters!

[justplainbill]

My interest in the SKF green seals is because my FJ's forks are so f'n brutal to my hands going over expansion strips or frost heaves that I will be either sending them out for service or sticking a piston kit in this winter. As long as the fork are coming apart anyway, if seals lowering stiction will help, I'll install a set. If not, I'll save the money and go with regular seals.
 
The reason I don't just assume that because they are so valued by dirt bike (and bicycle) riders, they will also improve a street bike, is that fork travel on a dirt bike is so much greater than a street bike experiences that stiction probably isn't as much a problem for a street bike. And if street riders could get significant gains by changing fork seals, wouldn't guys like Matt and Stoltec be promoting green seals like crazy? But I'm open to hearing real world experiences with these seals from real world street riders.
 
Incidentally, the black SFK seals cost less than the green ones and aren't described as having low stiction properties. It's probably only a matter of one having more or less stiction than the other.

[betoney]

maybe call or email a few suspension shops and ask the experts?
They might be able to give you better answers.

[carey]

My interest in the SKF green seals is because my FJ's forks are so f'n brutal to my hands going over expansion strips or frost heaves that I will be either sending them out for service or sticking a piston kit in this winter. As long as the fork are coming apart anyway, if seals lowering stiction will help, I'll install a set. If not, I'll save the money and go with regular seals. 
The reason I don't just assume that because they are so valued by dirt bike (and bicycle) riders, they will also improve a street bike, is that fork travel on a dirt bike is so much greater than a street bike experiences that stiction probably isn't as much a problem for a street bike. And if street riders could get significant gains by changing fork seals, wouldn't guys like Matt and Stoltec be promoting green seals like crazy? But I'm open to hearing real world experiences with these seals from real world street riders.
 
Incidentally, the black SFK seals cost less than the green ones and aren't described as having low stiction properties. It's probably only a matter of one having more or less stiction than the other.

I used the green SKF seals in my Triumph Tiger 1050.  I had the forks revalved and new seal installed.  The new seals started leaking less than a year later.  I installed the SKF green seals, because I've had good luck with them on my dirt bikes.   
They lasted several years with out leaking, and then I sold the bike.  I could not tell the difference between SKF and OEM.  IIRC, Triumph uses Showa or KYB forks.

[carey]

justplainbill,
 
I will add this;
 
Although my experience with SKF green seals has been great, I think the problem you're trying to resolve won't be cured by a change in fork seals. A revalve of the cartridges will fix that problem.
 
In the past, my experience with Yamaha OEM seals has been good for both price and reliability.
 
If you don't want to revalve your forks, I believe some owners have been happy with a swap to thinner or different fork oil. This might improve the situation, but not as much as a revalve.
 
What are your current fork settings? Sag and damping?

[koth442]

justplainbill, 
I will add this;
 
Although my experience with SKF green seals has been great, I think the problem you're trying to resolve won't be cured by a change in fork seals. A revalve of the cartridges will fix that problem.
 
In the past, my experience with Yamaha OEM seals has been good for both price and reliability.
 
If you don't want to revalve your forks, I believe some owners have been happy with a swap to thinner or different fork oil. This might improve the situation, but not as much as a revalve.
 
What are your current fork settings? Sag and damping?

This. Seals won't solve harsh suspension.

[justplainbill]

justplainbill, 
I will add this;
 
Although my experience with SKF green seals has been great, I think the problem you're trying to resolve won't be cured by a change in fork seals. A revalve of the cartridges will fix that problem.
 
In the past, my experience with Yamaha OEM seals has been good for both price and reliability.
 
If you don't want to revalve your forks, I believe some owners have been happy with a swap to thinner or different fork oil. This might improve the situation, but not as much as a revalve.
 
What are your current fork settings? Sag and damping?

Thanks carey.  My interest in SKF seals is in the possibility that reduced stiction might benefit general fork compliance on a street bike as they are said to do on dirt bikes. That is the question I posed. To me, it had nothing to do with the greater problem of fork harshness.  
I plan to address the harshness by either installing a RaceTech Gold Valve kit myself (I referred to above as a "piston kit"), or sending my forks to a specialist for re-valving. Since the forks will be apart anyway, I will replace the seals and wanted input on the value of the SKF seals.  Best I can tell so far, there isn't much to be gained using them on a street bike.   

[fzkenm]

justplainbill, 
I will add this;
 
Although my experience with SKF green seals has been great, I think the problem you're trying to resolve won't be cured by a change in fork seals. A revalve of the cartridges will fix that problem.
 
In the past, my experience with Yamaha OEM seals has been good for both price and reliability.
 
If you don't want to revalve your forks, I believe some owners have been happy with a swap to thinner or different fork oil. This might improve the situation, but not as much as a revalve.
 
What are your current fork settings? Sag and damping?

This. Seals won't solve harsh suspension.

But then why are both passenger pegs held with cotter pins?  Were those attachment points as well??  lol

[johncw]

justplainbill, 
I will add this;
 
Although my experience with SKF green seals has been great, I think the problem you're trying to resolve won't be cured by a change in fork seals. A revalve of the cartridges will fix that problem.
 
In the past, my experience with Yamaha OEM seals has been good for both price and reliability.
 
If you don't want to revalve your forks, I believe some owners have been happy with a swap to thinner or different fork oil. This might improve the situation, but not as much as a revalve.
 
What are your current fork settings? Sag and damping?

Thanks carey.  My interest in SKF seals is in the possibility that reduced stiction might benefit general fork compliance on a street bike as they are said to do on dirt bikes. That is the question I posed. To me, it had nothing to do with the greater problem of fork harshness.  
I plan to address the harshness by either installing a RaceTech Gold Valve kit myself (I referred to above as a "piston kit"), or sending my forks to a specialist for re-valving. Since the forks will be apart anyway, I will replace the seals and wanted input on the value of the SKF seals.  Best I can tell so far, there isn't much to be gained using them on a street bike.   

The greater the stiction in forks the harsher the ride. It simply takes more 'force' to get the suspension moving, exactly like a stronger spring rate, or increased compression damping.  It's not a question of IF seals create stiction, just 'how much'.  The less the better.  People have been spraying their fork tubes will all manner of lubricants since 'Adam was a boy' to reduce fork seal stiction and improve performance.
 
I've used the SKF seals (which come in both green and black) for years and swear by them.  If your trying to achieve a really good suspension, why compromise for as small an outlay as the $50? price difference for the lowest friction dust/oil seals you can buy.  
 
 
 

[justplainbill]

Thanks carey.  My interest in SKF seals is in the possibility that reduced stiction might benefit general fork compliance on a street bike as they are said to do on dirt bikes. That is the question I posed. To me, it had nothing to do with the greater problem of fork harshness.  
 

The greater the stiction in forks the harsher the ride. It simply takes more 'force' to get the suspension moving, exactly like a stronger spring rate, or increased compression damping.  It's not a question of IF seals create stiction, just 'how much'.  The less the better.  People have been spraying their fork tubes will all manner of lubricants since 'Adam was a boy' to reduce fork seal stiction and improve performance. 
I've used the SKF seals (which come in both green and black) for years and swear by them.  If your trying to achieve a really good suspension, why compromise for as small an outlay as the $50? price difference for the lowest friction dust/oil seals you can buy.  

 
 
Thanks for that JohnCW.  I value personal experience with a product more than advertising hyperbole (BS to those of you in Rio Vista).