Suspension....rebuild or cartridges and a Penske??

[johnmark101]

Looking for opinions from those who may have gone the cheaper route of doing a revalve / respring of both the forks and shock.

Spent some time on the phone with Dan at Traxxion.  We discussed three options.  Rebuilding the stock suspension bits with new springs and valves, or going the AK-20 /  Penske shock route.  The latter is much more expensive and I am a bit of a tight wad when it comes to spending money.  The third option would be AK-20's for the front and a rebuild at the rear, which would strike a cost between options one and two.  My concern with this would be that the performance of the forks might overshadow a rebuilt rear shock.

I know the more expensive route will be brilliant performance wise and would add compression adjustment to the rear.  I would like to hear from those who have gone the more affordable route and how happy are you with the results?  My biggest gripe with the stock suspension is the harshness of the front fork and how it chatters over less than smooth pavement.

Thanks in advance for any replies.   Cheers.....John. 

[betoney]

@johnmark101 - In my opinion - The shock is the weaker component and much more in need of attention.  You are fortunate with the GT (compared to the FJ and base Tracer) in that the forks have separate damping in each leg and both legs are 'active'.  With a fluid change, the fork action can be altered with different viscosities relatively easy.

With a shock rebuild you would still not have the ability to adjust compression damping or alter the ride height like you can with the Penske.  One thing to note, if you travel with a passenger and change your preload on a regular basis, the Penske does not have the remote preload option.  Traxxion Dynamics built my Penske double clicker and it is unbelievably good. 

Since money is an issue in this decision, I would consider the Penske for sure, and then a rebuild with their Axxion valves on the forks, that should be a few hundred $$ cheaper than the AK-20's. 

Axxion Valve Upgrade - Traxxion Dynamics

---

Compression Valve, Rebound Valve, Springs, Fork Seals, and full Service for...

 

[piotrek]

I went tight wad with the forks and I am very pleased with the performance... even with just the one active leg re-valved (both re-sprung). I bought a new shock (adjustable, combined rebound/compression) and my back thanks me to this day. I am sure going all drop-in in the front and a fully adjustable rear would take things to another level... but there is a cost, and do you really need it is the question only you can answer. I would go the same route again.

Edited July 6, 2020 by piotrek

[SKYFLIX]

I decided to go with the full cartridges in the front, since my biggest problem was my weight having maxed out the pre-load. I wasn't able to take advantage of full travel. I could have re-valved, changed oil and put in a stronger spring, but at that point the price difference was pretty negligible considering the time it would take me to do that (either myself, or sending it them). Whereas a cartridge swap takes hardly no time at all. I'm going with a Penske on the rear as well (again, with a heavier spring for my weight). I'll be giving up remote preload, but I never ride with a passenger anyway, so no big deal for me. And since I've done away with the rear footpegs, now I won't have to worry about the preload adjuster mounted there either. Now to just get rid of the specimen jar...

I'm sure Dan told you the same thing he told me, which is a full K-20 would be the best setup, but even just a re-valve would be a major upgrade from stock.

Anybody want to buy a GT shock with 1000km on it?

[roadrash83]

The simple answer is if you plan on keeping the bike, spend the money once and due it right. Nothing like a bike with a good set of suspenders!

[Stew]

27 minutes ago, roadrash83 said:

The simple answer is if you plan on keeping the bike, spend the money once and due it right. Nothing like a bike with a good set of suspenders!

On my ride out playing around today,  the one thing that made it less than perfect was the suspension. A few times on bumpier (I mean really bumpy) roads I was thinking, man, this would have been a breeze on my old vstrom, but it feels uncomfortable and confidence sapping on this bike (my tracer). I thought about it for about half an hour riding around, almost to the point where I had convinced myself to look at for a different bike, to my great disappointment. Then I hit a decent twisty bit of road, with reasonably smooth tarmac, and realised that when the suspension isn't pattering or bouncing or whatever, I can really throw this bike into bends with massively more confidence than on a vstrom.
Then I also realised I was riding significantly quicker all the time than on my vstrom, and I mean, Significantly

So I am now looking at finding somewhere, ideally within riding distance, that is a suspension specialist, and I'm going to get the front and rear done to suit my weight, riding style, and the sort of roads I ride on. Then my excellent bike will be awesomeness.

Never gone this route with a bike before, but this bike is totally worth it.

[johnmark101]

4 hours ago, betoney said:

@johnmark101 - In my opinion - The shock is the weaker component and much more in need of attention.  You are fortunate with the GT (compared to the FJ and base Tracer) in that the forks have separate damping in each leg and both legs are 'active'.  With a fluid change, the fork action can be altered with different viscosities relatively easy.

With a shock rebuild you would still not have the ability to adjust compression damping or alter the ride height like you can with the Penske.  One thing to note, if you travel with a passenger and change your preload on a regular basis, the Penske does not have the remote preload option.  Traxxion Dynamics built my Penske double clicker and it is unbelievably good. 

Since money is an issue in this decision, I would consider the Penske for sure, and then a rebuild with their Axxion valves on the forks, that should be a few hundred $$ cheaper than the AK-20's. 

Axxion Valve Upgrade - Traxxion Dynamics

---

Compression Valve, Rebound Valve, Springs, Fork Seals, and full Service for...

 

One thing I did not mention is that I have a 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 which I had Traxxion do a rebuild of the stock bits front and rear three years ago.  Huge improvement in handling and cornering.  The stock rear shock on that bike was pretty bad.  My only disappointment is although general ride quality was improved overall, it is still a bit firm, even after some fine tuning, and I would like a little more bump absorption for a smoother ride when touring.  I am guessing that the more expensive route would give me that plus all that the rebuild offers.  They quoted me $1200 for the rebuild and $2700 for the AK-20 / Penske.....but that is with them doing the work.  When I took them my Ninja it was $1200 / $2400.  

 

[betoney]

51 minutes ago, Stew said:

A few times on bumpier (I mean really bumpy) roads I was thinking, man, this would have been a breeze on my old vstrom, but it feels uncomfortable and confidence sapping on this bike (my tracer). I thought about it for about half an hour riding around, almost to the point where I had convinced myself to look at for a different bike, to my great disappointment. Then I hit a decent twisty bit of road, with reasonably smooth tarmac, and realised that when the suspension isn't pattering or bouncing or whatever, I can really throw this bike into bends with massively more confidence than on a vstrom.

@Stew - It sounds like you have now discovered the Tracers weakness.  First off DON'T sell your Tracer, know that the bike can be made to ride BRILLIANTLY.  You are on the right track seeking consultation with a specialist, ask a lot of questions and let them know EXACTLY how you intend to use your bike.  Good luck on your search.

[BBB]

@Stew, I used Maxton for my forks

Maxton Suspension home page

And Nitron for the shock

Nitron Racing Shocks

Both do mail order.  I have all the details of what I went for if you’re interested.

[Stew]

Thanks @BBB

I'll have a look at both, and then give you a shout. I am loving the bike, and want to invest in getting these small but confidence sapping issues out of the way.
 

(And sorry for hijacking someone else's thread, I really didn't mean it)

[HGP61]

Now considering suspension upgrade as well for my bike, I was happy enough with the stock set up but last Friday I had my first "aw F--K" moment with the bike on a narrow, uphill, bumpy bit of single track road. I must have been pushed easily two feet of my intended line, felt much more than that  on the 8 foot wide strip of tarmac that I was on. 

Very interested on the outcome of thread.

[BBB]

@Stew, changing the shock could be a simple and important first step. Nitron (and others I’m sure) fit the spring to your weight and riding needs and then you can install it yourself at home with normal tools. There’s some height adjustment in there too, as well as much better damping control. I would do this first and then re-evaluate your needs from there.

The forks are a different game all together. Changing the internals yourself needs specialist tools,  but Maxton will do all the work if you mail them the forks.  Removing and fitting the forks is simple, with normal tools.

 

[Stew]

@BBB aye, I saw that. I think I'll order a Nitron from Maxton, having looked on their site.  They have been around a long time as well I think, I'm pretty sure I remember their name from the olden days. I'll keep you posted.

The trouble is I don't have a garage any more,  or anywhere dry to work on the bike.  I will need to time it all really well with the weather I only have a bike cover now.

[betoney]

7 hours ago, BBB said:

@Stew, I used Maxton for my forks

Maxton Suspension home page

And Nitron for the shock

Nitron Racing Shocks

Both do mail order.  I have all the details of what I went for if you’re interested.

All of those sexy, shiny billet bits and pieces so early in the morning... shame on you.😁👍

 

[johnmark101]

After a second discussion with Dan at Traxxion, I decided to go with the AK-20's and a Penske 8983 rear shock.  It should give me all the handling performance and more of the rebuild option,  as well as better bump absorption and more complaint ride for touring.  They had to order the shock and it will take about three weeks before it is built and shipped.