Do I need a better fork spring and suspension?

[s0n1c87]

Hi. I'm wondering how do I know if I need a better fork spring and suspension.?

I'm weighing ard 70kg. I have a sw motech rack and the trax Alu shld be ard 10-15kg. Due to my work, I carry backpack up to 13kg. So I guess I'm ard 98kg in total with everything on. So is the stock setup enough for me.? Do I need a ohlin or Penske fork spring upgrade.? Hope any adv riders here can advise me.


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[MT account]

from advice given to me by maxton suspension they have said the spring rate is pretty spot on but the damping is rubbish. so you would need fork cartridges and a rear shock rather than just swopping springs as that wont cure the poor damping.

 

[s0n1c87]

from advice given to me by maxton suspension they have said the spring rate is pretty spot on but the damping is rubbish. so you would need fork cartridges and a rear shock rather than just swopping springs as that wont cure the poor damping.

Wowww.. Changing fork cartridges thats a very expensive option. my bike is going to be like 90% city ride for my daily transport and maybe 10% if i have the time to go on track ride for an experience. not sure if it is worth spending so much on the fork as its not a track bike.

 

[Motley]

Personally I find the springs to be adequate (I'm 97kg), but the damping (rebound only) it's definitely sub-par. For daily commuting and weekend runabouts the stock suspension will suffice. For spirited riding, or track days, you'll need to spend some money.

 

[Chris West]

Im around 97KG (although fully clothed must be closer to 100KG and I don't ride naked that often these days)
Ive wound the front forks down to the last ring and backed out the damping screw half a turn (from fully in)
The rear is up to 6 (Thank you TT) and again backed out the damping half a turn.
Up to 100mph the ride is now so much more positive (very pleased) but over a ton, even in a straight line, the front end is very light and feels like it wants to weave (tank slap?). It really doesn't inspire confidence :-(
I will continus to feckle........

 

[paulrab]

Iv'e set mine up same as yours Chris, and like you when i'm getting into 3 figures she starts shaking her head like a mad thing!!! More tweaking needed......

 

[Triple Trouble]

Im around 97KG (although fully clothed must be closer to 100KG and I don't ride naked that often these days)
Ive wound the front forks down to the last ring and backed out the damping screw half a turn (from fully in)
The rear is up to 6 (Thank you TT) and again backed out the damping half a turn.
Up to 100mph the ride is now so much more positive (very pleased) but over a ton, even in a straight line, the front end is very light and feels like it wants to weave (tank slap?). It really doesn't inspire confidence :-(
I will continus to feckle........

Ur welcome. Got it to budge in the end lol


MT-09 Wheelie Wheelie mental.....!

 

[MT account]

Im around 97KG (although fully clothed must be closer to 100KG and I don't ride naked that often these days)
Ive wound the front forks down to the last ring and backed out the damping screw half a turn (from fully in)
The rear is up to 6 (Thank you TT) and again backed out the damping half a turn.
Up to 100mph the ride is now so much more positive (very pleased) but over a ton, even in a straight line, the front end is very light and feels like it wants to weave (tank slap?). It really doesn't inspire confidence :-(
I will continus to feckle........

fully agree with you there, moving from a street triple to the MT i have to say im a bit disappointed with things at the moment.......its a bit like dumping a right game bird for 1 you were led to believe was proper filth only to find she didnt wanna do the dirty sanchez after all..................

 

[Motley]

fully agree with you there, moving from a street triple to the MT i have to say im a bit disappointed with things at the moment.......its a bit like dumping a right game bird for 1 you were led to believe was proper filth only to find she didnt wanna do the dirty sanchez after all..................

Very disappointed here. I'm thinking of cutting my losses and selling it at the first opportunity.

 

[dapsmt09]

My advice would be to just ride it and see what you think. Don't just change the suspension because some guys on here say you need to, it all really depends how you ride it.
I do agree however that the suspension is poor when you start pushing the limits, that are not very far to be honest on the standard set up but try adjusting your standard suspension before spending mega bucks.
I commute daily on mine and it is fine once firmed up but if you are thinking of a track day or two or going out scratching with any sports bike riding mates I suspect depending how hard you ride you might feel that the suspension is the limiting factor.

I love my MT but it does feel like all the cost cutting was in the suspension department.

Cheers daps

 

[Triple Trouble]

My advice would be to just ride it and see what you think. Don't just change the suspension because some guys on here say you need to, it all really depends how you ride it.
I do agree however that the suspension is poor when you start pushing the limits, that are not very far to be honest on the standard set up but try adjusting your standard suspension before spending mega bucks.
I commute daily on mine and it is fine once firmed up but if you are thinking of a track day or two or going out scratching with any sports bike riding mates I suspect depending how hard you ride you might feel that the suspension is the limiting factor.

I love my MT but it does feel like all the cost cutting was in the suspension department.

Cheers daps

I completely agree daps. I've set mine up myself and it's perfect for me. When I go out with mates on their "sports bikes" I can keep up just fine.


MT-09 Wheelie Wheelie mental.....!

 

[MT account]

and the finish. theres hardly any corrosion treatment on the metal parts, hell! im surprized they even bothered to paint the tank!

 

[Triple Trouble]

and the finish. theres hardly any corrosion treatment on the metal parts, hell! im surprized they even bothered to paint the tank!

They have skimped a bit haven't they.


MT-09 Wheelie Wheelie mental.....!

 

[MT account]

They have skimped a bit haven't they.


MT-09 Wheelie Wheelie mental.....!

yup. i test rode me luggage racks in the rain yesterday and theres less rust on the bare metal than there is on the painted rear shock......nice

 

[s0n1c87]

thanks for all you guys for the feedback. But if you have to choose one to upgrade first.. is the front fork or the rear suspension more critical one to upgrade first for mt09?

 

[Chris West]

Hey s01c87 mate, if you are certain you need to put money into the suspension, go and see an expert.
Im sure that will cost you a little more but go somewhere where you can discuss your style and requirements and get professional feedback and recommendations.

No disrespect to anyone on here but it is all so subjective and we don't know you or where or how your ride? (and most of us are poking around in the dark ourselves, until we hit a sweet spot)
mmmm sweet spot...........

 

[flydnb]

Hey s01c87 mate, if you are certain you need to put money into the suspension, go and see an expert.
Im sure that will cost you a little more but go somewhere where you can discuss your style and requirements and get professional feedback and recommendations.

No disrespect to anyone on here but it is all so subjective and we don't know you or where or how your ride? (and most of us are poking around in the dark ourselves, until we hit a sweet spot)
mmmm sweet spot...........

yep agree with this ^^^^^^, im 13 stone and I have no problem with the suspension in nearly all situations on normal roads, if I was going to do track days id buy an R6 or a Daytona 675 , if I was going long distance touring id get a Yamaha fjr or a ktm 1190r if I was just buzzing round the middle of London id get a Honda msx 125/grom , if I was going off road id get a Husqvarna 300 smoker, my point is that the MT is not a sports bike its a compromise everyday STREETBIKE just for doing a bit of everything but with a nice bit of torque to keep you entertained at more healthy speeds, yes it has its faults but it was built to a price point and we are the guinea pigs that bought the first run and there are always issues on nearly all bikes at first, I really don't compare the mt to the street triple as the street is basically a Daytona without the fairing and slighty detuned engine.

 

[stevecbr]

I'd get some advice from a suspension specialist, but make sure you are clear on what you are not happy with, and what you want improved.
I have firmed mine up like a lot of others on here, and I have no complaints at all.
I did a 160 mile run out with a mate on his big bang R1, and had no problems what so ever.
Yes, hitting a bump mid corner at speed had a bit of a wobble, but to be fair his R1 reacted exactly the same, and he has spent £300 on a fork revalve.
At the end of the day its a budget naked street bike, and the suspension is well suited for its intended use (obviously though, if you wanted to spend £1000+, then ohlins would make it much better, same as nitrous & a turbo would make it much quicker!)

 

[Triple Trouble]

I'd get some advice from a suspension specialist, but make sure you are clear on what you are not happy with, and what you want improved.
I have firmed mine up like a lot of others on here, and I have no complaints at all.
I did a 160 mile run out with a mate on his big bang R1, and had no problems what so ever.
Yes, hitting a bump mid corner at speed had a bit of a wobble, but to be fair his R1 reacted exactly the same, and he has spent £300 on a fork revalve.
At the end of the day its a budget naked street bike, and the suspension is well suited for its intended use (obviously though, if you wanted to spend £1000+, then ohlins would make it much better, same as nitrous & a turbo would make it much quicker!)

Cud not of put it better myself.


MT-09 Wheelie Wheelie mental.....!

 

[Chris West]

Hmmm.....but what should I go for first the Nitrous or the turbo...............?