Suspension upgrade...Traxxion?

[BLZ2DWL]

Hey guys, I desparately need to work my forks and shock over. I'm a fairly new rider (3 years, 15k on the duc), but I can tell that this suspension is not set up for my weight and riding style. I've read about RaceTech and Traxxion and others, and an trying to narrow down my choices. I do mostly sport touring, very little commuting, and maybe 2-3 trackdays a year. I like a suspension that puts the bike under me and feels planted, but supple enough not to rattle my teeth on some of these "tarred and graveled" roads we have around here. I feel the front dive way too much in fast turns, therefore it's rebounding in switchbacks and not ready to tackle the next turn. At the track last year this was really evident, as it felt like it was bouncing through the esses and really threw off my rhythm. My local shop does suspensions almost exclusively, and I trust his opinions a great deal. He wants to put Traxxion valves and springs in the front forks, and will either work over the rear shock or put a penske on. I don't have the cash for a penske, so that is pretty much out. He does not like racetech nearly as much as Traxxion, and has recommended I not go that route. He will install the Traxxion fork valves/springs/kit for $750 on the bike, and work the rear shock over for $285 with the valve and proper spring. I've never had suspension work done before, so I don't know if this is reasonable, or if the products are what I need. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

Brennan

[WERA 31]

$1k for to get your suspension built & set up more to your liking, by a shop you trust, is not a bad price.

I would recommend, however, before you spend $1,000, to have someone like GMD Computrack "dial" your bike in for you, using the stock components you already have. Surely, it want be set as well as a professional who built the suspension up to your needs (or very close), but unless you are an unusual size, someone like GMD should be able to get things working for you much better. They would probably charge less than $100 & could do it at the track (larger track-days w/ a race also going on??).

[BLZ2DWL]

Good Point. I've set it up according to Sport Rider, and it's better, but not good enough. I'm 230lbs, and the stock springs are at full preload and still have too much sag. I'm pretty sure the oil has never been changed, and its got 19000k on the odometer. Rather than spend the money for an oil change and cleaning, I thought I'd go ahead and get the valves and springs at the same time. Thanks for the input.

Brennan

[WERA 31]

I'm not sure if I understand exactly what problem you're describing (suspension dives down & then feels like it's bouncing??), but I get the impression that your forks compression is too low & the rebound (shock? fork?) is too high, making it feel like the bike is pogo-ing. Am I off here?


How much sag (with you on it) have you measured out of the front & the rear?

[BLZ2DWL]

Wera, I think you're right about the condition and the cause, but I'm not going to be able to properly fix it without new springs. With full preload on the front, I still have about 45mm of sag. Adjusting the compression and rebound might help, but overall, I am not impressed with the stock setup, especially after 7 years of use. With it fully preloaded, it still is too soft under compression, and it jars my teeth over bump roads. I guess I've settled on upgrading the suspension, I just need to know if the Traxxion stuff is good. What does anyone think? Thanks!

Brennan

[GregP]

I went with these guys and can't say enough good things about the product, service and craftsmanship. Had the springs, cartridges and all the stuff that comes with a rebuild and it was @ $450 IIRC. Gave them all my personal info and riding style/conditions and came dialed-in out of the box. Perfect!

http://www.gpsuspension.com/

Best $$$ spent on the bike by a long shot.

[sideways]

Originally Posted by BLZ2DWL

I'm a fairly new rider (3 years, 15k on the duc)

What is the exact year and model of your bike? Is it 3 years old or have you been riding it for 3 years? Does it have 15k on it or have you put that many more miles on it sense you got it? How much do you weigh? How would you describe your skill level?

Sorry about all the questions but no one could give you any solid advice until they know these things. Who is the local shop? Maybe somebody knows a thing or two about their work. The price they quoted you sounds in the ballpark.

[BLZ2DWL]

Sideways,

I've been riding three years, all three on the Duc, and I've put 15k on it. Its a 99 900SS. I don't have alot of comparisons to other bikes, but I do feel comfortable critiquing it based on the time I've got in the saddle. I'm 230, and the stock springs are not cutting it. I can ride well, but am still learning and I'm not particularly aggressive, in part due to the lack of confidence my current setup inspires in me. I'd say "wallow" describes the feeling I get when in a highspeed turn, especially when switching back and forth in the esses. My question is not whether i need my suspension worked over, I've already decided that I do. My quesiton is whether the Traxxion stuff is a good product. Should I let my guy put Traxxion valves and springs in my bike, or is there something else I should be looking at? Thanks.

Brennan

[galaxy]

Traxxion stuff is great stuff from what I've heard. But there are a ton of options...Contact Rick at Cogent Dynamics... www.motocd.com or (828)628-9025. Not only is he a great suspension guy but he's a great Ducati guy. Not only that, but he's a SS guy!! He'll go through with you exactly how you ride and use your bike. He'll pick the right springs and everything for you. There's also Jason from the old Section 8 departmentofsuspension@yahoo.com E-mail him and he'll get back with you. He's VERY knowledgeable also. For an SS I'd probably go with Rick at Cogent though, but either way you can't go wrong. I don't think Rick uses Traxxon stuff but you can talk to him. Like I said, word on the street is it's awesome stuff, but not necessairily the end-all, be-all of suspension parts. A "good" suspension guy will try and talk you out of spending money on the absolute top of the line stuff if they know what you're using the bike for and think you don't need it...that's what impressed me the most about these two guys. As a side note, those Showas are very good forks...I do about one track day a month (try to anyways) and Jason talked me out of any internal parts changes...He said let him blueprint the stock internals, correct springs, service, and I wouldn't believe the difference. So, that's what I'm gonna try...saved me a ton of money and still have an awesome product. But if you insist on spending money, I'm sure either one will sell it to you!!

[WERA 31]

Originally Posted by galaxy

Traxxion stuff is great stuff from what I've heard. But there are a ton of options...Contact Rick at Cogent Dynamics... www.motocd.com or (828)628-9025. Not only is he a great suspension guy but he's a great Ducati guy. Not only that, but he's a SS guy!! He'll go through with you exactly how you ride and use your bike. He'll pick the right springs and everything for you. There's also Jason from the old Section 8 departmentofsuspension@yahoo.com E-mail him and he'll get back with you. He's VERY knowledgeable also. For an SS I'd probably go with Rick at Cogent though, but either way you can't go wrong. I don't think Rick uses Traxxon stuff but you can talk to him. Like I said, word on the street is it's awesome stuff, but not necessairily the end-all, be-all of suspension parts. A "good" suspension guy will try and talk you out of spending money on the absolute top of the line stuff if they know what you're using the bike for and think you don't need it...that's what impressed me the most about these two guys. As a side note, those Showas are very good forks...I do about one track day a month (try to anyways) and Jason talked me out of any internal parts changes...He said let him blueprint the stock internals, correct springs, service, and I wouldn't believe the difference. So, that's what I'm gonna try...saved me a ton of money and still have an awesome product. But if you insist on spending money, I'm sure either one will sell it to you!!

Galaxy makes a good point in working within the Ducati family, but I have no experience with him (Jason). I have used Max over @ traxxion & his stuff. He makes a great product (his suspension has won the Suzuki Cup World Finals & is now competing in World Supersport through Chris Peris). If you're set on dealing with the shop you mention, you should have no problems at all, using traxxion products. Max even makes a video and / or a booklet on settling suspension (after you get it re-worked). You can go to his website & get the info from the classifieds in Road Racing World.

My thought w/ using GMD is that they can assist you at the track (tweak, test & repeat). I know you can find them @ CCS / VIR events right near the gas pumps. Also, Thermosman (Mike Fitzgerald - who, BTW did much of Max's work for some time). He is also a great suspension guy & a great guy period. Thermosman is where I spend my money, but that just me.

[sideways]

Originally Posted by BLZ2DWL

Sideways,

I've been riding three years, all three on the Duc, and I've put 15k on it. Its a 99 900SS. I don't have alot of comparisons to other bikes, but I do feel comfortable critiquing it based on the time I've got in the saddle. I'm 230, and the stock springs are not cutting it. I can ride well, but am still learning and I'm not particularly aggressive, in part due to the lack of confidence my current setup inspires in me. I'd say "wallow" describes the feeling I get when in a highspeed turn, especially when switching back and forth in the esses. My question is not whether i need my suspension worked over, I've already decided that I do. My quesiton is whether the Traxxion stuff is a good product. Should I let my guy put Traxxion valves and springs in my bike, or is there something else I should be looking at? Thanks.

Brennan

PM sent

[GregP]

I'd reccomend having the manufacturer of the parts drop the stuff in your forks. I too am in the 230lbs range and was ready to have my forks rebuilt but had a good session with a tuner at the track and the stock forks will be ok until it's time for a rebuild. The Ohlins shock is awesome, even if under sprung for my size, and with a little dialing in the thing is muy bueno.

My point, if you haven't already, get the stock stuff dialed in and then make the choice to build up your stock suspension.

FHE as indicated in my previous post is GP Suspension. Pull you forks, drop them in the mail and in about a week you'll have a setup that will leave you wondering how you rode without the stuff.

Lastly, if your local guy is competent it can't hurt to have hime drop in the Traxxion bits.