Emulators or Mono tubes?

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Nov 22, 2024 | 05:45 AM

#21

FranBunnyFFXII

HDF Community Team

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 4,344

Likes: 3,391

From: Seattle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry L

Thanks everyone! Right now I’m thinking DK Intiminators but not sure about changing the springs. Will progressive springs really make much difference over the stock springs? I’m going with stock height as I was dragging my new exhaust with it lowered too. The bike has 40k miles, will the stock springs degrade that much over those miles? Also, I’m looking for a plush ride not so much for performance, the stock front end just chatters over pavement ripples. Will progressive springs help with that? Thanks again for the suggestions guys!

DK Custom recommended swapping to better springs for the front to compliment the Intiminators.
I trusted their judgement, and followed the recommendation. I dont have any complaints.
So I'd do it.
And Don't worry the setup I told you I used, has quite a nice plush ride. The big difference is how they control brake dive so that it's consistent and controlled, which makes for much better trail braking behavior.
My bike rides much more plush and quality than pretty much any car I've ridden in, and cars are made to be comfy.

However I dont think either of these parts are going to fix front end chatter, that's a different issue.
I would address that first before you upgrade anything.

Nov 22, 2024 | 08:18 AM

#22

Jerry L

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,929

Likes: 301

From: moved to Florida!

When I said chatter, I guess I meant when i go over a rough road, the front end doesn't keep up with the road, lol. It seems like it is not following the road, just hitting the high spots? Anyway, I don't think it's anything internal to the shock, other than it just doesn't work like it should. I think the Intiminators and springs would mostly fix that. And I'm guessing the oil has never been changed in the forks (I bought it with 30K miles on it), so that's not helping. Figured I'd do it all at once. Thanks for the help guys and gals!

Nov 22, 2024 | 09:24 AM

#23

foxtrapper

HDF Community Team

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 6,186

Likes: 2,412

From: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry L;[url=tel:21873792

21873792[/url]]When I said chatter, I guess I meant when i go over a rough road, the front end doesn't keep up with the road, lol. It seems like it is not following the road, just hitting the high spots?

That’s a very difficult condition for a suspension to handle, especially if you want crisp handling on smooth pavement.

In an overly simplistic explanation, dirt bikes have long suspension travel and are softly dampened and sprung to be able keep the tires on the dirt as they go down the trail over stuff like that.

A street suspension won’t handle it nearly as well. There’s less travel, and it’s usually over dampened and over sprung for the conditions.

So street suspension cars, trucks and bikes do indeed skitter on washboards and rough surfaces.

Nov 28, 2024 | 08:14 AM

#24

xwhyz1959

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 2,905

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose_NC

DK Custom Emulators and proper weight springs for me.

And 5 wt. fork oil. The sad part is that those Ricors used to be $75 once upon a time.

Last edited by xwhyz1959; Nov 28, 2024 at 08:24 AM.

Nov 28, 2024 | 09:13 AM

#25

Stingray21

Intermediate

Joined: Aug 2024

Posts: 26

Likes: 6

From: USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torky_SOB

In 2003 progressive was selling a rear air ride system using a Bilstein shock on one side and air bag shock on the other They dubbed it Airtail. Its nice and with the mono tubes in now and bringing bike back to stock height , I say for a softie along with the fork brace it handles great !!

I look for some twisties ( not too many in So FL) but I know an airport that has a sweet stretch of pavement with some great sweepers and I'll go there to get my kicks .

Softies & other bikes look cool low and down in the dirt but they handle not so cool. I would take turns flat as to not destroy my pipes ....as when I sat on bike they were about an 1.5" from the ground upright. What fun was that ?? Bikes are all about going into turns ( besides some other great attributes about them) and to mosey thru the turns slow and methodical sucked !!

Now I can drop a gear and hit it into the turn and the bike stays planted and me & the bike are loving it!! ...........and no fireworks from scraping the pipes into the turn.

If my compressor goes on the Airtail I would grab the 422 Raps ...they perform great as well. Progressive suspensions work good for me. There are better no doubt ...but being a bit more affordable they offer a great product IMO ...

Snake Rd off of alligator alley is where you get your twistie fix in south Florida.

Nov 28, 2024 | 09:59 AM

#26

koolbreez

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 277

Likes: 31

From: texas

progressive

put progressive monotones on 2015 Fatboy lo , no more front end dive , going to put a set of 422 's on rear in spring

Dec 1, 2024 | 05:50 PM

#27

Jerry L

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,929

Likes: 301

From: moved to Florida!

Well, Black Friday helped me decide, lol. I bought Progressive standard springs and DK Intiminators. I’m going out of town for a bit, but I’ll let you know what I think afterwards. Thanks for your help and advice!