Inverted Forks
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: WV
Inverted Forks
I am considering going with the inverted forks on my Nightrain this winter. Can anyone that has them let me know any advantages or disadvantages to this?
I heard they make it handle better and in my opinion they look a lot better.
I already run the 120/70/21.
Still considering the Fat Boy front but there seems to be a shortage of take off parts.
Also if you guys have some good pictures of an inverted front please post them.
I heard they make it handle better and in my opinion they look a lot better.
I already run the 120/70/21.
Still considering the Fat Boy front but there seems to be a shortage of take off parts.
Also if you guys have some good pictures of an inverted front please post them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I love my inverted forks. Makes the ride and handling so much better, and they look awesome.
Be aware that there's no drains on them, so a "simple fork service" requires the removal of each fork tube. You have to run synthetic fluid (7.5 weight recommended), and Marzocchi suggests a 5,000 mile service interval (I do 10,000 and run 10 weight Amsoil). At the moment, there's no lowering kit for them, but supposedly the MoCo has one coming.
I got mine 25% off parts and labor from my local dealer. It's a PITA finding seals for it (and they're $116), and you have to get a S/E Dyna manual to find anything on it, but it was well worth the money. Out of all the things I've done to my bike, the front end consistently gets the most compliments.
Be aware that there's no drains on them, so a "simple fork service" requires the removal of each fork tube. You have to run synthetic fluid (7.5 weight recommended), and Marzocchi suggests a 5,000 mile service interval (I do 10,000 and run 10 weight Amsoil). At the moment, there's no lowering kit for them, but supposedly the MoCo has one coming.
I got mine 25% off parts and labor from my local dealer. It's a PITA finding seals for it (and they're $116), and you have to get a S/E Dyna manual to find anything on it, but it was well worth the money. Out of all the things I've done to my bike, the front end consistently gets the most compliments.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Inverted forks
Like everything, there is classes in quality. Just because the forks are inverted does not mean they are all equal. A quality fork is more than 2K + trees. Again, what do you want to do with the bike. You can either look at it or ride the bike to the limits where an inverted fork quality comes into play.
The dampening system and adjustbility also are factors you should consider. The fitment and tolerances are also a major concern if you are looking for performance. The stock (and not the X) XR1200's look like an inverted fork but in reality it has only one crappy non-adjustable damper and the same basic spring and seat pipe found in almost all HD's since 1948.
Again, what do you want to do with the bike? If you wish to pose in front of a bar you can purchase a Ultima 58 mm unit which is chrome and big. Fits the bill to look at. It can be had as cheaply as $400 or list around $650.
If you wish a fork for around $1,500 or so there is a XR1200 unit. It is black and cheap at HD dealers. The Nissan calipers are not too bad with after market pads.
If you wish something that works than expect to pay between $3,000 ~ $5,000. Is there a huge difference, yes there is! Would a person who owns an Ohlins R&T ever put a Ultima on his bike, hell no! Would a Ultima owner ever pay for an Ohlins? No, it is all what you require in life. From personal experience most (99.9%) HD owners do not know the difference in good or bad suspension. Again, what do you what the bike for?
The dampening system and adjustbility also are factors you should consider. The fitment and tolerances are also a major concern if you are looking for performance. The stock (and not the X) XR1200's look like an inverted fork but in reality it has only one crappy non-adjustable damper and the same basic spring and seat pipe found in almost all HD's since 1948.
Again, what do you want to do with the bike? If you wish to pose in front of a bar you can purchase a Ultima 58 mm unit which is chrome and big. Fits the bill to look at. It can be had as cheaply as $400 or list around $650.
If you wish a fork for around $1,500 or so there is a XR1200 unit. It is black and cheap at HD dealers. The Nissan calipers are not too bad with after market pads.
If you wish something that works than expect to pay between $3,000 ~ $5,000. Is there a huge difference, yes there is! Would a person who owns an Ohlins R&T ever put a Ultima on his bike, hell no! Would a Ultima owner ever pay for an Ohlins? No, it is all what you require in life. From personal experience most (99.9%) HD owners do not know the difference in good or bad suspension. Again, what do you what the bike for?
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ
I agree 100%
Like everything, there is classes in quality. Just because the forks are inverted does not mean they are all equal. A quality fork is more than 2K + trees. Again, what do you want to do with the bike. You can either look at it or ride the bike to the limits where an inverted fork quality comes into play.
The dampening system and adjustbility also are factors you should consider. The fitment and tolerances are also a major concern if you are looking for performance. The stock (and not the X) XR1200's look like an inverted fork but in reality it has only one crappy non-adjustable damper and the same basic spring and seat pipe found in almost all HD's since 1948.
Again, what do you want to do with the bike? If you wish to pose in front of a bar you can purchase a Ultima 58 mm unit which is chrome and big. Fits the bill to look at. It can be had as cheaply as $400 or list around $650.
If you wish a fork for around $1,500 or so there is a XR1200 unit. It is black and cheap at HD dealers. The Nissan calipers are not too bad with after market pads.
If you wish something that works than expect to pay between $3,000 ~ $5,000. Is there a huge difference, yes there is! Would a person who owns an Ohlins R&T ever put a Ultima on his bike, hell no! Would a Ultima owner ever pay for an Ohlins? No, it is all what you require in life. From personal experience most (99.9%) HD owners do not know the difference in good or bad suspension. Again, what do you what the bike for?
The dampening system and adjustbility also are factors you should consider. The fitment and tolerances are also a major concern if you are looking for performance. The stock (and not the X) XR1200's look like an inverted fork but in reality it has only one crappy non-adjustable damper and the same basic spring and seat pipe found in almost all HD's since 1948.
Again, what do you want to do with the bike? If you wish to pose in front of a bar you can purchase a Ultima 58 mm unit which is chrome and big. Fits the bill to look at. It can be had as cheaply as $400 or list around $650.
If you wish a fork for around $1,500 or so there is a XR1200 unit. It is black and cheap at HD dealers. The Nissan calipers are not too bad with after market pads.
If you wish something that works than expect to pay between $3,000 ~ $5,000. Is there a huge difference, yes there is! Would a person who owns an Ohlins R&T ever put a Ultima on his bike, hell no! Would a Ultima owner ever pay for an Ohlins? No, it is all what you require in life. From personal experience most (99.9%) HD owners do not know the difference in good or bad suspension. Again, what do you what the bike for?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: WV
If I may borrow a quote; I would have to say I fall in the 99.9% of HD owners who do not know the difference in good or bad suspension.
The main reason for the change is looks, the bike is mainly my bar hoping bike.
Anyone know if the Ultima 58mm is an improvement over the stock set up.
The main reason for the change is looks, the bike is mainly my bar hoping bike.
Anyone know if the Ultima 58mm is an improvement over the stock set up.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I wouldn't touch anything with the Ultima name on it. The H-D inverted forks are made by Marzocchi, they're a steal. No, they're not Ohlins, but (in my opinion) Ohlins are a waste of money on a Softail. On an XR, sure, but not on a 700 pound Night Train.
The H-D inverteds list for around $1,300, you can get them new (if you're patient) for around a grand.
The H-D inverteds list for around $1,300, you can get them new (if you're patient) for around a grand.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 2
hmmmm, interesting I have Ultima front end and have no complains about the suspension on it.. Granted im not running the baja 500 nor a dirt track that requires a tuned in suspension or the bar talk in saying u spent 1500 plus on a suspension that uy really dont know if its any better than the next one..
What I do know its a daily driver her in phoenix traffic and I can get in out of it with out thinking twice. It handles way better than the OEM HD 49mm that I had on. It corners and handles city obstacles( pot holes) like any other...
Like I said I aint running any track for the daily driver the Ultima is not bad at all... It handles well it looks dam good and it fits most pocket books, and in todays economy that is what its all about... Good look in your endevour
What I do know its a daily driver her in phoenix traffic and I can get in out of it with out thinking twice. It handles way better than the OEM HD 49mm that I had on. It corners and handles city obstacles( pot holes) like any other...
Like I said I aint running any track for the daily driver the Ultima is not bad at all... It handles well it looks dam good and it fits most pocket books, and in todays economy that is what its all about... Good look in your endevour
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
From: Bloomington Indiana
I also have the ultima front end .I have been very happy with it .The difference is night and day.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Texas
The shop redoing my NightTrain right now is actually trying to talk me into an ultima. They highly recomend them, they said as long as you disassemble them and make sure all the parts are good they'll handle great and be plenty reliable. They're not a half *** shop either, they won first place at ROT this year, so I trust em.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From:
My bike (for sale- see classified section!) has the Storz Racing/Ceriani inverted cartridge fork, along with dual discs. Having ridden a stock Train right before I bought mine (with the fork and a 21" billet wheel), I'd say mine handles and stops 300% better than a stocker. It's even better with the 16".
