'08 Tuono R - suspension upgrade?

Hi all - first time poster here!

Apologies to those who've seen my similar post on another forum - I'm in need of advice...!

I was after a bit of advice about suspension work on my '08 Tuono, ~8500 miles on the clock. I've fiddled with the compression damping on the bike but it still feels a bit vague at the front, even after some "professional" assistance at a recent trackday.

I do a fair bit of road riding (trips to france/spain), a few trackdays (but have a track bike so that gets used more on the track) and carry a (light) pillon from time to time.

I've read quite a lot about respringing/revalving forks, and also replacement rear suspension units - is it worth getting this done? Does it make a big difference? Is it worth just getting the stock suspension set up properly?

I'm based in the UK, and asked Maxton what they might be able to do - they quoted about £400 for a fork respring/revalve/re-oil and about £400-£600 for a replacement rear shock (apparently they can't get parts for the rear Sachs unit - price dependent on external compression & ride height adjuster).

I've heard people talking about Kais and MCT in addition to Maxton - has anyone got any experience of these guys?

Thanks in advance!!

MattB

No experience with MCT or Kais, but ohlins come up on ebay a lot and go for around £100.

suprisingly after putting an ohlins steering damper on mine the front feels much more sorted and can be adjusted for track days etc !!

Loads of suspension threads on here,...do a search.The rear Sach is rubbish and worth about 30p,....throw it away and fit Ohlins,WP,Nitron,whatever.
Not used them myself,but Maxton have a great reputation for sorting suspension troubles.If they cant sort it,nobody can.

Any quality shock for the rear will improve things, as for the forks - depends how bad you think they are. Tifa has Manxton suspension all around IRRC - he might be able to comment.
Regards the vague front - get into the habit of sliding forwards as well as off the seat if you are really going for it - try to "kiss the mirror" as someone advised me. It loads up the front a bit more and feels more planted.

This of course assumes the tyres are pukka.

A simple and no cost improvement is to drop your fork legs through 2 rings if this has not been done I guarantee you will have more confidence in the front end.

Wow thanks guys!

- I've dropped the fork legs through the yokes (at least 2 rings iirc, at work atm and don't have the bike here to check)
- I've also noticed that more weight over the front helps a LOT (guess that's because the geometry/weight balance was designed for RSV clip-ons rather than Tuono risers which tend to move the weight back)
- I have Pilot Road 2 tyres on atm which have actually proven pretty damn good, even on the occasional trackday!

Sounds like I'll be keeping an eye out for an Ohlins rear, and then getting the forks revalved/resprung when I have a rear shock to fit

Thanks again for the advice!

Matt.

I have 4 rings showing - more the merrier - makes it a teeny bit twitchy when you are really hard on the gas, but it turns better. You are right about the weight disto, it's pretty much 50/50 on an RSVR, but 60/40 on the Tuono, so if you are pushing lean forward over the front more.

Once you get the rear sorted, you might find the front forks are OK once dialled in, the rear shock is such a POS it really spoils the bike.

Depending on how ,uch you wana spend...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....44822348&category=78417&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270744824478&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

???

Could you please explain for lame person what you mean about dropping forks? )))

Dimania said:

Could you please explain for lame person what you mean about dropping forks? )))

Click to expand...

Loosen the top and bottom of the forks and move the yokes lower down the forks.

Hi matt, i thought id let you know Tuboy has got a brand new maxton rear for sale.. its worth a pm..