harsh forks?

[DetourPhil]

Hi all, just running  around on the new to me CR, it's a stunning bike let down by moderate front forks....
Anyone changed the oil viscosity/level or even think the same as me.

I'm sure the problem is poor damping rather than spring rate or damping.


Phil

EDIT: It, the rear shock had failed - replaced without issue under warranty.

[DetourPhil]

Does no one else find the forks harsh or is it just me?

The rear shock was also harsh on standard settings - easily cured by softening the damping (currently 1/2 turn from fully soft). It's now much better.

Phil

[Jimbo675]

I think my CR suspension is luxuriously plush. I haven't heard anyone describe it as harsh. The rear damping adjust is rebound only. I cant see how adjusting that would soften things. If I ride into a pot hole my CR will go bang...but over corrugations and minor irregularities its great......plush compared to my GSXR or Street Triple.

[DetourPhil]

Originally Posted by Jimbo675

I think my CR suspension is luxuriously plush. I haven't heard anyone describe it as harsh. The rear damping adjust is rebound only. I cant see how adjusting that would soften things. If I ride into a pot hole my CR will go bang...but over corrugations and minor irregularities its great......plush compared to my GSXR or Street Triple.

Thanks for the reply Jim,
I find both front & rear harsh, the rear is much better since adjusting the rebound to near minimum (allowing the shock to extend quicker before being compressed again).
The front forks feel 'poor' on most typical road surfaces that we have in the uk, not so much that it's a problem but the comfort of the bike would be so much better with plusher forks......

Phil

[Jimbo675]

Maybe me being heavy is a factor.  I'm about 115kg. If its knocking you about you'll have to tinker. I have increased rear preload by one step over standard and not touched anything else. Im impressed with how it handles.

[DetourPhil]

Hi Jimbo,
I'm about 100kg.
I now have the rear set ok with preload on 3 and (rebound) damping at 1/2 turn from minimum....

It's the forks that seem to lack refinement - not really bad but more compliant would be nice.
As far as I'm aware, there is no adjustment for the forks.

I have noticed, that if I push the front of the bike up/down, I have anout 30-40mm of quiet, smooth movement, beyond that I can hear a muted knock on the up & down stroke, the forks do feel to have quite a bit of stiction too?

Phil

[Jimbo675]

I have a Street Triple R. That was harsh...soft springs and firm damping. I had both ends revalved and the fork re sprung.  Much better. Coming off that bike I am truly surprised how sorted my CR feels. Pot holes do go bang and I reckon the cheap steel mini apes tend to resonate which does feel harsh. Alloy tapers would be better.
On gravel logging roads I just dodge the big bumps...also open throttle over them to unload the fork.

Alternatively put on 15kg.

[DetourPhil]

Well, the crude suspension is ruining my enjoyment of this otherwise fine bike.

To date I have;
Removed/inspected the forks & changed the oil to 5wt, with little or no improvement....
Then removed some oil to reduce the level/increase air gap with no improvement
Tried reducing the tyre pressures, again with little or no improvement!
Even as a last ditch, added 10mm preload to the forks- seem worse.....

I have also twiddled with the rear preload & damping.

 This bike rides so stubborn over road imperfections, it's quite literally doing my head in (the bumping & jarring gives me a headache)!

Don't quite know where to turn now, Tried tech dept of Honda, not really interested & said book it into a dealer to "inspect" (inspect what?)

My '92 Vfr 750 rides like a magic carpet in comparison!

Phil

[crok]

ring Hagon, see if they can do anything, very helpful and good company to do business with.

Sounds like you need softer front springs.

[DetourPhil]

Originally Posted by crok

ring Hagon, see if they can do anything, very helpful and good company to do business with.

Sounds like you need softer front springs.

Funny you should say that as I'v had 2 bad experiences with Hagon & as a result, wouldn't use them again.....
My gut feeling is it's the (high speed) damping that is wrong,
IMHO the spring rates don't seem too bad.

Phil