CB900 Hornet suspension

[crash99]

Anyone got any good tips for sorting front suspension on a 900 Hornet? Feels "wooden" and harsh. Or is this just how things are . . .

[Sensei]

They are a very basic set up so don't expect to much from them , look at putting a fork kit / Ohlins oil into them if you want them to perform correctly . Give Robert Taylor a PH 062784160 NZ's Ohlins dealer & other stuff , tell him Scott said to have a talk about some options . Hope this helps

[crash99]

They are a very basic set up so don't expect to much from them , look at putting a fork kit / Ohlins oil into them if you want them to perform correctly . Give Robert Taylor a PH 062784160 NZ's Ohlins dealer & other stuff , tell him Scott said to have a talk about some options . Hope this helps
Hey thanks Sensei. APpreciate the info.

[Kendog]

Anyone got any good tips for sorting front suspension on a 900 Hornet? Feels "wooden" and harsh. Or is this just how things are . . .

There is a bit of suspension info here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=32223)

[crash99]

There is a bit of suspension info here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=32223)
Cool, thanks guys.

[timorang]

also look at this thread....http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30775

[terbang]

Keep it in good condition, put in the correct grade of oil and get the sag as best setup for you, your normal load and bike together. Thats all you can and need to do on a road bike without spending a small fortune to only find out that it's still a road bike. Heard a couple of blokes chatting the other day about suspension setups for different roads (I'm talking road here not tracks OK) and it sort of sounded like they had different setups for different bits of road. Too much mucking around with little gain for me, I'd rather be riding. Your best suspension adjustment is actually yourself and the way you ride. Weight distrubution, correct throttle application and a smoother riding style will adjust your bike to any type of road condition.

[pritch]

I'm a bit surprised to see you rate the Hornet front end as harsh. The standard settings are soft. Sensei pointed this out when he rode my bike when he fitted my Ohlins on the back. "Tragic!" he said. Pre-load was played around with for a while and that solved the problem. Rebound damping was increased in proportion from memory.

As always, before you do any suspension adjustments check the tyre pressures are correct then reset everything to the standard settings and work from there.

You could spend a bucket load of money upgrading the suspension and then the frame would show up as the weak link. (That isn't just the Hornet, that's pretty much anything, generally all we can do is move the weak point around.)

Hornets are rated to handle and corner pretty well standard, so if there is a problem suspect the individual bike.

Have fun

[limbimtimwim]

If you like the hornet, then it is worth (In the sense you will enjoy it more, not have a higher resale) throwing some cash at the suspension. Modifcations makes the bike more yours and less Honda's. Ahh... I fitted a near pointless loud muffler once, and it made me fall in love with the bike again.

Personally, in my limited experience I think the hornet suspension is a little lacking. But it is a very very good value for money bike, so you do get what you pay for too.

However, If you feel like you are slightly 'over' the hornet and are trying to improve it maybe you try riding some other bikes and see if you like them more. It could work out cheaper and more fun. For example, something like an Aprilia Tuono could put a bigger smile on your face for less money than throwing flash suspension at the hornet.

[crash99]

I'm a bit surprised to see you rate the Hornet front end as harsh. The standard settings are soft. Sensei pointed this out when he rode my bike when he fitted my Ohlins on the back. "Tragic!" he said. Pre-load was played around with for a while and that solved the problem. Rebound damping was increased in proportion from memory.

As always, before you do any suspension adjustments check the tyre pressures are correct then reset everything to the standard settings and work from there.

You could spend a bucket load of money upgrading the suspension and then the frame would show up as the weak link. (That isn't just the Hornet, that's pretty much anything, generally all we can do is move the weak point around.)

Hornets are rated to handle and corner pretty well standard, so if there is a problem suspect the individual bike.

Have fun
Hey Pritch - I guess its a matter of interpretation - maybe "harsh" is not the right word - I just get the feel that I ain't getting the feel! Not having any pre-load settings on the front means I'm into oil or springs straight away. I'll do some work on tyre pressures though and see how I go. Also front tyre is well worn (Michelin) and so looking to match the replacement with the rear Metzler Roadtec EC. Any comments on tyres, guys? Thanks

[TerminalAddict]

metzeler m3's seem to love me

[limbimtimwim]

Also front tyre is well worn (Michelin) and so looking to match the replacement with the rear Metzler Roadtec EC. Any comments on tyres, guys?Can't comment on their suitability for a hornet, but I have got just over 10000km out of a Metzeler Roadtec Z6 on the rear of my GSXR750. I dunno what an 'EC' is. A lot of it two-up and with bags. Yes, I did have an issue once coming out of a corner at a trackday with the tyre (Powersliding wobble, not what I wanted at all) that I don't think would have happened with my old previous Diablo. It's a great tyre and I think it would suit pretty much everyone pretty much all the time. After I had used it for awhile I completely forgot about it's 'sport touring' branding and just started enjoying a tyre that lasted more then a couple of months.

Also Skelstar has Continental Road Attacks on his Hornet and seems to like them, ask him about them.

[crash99]

Hey, what a difference a day makes! Part way there - new Metzler Roadtec Z6 fitted and what a difference. The old Michelin front was really down on the tread (what tread?) and as a result providing little absorption. So, Roadtecs front and rear and even going home carefully in the wet, it feels a lot better. Still gonna do that fork oil tho . . . :rockon:

[Robert Taylor]

Anyone got any good tips for sorting front suspension on a 900 Hornet? Feels "wooden" and harsh. Or is this just how things are . . .

Usually those who advise nothing more than external adjustments just are not aware of the very real improvements that can be made, or are in denial. It may be ''just a road bike'' but it is far far better to spend cash on getting the thing to handle well, absorb bumps and give you good road feel ( and confidence! ) than to say fit a noisy pipe. Ive ridden a few Hornets and the front end is indeed very very average. The springs are too soft and too heavily preloaded, the compression pistons are small port and max out in flow rate too readily when encountering abrupt bumps, that contributes to the harshness you feel. Same for the base level Aprilia Tuonos as it happens.

We can either choose to live a life of mediocrity and blindly accept what is dished up to us. Or we can question and pursue excellence.

[Robert Taylor]

Anyone got any good tips for sorting front suspension on a 900 Hornet? Feels "wooden" and harsh. Or is this just how things are . . .

And playing with tyre brands and pressures is just playing with the peripheries. Granted the Metzelers will work better than the Michelins because the sidewalls are more compliant, tyres are a component of suspension absorption action. But it is not getting to the heart of the matter, woeful hydraulics!

In road racing we have a completely different internal valving spec between Dunlops and Pirellis, the difference is substanial.

[crash99]

Cool Robert. So, a decent tyre fitted (got rid of that problem). I'd absolutely agree with your comment "The springs are too soft and too heavily preloaded . . . that contributes to the harshness you feel" What a mess of a combination!!
Whats next - Fork oil? New springs? Appreciate your feedback. Cheers

[Robert Taylor]

Cool Robert. So, a decent tyre fitted (got rid of that problem). I'd absolutely agree with your comment "The springs are too soft and too heavily preloaded . . . that contributes to the harshness you feel" What a mess of a combination!!
Whats next - Fork oil? New springs? Appreciate your feedback. Cheers

Appropriate springs for your personal stats plus oil is a ''level 1'' improvement, ''level 2'' is to revalve the standard rebound pistons and to fit high flow compression pistons with digressive valving. As I suspect most of your respondents have not experienced this mod, properly executed, then they wouldnt be able to sincerely comment on same. Sorry guys if that sounds harsh, but experiencing firsthand is beleiving.

Im not looking for the work! But can recommend people that can do such properly.

[crash99]

Sounds good. Where can I find these people?

[Robert Taylor]

Sounds good. Where can I find these people?

PM me so I can direct you