05-07 Speed Triple handling help

[lanci]

Hi there,

Does anyone in the Auckland region have the above mentioned bike and would be willing to let me use it as a benchmark for a handling comparison between my Speed Trip and theirs? I am not happy with the handling of my bike as it feels like it has deterioted since I bought it (I need to ascertain whether it is new tire related or shagged shock/s. Also it has been on a consistent factory suspension setting for the last 4-7months). So if someone was willing to let me ride their one whilst they rode mine, it would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Lance
021 569 092

[Scouse]

What sort of Tyres did you replace the original Pilot Powers with? because if you have replaced them with the cheapest tyres that you could get this may be where the answer lays, how many Km's has the Bike Done? Have you tried softening the rear suspension as the factory setting is miles to hard? make sure you have about 32psi front and 34 psi rear.

[skidMark]

What sort of Tyres did you replace the original Pilot Powers with? because if you have replaced them with the cheapest tyres that you could get this may be where the answer lays, how mang Km has the Bike Done? Have you tried softening the rear suspension as the factory setting is miles to hard? make sure you have about 32psi front and 34 psi rear.


What he said ^^^^, if you havnt changed any suspension settings its a tyre issue or tyre pressure issue.

[Big Dave]

Or the Kyaba shock is shagged.

You've checked tyres, pressures, steering head bearings, swing arm bearings, wheel bearings, wheel alignment, fork oil levels and all is in order.

Then point at the shock. It's an emulsion shock and eventually it all turns to paste.

[Clivoris]

If I was up there you would be more than welcome to compare the handling to my Tuono.:shifty:

[Owl]

If I was up there you would be more than welcome to compare the handling to my Tuono.:shifty:

Funny you should mention that, as the suspension upgrade for the S3 has been compared directly with the Tuono. As good or better was the call!:bleh:

[short-circuit]

Or the Kyaba shock is shagged. It's an emulsion shock and eventually it all turns to paste.

I just don't get why Triumph compromise with suspension the way they do - they are notorious for it. Why would you put a milkshake shock into a bike that is so good in nearly every other way?

[Clivoris]

Funny you should mention that, as the suspension upgrade for the S3 has been compared directly with the Tuono. As good or better was the call!:bleh:

Fair dinkum? Maybe you'll be interested in buying a bridge in Auckland that's just come on the market? Keep it quiet and I will do you a good deal.:Pokey:

[pete376403]

Would you pay another $1200 - $1500 for the same bike but with better rear suspension? Cos thats what an Ohlins rear shock would add to the cost
Guy at work has just added an Ohlins to his Speed Trip. Fork upgrade comes next.

[Pussy]

I just don't get why Triumph compromise with suspension the way they do - they are notorious for it. Why would you put a milkshake shock into a bike that is so good in nearly every other way?

It's not just Triumph.... I had a ride on a 1250 Bandit a couple of weeks back.... nice engine and chassis, SHITE suspension

[Big Dave]

They are all built to a price point.

[pete376403]

I recall reading the average life of a sports bike in California (the biggest market) between showroom and scrap yard is 6 weeks (!) Standard suspension parts never come even close to being worn out (or even run in)

[short-circuit]

They are all built to a price point.

Appreciate that, but why have a brilliant engine and chassis with deplorable shock?

Also as far as the front end goes decent valves and the right shim stack and springs are not really expensive at all.

The stock shock is pure junk

[Big Dave]

Some of the RAT crew have got OK milage out of them. Light to middleweights - My weight stuffs them in 15-20K.

[Pumba]

What sort of Tyres did you replace the original Pilot Powers with?

Id be interested in the answer to that.


how many Km's has the Bike Done?

That one too.


Have you tried softening the rear suspension as the factory setting is miles to hard?

I know suspension is all very personal but first and foremost the suspension should be set to the correct sag for your rider weight and try band ballance the dampening front and back so both they are even.

The speed triple suspension in my opinion feels hard standard because it is so daam soft.


make sure you have about 32psi front and 34 psi rear.

Depending on what the tyres are. I would have never considered runing the piolet powers that low, 36 at the front 38 rear, minimum. I have replaced the powers with the Contis (sport attack front, road attack rear) and I run those 38 front 42 rear. Less than that it is just crap.

[Robert Taylor]

I just don't get why Triumph compromise with suspension the way they do - they are notorious for it. Why would you put a milkshake shock into a bike that is so good in nearly every other way?

Simple, to keep production and end costs down. Dont single out Triumph, they all do it.

[lanci]

Hi all,

I replaced the rear tire only. Replaced it with a Michelin Pilot Road 2 (2ct). Front is still a 50% worn Pilot Power.

The bike has 10k's on the clock.

Just had the 10K service on it (all bearings etc ok)

Running 36psi front and 40psi rear.

Of note the rear is a Showa item I believe.........

I'm not sure if it's in my head but I honestly think it feels different!!! Interested to do the benchmarking......

[Scouse]

Hi all,

I replaced the rear tire only. Replaced it with a Michelin Pilot Road 2 (2ct). Front is still a 50% worn Pilot Power.

The bike has 10k's on the clock.

Just had the 10K service on it (all bearings etc ok)

Running 36psi front and 40psi rear.

Of note the rear is a Showa item I believe.........

I'm not sure if it's in my head but I honestly think it feels different!!! Interested to do the benchmarking......So you have gone for the cheaper option as pilot road is more aimed at better milage than grip I have heard of other owners experiencing the same problems with pilot roads. You should try dropping the rear pressure to 34 and the front to 32-33 psi and soften the rear dampening screw by a turn and a half. Ultimately next time you replacing your tyres you should spend the extra money on either Pilot Power's, ME3's or Pirelli Diablos. Mr Taylor's Ohlins suspension option is also a good investment if you have a spare $1,400ish as you will find that not only doe's it sort the handling it will also give you more mileage out of your tyres.

[Owl]

So you have gone for the cheaper option as pilot road is more aimed at better milage than grip I have heard of other owners experiencing the same problems with pilot roads. You should try dropping the rear pressure to 34 and the front to 32-33 psi and soften the rear dampening screw by a turn and a half. Ultimately next time you replacing your tyres you should spend the extra money on either Pilot Power's, ME3's or Pirelli Diablos.

I can't say I agree with that dude!

I'm running a PR2 on the rear and find it great, even at higher pressures and I'd hardly call them a cheap option.

Also, unwinding the damping screw will do nothing to help the rear.

[Scouse]

unwinding the damping screw will do nothing to help the rear.It did for my Bike as the rear was way too hard softening the rear made it way better as the factory setting was just too firm.

[Pumba]

Personaly I am not a huge fan of the pilot series of tiers, and have never tried any of the 2ct series so cant really comment, apart from I think your pressues are about right.

Wont coment on the suspension adjustment any further than what I stated in my first post as I dont have the knowledge to do so with confidence.

PM has been sent.

[Owl]

It did for my Bike as the rear was way too hard softening the rear made it way better as the factory setting was just too firm.

That was the way I thought too Scouse, but I ended up with a wallowing bitch when pushing it hard in corners. I found a temporary fix somewhere in the opposite direction.


Wont coment on the suspension adjustment any further than what I stated in my first post as I dont have the knowledge to do so with confidence.

I feel the same way!:yes: Your comment on being hard because it was too soft certainly rings true for me!


PM has been sent.

I sent one too. Now I'm curious as to what you've done.:msn-wink:

[sinfull]

Hi all,

I replaced the rear tire only. Replaced it with a Michelin Pilot Road 2 (2ct). Front is still a 50% worn Pilot Power.

The bike has 10k's on the clock.

Just had the 10K service on it (all bearings etc ok)

Running 36psi front and 40psi rear.

Of note the rear is a Showa item I believe.........

I'm not sure if it's in my head but I honestly think it feels different!!! Interested to do the benchmarking......
Hard to tell what your feeling by the word different !
Try going into more detail and someone like robert T could prolly help !

My feelings on the stock shock is lets say average ! It's well know the valving is crap (full on or full off on the clickers to feel any difference in comp or rebound)
First thing i'd check is the lock for the preload hasn't come loose and the preload unwound a bit !
Didn't do any adjustment to preload on mine untill i committed it to track but agree with the comments re hard means its too soft ! used to be the hell kidney thumper on the road before i found a happy medium between keeping some static sag and having a reasonable rider sag !

[lanci]

My issue with the handling is that when in lean, the rear feels a bit skittery in the back (as in it seems to shift out from under it). It also seems like the suspension is not able to handle bumps very in lean......... I'll tell you what though, it's shaking my confidence in the bike :argh:

[Big Dave]

If I was in your position I would now call on the esteemed Mr Taylor - details above - or locally Mr Cobb at Suspensiontech in Ellerslie has always given me a fair go too.

Amateur Guess: Damping is ferked and it's over-sprung to compensate.

[pritch]

A BIKE tester commented recently,
"a general air of bagginess is common on too many Triumphs I've ridden; common enough to make me take my money elsewhere."

He didn't say exactly what he meant by "bagginess", but the OPs bike should be young enough for this malady not have manifested itself yet?

[sinfull]

My issue with the handling is that when in lean, the rear feels a bit skittery in the back (as in it seems to shift out from under it). It also seems like the suspension is not able to handle bumps very in lean......... I'll tell you what though, it's shaking my confidence in the bike :argh:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4602262_setup-suspension-sportbike-motorcycle.html
Have a couple of read throughs here ! It aint the most comprehensive info but it will help get the basics sorted !

If that new tyre dont sort your issues and ya bike has similar preloads as shown on that site, it will be the comp/rebound settings you have i recon !~ Because unless your riding like an absolute demon on the road the 1050's stock shock should be sweet, if set right !
But again as the others have said, i aint gonna tell ya where to set them as i'm riding solely track and have set mine as best i can, with the help of others with far more knowledge than myself, to suit my needs !
But you will find it is in the settings and if you want the know how, i can recomend a book to source out ! That being "sportbike suspension tuning" by Andrew Trevitt
I've just layed my hands on a copy and though i aint started it yet, i have been assured i need to read it ! I must have been pestering Phill at my local bike clinic so much (want to understand fully, the science of suspension set up, reading tyres etc) for knowledge he went to his book shelf and handed that book to me and said go away and dont come back till ya read it twice !

[lanci]

http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm

This seems like a good article........... Thoughts???

[lanci]

I'm such a noob to this suspension business but what I can tell from numerous sources is preload is the first step with adjustment in damping to come after getting a feel from riding. Will be an interesting learning curve.