This is less of a question & more some thoughts on screen which more belong in Suspension than product review. My Tiger was a left field purchase for me but is one of the most fun bikes I’ve owned, despite being a 2 stroke nut & having owned the usual IL4 sportbikes. But one thing I decided after spending money on valve kits on bikes is if you are going to keep the bike it is better to spend the money early in ownership than a year from when you sell it. The rear had been revalved after it had failed for the original owner, apparently with immense improvement. However it was the end that felt the most baggy. OK, so it is an overgrown trailbike, but. . . So dive in, Ohlins for the rear & Race Tech goldvalves for the front with a question on the front springs. I wanted to keep the suspension soft as this is the whole point of these bikes. Racetechs calcu-ma-lator said .9-.95s which seemed crazy heavy for my sleek form of sub 80kg. Robert suggested we tried the std, & then the Ohlins specified .7 springs. Change to the RT valves was a revelation. Didn’t feel much difference on smooth roads, but as soon as I hit the twisty roads & bit-the-brakes-&-let-go I’d decided it was money well spent. Later I noticed the confidence over rough pavement. But I could bottom the forks braking over bumps. So why was the ohlins recommendation too soft? Well examination of the stock valves showed they were tiny pistons with (from memory) a shim on one side & two on the other. Like damper rod forks with small holes they orifice limited over any decent bump & as Ohlins don’t make valving kits for Tigers they test with stock valves that effectively lock up; so soft springs are the order of the day. With valving that works; stiffer springs are required to stop the forks plummeting when asked to perform. On the other hand the RT calculator recommendation would have been too stiff Thankfully CKT honour their pledge to exchange out the springs as required & alternative .85 springs have resulted in correct performance (.8s might have coped fine too). Better to have this service than have to buy the springs twice. The ohlins on the rear has been a set & forget till I got the front sorted, some playing to do, I think I’m borderline too soft for the rear. I’ll crank the preload a tickle & put the wife on as next test. So far very happy. OK it’s not that cheap, but wallowy or harsh bikes suck & I want to enjoy my ride as much as possible.
Don't you look at my accountant.
He's the only one I've got.
This is less of a question & more some thoughts on screen which more belong in Suspension than product review. My Tiger was a left field purchase for me but is one of the most fun bikes I’ve owned, despite being a 2 stroke nut & having owned the usual IL4 sportbikes. But one thing I decided after spending money on valve kits on bikes is if you are going to keep the bike it is better to spend the money early in ownership than a year from when you sell it. The rear had been revalved after it had failed for the original owner, apparently with immense improvement. However it was the end that felt the most baggy. OK, so it is an overgrown trailbike, but. . . So dive in, Ohlins for the rear & Race Tech goldvalves for the front with a question on the front springs. I wanted to keep the suspension soft as this is the whole point of these bikes. Racetechs calcu-ma-lator said .9-.95s which seemed crazy heavy for my sleek form of sub 80kg. Robert suggested we tried the std, & then the Ohlins specified .7 springs. Change to the RT valves was a revelation. Didn’t feel much difference on smooth roads, but as soon as I hit the twisty roads & bit-the-brakes-&-let-go I’d decided it was money well spent. Later I noticed the confidence over rough pavement. But I could bottom the forks braking over bumps. So why was the ohlins recommendation too soft? Well examination of the stock valves showed they were tiny pistons with (from memory) a shim on one side & two on the other. Like damper rod forks with small holes they orifice limited over any decent bump & as Ohlins don’t make valving kits for Tigers they test with stock valves that effectively lock up; so soft springs are the order of the day. With valving that works; stiffer springs are required to stop the forks plummeting when asked to perform. On the other hand the RT calculator recommendation would have been too stiff Thankfully CKT honour their pledge to exchange out the springs as required & alternative .85 springs have resulted in correct performance (.8s might have coped fine too). Better to have this service than have to buy the springs twice. The ohlins on the rear has been a set & forget till I got the front sorted, some playing to do, I think I’m borderline too soft for the rear. I’ll crank the preload a tickle & put the wife on as next test. So far very happy. OK it’s not that cheap, but wallowy or harsh bikes suck & I want to enjoy my ride as much as possible.
Thanks for the report! Keep me posted on the rear. If you decide it needs a slightly different spring rate we will honour an exchange, as required.
I have been playing with the adjustment on the stock dampers with mxed results. If I was going to be carrying a pillion, then I would certainly take the Ohlins kit. Apparently Triumph are now selling Ohlins kit as a factory optional extra on the newer Tigers.
PHEW.....JUST MADE IT............................. UP"
I have been playing with the adjustment on the stock dampers with mxed results. If I was going to be carrying a pillion, then I would certainly take the Ohlins kit. Apparently Triumph are now selling Ohlins kit as a factory optional extra on the newer Tigers.
That is so but there will be a ''Triumph''markup and its nearly 100% certain that we ( CKT ) can supply at a much more agreeable price
That is so but there will be a ''Triumph''markup and its nearly 100% certain that we ( CKT ) can supply at a much more agreeable price
Hey Robert, I have read about so many who have screwed up the geometry of their bikes by playing about with parts and adjustments. Apparently the Honda Blackbird rear coil fits the Tiger 1050 like a glove and is idea if you are a shorter chappie.
When I am ready to search into this you are the first person I will contact for advice.
PHEW.....JUST MADE IT............................. UP"
I forgot to mention in my first post that RT put in some 10mm travel reducers into the forks. I run with the forks poking through 22mm at shortest measuring position (inside). This drops the front down but they sag so much std (like about 1/2 the travel) that it is only a bit nose down now it has stiffer fronts. The bike turns infinitely better IMO & has no instability whatsoever. I'd shy away from lowering the back (like common plates etc) as it will tend to make it like a Holden Kingswood (Jaws the movie was modeled after one I'm told) at the front & probably steer as well.
I tend not to hang off this bike & very occasionally scrape the pegs, but it is fine for the road & I can touch the ground at 5'8". Have got the stiffer rear spring, just need to fit it hopefully this week if I can get the babyproofing gates welded & bolted (little guy is getting mobile quick). Will see how that pans out for ride height.
Don't you look at my accountant.
He's the only one I've got.
I forgot to mention in my first post that RT put in some 10mm travel reducers into the forks. I run with the forks poking through 22mm at shortest measuring position (inside). This drops the front down but they sag so much std (like about 1/2 the travel) that it is only a bit nose down now it has stiffer fronts. The bike turns infinitely better IMO & has no instability whatsoever. I'd shy away from lowering the back (like common plates etc) as it will tend to make it like a Holden Kingswood (Jaws the movie was modeled after one I'm told) at the front & probably steer as well.
I tend not to hang off this bike & very occasionally scrape the pegs, but it is fine for the road & I can touch the ground at 5'8". Have got the stiffer rear spring, just need to fit it hopefully this week if I can get the babyproofing gates welded & bolted (little guy is getting mobile quick). Will see how that pans out for ride height.
I have some inbetween spring rate reserved in Sweden ( in case you need these ) but freight out of Europe is a big problem at present!
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Originally Posted by F5 Dave
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