05-07 Triumph Speed Triple suspension upgrade - anyone done it?

**mukup** · 3rd April 2012, 12:46

Hi. Anyone who has riden this model of S3 will know the ride is hard, bouncing over every little bump in the road and even making you airbourne. I have been told you can make a huge difference to the ride with ohlins. Has anyone forked out the $$ and had this done - and was it worth it?

**Stirts** · 3rd April 2012, 12:55

Originally Posted by mukup

Hi. Anyone who has riden this model of S3 will know the ride is hard, bouncing over every little bump in the road and even making you airbourne. I have been told you can make a huge difference to the ride with ohlins. Has anyone forked out the $$ and had this done - and was it worth it?

I got my 07 Speedie handed down to me by one "careful lady owner"

who had the Ohlins put in. But even with Ohlins put in, and the bike fully set up for my arse, bumps in the road still get it airbourne. In saying that the "careful lady owner" whose arse is tighter than a tight thing wouldn't spend the dosh unless it would make a fair bit of difference.

Have you had the bike "set up" for you though? If not, get it adjusted and see if that makes it a bit bettera, if not, then I would invest the $$

**NZsarge** · 3rd April 2012, 13:49

Originally Posted by mukup

Hi. Anyone who has riden this model of S3 will know the ride is hard, bouncing over every little bump in the road and even making you airbourne. I have been told you can make a huge difference to the ride with ohlins. Has anyone forked out the $$ and had this done - and was it worth it?

Talk with Owl, he's had his suspension on his '05 Ractech modified to good effect.

**Maha** · 3rd April 2012, 14:09

A link to said Owl...http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/14114-Owl

**mukup** · 3rd April 2012, 19:30

Originally Posted by Stirts

I got my 07 Speedie handed down to me by one "careful lady owner"

who had the Ohlins put in. But even with Ohlins put in, and the bike fully set up for my arse, bumps in the road still get it airbourne. In saying that the "careful lady owner" whose arse is tighter than a tight thing wouldn't spend the dosh unless it would make a fair bit of difference.

Have you had the bike "set up" for you though? If not, get it adjusted and see if that makes it a bit bettera, if not, then I would invest the $$

Has yours had front and rear done? or just ther rear? I haven't had it looked at professionally... but two guys (mechanics/bike owners - know a bit of stuff) have given it a go. Got it as best we could and been coping.. but after 1200kms on the weekend I would love to go into a corner knowing I am not going to bounce around it! Cheers for your advice.

**Robert Taylor** · 3rd April 2012, 19:48

Originally Posted by mukup

Has yours had front and rear done? or just ther rear? I haven't had it looked at professionally... but two guys (mechanics/bike owners - know a bit of stuff) have given it a go. Got it as best we could and been coping.. but after 1200kms on the weekend I would love to go into a corner knowing I am not going to bounce around it! Cheers for your advice.

Call into our shop and we will show you all the options from Race Tech through Ohlins. As you are in Taranaki we are not a million miles from you.

FYI we also did Owls bike with Race tech at both ends, he is very happy with it but ask him yourself

**mukup** · 3rd April 2012, 19:50

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Call into our shop and we will show you all the options from Race Tech through Ohlins. As you are in Taranaki we are not a million miles from you.

FYI we also did Owls bike with Race tech at both ends, he is very happy with it but ask him yourself

Cheers, intended to phone you guys tomorrow, as you also been recommended to me by some wellington friends.

**Geeen** · 3rd April 2012, 19:56

Originally Posted by mukup

Cheers, intended to phone you guys tomorrow, as you also been recommended to me by some wellington friends.

Can you please keep this thread updated? Im interested what you come up with, just convinced my wife to let me get the Gel seat, suspension is on the Mod list.

**Pussy** · 3rd April 2012, 21:43

Originally Posted by Maha

A link to said Owl...http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/14114-Owl

How is the FZ 8 suspension???

**Stirts** · 4th April 2012, 07:54

Originally Posted by mukup

Has yours had front and rear done? or just ther rear?

Ohlins rear shock and full Race Tech fork internals including springs and gold valves (done by Robert Taylor at ckt).

**Robert Taylor** · 4th April 2012, 09:21

The suspension options are:

FRONT END Linear wind springs in a rate appropriate to your personal stats, revalve the stock rebound pistons for better control and fit high flow base pistons with an appropriate valving stack so that the front end will actually absorb the nasty bumps that our roads regularly dish up

REAR END

Option 1 Fit high flow Race Tech piston kit with customised valving ( just like we did for Owl ) Note that the stock piston is quite restrictive in flow rate so no amount of external fiddling and revalving will yield a decent result, it will just not flow enough oil!!! Respring as or if neccessary to suit body mass and loading

Option 2 Fit Ohlins ''bells and whistles listing''

Option 3 Fit new Ohlins ''Streetline Performance'' listing. A simpler spec but with all the usual Ohlins advantages and at a highly affordable price. Sold lots of these. Transportable, respecable to a subsequent bike so ongoing residual value, including trade in value

Local purchase means local backup from a distributor who knows our local roading conditions, employs New Zealanders and puts money back into the Kiwi economy. We also meet the market on price.

Note also that we have installed a new sophisticated suspension dyno that is assisting no end in determining individualised settings. A YouTube video will be posted about it within a handful of weeks. This lifts the game in the NZ motorcycle suspension industry, considerably

**Maha** · 4th April 2012, 11:34

Originally Posted by Pussy

How is the FZ 8 suspension???

Gotta tell ya John, its on a par with my 96' Toyota Hi-Ace...

**nodrog:Me** · 4th April 2012, 11:38

Originally Posted by Maha

Gotta tell ya John, its on a par with my 96' Toyota Hi-Ace...

he is talking about the performance of the suspension, not the motor.

**Maha** · 4th April 2012, 11:44

Originally Posted by nodrog

he is talking about the performance of the suspension, not the motor.

The same, on both counts...

**F5 Dave** · 4th April 2012, 12:42

Originally Posted by Maha

Gotta tell ya John, its on a par with my 96' Toyota Hi-Ace...

My 95 HiAce I put Munroes on which were a million times better that std but wore in under 100k, now have KYBs, but they are getting on. I'm not sure if you'd call the springs linear or progressive, and sadly as there are no adjusters I can't call it fully adjustable

.

For the OP; I haven't ridden an S3 but if they paid as little attn (read saved money) to the suspension as they did on my 07 Tiger then I found the racetech valving in the forks Robert did a revelation. My shock had already been revalved by some crowd, but the shocks wear quickly I am told & it was sloppy already. Ohlins was easy fix & no complaints.

Can't say if S3 in same league of boingers, but I'd take a bet.

Hard to pay the money at the time, but the pain of that is forgotten. Every time I ride the bike it is way better than what it came with. Better upgrade early rather than just before you sell it.