NZ first TTX-36 Aprilia

[Sensei]

Went & picked up my RSVR today after work at Robert Taylors Ohlins shop as he had finished putting more mods into my Ohlins forks , replacing my headset bearings & topped it off by putting the first TTX-36 Ohlins shock in New Zealand possiblly the World into my Aprilia .These aren't made for the Aprilias so Robert & his team found that a GSXR1000 unit would fit into the bike & after talking with him about them I had to have it . So left them to sort one out & they have done it . Set up the Sag when I got there on it then off out into the rain to give all the work a try out . One his to admire this guys skill as also his worker Dennis in putting together a set up that is pure OHLINS . Once the weather stops raining I'll give the bike a full try out but even in the wet this new set up gives you the feeling of complete confidence with the bike & how it feels . From having a bike with full Ohlins standard & then spending afew large ones on putting mods into it the $$$ are totaly justified . Thanks Robert & Dennis as always been great doing business with you Oh yea pics for the veiwers abit dirty from the crap weather & roads

[Sensei]

Today turned out fine so testing of the new suspension gear was good to go . Headed off up north on a road I know very well so could get a accurate comparison from what I had to now . Bike was so planted it was hard to find any faults to start with from the front or back but after pushing hard through some humps at high speed noticed that the bike was starting to pitch forward & back alittle when the rear was rebounding & compressing even though the bike felt smooth it was abit on the soft side for my liking so stopped at the top of Mt Messenger & Added 1 click of rebound & Added 3 compression this is so easy to do because they are all at the top of the shock now & I can even change them while riding as well which is very Kool , headed off down the other side of the Mount , Rebound felt immediately slower & compression harder which made for a very quick trip down the hill . Road to the local pub where I had a Rum & a think about the bikes set up riding up & when time to leave added 1 click of compression back onto the rear . I have ridden & owned some excellent set up bikes in the last 28ys but the bikes new set up has blown everthing else clean out of the water If you feel your bike needs work on the handling then don't go past or hesitate to call Robert Taylor here in New Plymouth I have been dealing with him for around 14ys now & he just keeps getting better & now he has another NZ Highly skilled local worker to add more hands on bike expertise talent to the customers .

[Gassit Girl]

so stopped at the top of Mt Messenger & took off 1 click of rebound & 3 off the compression this is so easy to do because they are all at the top of the shock now & I can even change them while riding as well which is very Kool , headed off down the other side of the Mount , Rebound felt immediately slower & compression harder

By clicking off rebound aren't you making the shock rebound quicker....?

[trumpy]

Thanks for this report Sensei, most encouraging. I am dropping off the Trumpy to Robert in couple of weeks time so he can fit an Ohlins to the rear and rework the front. It's a lot of dough to spend on the bike and I have been a bit nervous about it but by all accounts it seems like he will transform the bike. Unfortunately this will of course delete the last possible external excuse I have for crap riding..........might have to take some lessons now (anyone keen to teach an old fart how to ride?....no not you Skiddy).

[dhunt]

Thanks for this report Sensei, most encouraging. I am dropping off the Trumpy to Robert in couple of weeks time so he can fit an Ohlins to the rear and rework the front. It's a lot of dough to spend on the bike and I have been a bit nervous about it but by all accounts it seems like he will transform the bike. Unfortunately this will of course delete the last possible external excuse I have for crap riding..........might have to take some lessons now (anyone keen to teach an old fart how to ride?....no not you Skiddy).

Yeah I'll vouch for Robert as well. After giving him my bike to play with, he came back describing all the things which weren't working correctly which was exactly what I was experiencing. Then after he'd finished working on it - it was like a different bike, the handling and the ability to corner was soo much better.

[Sensei]

By clicking off rebound aren't you making the shock rebound quicker....?

Sorry to confuse Gassit Girl my off is on to normal folk so it would be turning in the rebound adjuster which slow's the shocks rebound stroke making the shock restrict the speed which the rear shock travels back to where it started compressing from . I think thats how the Experts translates their special talk to us unskilled riders

[Frenchy]

Sorry to confuse Gassit Girl my off is on to normal folk so it would be turning in the rebound adjuster which slow's the shocks rebound stroke making the shock restrict the speed which the rear shock travels back to where it started compressing from . I think thats how the Experts translates their special talk to us unskilled riders

You might want to check with Robert on that cause i'm sure the lovely lady is right! but then what do i know.

[Sensei]

Cheers Franz , will give Robert a call to check but from memory it has as posted aways be in to increase damping .

[Pussy]

Off, -, less, all mean the damping will be LESS. So in the rebound case, it will extend quicker. Gassit Girl is right on this one

[Sensei]

My Views of what is Off / On is just that nothing more in it really ! Have changed wording to add so as not to confuse everyone but second post explianed that . Hard pill to swallow sometimes

[Robert Taylor]

My Views of what is Off / On is just that nothing more in it really ! Have changed wording to add so as not to confuse everyone but second post explianed that . Hard pill to swallow sometimes

Thanks for the feedback re the product, we certainly keep getting reminded that the Ohlins TTX shocks and the fork cartridges have lifted the game over everything else. Two points of clarification;

1) The GSXR1000 TTX36 is not in fact a straight drop in for the Aprilia , we fitted a longer end boss and different type of end eye plus distance spacers to achieve the correct length and stroke correlation. Springing, preload and damping were all calibrated to the machine and rider stats.

2) Re the damping adjusters ( both at the top of the shock ) turning clockwise ( inwards or moving needle inwards to close it off ) is firmer damping, turning anticlockwise ( outwards ) is softer damping.

[pritch]

Gassit Girl is right on this one

Ummm You're not exactly an unbiased bystander in this case

And Scott, I was completely confused...

[Pussy]

Ummm You're not exactly an unbiased bystander in this case

The fact remains that what she was stating was correct, though, Pritch

[Sensei]

Thanks for confirming what I was trying to say Robert . Will look at trying as you suggested some fork changes later once the weather clear up if it ever does . Have afew over sea's Aprilia owners very keen to get a TTX-36 into their bikes from the review on my Aprilia sites I have posted about it . Will keep you posted .

[Pussy]

What amazes me is the level of improvement with each technology change. The TTX 36 I have now blew me away the first time I rode on it. But Ohlins and the other major top end companies never sleep, they're probably developing the next milestone right now, ready to up the game even more. Isn't it great, being able to take the bike to another level, and having the means to do it?