[Saber Saw43]

Anyone firm up the suspension on their Spirit 1100? If so, did it improve the handling in turns and roadfeel? I am also a fan of fron fork braces, anyone put one of those on? I've done it on other rides ( kawi vulcan 800A! Suz. Intruder 800 and suz. Savage) with good results. Anyone try these mods on their 1100?

John

 

[shadowrider482002]

Both my son and I replaced the fork springs in our Shadows with the progressive springs, and it made a real improvement in handling especially in the turns. I don't remember what brand they were but they were only about $75 or $80 a set.

 

[Furball Zen]

Stiffer suspension on a bike doesnt always equal better handling, ive tried. Softer is better and grippy tires. IMHO. The fender bracket at least on the 750s acts as a brace already.

Just remember, these things arent valved for race bike handling.

 

[Saber Saw43]

I realize these are cruisers, I'm well accustomed the style. I prefer a more taut ride than the stock units provide. No racing, just "spirited" cruising. Any who, progressives in the front with a higher weight fork oil should suffice.

BTW, how do you like the Fury? It is gorgeous bike.

John

 

[adlowe]

Progressive fork springs made a wonderful difference on my ACE. I suspect they'd do the same on a Spirit.

Progressive 412 shocks stiffened up the rear quite nicely, too. The ride is quite a bit harsher; I can see where a lot of folks wouldn't like that. I do. I cannot long tolerate a "boulevard ride" even in cars. Too mushy.

Overall handling and feeling of control is much better with both upgrades. Add in a switch to Metzeler tires (instead of Dunlops) and I've been very happy with the improvements.

 

[gypsy]

i upgraded the entire suspension on my 98 1100 spirit.there are a few grades of progressive shocks used the 412 and they broke (i live on dirt, gravel and rock roads) so i upped the quality to the next up on the price list and i am very happy with them. i also disliked the spongy front end so i installed progressives, cut the pvc spacers a half inch or so longer and upped the fork oil to 15wt. i like feeling the road and for me the bike handles better. on my 87 1100c which is my distance cruiser the only mod are 412 rear shocks... it is a very comfortable ride on long runs. so it depends what the rider is looking for as to how much modification should undertaken.

 

[Furball Zen]

I realize these are cruisers, I'm well accustomed the style. I prefer a more taut ride than the stock units provide. No racing, just "spirited" cruising. Any who, progressives in the front with a higher weight fork oil should suffice.

BTW, how do you like the Fury? It is gorgeous bike.

John

Ok, let me clarify. I ran my Spirit on 5 for the longest time, ran Avon Venoms and rode very aggressively. The rear was twitchy in long curves and made the front end squirrelly as well. The bike settled down once i lowered the tension on the rear.

Im a very technical and 'data logging' person, i always evaluate every curve, twitch, sway and feedback i can and always try to improve wherever and whatever i can to get the most performance out of the bike or my cars.

But, on the softness/supple scale, the bike never felt better than on 1 and with my ex wife on with me. Even she remarked that going over potholes or bumps was smoother on her and it was generally more enjoyable.

I love the Fury and thanks

 

[h13man]

Start with Progressive springs with 10w oil and stock shocks on #3 setting. 412's were too stiff IMO. A good set of tires will greatly add to the ride as mentioned and Dunlop isn't usually considered a good replacement. I weighed in @ 180 lbs. with this setup.

 

[Furball Zen]

On any vehicle a (better) good set of tires will help IMMENSELY.

 

[Saber Saw43]

H13man, yup. That is the set-up I am gunning for. I want to mount metzlers on it when I save up the cash. I am really after a 'compliant' ride. Not necessarily hard but stable. My Sabre gets the new metzlers first, though.

 

[sidejam]

I have an 1100 ACE and I've put on Progressive springs in the front with 15wt oil. I believe I've dialed the stock rear shocks to the 4th position now. I'm also running Avon Venom X tires. I haven't done a fork brace, but I have been considering it.

Instead of trying to describe how my bike handles, here's a pic of the rear tire last year.

 

[jpr1968]

I have an 1100 ACE and I've put on Progressive springs in the front with 15wt oil. I believe I've dialed the stock rear shocks to the 4th position now. I'm also running Avon Venom X tires. I haven't done a fork brace, but I have been considering it.

Instead of trying to describe how my bike handles, here's a pic of the rear tire last year.

You won't need a fork brace on your Ace. The OEM one is pretty stout.

 

[Furball Zen]

I have an 1100 ACE and I've put on Progressive springs in the front with 15wt oil. I believe I've dialed the stock rear shocks to the 4th position now. I'm also running Avon Venom X tires. I haven't done a fork brace, but I have been considering it.

Instead of trying to describe how my bike handles, here's a pic of the rear tire last year.

Same tire, reg fork oil, rears on 1. No difference.

 

[sidejam]

Not sure how you think that looks the same... Unless I'm not seeing it right, my chicken strip is at the end of the tread pattern on my tires. On your tires, it's ending well before the tread.

I'm starting to sense you're just one of those jerks that has to always be right.

 

[sidejam]

You won't need a fork brace on your Ace. The OEM one is pretty stout.

There's one stock? I'm guessing it's under the fender then?

I might still do one for the cosmetic appeal. Can't hurt, right?

 

[Leathel]

I went progressive fork springs, std 10W oil and 444 rear shocks, shocks set on one

The bikes handles real well, but still soaks up the bike bumps without throwing it around too much, If your rides are good a little stiffer would be OK..... be here we have some shockers and it doesn't go so well any stiffer.

The std shocks just didn't do that well, 412 progressive were OK but the valving in the 444 seams to get stiffer as it travels up so doesn't bottom out as harshly if you hit monster bumps

Not much in the way of strips on mine but I still have a plush ride

 

[Furball Zen]

Not sure how you think that looks the same... Unless I'm not seeing it right, my chicken strip is at the end of the tread pattern on my tires. On your tires, it's ending well before the tread.

I'm starting to sense you're just one of those jerks that has to always be right.

Looks like theres a good half inch like mine and you still have nubs, i couldnt go over any further, my pegs were grinding already. I dont care whether right or wrong, i was trying to point out that the heavier weight oil and stiffer setting on the shock doesnt make the bike handle 'better', the tires add most of that ability.

In the end, you can do what you want to your bike, but thinking you need to throw a lot of money at it just simply isnt true. In fact, i firmly believe you could change to 'better' shocks and still have no improvement. I dont mean in the butt-o-meter. I could be totally wrong since i havent ridden every bike out there and i never tried multiple setups on mine.

 

[Leathel]

I have an 1100 ACE and I've put on Progressive springs in the front with 15wt oil. I believe I've dialed the stock rear shocks to the 4th position now. I'm also running Avon Venom X tires. I haven't done a fork brace, but I have been considering it.

Instead of trying to describe how my bike handles, here's a pic of the rear tire last year.

I am curious what the other side is like? Over here we drive on the other side of the road and my LH is lower than the RH side as the sharper corners are LH...... but I also take RH mid lane so I am not leaning in to on coming traffic

 

[sidejam]

I am curious what the other side is like? Over here we drive on the other side of the road and my LH is lower than the RH side as the sharper corners are LH...... but I also take RH mid lane so I am not leaning in to on coming traffic

I think I just took a picture of that side because that was side with the tire facing the sun. After riding a day of twisty roads, I would assume that both tires were worn pretty evenly. But, I really didn't check.

I've been debating about getting the 412's also. One main reason I'm hesitating, is that my suspension seems to be set up quite well now. When I hit a bump, both the front and rear of the bike seem to come up and down in unison. Before the front springs were changed, if i dialed up the rear, the bike felt all over the place with the front and rear fighting each other. Perhaps getting some rear 412's or 444's rear shocks and swapping to RaceTech springs with Gold Valve Emulators? That may be a bit overkill thought...

EMULATORGV

 

[VFR Rider]

I'm reading with interest because I'm debating doing suspension work or selling my 96 Spirit for something more standard/feet underneath me as opposed to out front. It just feels out of control having my feet not under me.

I've heard great things about the emulators on damper rod bikes fwiw.