fork tweaks and bodges

[icenian]

The AT has famously soft suspension, and I know there are lots of tweaks recommended for the forks, from using better springs to simply putting thicker oil in. I'm wondering if someone has had a go at mine in the past...

Around town, the forks feel harsher than I would expect. In fact on normal sized bumps (of which we have one or two in Edinburgh) they feel not disimilar to my Speed Triple. Of course they soak up gigantic bumps (far more common than little bumps round here!) where the Triumph would suffer really badly; and if I brake hard, the forks dive a long, long way.

=> it behaves as I'd expect on very bumpy roads, and on the brakes; but since it is that soft, why doesn't it simply soak up the little bumps?

It's what I'd expect of a bike that had the original soft springs, but heavier oil: the extra damping makes it feel a little stiffer under small loads, but ultimately won't reduce suspension travel under heavier loads...

Am I spouting tosh? Are standard bikes not as soft and magic carpet-like as a bike press review might lead the naive to believe? Should I shut up and change the fork oil to standard weight and find out? Where do you bulk buy the tankers' worth of fork oil you need to fill an AT's forks? etc etc...

[Lord Stig]

You could be right that someone has already 'had a go', but I have to say mine have been pretty much as you describe from when I bought it with 8,000 miles on. My TAs were always softer, better at low speed bump absorption, but were generally too soggy for other types of bump. My feeling is that the valving is wrong. I've heard aftermarket valves and sliders are available, and probably would make a big difference. Have a go at changing the oil to see if it helps, but I have to admit that considering that mine are still very crashy over light bumps despite probably never having had the oil changed, and now having been used for 51,000 miles without a change, I recon changing the oil to the right grade probably won't help. I'd have thought mine should have softened up a bit by now, but this hasn't happened.

Stig

[robelst]

I must say I don't think the TA is exceptionally soft, even my friend's TDM 850 is softer and also compared to the Triumph Tiger and Suzuki DR I once tried the TA feels quite sturdy. Never tried the TA in the dirt though, because I am a bit soft myself

[Lord Stig]

Well, it could have been because mine were rather tired. I had both bikes for a while and was amazed going back to the TA how compliant it felt (and how much like a light 250 compared with the AT!).

Stig

[kiroh]

It could also be the type of tyres you are using. I've noticed big difference when moved from Bridgestones to TKC80s - softer compound is softer to ride. Also make sure the tyre pressure is not too high.

[icenian]

It could also be the type of tyres you are using. I've noticed big difference when moved from Bridgestones to TKC80s - softer compound is softer to ride.

[thanks for the comments guys, looks like the bike is bog standard!]

Good point about tyres, though I would have thought that the construction would make more difference than compound?

Intrigued by these TKC80s - seems to be claimed that they work as well as Tourances on tarmac, and better off it. Tourances may last longer, but they cost more too. And though I never really ride off road, the few hundred yards I have clocked up over the last year have seen me get stuck twice (including my own back garden in the snow ) which is really embarassing on a bike that's supposed to go anywhere!!!