Ohlins fork springs for XT660Z
 

Hi guys.

I recently decided to upgrade the front fork springs on my xt660z and decided I�d go for the Ohlins springs. I checked the Ohlins website and the recommended spring is the 08716-50. I asked the local Ohlins rep here if he could order them but he came back and told me that Ohlins do not have any in stock and don�t have a new production run scheduled. I phoned around a few places in the UK and got the same answer, so I thought I�d try offtheroad.de as they are xt specialists and I thought may have a set of springs in stock. When I checked I found they had one set in stock which I ordered, however when they arrived they are 08716-60�s.

I believe the difference is that the spring rate on one is 5N/mm and the other is 6N/mm.

When I checked a bit more I found that the stiffer spring (-60) is the one being sold as recommended for the xt660z by a number of suppliers in Europe, (in spain, italy and sweden, where Touratech.se recommend them).

I was wondering for those who have fitted Ohlins fork springs to the Tenere, which spring rate did you fit , the 5N/mm or 6N/mm. Would the 6N/mm be too stiff? I weigh about 95Kg with helmet, jacket, boots etc.

Cheers

6 Nm springs are great
 

Hello mate, I have the 6 Nm springs in my Ten and they are great, here is a write up on them.

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?...ht=Full+ohlins

Hi there.
You have the 6N/mm springs? I remember reading your review of the springs, that's what made me decide to go this route, however I thought you had the -50 springs (5N/mm).
If you do have the 6N/mm that's very encouraging for me based on the experience you have had with them.
Thanks for the feedback.

I have 08716-60 springs and SAE 20, because the rebound was too fast with SAE 10. On tarmac the improve is great under braking. Off road no more bottoming on normal use.

They are 50's
 

Hello mate, confusion here, have popped into the garage to read the box, I do have the 5Nm's.

I also have the 6 nano springs and SAE10 (numer 5 I think of ohlins oil) ,

but I'm a light guy (66 kilo:) ) so that's more then hard enough for me ..

I also fitted the OTR rising kit +35mm (linking bones) and that makes the bike run sooo much better ,

what spring rate anyone uses is totaly 100% dependent on
the rider / gear weight....
so how can a surplyer state this is the spring rate
for a bike.... these clowns that sell on line would give you the
same spring no matter wheather you are 75kgs or 150kgs..
the amount of people that spend $ on there suspension
& still have rubbish suspension & think it great because it
is better but really it's still crap , just a better quality crap..

Go to a real suspension shop and they will crunch
the numbers and give you the CORRECT springs
for you...

Whilst what you say is true - although I'd probably not describe all online shops as clowns - there is a significant difference in price.

Maxton quoted me a shade over �1,200 GBP for a bespoke set-up front end in the manner you advocate and a middle of the road better quality spring set for an average weight etc. rider bought online is �90 GBP.

So who would be the clown to blow �1,200 on what is in reality a budget bike for improvements that the average rider would not notice or at least not get full benefit from?

Much of the Tenere is built down to a price (which is partly why they are such good value) and that includes the suspension.

Replacing tired OE springs which are not at the higher end of quality - and would have been aimed at an average weight rider (I suspect 85-100 kg kitted up) - with better quality parts is likely to make a significant difference for relatively small amount outlay. Particularly if you are in the average weight band.

I've been following the discussions on suspension with some interest and am looking at fitting better springs with cartridge emulators but these will be matched to my weight (90Kg kitted up) and, drum roll, all bought online.

I reckon it'll come to about �240 GBP

Although, so far, simply changing the fork oil to 15W has made a huge difference on the road.