XT660Z: Do I REALLY need new suspension?
 

Call me fussy, but I like a bike with a responsive steering...not that I race, but to me there is a confidence-inspiring of a front tire that tracks in a turn. And my Ten sadly lacks that. I also hear the rear shock can use a bit of beefing up.

So I am seeking opinions as to whether I should tweak that suspension or not. I use the bike for daily commute and loaded solo adventures.

~CW

I can't help you with your question... I can give you my thoughts and experiences though.

I swapped out the front springs for HyperPro's, new heavier oil and some different pre-load settings. The Hypro springs are also longer than the OE springs so the spacer comes out too. (its all in the kit and with full instructions)

In my opinion, the bike was transformed into a bike that tracks better, brakes better and doesn't wash out at the front on loose stuff as much. There is much less front end dive which means more stability in heavy breaking.

I was so impressed I replaced the rear spring with a HyperPro, there was a difference but not as marked as the front. Personally, I wouldn't run a Tenere on OE springs, but rather than replace the OE rear, I'd be more inclined to swap the entire spring/damper out - which I'll probably do in the near future anyway.

Are the murky waters of suspension set up..:014:

Theres not a lot yer can do with the shock... It is what it is...
It dosn't matter what spring yer put on it..the damping is just
not able to control it..

The front end , there are a few options other than full replacement..
As stated new springs & heavyer oil... but the best is a set of Gold valves.
You do have to pull the forks apart & drill the holes in the damping rods so they no longer work.. then all the compression & rebound damping
is then done by the gold valves.. they are adjustable for compression & re-bound damping..

Have you set the sag ?... most people don't.. use it as it comes..
or they set it for the least amount of compression when they sit on
the bike... Suspenion has to be able to travel in both directions..
so for a bike with around 225mm 9" of travel you should have about 75mm of sag when seated or 30/35% of travel..

trying to set the sag is quick easy indicator to find out if the bike is sprung correctly for you & and any extra weight you carry..

+1 Start with the "free-to-do" stuff!

After that, the world's your oyster - you can spend thousands and thousands if you feel the need, or you can spend relatively little on springs, fork oil, adjustable links etc; combining these with careful setup and things will improve. Let's face it, any improvement (big or small, expensive or cheap) will make the suspension better on an XT!

Suspension is very personal, everyone rides different, weighs in differently, lives in different climates with different terrains blah, blah blah... - the only person who can possibly know what you want to achieve is you ( well, you and your wallet!) ;)

Or you can just be like me... Come from a TTR and a YZF and with my limited exposure.... Think the XTZ rides like a limousine!!
;)
Matt

Nice comments so far. All very useful.

First will be the free stuff: preload, oil.

But still interested in different linear front springs, can you please share the model of hyper pros?

Also I did a gold valve job for an old klr and it was fantastic. If you know the model (I take it this is race tech you are talking about) that would also help.

And if anyone of you are Aussies, names of dealers and source would help.

Alain


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I fitted Heavier front springs, Teknik V4S valve and modified the damper rod to suit the V4S valves. I also fitted a heavier rear shock spring and had Teknik revalve the shock to suit the heavier shock spring. With these mods done the bike is completely different to ride and it now is how it should have been from the factory. The heavier springs are for my weight as recommended by Teknik. I first rode the bike with the heavier rear shock spring but the shock was not revalved and the damping was not enough to control the heavier spring, I then sent the shock to Teknik to be revalved and the result was a shock that controls the spring correctly and a bike that handles extremely well.

I was very sceptic about exchanging properly working parts on the Tenere (by that I mean rear suspension) and now I am in big doodoo. The rear gave up after riding through Kazakhstan (I am in Semey now). The bike has 23000. Completely no damping, I ride now only on the spring. I ordered new Wilbers shock, but it will only wait for me in Ulaanbaatar. I will be there in two weeks time, so I guess I just have to ride slower... :banghead:
Now I regret that I've not changed before the trip...
Sent from my GT-I9100G

I am about to prepare my Z for a long overland tour - starting this coming summer - and I would like to treat my Z with some upgrades. And for what I understand the suspension is a weak point that could use some aftermarket stuff.

What would you suggest that I do with the rear suspension? A totally new one? If so - what brand is recommended? �hlins, Wilbers, Hyperpro etc?

And what about the front? Will new springs and oil do the trick? And what brand do you suggest?

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

I've moved from exhaust to suspension, and in the spirit of saving money but making improvements I'm thinking of getting �hlins fork springs and a hyper pro rear spring. Will there be a problem operating these two together?

I appreciate it is not ideal but spending money on a new rear shock would limit by ability to travel and make use of the bike!

Thanks in advance XT660!