full suspension upgrade project

[Purificator81]

Hi there,
after trying the KTM 1290 SAR, I found its suspension extraterrestrial! now I want something similar to my S10 that I decided to keep forever...
now, I am conscious of the fact that I cannot get the same level of suspension quality as the one on the KTM....my trusted mechanic said that it is not impossible but requires a bit of modifications especially on the triple fork...
I don't want to just change the springs on both the rear and the fork...because the impact will not be as noticeable as I would ideally look for...my thoughts went to the ohlins both rear and complete fork system (well except the tubes)....I wondered if someone went to that road....I looked at the existing threats are most of them were addressing mainly the choice between Ohlins/TRX/etc...but I wanted a holistic experience on trying to get the most out of the S10 suspension..
Cheers

 

[Sierra1]

Wow. Might it be easier and cheaper to just get the KTM?

Ps. good luck.

 

[Purificator81]

If I go ohlins in front and rear then the max cost excluding labor is usd 2000. Labor would be around 100 usd. While the amount is a bit reasonable I was just wondering if it does change the bike significantly hence the question for those who might have done it

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[Boris]

Although I haven’t done it on my Super Tenere, high quality suspension will definitely improve the ride quality and handling of almost any bike. Personally I’d just change the rear shock and get the front re-valved to your spec, by a quality suspension specialist workshop. If you do a mix of on/off road riding, ideally you’ll be making adjustments between each. Years ago I had my front and rear suspension on a ZXR750 done by Maxton in Frodsham. I never thought about the suspension again after that.

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

I think @bimota has gone full Ohlins. Lets see what he has got to say.

 

[Purificator81]

Although I haven’t done it on my Super Tenere, high quality suspension will definitely improve the ride quality and handling of almost any bike. Personally I’d just change the rear shock and get the front re-valved to your spec, by a quality suspension specialist workshop. If you do a mix of on/off road riding, ideally you’ll be making adjustments between each. Years ago I had my front and rear suspension on a ZXR750 done by Maxton in Frodsham. I never thought about the suspension again after that.

I did the OEM adjustments, but my 100kg body weight excluding gears and luggage kind of maxed the capability of the OEM rear suspension which for sure requires a better shock. I was thinking about the front as well just in case so that I cry once and never have to deal with suspension performance again

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[Purificator81]

I think @bimota has gone full Ohlins. Lets see what he has got to say.

Thanks! Looking forward to his feedback!

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[bimota]

no sorry,

i have only rear done the front forks are oem sorry

rob

 

[bimota]

i,m 108kg carry my wife quite alot plus luggage so we worked out my ohlins needed a 170 spring the system now is fantastic and luckyly didn,t need to touch the front end, i only road ride tho

rob

 

[Boris]

I did the OEM adjustments, but my 100kg body weight excluding gears and luggage kind of maxed the capability of the OEM rear suspension which for sure requires a better shock. I was thinking about the front as well just in case so that I cry once and never have to deal with suspension performance again

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Agree, the rear shock isn’t great (Gen1). It’s ok, but limited once you load the bike up. The front I find is better, but a bit harsh on the compression stroke, regardless of where the adjusters are. Just personal choice, but I’d do them together. I rarely ride anything other than tarmac and the best thing I did for improved handling was to raise the forks slightly in the yokes.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Full custom Ohlins..... I actually have the first set of forks... Ive worked with them for many years. I can probably answer any questions you have.... I ride my bike aggressively off road and know what you're talking about......

 

[Purificator81]

Full custom Ohlins..... I actually have the first set of forks... Ive worked with them for many years. I can probably answer any questions you have.... I ride my bike aggressively off road and know what you're talking about......

Oh awesome!! I have suddenly an avalanche of questions and thank you in advance!!!

1- did you deem it necessary to go for a larger set of tubes like the WP 48mm ones on the KTM 1290SAR? Of you kept the OEM tubes and just installed the full Ohlins kit?

2- assuming you are around 100kg without gears, have you succeeded in adjusting the fork for heavy offroad? I tried many adjustments on mine and did not have a similar effect to those on the KTM...

3- can you describe generally the overall improved driving experience especially offroad? Have you ever jumped with the bike or hit a big rock (like I did recently which caused the rear sock to fail)? How was the stability of the bike and the feel?

4- did you install a steering dumper? If yes which model you got assuming you kept the OEM triple. If you changed the OEM triple to accommodate for any change which one did you get and which steering dumper you ended up installing with the least modifications.

5- where to get a good deal for the full set of ohlins?


Thank you so much once again!

By the way, I guess you experienced the Stay 1 failure due either to a fall or else. Did you end up installing something more offroad worthy especially with a mount that can accommodate a 8" tablet?
Cheers

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[~TABASCO~]

Oh awesome!! I have suddenly an avalanche of questions and thank you in advance!!!

1- did you deem it necessary to go for a larger set of tubes like the WP 48mm ones on the KTM 1290SAR? Of you kept the OEM tubes and just installed the full Ohlins kit?
No- stock tubes with the Ohlins internals


2- assuming you are around 100kg without gears, have you succeeded in adjusting the fork for heavy offroad? I tried many adjustments on mine and did not have a similar effect to those on the KTM...
Yes, with stock I did this and it was still way to soft. It only lasted about 9000 miles before I pulled it all off in 2012 and had Ohlins do the full kit. We worked together on it.. I have it stiff enough now that I have completed several BDR's fully loaded and its good... I can still dial in more stiffness if needed. My front forks have many one-off custom Ohlins factory parts inside. I have the 00000001 set.... I worked with them for about 9-10 months on the front end of the ST.


3- can you describe generally the overall improved driving experience especially offroad? Have you ever jumped with the bike or hit a big rock (like I did recently which caused the rear sock to fail)? How was the stability of the bike and the feel?
Yes, I ride conservative on the roadways, and I ride aggressive off road. Jumped, Yes, many-many times...... The biggest was in Arkansas. I was blasting a wide gravel road and was probably doing about 60 when I looked way ahead and came across a water diversion mound that stretches across the road... This was approximately 4' tall and several feet wide. It was a tall general slope. I hit this at about 45 mph. I launched the bike and probably jumped 6-8 feet in the air (best guess). I did not crash but that was sketchy. The bike is completely different than stock, black and white............... The only "negative", is for everyday use my suspension is stiff. Very stiff.... I can dial out a lot of this stiffness but I typically dont and just ride it the way I have it set up all the time. Im use to it now but it is quite stiff for all the off road......



4- did you install a steering dumper? If yes which model you got assuming you kept the OEM triple. If you changed the OEM triple to accommodate for any change which one did you get and which steering dumper you ended up installing with the least modifications.
No damper... I have found over the years that you dont really need one with this ST geometry..... The only time that I find that I wish I had one is when Im fully loaded (super heavy) and I do 90-100 Mph off road...... the front end gets a bit light...


5- where to get a good deal for the full set of ohlins?
You need to get it custom built for YOU...... Not off the shelf (best price) big box store stuff......... Getting this product set up for YOU is MUCH more important than "the best price"..... I'll PM you a few ides.........



Thank you so much once again!
No problem.......



By the way, I guess you experienced the Stay 1 failure due either to a fall or else. Did you end up installing something more offroad worthy especially with a mount that can accommodate a 8" tablet?
Ive had no failure........ Any custom mount I can build myself... Im a pro fabricator......





Cheers

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Oh awesome!! I have suddenly an avalanche of questions and thank you in advance!!!

1- did you deem it necessary to go for a larger set of tubes like the WP 48mm ones on the KTM 1290SAR? Of you kept the OEM tubes and just installed the full Ohlins kit?
No- stock tubes with the Ohlins internals


2- assuming you are around 100kg without gears, have you succeeded in adjusting the fork for heavy offroad? I tried many adjustments on mine and did not have a similar effect to those on the KTM...
Yes, with stock I did this and it was still way to soft. It only lasted about 9000 miles before I pulled it all off in 2012 and had Ohlins do the full kit. We worked together on it.. I have it stiff enough now that I have completed several BDR's fully loaded and its good... I can still dial in more stiffness if needed. My front forks have many one-off custom Ohlins factory parts inside. I have the 00000001 set.... I worked with them for about 9-10 months on the front end of the ST.


3- can you describe generally the overall improved driving experience especially offroad? Have you ever jumped with the bike or hit a big rock (like I did recently which caused the rear sock to fail)? How was the stability of the bike and the feel?
Yes, I ride conservative on the roadways, and I ride aggressive off road. Jumped, Yes, many-many times...... The biggest was in Arkansas. I was blasting a wide gravel road and was probably doing about 60 when I looked way ahead and came across a water diversion mound that stretches across the road... This was approximately 4' tall and several feet wide. It was a tall general slope. I hit this at about 45 mph. I launched the bike and probably jumped 6-8 feet in the air (best guess). I did not crash but that was sketchy. The bike is completely different than stock, black and white............... The only "negative", is for everyday use my suspension is stiff. Very stiff.... I can dial out a lot of this stiffness but I typically dont and just ride it the way I have it set up all the time. Im use to it now but it is quite stiff for all the off road......



4- did you install a steering dumper? If yes which model you got assuming you kept the OEM triple. If you changed the OEM triple to accommodate for any change which one did you get and which steering dumper you ended up installing with the least modifications.
No damper... I have found over the years that you dont really need one with this ST geometry..... The only time that I find that I wish I had one is when Im fully loaded (super heavy) and I do 90-100 Mph off road...... the front end gets a bit light...


5- where to get a good deal for the full set of ohlins?
You need to get it custom built for YOU...... Not off the shelf (best price) big box store stuff......... Getting this product set up for YOU is MUCH more important than "the best price"..... I'll PM you a few ides.........



Thank you so much once again!
No problem.......



By the way, I guess you experienced the Stay 1 failure due either to a fall or else. Did you end up installing something more offroad worthy especially with a mount that can accommodate a 8" tablet?
Ive had no failure........ Any custom mount I can build myself... Im a pro fabricator......

 

[Purificator81]

Thank you so much @~TABASCO~ !! Your insights are very much useful and I am eagerly waiting for your PM To help me get the best custom full set for my S10!

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[Boris]

I’ve just had a look on the Öhlins website and there aren’t any Öhlins dealers or service centres in Morocco. Will this be an issue? Are there other options?

 

[Purificator81]

I’ve just had a look on the Öhlins website and there aren’t any Öhlins dealers or service centres in Morocco. Will this be an issue? Are there other options?

Indeed but it is not an issue. I can get it shipped from US (through a forwarder shipping company that receives the order in an address in US ) or from EU as long as I can get it customised.

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[bimota]

Indeed but it is not an issue. I can get it shipped from US (through a forwarder shipping company that receives the order in an address in US ) or from EU as long as I can get it customised.

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i think boris is thinking about looking after it servicing etc once you have it

rob

 

[Purificator81]

i think boris is thinking about looking after it servicing etc once you have it

rob

It comes with a manual and there are local shops here that can go through it and do thr servicing I guess...there is a shop that did rebuild my OEM rear shock and I hope he will be able to do the ohlins

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