800 RE Front End

[Pope]

Obviously I love the RE but not sure why it has a 19 inch front wheel when it's a ROAD Explorer.

Has anyone done any mods to improve the quality of the front end such as different springs,oils etc as I would like mine to be a bit more plush and quicker steering.

Thanks

[crazyhorse]

Hi

I too was not very happy with the suspension on the bike, especially the rear shock which was replaced at 12k miles as it was deemed to have lost its damping ability.

But the new shock (genuine Suzuki) was no better than the original, so after some research got in touch with Nitron, in Oxfordshire.

After talking with them decided to go the whole hog and have the front done as well.
The result has been quite the revelation, but it took me some thousands of miles to appreciate the improvement.

The main thing is, I can make as many adjustment as I like on rebound/compression/preload, but still can go back to the standard settings they set up for me, with ease.

At least now I can ride gently over sleeping policemen without damaging my back any further.

All the best.
Crazyhorse

[nigel s]

Ultimately crazyhorse's path is the best one, updating the suspension.
But start with basics. Set the sag, plenty of Y tub vids to help with that. If the sag is out ( the rear riding too low , eg) the steering will feel slow.
Set all the damping adjustment to std as in the manual as a start point and ride for a tank full to get a feel of it.
Then make one change to the damping at a time and try it out . Sliding the forks through the yokes 5mm will quicken the steering and is worth a try for quicker steering.
Costs nothing but time, if still unhappy speak to a specialist for advice on how far you want to go and pay. Loads of options from revalving/respringing the std kit to replacement.
I use Darren at MCT suspension 01449 777161, he supplied the Nitron kit for my 650 and as crazyhorse said it is transformative.

https://www.mctsuspension.uk/

A little reading,

http://www.motorcycle-suspension-setup.com/

[Barbel Mick]

Not sure why you need quicker steering, it's not a sports bike, it does very well as it is. IMOH
I carry a pillion for the majority of my riding & it steers as well as I would expect it to, for the bike it is.
However with carrying a pillion (+ my bit of extra weight  ) the rear shock does struggle. I've been & had the suspension checked & the rear shock is very under sprung for the weight it is carrying. So, I've ordered a Nitron shock, which is custom built for our weight.
The front end was fine, but that may change when the new rear shock is fitted, but I'm not spending money on it until I know I need to.   
Nigel's post is 100% correct. If you're not sure, speak to someone who is. 

[Sir Trev]

I replaced the tired suspension on my last bike with Nitron kit front and rear and it was SO much better for it. Was not bothered about the soft ride on my RE over the last year but after having a couple of hours on the 8S loaner bike last weekend while my bike was being serviced, I may consider upgrades in that department.  The handling on the stock 8S was way firmer, making corners fun but not the potholes... Jury is out right now.

[vstroman]

Those of you that have changed from the 650 to the 800re, are you all happy with the new bike?
I had a test ride on the 800re and wasn't massively impressed, not sure why, power and brakes were better but I just wasn't that wowed by it, the parallel twin engine maybe I don't know what it was, suppose the bike is bare without all the add ons I have on the 650, maybe that's it.

[Barbel Mick]

Very happy with mine.
After 11 years & almost 60k miles with the 650 I didn't really know if I should or even wanted to change it. It was well maintained & in very good condition, it also did all I/we ever asked from it doing those miles.
The itch was there so we  (wife & myself, because she's always on the pillion) had a test ride. She was the first to say buy it!!
There were a few things that we've had to modify to get the comfort we had on the 650, the seat & the pannier position & still waiting for a rear shock.
Obviously we're all different & like different things but I/we have no regrets whatsoever about changing from the 650 to the 800. 

[Sir Trev]

The closest I had to a Strom before my RE was a mk1 SV650. Which I loved.

The 800 engine is fantastic IMO and now I've firmed up the rear preload properly its a very competent bike. I certainly very happy with it.

[crazyhorse]

Hi

Loved the 650 L2, but glad I changed, as there are not that many years of riding ahead of me, and I wanted something a little faster before I started to drop down the ranks to smaller bikes as I get more and more feeble.

Not looking forward to that bit, but it will come to all of us.

Now in a cheerier vein, out for a ride in the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire/Essex borders today, and it was a great day to be out on the bike. Nice and warm, light winds, no rain, but it did threaten all day, a coffee near Thaxted, and a beer nearer home.

Absolutely spiffing as Basil would say!

Cheers
Crazyhorse

[johna6968]

So many folk pile thousands of pounds into a bike to improve it. It's a concept I have never really understood or wanted to do. I far prefer putting money into a better and more suitable bike for my needs. Questioning why an adventure based bike has a 19" front wheel is beyond me. You're lucky it isn't a 21"

[Stromming2024]

A further plug for Nitron.

Had an R1 on my VFR1200F and now an R1 ADV on my 1050XT.  Absolute revelation. It will help the steering due to the rear squatting less.

[2112]

As another option, you can have your standard suspension re-worked to suit your needs. A suspension specialist like Brook Suspension or K Tech for example, will be able to re-valve your rear shock and re-spring it to suit your weight & needs. Same goes for the front forks too. I've had my Transalp done by K Tech and the difference is night & day. Just a thought.