BFair
Member
Hi all, I am new to the forum but not to bikes. I maintain 7 bikes from touring to sport bikes. My modifications usually consist of performance and appearance items. I wanted to share my assessment of Race Tech gold valves. I didn't realize what I've been missing with suspension improvements. I just tolerated bad factory suspensions and adjusted to them over the years. Only adjusting sag and changing fork oil.
I installed the RT S4104 on my 2014 NC700x. I am 205 lbs. I used the stock fork springs with the stock spacers. Valve is 12mms longer which helped with sag. Settings recommended by RT was: blue spring, 4 bleed hole valve, 3 turns pre on the blue spring. I indicated to RT "205 lbs, novice rider with adventure settings." 15w Belray fork oil at 120 mm. Liter bottle does exactly 2 forks with little left. Drilled required 6 , 5/16 holes, deburred and chamfered. Rider sag including static (22mm) is 49mm. Could be better with .91 springs, but not bottoming.
Results were impressive. Pot holes and expansion bumps were still there but no harshness transferred to bars. I used to tense up on a 2 inch deep pot hole now the suspension smooths the roughness out. The real amazing feature was off -road. On a wash boarded rocky dirt road it was noticeabley smoother. I didn't get the feeling the front was going to wash out . The magic happened when I got on it. It felt like the front end was floating. Never experienced that on a "road bike". No more standing up over potholes and railroad tracks.
There is a down side. The rear end was very harsh. Don't know if the valves sent the forces to the rear or just made the crappy rear shock more pronounced. Probably both. The bike, in my opinion, would be tough to ride without improving the rear with the G Valves in.
I want to thank all the, "pioneers" who accurately posted there suspension mods on this site. I would not have ventured into the suspension world without their input. Thanks to all who posted. I did get a used Aprillia rsv4 shock for the rear, excellent value in the used market. Just have to figure out what spring will work best for my 205 lb butt. I'm excited to ride a "budget" road bike with excellent suspension! I feel like I'm cheating the bike industry!
I installed the RT S4104 on my 2014 NC700x. I am 205 lbs. I used the stock fork springs with the stock spacers. Valve is 12mms longer which helped with sag. Settings recommended by RT was: blue spring, 4 bleed hole valve, 3 turns pre on the blue spring. I indicated to RT "205 lbs, novice rider with adventure settings." 15w Belray fork oil at 120 mm. Liter bottle does exactly 2 forks with little left. Drilled required 6 , 5/16 holes, deburred and chamfered. Rider sag including static (22mm) is 49mm. Could be better with .91 springs, but not bottoming.
Results were impressive. Pot holes and expansion bumps were still there but no harshness transferred to bars. I used to tense up on a 2 inch deep pot hole now the suspension smooths the roughness out. The real amazing feature was off -road. On a wash boarded rocky dirt road it was noticeabley smoother. I didn't get the feeling the front was going to wash out . The magic happened when I got on it. It felt like the front end was floating. Never experienced that on a "road bike". No more standing up over potholes and railroad tracks.
There is a down side. The rear end was very harsh. Don't know if the valves sent the forces to the rear or just made the crappy rear shock more pronounced. Probably both. The bike, in my opinion, would be tough to ride without improving the rear with the G Valves in.
I want to thank all the, "pioneers" who accurately posted there suspension mods on this site. I would not have ventured into the suspension world without their input. Thanks to all who posted. I did get a used Aprillia rsv4 shock for the rear, excellent value in the used market. Just have to figure out what spring will work best for my 205 lb butt. I'm excited to ride a "budget" road bike with excellent suspension! I feel like I'm cheating the bike industry!