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Deleted member 1183
This has been my experience. I am finding it particularly as I get older and my lower back gets more tender. It could be said that this is the only reason I am saying this but I am also beginning to see mutterings of a similar nature on magazines here and there.
My first inkling of this issue was when I purchased a KTM 690R Enduro new in 2010. The shock on that bike was so hard that in the first few thousand kms I actually considered changing it. We are talking about a WP so called top end item here. In the end I totally backed off the compression and rebound damping on that shock and was persuaded to live with it a bit longer. Finally at a point somewhere between 10 and 15,000kms it started to soften sufficiently to be lived with. Bad show KTM
Then on to my former NC700X. Same issue albeit not quite as severe. There was far too much high speed compression damping in the forks and shock. As such I went down the route of changing the suspension but the forks never worked properly.
My former Triumph 1200 Explorer had a front end that was almost solid ! Again work was required to soften it up.
My current X-Adv, somewhat same issue with excessive compression damping albeit it is now easing at 17,000kms but wasn't as severe as the NC
Suzuki DL1000A 2016. Fairly decent shock but again a front end that is too hard necessitating the back off of all damping to compensate.
A friend recently purchased a current Yamaha Tracer 900GT and again complains about overly hard suspension. I could go on and on........
These are my experiences and I certainly don't think it is my imagination. I believe it is a ploy on the part of manufacturers to prolong suspension life on basic suspension units . There may be other reasons but perhaps others on here have ideas.
Of recent bikes owned the CRF1000L is an exception as it was plush enough. Obviously the top end BM's and KTM's and other manufacturers with multi adjustable suspension are also the exception, but there is an overly high premium to pay for such suspension with these marques.
All I ask is something that is reasonably comfortable. End of rant
My first inkling of this issue was when I purchased a KTM 690R Enduro new in 2010. The shock on that bike was so hard that in the first few thousand kms I actually considered changing it. We are talking about a WP so called top end item here. In the end I totally backed off the compression and rebound damping on that shock and was persuaded to live with it a bit longer. Finally at a point somewhere between 10 and 15,000kms it started to soften sufficiently to be lived with. Bad show KTM
Then on to my former NC700X. Same issue albeit not quite as severe. There was far too much high speed compression damping in the forks and shock. As such I went down the route of changing the suspension but the forks never worked properly.
My former Triumph 1200 Explorer had a front end that was almost solid ! Again work was required to soften it up.
My current X-Adv, somewhat same issue with excessive compression damping albeit it is now easing at 17,000kms but wasn't as severe as the NC
Suzuki DL1000A 2016. Fairly decent shock but again a front end that is too hard necessitating the back off of all damping to compensate.
A friend recently purchased a current Yamaha Tracer 900GT and again complains about overly hard suspension. I could go on and on........
These are my experiences and I certainly don't think it is my imagination. I believe it is a ploy on the part of manufacturers to prolong suspension life on basic suspension units . There may be other reasons but perhaps others on here have ideas.
Of recent bikes owned the CRF1000L is an exception as it was plush enough. Obviously the top end BM's and KTM's and other manufacturers with multi adjustable suspension are also the exception, but there is an overly high premium to pay for such suspension with these marques.
All I ask is something that is reasonably comfortable. End of rant
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