The ride quality on my 696 has deteriorated. I hadn't noticed it so much on the daily commute - especially given the state of the local roads - but on a decent length ride today my backside was becoming increasingly conscious of every bump after around 100 miles. Last time the other half rode the 696 he grumbled about the ride quality compared with his 695. Riding 2500 miles to Italy and back in July with the current ride quality does not appeal. The only suspension adjustment done to my bike was when a friend kindly reduced the ride height for me shortly after I bought the bike. I share many non-technical folks fear of tinkering with the suspension, lest I make it worse - however many magazine articles I read, knowledge of suspension (like knowledge of wine) doesn't stick in my brain. The bike has done 31,500 miles, so I guess it's possible that the shock is just plain worn out. But before I psyche myself up to spend money on a rebuild/replacement, are there any adjustments it's worth me trying that might improve the ride quality? I don't want to make the seat height taller.
The cheapest thing u could do if the bike is out of warranty is to get a good used shock for it off eBay and swap them, see if this solves it as there won't be that many that have done 30k Miles. That or get a Nitron like u say, or maxton. I wouldn't have said that the shock would be rebuildable on the 696 but worth speaking to someone like JHS Racing in Bristol who are phenomenal or Maxton or MCT
Thanks for the suggestions Phil - I've e-mailed Maxton and JHS to see what they can offer me. JHS have come back to me already with a quote for an Ohlins unit (price around 15% more than a new OEM part from my local main dealer). Given that I do a lot of miles, does anyone know if aftermarket shocks are likely to have better longevity than the OEM part? I don't mind spending more now on a new shock, if I'd get proportionately more miles out of it before it next needs replacing, or if an aftermarket shock could be rebuilt at less than the replacement cost next time round. (The bike's a keeper - my ambition is to get it to 100,000 miles - so it's possible that whatever I fit now might need rebuilding/replacing in another 4-5 years).
Ohlins is deffo the way forward for not just longevity but also ease of rebuilding, an Ohlins dealer will be able to change the oil in it for very little and the one I had for my Daytona was absolutely incredibly built and super chunky! Plus the ride improvement is more like 75%-100% better!! Are u down south? If u are close to JHS I can't recommend them highly enough. I went to him with my 'issues' on my Daytona and he re-sprung my Ohlins, rebuilt my forks with k-tech valves and springs and new oil and talked me through the whole process. I am going back to get my 848 set up next month with some tyres I think
Try Wilber's wife had them on her bike transformed the bike rebuildable longer warranty than ohlins and cheaper they built my wife's suspension to suit her when she sold bike took them off and she sold them for nearly what she paid for them ..Rev,s racing was we're she got them think they come with 5yrs warranty :smile:
hagon do good road shocks at good prices and are from memory fully rebuildable. Half the price of Ohlins but still built to your weight etc. if its road use, why spend sheds on a race bred item had quick look at their www and don't list your bike, but worth a call to them, as entry point is around £300
Just before you get too carried away and just change the shock, make sure it's not something a little more fundamental. I think I'd be checking the swinging arm bearings, shock bearings, linkage bearings (if there are any) and all the fixings. Seized or worn parts can give an od feeling and really make a bike feel odd.
MH Racing, just north of Chippenham in Seagry should be able to rebuild/service it for you. I've fitted the basic Nitron unit on to my S2R. It has improved the handling dramatically and wasn't too expensive, certainly less than an Ohlins. I can't say whether it will last longer than OEM unit, but it will certainly be made using better quality components. If you are looking for someone to fit it then call Rich at Louigi Moto. He can get hold of the Nitron unit for you too. I personally wouldn't use JHS, but that's just based on my personal experience and anecdotes from ex-customers.
