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Stiff front forks on 696

Started by alibaba, October 16, 2009, 11:09:00 AM

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alibaba

October 16, 2009, 11:09:00 AM
Does anyone else find the front end on the 696 to be very stiff?  On any kind of poor road surface or imperfection the ride is very harsh on my bike.  Even some freeway sections jar the hell out of me.
Any one else experience this?  Since there are no adjustments on these Showa forks, does anyone have a suggestion?  Lower viscosity fork oil?

Raux

#1
October 16, 2009, 11:21:01 AM
Quote from: alibaba on October 16, 2009, 11:09:00 AM
Does anyone else find the front end on the 696 to be very stiff?  On any kind of poor road surface or imperfection the ride is very harsh on my bike.  Even some freeway sections jar the hell out of me.
Any one else experience this?  Since there are no adjustments on these Showa forks, does anyone have a suggestion?  Lower viscosity fork oil?

how much  do you weigh?

alibaba

#2
October 16, 2009, 08:25:17 PM
235 pounds

Raux

#3
October 17, 2009, 01:31:51 AM
well the bike supposedly set up for 160 lbs.

do you think you're bottoming out the suspension travel?

ducpainter

#4
October 17, 2009, 05:36:38 AM
A properly sprung bike will ride 'softer' regardless if the spring rate is actually higher.

Unfortunately there is no inexpensive fix for the harsh damping characteristics of the Marzocchis. There are fixes however.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
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alibaba

#5
October 17, 2009, 08:56:48 AM
The suspension has never bottomed.  I am talking about a very harsh ride over minor street imperfections.  Not hitting potholes.
Would going to a light fork oil perhaps smooth this out a bit?

ducpainter

#6
October 17, 2009, 08:59:08 AM
Quote from: alibaba on October 17, 2009, 08:56:48 AM
The suspension has never bottomed.  I am talking about a very harsh ride over minor street imperfections.  Not hitting potholes.
Would going to a light fork oil perhaps smooth this out a bit?
It may actually compound the issue.

The thicker oil could be the only thing that's keeping you from bottoming.

Proper springs and lighter oil will help.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Raux

#7
October 17, 2009, 02:35:54 PM
the 696 uses a very low end setup. there are two springs and one damper. the guys at ducati indianapolis are working on some changes to the basic setup. others are replacing the forks totally.

I would check with the Indianapolis guys.

here's their tech article on the 696 suspension
http://www.indyducati.com/articles/view.asp?id=264
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