update about myS4 with 996 forks now perfect

[jerryz]

re,member my S4 with the 996 forks that i fitted to improve the handling and get proper rebound system ,,, well thay have been on the bike 18 months and really did improve everything , but comfort was still poor even with .85nm springs  , I finally got some custom .75 nm springs made in UK and they have cured all the last issues , now the bike handles perfectly and floats niclely over normal road imperfections  and even on bad bumpy roads its now planted and much more secure ...i can actually ride it faster in bumpy corners  and accelerating hard out of bends the front end is also more stable less light feeling , bike is now a joy  seriously fast to ride on the bumpy rotten Thai roads  was hitting bends  apex at over 80mph today and 140mph on some bad surfaces which before would have had me pitching  and tank slapping all over the roads  n ow smooth as silk as they say in Thailand

Thanks to frankenduc and HPD for their technical input

OH and and interesting aside ,,, some senior racers at the Famous TT races on Isle of Man , the 37mile road circuit in UK  put much softer fork springs into the race bikes for the Islands races than they would use on normal smooth tracks , some substitute .10nm  race springs with 8nm to keep the bike stable on the notoriously bumpy road  circuit , so what I have done has sound engineering precedent


SPECIFICATION of FORKS now on my S4

SHIOWA from 996
K tech  Race valve kit
-75nm  linear  springs
125mm airgap
5w oil
5  lines of preload , 24mm
13 clicks of  Rebound 
5 clicks of compression

[MonsterHPD]

Hi Jerryz.
Nothing like sorted suspension to improve ride quality and the enjoyment of riding 

Glad for whatever help I could offer, and that you persevered to find the best solution for your needs; only you could do that.

 

[DarkMonster620]

Gonna take note on the spring rate . . . where I live roads are "harsh" and in some stretches with lots of "potholes" some can swallow you and you'll be found, but, my 0.85kg RaceTech sprung Marzocchi forks at times are a little "too harsh" ... may follow your advise and assemble a second set with 0.75kg springs . . . and go bck to OEM 7.5 oil instead of 10W oil . ..

[jerryz]

Another interesting benefit is slow speed handling U turns are all more easily carried out seems the softer forks give more control ,,,also fast changes of direction at high speed have become easier the bike is much more agile  .makes me feel in total control no head shakes or  wobbles ,   just total stability ...and smooth progress


oh and some praise must also go to Michelins new Pilot road 3  they are very good ,,, braking distances are minimal very grippy tires they bite into the road .you can actually hear them !!!!!!!