brake upgrade report

[Slide Panda]

The Narrow Band rotors huh?  I'll be interested to see how those wear over the long run. 

[Maratom]

Hi, I love the upgrades on your bike. I even saw an oilcooler if I'm correct. You've made me search the net for some upgrades as well. Can you tell me the brand (and type) of front fork cartridge kit you bought ? The Öhlins rear shock was easily found (or a WP for that matter) but for the front end the choice is rather limited, my guess.

[BK_856er]

Hi, I love the upgrades on your bike. I even saw an oilcooler if I'm correct. You've made me search the net for some upgrades as well. Can you tell me the brand (and type) of front fork cartridge kit you bought ? The Öhlins rear shock was easily found (or a WP for that matter) but for the front end the choice is rather limited, my guess.

Thanks!  Yep, I added an oil cooler kit to help keep the temps under control.  The fork cartridge kit is by the Italian company Matris.  You can still order them from euro suppliers, but the brand is not currently represented in the US as far as I know.  Other fork options are the Traxxion kit.  You can also swap in adjustable forks from other models, which might be the best bet in the long run.  Improving the front end makes a huge difference on this bike.  Since my last report I changed to a Penskse triple clicker and added Rizoma rearsets.  The little M695 can be a ton of fun!!

BK

[Smokescreen]

I gotta say, when I saw the first pic and began reading the report, I was thinking, "carbon fender, pretty gold calipers?  this guys doing all the immaterial mods on a bike with non-adjustable suspension!"  Happy to read on and find out how wrong I was!  Sounds like you are doing all the right mods in the right order to make a fantastic machine!!

[Maratom]

Thanks!  Yep, I added an oil cooler kit to help keep the temps under control.  The fork cartridge kit is by the Italian company Matris.  You can still order them from euro suppliers, but the brand is not currently represented in the US as far as I know.  Other fork options are the Traxxion kit.  You can also swap in adjustable forks from other models, which might be the best bet in the long run.  Improving the front end makes a huge difference on this bike.  Since my last report I changed to a Penskse triple clicker and added Rizoma rearsets.  The little M695 can be a ton of fun!!

BK

Thanks ! I think I'll go for the fork spring cartridge kit. Have you got some pics with the Rizoma rearsets on ? Bet they look real great ! How does that mod work out for you ?

[gOoIe B]

Hi there, I noticed in this picture you also have a Matris steering damper installed on your bike (or is that the bitubo one?).  Looking at this picture, it appears as if your handlebar and top triple are the same as my '06 s2r dark (polished steel bar rather than aluminum, uniform diameter throughout rather than 1.25" thick where it clamps to the triple).  I have had a helluva time finding a manufacturer that makes a top-mount steering damper that fits bars that are only 7/8" diameter in the middle, like my dark.  And I hate the look of side-mount dampers.  Would you be able to provide a part number for your damper, as well as maybe a good word or two about it?    with any luck this is just the part I have been looking for...

[BK_856er]

Thanks ! I think I'll go for the fork spring cartridge kit. Have you got some pics with the Rizoma rearsets on ? Bet they look real great ! How does that mod work out for you ?

The rearsets are nice.  It's good to have options for foot placement.  I like them a bit higher and back, but I'm still experimenting.  There are a few little tricks to installing them, so let me know if you get them.

These pics are a bit IZ_, but they'll give you the idea.

BK

[BK_856er]

Hi there, I noticed in this picture you also have a Matris steering damper installed on your bike (or is that the bitubo one?).  Looking at this picture, it appears as if your handlebar and top triple are the same as my '06 s2r dark (polished steel bar rather than aluminum, uniform diameter throughout rather than 1.25" thick where it clamps to the triple).  I have had a helluva time finding a manufacturer that makes a top-mount steering damper that fits bars that are only 7/8" diameter in the middle, like my dark.  And I hate the look of side-mount dampers.  Would you be able to provide a part number for your damper, as well as maybe a good word or two about it?    with any luck this is just the part I have been looking for...

Yes, that is the Matris M4R damper.  It works great!  Good range of adjustability and great build quality.  I've been using it for about 2yrs now.  Check the OnCycles inventory to see if they have any brackets or dampers left, or check with PJs parts (they claim to carry Matris).  Alternatively you can buy it from carpimoto.com (search for your bike or the 695 and it'll come up).  I don't have the part number handy, but the carpimoto site lists the number, assuming it's correct.  You are right that the steel handlebar monsters are a unique application.

BK

[BK_856er]

I gotta say, when I saw the first pic and began reading the report, I was thinking, "carbon fender, pretty gold calipers?  this guys doing all the immaterial mods on a bike with non-adjustable suspension!"  Happy to read on and find out how wrong I was!  Sounds like you are doing all the right mods in the right order to make a fantastic machine!!

That's too funny, and I couldn't agree more.  First order of business for me was to upgrade the suspension and brakes, although the brakes took a couple of years to come together.  I'd trade abundant horsepower for a sorted out suspension any day!  It's finally all coming together as a package.

BK

[Maratom]

The rearsets are nice.  It's good to have options for foot placement.  I like them a bit higher and back, but I'm still experimenting.  There are a few little tricks to installing them, so let me know if you get them.

These pics are a bit IZ_, but they'll give you the idea.

BK

VERY NICE ! I've seen some pretty good looking 695's so far but with your well thought through mods this makes it the most desireable I've seen yet. Hope you'll have lots of fun with your bike and thanks for the advice and inspiration.

[BK_856er]

VERY NICE ! I've seen some pretty good looking 695's so far but with your well thought through mods this makes it the most desireable I've seen yet. Hope you'll have lots of fun with your bike and thanks for the advice and inspiration.

Thanks for the kind words!

Here is a test video of the forks getting a workout the other day.  I also posted this in the cam thread.

BK

PMR downhill

[Two dogs]

Nice twisties looks like a fun road
Is that a cable tie on your lowers ?
I ride a DH mountain bike and use them to check my travel going off big jumps
really helps with setting up your suspension 

[booger]

You should get some BST wheels to top it all off. Then, wow what a beastie. Good procurement work. I was under the impression that we were SOL on the fork internals swap and there was no option to those of us who have the cast-in risers and chrome bars but you have debunked all of that for me. So, from my understanding there is a special bracket for Matris damper when installing on a M695/S2R800D?

[BK_856er]

You should get some BST wheels to top it all off. Then, wow what a beastie. Good procurement work. I was under the impression that we were SOL on the fork internals swap and there was no option to those of us who have the cast-in risers and chrome bars but you have debunked all of that for me. So, from my understanding there is a special bracket for Matris damper when installing on a M695/S2R800D?

BST wheels...oh my aching wallet!  Sadly, I'm going to try and draw the line at the wheel upgrade, at least for now.  But that would be awesome....

Yes, the Matris steering damper units themselves are all the same, with application specific brackets to achieve fitment.  I guess the 620 would be the same?

BK