Bitubo cartridges for Marzochi non adjustable forks (did we not see this?)

[stopintime]

I usually feel well updated about the possibilities for the modest stock 620/695/S2R800 forks,
but I can't remember talking about this Bitubo kit....

Anyone else have first, second or third hand experience?

At about $460 it could be a bargain, even though they're not adjustable other than for preload.

http://www.carpimoto.com/EN/Bike_Ducati_Monster-S2R-800/Specific/Page_2/34513_D0022ABB09-Bitubo-Fork-Cartridge-Kit-Ducati-Monster-620.htm

[He Man]

it only has preload adjustment so pretty pointless.

[stopintime]

it only has preload adjustment so pretty pointless.

Not if it actually works  (as opposed to stock)

[Heath]

Not if it actually works  (as opposed to stock)

That much money though for just preload?

[stopintime]

That much money though for just preload?

and, I assume, a good compression/rebound unit, which is where it hurts the most on stock forks.

[booger]

The area where the stockers suck so badly is damping. That and the springs are progressive rate. Most here that upgrade the forks never touch the compression and rebound adjustments on their fully adj forks anyway. So really, for $450-$500 or so, this is a good deal. I'm pretty sure it's better than the stock setup, since everything is better by default.
I read the specs, it has the Bitubo compression unit and linear rate springs. If you're around the 75-80kg weight spec for this it looks like a good upgrade option. All you do is refit the internals, no brake swaps or triple clamp swaps needed. The GP suspension kit for these forks that offers full adjustability is ~$1300. SBKs are a big hassle due to all the other parts you have to get to go with them. I think stopintime should try this kit and report back!

[xcaptainxbloodx]

 400$ish+labor/oil puts this kit at a pretty good compromise point for those not wanting to do just springs or go for a full sbk kit but I think if you scour ebay and the forum classifieds you can find that SBK setup for only a bit more, and even though you may have to buy new calipers and rotors, that will be an upgrade too. all in all, I think id rather spend 500-900$ for a quality SBK build than 400$ for crappy forks made marginally better.

[He Man]

If I'm going to spend dough to replace something, im going to replace it with something thats worth wild, or find the cheapest way to make it worth my wild. Thats just my personal opinion.

$100 bucks for a set of springs, a hack saw for preload spacers, and some oil to control the damping. most people would be very very satisfied.

for S2R1000 forks + valve and Springs = $700 bucks drops right in. $300 bucks more and you get 3 way adjustibility

[kopfjäger]

If I'm going to spend dough to replace something, im going to replace it with something thats worth wild, or find the cheapest way to make it worth my wild

How much is your "wild" worth.

[stopintime]

......................

 I think stopintime should try this kit and report back!

My forks are done with amazing results. I'd love to do a write up, but the shop won't tell me what they did. All I know is that it works very well and the Öhlins guys at WDW thought, when testing, it had an Öhlins cartridge kit.

So, it is possible to do magic to the stock forks, but not many suspension shops know how to.

I believe that most of the stock Marzochi riders leave it alone because it's just to difficult to understand why/what/how.
Even a "simple" spring & oil upgrade seems to be more than most riders can handle.
Maybe this kit is simple and affordable (?) enough to help those riders make a decision.

[DRKWNG]

for S2R1000 forks + valve and Springs = $700 bucks drops right in. $300 bucks more and you get 3 way adjustibility

If you think that's a good deal...  Well, I've got some beach front property in Nebraska I'd like to talk to you about.

[He Man]

If you think that's a good deal...  Well, I've got some beach front property in Nebraska I'd like to talk to you about.

I've got race tech valves and springs in my S2R1k forks. You can pick up S2R1k forks for $250ish. Springs $100, and valves $150 IIRC. Labor cost vary. So minimum $500 bucks for a respectable setup. Some people hate Racetech valves, and if that is the case, you have other options including Ohlins GP and Bitubo.

GP kits need machining of the lower leg on the marzochi forks to get it to work.
The matris ktis still need to machine the lower to get it to work unless you have the Showa forks (S2R1k, S4R..etc)

I happen to like the adjustbility, my compression valve is fully open right now since im riding in subfreezing temps. I've added and taken rebound off a bunch of times due to cargo for multi day trips. but thats just me. Im sure the Bitubo kit is awesome for its price, but non adjustibilty to me is a huge turn off when dropping more money than just springs. Granted most people dont touch em anyway.

[kopfjäger]

^^^ I guess it's worth your "wild"   

[stopintime]

..............
 
The matris ktis still need to machine the lower to get it to work unless you have the Showa forks (S2R1k, S4R..etc)
........

I'm pretty sure that's not the case. They should be accessible from the top - there are three separate adjusters anyway. Might be wrong, but that's my understanding...

[DRKWNG]

I've got race tech valves and springs in my S2R1k forks. You can pick up S2R1k forks for $250ish. Springs $100, and valves $150 IIRC. Labor cost vary. So minimum $500 bucks for a respectable setup. Some people hate Racetech valves, and if that is the case, you have other options including Ohlins GP and Bitubo.

GP kits need machining of the lower leg on the marzochi forks to get it to work.
The matris ktis still need to machine the lower to get it to work unless you have the Showa forks (S2R1k, S4R..etc)

I happen to like the adjustbility, my compression valve is fully open right now since im riding in subfreezing temps. I've added and taken rebound off a bunch of times due to cargo for multi day trips. but thats just me. Im sure the Bitubo kit is awesome for its price, but non adjustibilty to me is a huge turn off when dropping more money than just springs. Granted most people dont touch em anyway.

Dude, I'm just saying...  A thousand bucks for what you described is pretty damned pricey.  I put 999 forks (sprung to my weight), with a fresh rebuild and SBK valves on my bike, and it cost me something like $400.