Adjustable v.s. Non-Adjustable Forks?

[Arachnosold1er]

How much am I missing out on by NOT having adjustable forks? I have a M796 and I am considering changing to SBK or M1100 forks. Will it be worth it? I don't race or do track days at the moment but I do beleive in good setup. Am I truly missing out or will I never be able to appreciate the difference because I do not race and will not see a half second difference in lap times? 

[stopintime]

First you need to find out if you actually need changes.
Have that established by a professional who can measure how well suited your fork is for your weight.

Your riding today, as described, might not benefit enough to justify the cost.
That may or may not change later on.

[rockaduc]

I think all bikes should have adjustable suspension. Once preload, comp, and rebound are properly setup, you will notice a huge improvement in handling and comfort. I went from non-adjustable crap suspension on my s2r 800 to fully adjustable units at both ends and could not believe the difference.

[speedknot]

I agree with stopintime.  The cost to benefit ratio will likely lighten you wallet without putting a smile on your face.  Something that I learned from a mechanical engineer was that companies spend thousands of dollars in the research, development and testing of most components of vehicles.  These components, or sum of all parts, are set up for a wide range of usage to appeal to the masses.  I believe our bikes come set up from the factory to suit most rider situations.  Unless your weight is way off the scale(+/-) or your competing, I would just leave it.

I put adjustable fronts on my CBR600 some time ago and ended up just leaving the adjustment in the middle somewhere which was pretty much the stock position.  It was a waste of $$.

[avizpls]

Its only a waste of $$ if you dont know how to actually tune suspension, or are not willing to hire someone who does.


That said, I have non-adjustable forks with RaceTech gold valves. Did I say non-adjustable? They are quite adjustable!! Sure, just take the wheel off, unscrew the bottom bolt hidden above the axle, remove the top cap, pull out damper, remove valves, adjust shim stack! and youre there! adjusted!!!


Once I found my set up, I've been good since.

[Howie]

Its only a waste of $$ if you dont know how to actually tune suspension, or are not willing to hire someone who does.


That said, I have non-adjustable forks with RaceTech gold valves. Did I say non-adjustable? They are quite adjustable!! Sure, just take the wheel off, unscrew the bottom bolt hidden above the axle, remove the top cap, pull out damper, remove valves, adjust shim stack! and youre there! adjusted!!!


Once I found my set up, I've been good since.

Worked for me. 

[Triple J]

Its only a waste of $$ if you dont know how to actually tune suspension, or are not willing to hire someone who does.


That said, I have non-adjustable forks with RaceTech gold valves. Did I say non-adjustable? They are quite adjustable!! Sure, just take the wheel off, unscrew the bottom bolt hidden above the axle, remove the top cap, pull out damper, remove valves, adjust shim stack! and youre there! adjusted!!!


Once I found my set up, I've been good since.

Agreed on all accounts. 

[speedknot]

Its only a waste of $$ if you dont know how to actually tune suspension, or are not willing to hire someone who does.

Not making a generalization; just merely stating it was a wast of money for me because I ended up preferring the ride with the forks it in the stock position anyway.  I'm pretty well versed in setting up my suspension.  For me, dialing in my ride was all about how comfortable the bike felt under me.  I'm fortunate to have learned this skill.  Back in the day, before politicians took away our tracks, being able to do this yourself was key.

Those guys at RaceTech are really nice.  They helped me set up my forks for my CB550 with the Gold Valve Kit and springs.  Having that kit with new RT springs made a huge difference in high speed handling and keeping the front wheel down while cornering.

[Arachnosold1er]

I am 5'8 and 154 lbs so I am probably near the middle of the road for what Ducati considered an "average rider" when they engineered the bike. The bike feels good, but I definitely think that there is room for improvement. 

[avizpls]

I posted this all, but didnt realize we're talking about totally different forks. These are the OLD showas.

how much will the front end saw cost you?


Race Tech Gold Valves and linear rate springs.

description	|qty	|unit	|Race Tech part number	|unit price	|price
Type-1 compression valve	1	set (L/R)	FMGV S2043	169.99	169.99
Type-1 rebound valve	1	set (L/R)	FRGV-S02	169.99	169.99
Spring set 34.7x340mm .85kg	1	set (L/R)	FRSP S3534085	109.99	109.99
Shock oil 3.5-5wt	2	quart	US-1	29.99	59.98
Inner fork bushing	1	set (L/R)	FMBI 41201 P	24.99	24.99
outter fork bushing	1	set (L/R)	FMBO 41202 P	21.98	21.98
SHOWA oil seal	1	set (L/R)	FSOS 41P	21.98	21.98
SHOWA dust seal	1	set (L/R)	FSDS 41P	19.98	19.98
			TOTAL	598.88

also...it was kind of a pain in the ass to get that table formatted correctly....I hope someone finds it useful.

[stopintime]

also...it was kind of a pain in the ass to get that table formatted correctly....I hope someone finds it useful.

Favorite'd for future reference - thanks

[Speeddog]

regarding the table that avizpls posted.

I wouldn't replace seals unless they were leaking.
If the forks are 6 years old or so, still on original seals... yes.

I've not seen a set of OEM fork bushings that were needing replacement.

All fine as an effort to keep things in top-notch working order, but not mandatory.

--------------------------

Most of the non-adjustable Showa and Marzocchi forks are pretty crude, and function that way.
IE; none, minimal, or stone-age valving.

Older non-adjustable 41mm Showas have proper valving, so they're pretty good and can be made better.

The main benefit of the adjustable forks are that they're equipped with the proper valving.
The usual 'issues' with the adjustables is that the valving shortcomings cannot be overcome by the adjustability.
The adjustability is all low-speed, but it's the high-speed that's less than optimum.

[Curmudgeon]

I am 5'8 and 154 lbs so I am probably near the middle of the road for what Ducati considered an "average rider" when they engineered the bike. The bike feels good, but I definitely think that there is room for improvement. 

OK, this is useful information. As I have the same bike and am 5' 8" and 175 lbs., I have to ask what you have done for the back. If you are still riding the bike stock, the Sachs shock doesn't do much and the preload is factory set for a passenger. The stock Marzocchi fork is actually not bad at all.

Prior to delivery I had an Ohlins DU-737 fitted and the whole bike set up by an Ohlins certified tech for my weight and a solo rider. That Ohlins was ordered from Ohlins direct with a spring and valving for my weight. Total cost = $615. I find the bike very slightly firm but never jarring, settled at all times and completely balanced. The tech who did the work was also very satisfied, and he holds sevesral regional and one national road race title on Ducatis.

There is a bad bridge crossing on one of my road loops, in a dip, in the middle of a turn with bad transitions on and off the bridge deck. I can take it heeled over at 75 MPH without a wiggle or hiccup. Pretty decent I'd say. 

Could it be better? Maybe 10% with an even better Ohlins out back and a nosebleed expensive Ohlins fork. NOT cost-effective in my book. This set-up even impressed my son who weighs 90 lbs more and rides a full Ohlins ST4s!

Good Luck! I think this bike will be really nice with 2,000 miles. My other tweaks on my signature line.

[Link]

I'm very surprised at some of the reply's. Simply put the stock 696/796 forks are CRAP they were engineered for cost saving only. It's not a matter of adjustment I've seen shocks with Hi speed compression adjustment, lo speed compression adjustment and rebound adjustment and no matter how you adjusted it it still was a POS.

If you want to transform your 796 into a sweet sweet handling bike do the superbike fork swap the 848/1098 forks work well and the internals are good. You will notice a big big difference in your bike, search this forum for "fork swap help" It is by far and away the best money you will spend on your 796. It is really amazing how much difference the sbk forks make. I thought I was going to also replace the rear shock but after the fork swap the rear shock feels fine. After the swap the bike is much smoother and way more comfortable especially on bumpy roads & you don't need to be a racer to appreciate that. Now when out on the back roads the bike is so stable through the corners, in turns where 50mph felt sketchy with the stock forks now can be done at 70mph with no drama the bike feels like it's on rails even in the slower turns it makes a big difference it is so much fun and way safer. If your close to SF stop by and ride mine then yours and I guaranty you will be doing the swap. Ducati built a great frame,motor,brakes and you will never really know how good until you get a decent set of forks on that bike.

[Arachnosold1er]

I really want to upgrade to Ohlins equipment front and rear. My bike is awesome but the suspension does not inspire confidence at all. I still have the rear @ the stock setting. Its a bit firm but I don't mind too much. I didn't buy a Monster to go 200 MPH, I bought it to tackle the twistys. With the stock suspension I don't see that happening like I had imagined. Any bumps in the road through a corner is very unsettling. Not that it puts the bike out of shape, but it bothers the hell out of me. I'm going to set the sag in the rear this weekend. Hopefully that will help a bit. It looks like my mod list got a bit longer.