There's a performance crossover compromise on Monster based ADV bikes.
As the forks get longer and the swingarm angle increases, weight gets shifted backwards.
That reduces the cornering limit in the dirt, makes it prone to folding the front on corner exit.
Doesn't really help street performance either.
They also get soft in pitch, tend to not want to finish corners, especially uphill ones.
So it's useful to get ground clearance by getting the pipe up out of harm's way rather than jacking the bike up higher.
Basic geometry of the Monster is pretty good for what the bike is intended for.
Pushing the envelope too far requires mods to help it all work (like most anything
).
I've run with an Ohlins rear shock using a new (shorter) seal head and minimum spacers such that the rocker nearly touches the tank bracket on my '98 M750.
I've run a swingarm that's 2" longer.
I've got no info on extending travel of the 41's.
There's a good bit of 50/54 outer diameter forks out there, there may be something from another application that's good.
One thing to watch out for.... the early hyper forks looked the business, but were in effect, shortened off-road forks.
All that was good, but the method left too little room for the spring.
Physically couldn't get a stiff enough spring with 'normal' spring wire without coil bind.
All of that may be old news, ask your suspension man to see.
Have zero FHE on those tires.
I've run TKC80's a bit, they're good off road, feel squirmy on road, and wear fast.
I may try some Shinko 705's, those look to have some dirt capability but not be too bad on road.
ADV guys seem to like them.
