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(04-19-2018, 10:58 AM)misterprofessionality_imp Wrote: That's what I was looking for. So, I'll conclude that an improved suspension won't do jackall for me at this time. gonna have to get a few decades older.
Like you, MrP, I've arrived at the same conclusion by weighting the economic criteria very heavily in defiance of the likely facts. I had to put new shockers on a bike I once owned. The mechanic told me I wouldn't know myself. I couldn't tell the difference; but then I didn't ride it for much longer. My reasoning is that, if I don't try upgraded suspension I won't know what I'm missing and continue to be perfectly happy with what I have for the sort of riding I do.
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(04-19-2018, 06:26 AM)misterprofessionality_imp Wrote: Ok: I'm going to ask the dumb question after reading a good portion of this thread: What's so important about suspension?
I've owned/ridden many different kinds of bikes, from cruisers to sport bikes to antiques, in a few different environments (not off-road), and i don't think i've ever noticed or thought anything good or bad about the suspension. If, hypothetically, I were to improve the suspension on my CB, what difference would I notice? I'm about the same weight as W/R, for instance, who complains of the suspension being "overwhelmed." I've never noticed anything that I would call a problem. What am I missing?
Awareness on quality is double sided- you learn nuance and appreciate the difference- but you also notice when other stuff is subpar and that bar is now higher.
This is true for cars, bikes, food, tv's, stereos...
To an extent ignorance is bliss. I drive by McD's all the time and there is a full parking lot and long line at the drive through. There is a reason people still buy American cars as well.
If you don't notice yet- stop reading these type of threads and stay happy. It's cheaper and less frustrating that way.
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I was happy with factory suspension/tires until I rode a bike that was absolutely horrible. When I bought my ST1100 I was afraid of the thing until I found a tire/suspension combination that worked. The most improvement was replacement of the OEM tires with wider, lower profile, better quality units. (Michelin Pilot Road 3's). Then the stock suspension began to fail so I replaced it with a substantial upgrade. (Traxxion Dynamics Cartridges and Penske rear shock).
Where do I feel the difference? Near the edge of performance.The vast majority of riding time the added expense makes little difference. It is when I want to take the ride to the edge of the performance envelope. The upgrades make the edges wider, but at the same time give less warning of approaching disaster. Which is why manufactures design the bikes the way they do; For as much safety as is possible with a motorcycle.
Ride Safe
Jim
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Biggest improvement for me- on both the front forks and rear shocks was lessening the blow felt on jarring bumps.
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(04-20-2018, 10:45 PM)PowerDubs_imp Wrote: Biggest improvement for me- on both the front forks and rear shocks was lessening the blow felt on jarring bumps.
That's all I'm looking for, there are a lot of jarring bumps here.
A couple of years ago I was cruising one of my favorite short rides on a coastal rode and hit a huge frost heave. As is the case with frost heaves it hadn't been there before the winter and there was no warning sign out yet. I hit it doing about 80kph and launched my Night Train into the air both wheels off the ground, the landing really hurt.
That's an extreme case but if want hear about the roads here, read what Bama Rider has to say about them:
http://www.bamarider.com/cdn02-7
