Ride review: Traxxion Dynamics Emulator Fork Kit

[physics-teacher_imp]

Just got back from a 100 mile ride over some of my favorite roads, including a piece of the Pig Trail. Just installed the Traxxion kit for our (standard) bike which costs $300 plus $19 postage. For my type of banzai riding it was definitely worth it. It doesn't give you a featherbed ride if that's what you're looking for, nor does it make your bike oblivious to large bumps and dips. What it does do, and does very well, is get rid of front end dive on braking without using any preload at all. It REALLY shines over rippled pavement, the kind that used to set my front end vibrating like a jackhammer no matter what preload I used. When the rippled pavement occurs right before or during a corner, one can now hold speed pretty much oblivious to nerve-shattering shaking of the front end. I mean to say, the front end is no longer bouncing up and down and shaking your confidence. I guess the best description of the quality you are buying is much better pavement holding; you feel really planted and secure and can lean it over with a lot more confidence. It does raise your ride height somewhat, but that means it's going to be really hard to touch down those peg feelers. I haven't done it yet and no one I have ridden with would call my style conservative.
If you want to amaze your friends in the corners, this is a very good investment.

 

[emptysea]

Interesting, physics-teach. I might be interested in doing this to my bike. As you know, I don't really know pre-load from post-toasties, but I do notice that front-end dive and the shimmy on rippled pavement and would like to remedy those irritants.

The Traxxion site doesn't have a search-by-bike feature, so what part #s should I be looking at?

 

[physics-teacher_imp]

The guys at Traxxion like to talk to you, almost force you to call. Call up and you'll probably get Dan who then will ask you about your weight, how you ride, etc. I never paid attention to the part number.

 

[gtmn_imp]

Amen brother been preaching it since day 1
its my third Traxxion bike
dont bother with the web and figuring out your bike just call Dan
he will get ya all fixed up

 

[the Ferret]

Conservative riding style? Physics Teacher?

Well he makes it look like he's riding conservativly, (the really fast ones always do) but good luck keeping up without working your tail off.

Glad the Traxxion was a worthwhile purchase for you PT.

 

[physics-teacher_imp]

Slap one on, Micky, and come have another go at our Ozark roads!

 

[Cormanus]

So, physics-teacher, what exactly is in this kit? New springs? I looked at the website and what was on offer seemed more expensive than $300.

 

[physics-teacher_imp]

New springs, straight wound (the strength depends on your weight you give them over the phone), a pair of race tech gold valve emulators, and two new damper rods with the holes drilled out much larger. Also a pair of new preload spacers to go with the new fork springs. They all fit in a box maybe 20 in by five by three. You will need to supply a quart of new fork oil; for me they recommended 15 wt over the phone. There is a bushing on your old damper rod you need to transfer to your new one.
Don't confuse this kit with a complete changeover to a cartridge fork set up, also available on the site, which costs maybe three times as much and only the hardest core will need. Crazy for this bike IMO.

 

[Cormanus]

Thanks physics-teacher. I guess I saw the complete change-over prices.