Front Springs for "R"

[Hubs]

Hi, Apologies if I am starting something that's already been discussed. The place I service my Street Triple R has twice suggested that I get my front fork springs replaced with after-market springs. This was suggested after the technician took the bike for a road test after servicing it. I have no reason to doubt their bona fides but was just wondering if anyone else has had improved handling from relacing the springs.
Cheers
Hubs

[Pokeyjoe]

That's a common recommendation for a plain ol' Street, but not for the "R". I would suggest getting the pre-load adjusted properly and then the rebound and compression. Frankly, I quite surprised at the recommendation.

[Diego]

Gotta agree with Joe. That is kind of unusual for the R. I suppose almost everything can be improved if you throw more money at it, but unless (a) it's not living up to your needs right now, and (b) they've tried the available adjustments without success, then I don't understand the recommendation.

They don't "just happen to have" a set of aftermarket springs they're eager to sell you or something?

[redsprint]

If the price is reasonable, go for it.

Get it done professionally though, and maybe line it up with a normal suspension service, maybe at the 20k km service? (It is good practice to service suspension as well as the rest of the bike). Get them thrown in and then get the professionals to tweak the compression and preload for you. They'll normally be able to get a pretty good setup with just your weight and the average road going speed.

I have much stiffer springs in the front of my standard now and I love it. I also went for some Racetech gold valves, but as you have some adjustment in your fronts you can probably tweak around it.

But of course, your riding will dictate what is best for you.

[Hubs]

Thanks Fellas,
I'm 6.2 and about 90kg, and the mechanic who tested the bike and set up the suspension for me is also not small, so perhaps higher rated spirings for the street triple r are not such a bad idea for guys like us. It does feel like there is a bit of brake dive when slowing down for a corner or just coming to a stop but I am not that experienced a rider. The bike has done nearly 8K since I bought it in April because I ride it pretty much every day now. As there are a load of very experienced riders on this site (unlike me), I would be interested to know if anyone with an R has changed springs or feels perhaps the standard ones are too soft. I read that they are lower rated than the daytona's.
Cheers
Hubs

[Pokeyjoe]

Originally Posted by Hubs

Thanks Fellas,
I'm 6.2 and about 90kg, ...

That's my size. I think the spring rate is fine, but make yourself happy.

[Diego]

Originally Posted by Hubs

I read that they are lower rated than the daytona's.

That's true as written, but a bit deceptive. They are basically what the Daytona had before this year, and not very many people were calling the Daytona inadequate.

"Brake dive" is not necessarily a problem. It's how ALL bikes used to feel...simply the laws of physics at work. It's just a question of what's excessive, and it seems to me that personal taste is becoming a bigger factor in that decision than objective measures of performance. IMO, the current generation of riders has gotten spoiled.

Consider: the standard Striple has no front adjustability at all and certainly doesn't feel like the way folks have come to expect of a sportbike these days--and it wasn't intended to be one--but those of us who learned to ride on ancient Triumphs (and are now much heavier than we were then) feel right at home on it, and there are folks who do remarkable things on the track with it in stock condition.

Do what makes you happy, but don't feel you have to do it just to keep up with the Joneses. Save trendiness for hairstyles and mobile phones.