Triumphrat

Loxpump · 01-18-2007

I have been thinking for a while about changing the suspension on my 2002 Bonneville. Progressive springs in the front and shocks. I'm not looking for a racing suspension, since cost is a factor for me. My main question is the rear shocks. I've been eyeing the shrouded Hagons, which I like alot. They seem to have a nice retro look but I'm not sure how they would fit. Maybe I'll flip a coin.

Geoff · 01-18-2007

I've heard good things about progressive springs, but my personal experience is with hagons, which do the job nicely.
if you order from Dave Quinn cycle, he takes your weight and riding style into consideration and builds the shocks to your spec. the front springs are a strait swap.
I'm happy with the results.
G

ggRAT · 01-18-2007

Ohlins 36E on the rear and Works Dual-Rate on the front. Honestly, the Bonneville rides and tracks as well as the '05 Sprint ST I had before.

I had the above equipment installed and "tuned" by South Bay Triumph prior to the bike being shipped to me.

merlin · 01-18-2007

Ikons are reasonably priced and very popular. If finances are an issue, consider this: The worst difficiency is the front springs - yet they are much cheaper to upgrade than rear shocks. Maybe start with them and see how close they alone get you to where you want to be.

Christov · 01-19-2007

I want to do the same. My bike is an '02 with stock suspension. It is now converted to a cafe racer, but when riding VERY aggressively I pogo the rear end in corners. I would like a progressive set of fork springs and a set of shocks that have adjustable rebound damping.
Here's my toy:

DrEnglish · 01-19-2007

I'll second the opinion that the front spring upgrade seemed like a really big improvement, even more so than the shocks.

ohiorider · 01-19-2007

I have Progresssive 440 shocks on the rear, and Progressive springs in the front. I initially went too heavy on the shock springs, and shipped them back to Progressive after a couple of phone discussions. They changed them out to a spring with a lower rate, which improved things.

If I had it to do again, I would probably look for a shock with adjustable rebound damping, and if available, adjustable compression damping. The 440s use some kind of patented valving system that is supposed to compensate for both small bumps and large bumps 'automatically'. The only adjustment on these shocks is spring preload.

Re the front end, it is still too harsh over large bumps, even with the Progressive springs. However, there's plenty of room to play with the fork oil level ..... Progressive recommends filling no more than 140mm from the top of the tubes, since their springs displace more fluid than the stockers. (and since as we all know ... more is better .... I filled them to the 140mm level). I intend to drop the level approx 15-20mm at a time, until I find a good compromise ride. Progressive shows the 'safe' fluid zone using their springs as starting at 140mm all the way down to 190mm below top of the fork tubes.

If I was doing this again, I'd work out the front fork damping and springing before doing the rear shocks. Maybe consider installing RaceTech Emulators. Matter of fact, if the front was ok, I could probably live with the stock rear shocks.

Bob

Brooksie · 01-19-2007

Any suspension upgrade is going to really help the bike. If you want to be able to easily adjust your settings, I like the Ikon's very much. I have them front and rear and they have transformed the bikes performance.