Triumphrat

teachnsurf

Any reason NOT to switch out the front springs on my '09 Spoked EFI to Ikons?

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This is my Bonneville. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My Bonneville is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My Bonneville, without me, is useless. Without my Bonneville, I am useless.

RedBird

Only reason I know is Works Performance--a California company builds a dual spring kit that works great IMHO. Their Street Trackers rear shocks work very well also. I believe you will find they have been building performance suspension products for years, and many racers use their products.

I would recommend you change the rear shocks first. Good rear shocks solved my problems with handling in curves. The front spring change-out made it ride smoother on rough straight roads (small bumps are almost unnoticed, medium bumps feel like small bumps used to feel, and large bumps still bounce me off the seat--springs can't change that on these forks.)

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Larry
2003 T-100 (790cc), NARK, NH Togas, 8100 rpm rev limiter, 158 main jets, 42 pilot jets (less than 1 turn out on pilot screws), stock needles--no shims. 13 A/F ratio from 1100 rpm to 4000 rpm; 12 A/F ratio from 4000 rpm to 6000 rpm; 13 A/F from 6000 rpm to 8100 rpm.:D
2007 Tiger 1050--White:D--SW-Motech crashbars, Skidmarx rear hugger/chain guard, Calsci +7 windscreen.

propforward

I dunno - I put Ikons in my forks, still have stock rear shocks, and the handling improved loads. I reckon front springs first is a must - especially considering the $ involved. Only 140 bucks to do the Ikons - and that includes shipping and fresh oil in the forks.

However, I don't doubt that changing the rears is a positive thing too. I fully intend to replace the rear shocks in spring - hopefully Ohlins, but anything like Ikons or progressives will work great too I bet.

I have heard excellent stuff about works suspension - apparently they can get the springs set just right for you, but I reckon if you just go ahead and put Ikons in the front, you'll be very happy.

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Baltobonneville

No, no reason at all. Do it now.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 118/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s in back, Ricor Intiminators in front, Pirelli Sport Demons, D9 gauge panel.

Calliway

I am DEFINATLEY doing this over the winter. I am not sure which ones to buy but Ikons are on the list to investigate. I truly have never ridden a bike with such lowsy front ends....

The rears dont bother me now that I have adjusted them to my weight but holy, the front still wallows like mad.

propforward

No need to wait til winter. It takes two hours to remove the front forks and drain the oil, refill with fresh and fit the springs. That includes scrupulous cleaning of everything since you have it apart.

If you don't want to change the oil - you can have it done in 30 minutes, leaving everything in place.

I reckon that whichever brand you use, you will be happy as hell with the result.

I chose the Ikons only becuase a few people reported them as "stiff", and therefore suitable for the "heavier" rider. I am over the moon with the change to my bike as a result.

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Rustic Road Progress

revsmail

Hi Teachnsurf and Calliway,
I support Propforward's comments.
The Ikon springs improve the front end.
Ikon are located in Albury, a town an hour and a half away from where I live, I picked my springs and rear shocks up from their warehouse.
I spoke to Geoff the proprietor about installing the springs, he suggested that it wasn't necessary to change the fork oil or dampening for road use, (my bike is new), and to put the closer wound part of the spring to the top of the forks, with a 25mm to 30mm spacer on top.
I cut 2x25mm spacers out of 30mm dia solid nylon.
When you remove the standard spring and spacer it becomes clear why they bottom easily on rough roads, the spring is not very long.
I also found it took a few kilometres of riding for the Ikon rear shocks to free up, I have the damping set on 1 and this is fine for 1 up riding.
They also made a big improvement to handling rough roads.
Cheers
Pete

wenzel850

I have Ikon's on both ends of my 05 T100 and have put 15k on them since installation. HUGE HUGE difference. There is a big difference now how Baby handles these horrible Pennsylvania roads.

I used 5w Bel-Ray fork oil and only put in about 440 cc's instead of the factory recommended 482 cc's. I don't have any spacers installed and love the handling and ride quality. This will properly have to be adjusted (more or less) according to your requirements.

I tour with this bike, ride it fairly aggressively on back roads, and 70-75 MPH on interstates. I can't drive 55.

I weight 200 lbs.

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Quentin

Calliway

So i you had your choice which would it be?
Racetech, Ikon or Hagan from springs. Its time to buy some for me because another season of the "pig in mud front end" will be the end of me.

propforward

Difficult to say. I reckon you will be blown away by any of those three options, or indeed progressive brand.

I used progressive brand in my Ninja (fantastic) and Ikons in the Bonnie (fantastic).

Hagons are a direct swap, Ikons generally need at least a 1/2" spacer made (though some people don't bother). Works I understand need the most fiddling to install, but I have heard they have excellent factory support.

That's all I can tell ya. I haven't heard anyone complain about fitting any of the options.

__________________
Rule 1: Cardio

Rustic Road Progress