955i FRONT END HELP
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I have heard that Race Tech does good suspension work. They don't have data on Daytonas after the 2001 model year, though, so you would have to send your forks down to them and let them take measurements and then install new valves and springs. I may do that sometime over the winter.
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I used the intructions from sportbike. I think it was for a 02 but still works with my 04.
here is the link. SportBike Suspension settings CLICKY HERE
You might want to try this first. Might as well, doesn't cost anything and doesn't take long. The setting for the front springs are tightened to get rid of the softness.
here is the link. SportBike Suspension settings CLICKY HERE
You might want to try this first. Might as well, doesn't cost anything and doesn't take long. The setting for the front springs are tightened to get rid of the softness.
You could try to fix it by increasing the fork oil level.
If it's normally 120mm from the top of your fork I would increase it with 10mm to start with.
Depending on what fork oil you are using it can really mess up your damping.
If the oil is to thick the fork doesn't have a chance to travel down and the up again before the next bump.
Ideally this should be adjustable with the compression and rebound dampening but with oil to thick to travel through the orifices in the valving it won't matter much with the adjustments.
When you set the oil level the fork leg should be fully compressed without spring and the level is meassured from the top edge of the forkleg to the oil level.
I've heard about people using ATF in their forks with good results and it's a lot cheaper than fork oil.
Otherwise I would use 5w-10w grade in the forks or a mix of both grads for 7.5w.
I would try this before spending big bucks on your forks buying stuff from Race-Tech and all the other companies.
Good luck with your frontend let us know how it works out for you.
Mikey
If it's normally 120mm from the top of your fork I would increase it with 10mm to start with.
Depending on what fork oil you are using it can really mess up your damping.
If the oil is to thick the fork doesn't have a chance to travel down and the up again before the next bump.
Ideally this should be adjustable with the compression and rebound dampening but with oil to thick to travel through the orifices in the valving it won't matter much with the adjustments.
When you set the oil level the fork leg should be fully compressed without spring and the level is meassured from the top edge of the forkleg to the oil level.
I've heard about people using ATF in their forks with good results and it's a lot cheaper than fork oil.
Otherwise I would use 5w-10w grade in the forks or a mix of both grads for 7.5w.
I would try this before spending big bucks on your forks buying stuff from Race-Tech and all the other companies.
Good luck with your frontend let us know how it works out for you.
Mikey
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3,436 Posts
Brooksie, Techman and Mikey have good suggestions, explore what you've already have. Do you still have your owner's manual? If so, start at the 'normal' settings. The settings that Techman mentioned aren't much different. Always give any change in settings plenty of mileage before another change.
The suspension, while dated, on the D955is can and will work pretty well with just a bit of patience.
Brad
The suspension, while dated, on the D955is can and will work pretty well with just a bit of patience.
Brad
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3,624 Posts
Thanks for the great info guys. Will give it a go with the stock set up and see if I have enough there. The rear is not bad at all, but the front , as it is set from the factory, is just rough. Not even as smooth as my Bonneville with new springs. Thanks again!!!
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I don't think I'd be messing with the oil level much on a machine that has the power and capabilities of a daytona. Seriously, if you can't adjust it for the road from the settings that are given spend the money for some stiffer springs at first or get a different front end. On older bikes where the front ends are inadequate to begin with tricks to stiffen the action of the forks are sometimes easy to get away with, but I'd sure hate to be into a corner at a good speed and have something go really wrong because of cheap fix. Suspension is to important and critical to mess with without expert advice. I ride my RS year round and notice in the dead of winter when it is cold out the front end does not respond well at all on bumps at certain times, not all the time, but the right bump at the right time has sent me into horrible tank slappers twice. I attribute this to the oil in the forks thickening due to the extreme cold and not being able to allow the forks to do the job it's suppose to. I'm pretty careful in the winter now after two 80 mph severe slappers. I may be wrong, but I'd also hate to hear of someone getting hurt because they messed with their suspension other than the settings provided.
I just found this link in a posting in the Sprint section.
This is good info
enjoy Mikey
http://www.strappe.com/suspension.html
This is good info
enjoy Mikey
http://www.strappe.com/suspension.html
Race Tech has nothing for it only because nobody has ever brought one in to them so they could get measurements from it. The manufacturers will not supply them with measurements, so they need a sample. I think if someone brought a bike to them or shipped their forks to them, they'd do a good job with it.
This is the downside of riding a bike that never sold in big numbers.
This is the downside of riding a bike that never sold in big numbers.
The previous owner had them installed at the dealer. The thing I noted is that the box says it works for 1999-2001 955i. This is what you are finding if you search for that bike on racetech's website.
I do have the receipt and the original box with some nomenclature for whoever is interested. Some items will depend upon rider weight and riding style. So it would be best to just call them and make sure you are getting the right stuff.
Luckily, the guy I bought the bike from was similar in weight and riding style, and I can say that the forks were awesome and offered extraordinary feedback at speed until I tweaked them myself after getting new tires. I'm close to getting them back to the way I want them now though. It's amazing what old tires vs new do to your bikes handling characteristics.
Fork gold valve #FMGV S2040 (Type 1)(20x6mm)-$159.00
Springs #FRSP S403195 (40.0x38.0x310) .95 kg rider w/o gear $110
Us1 ultra slick light 2 quarts at $25 each
With tax and all, the guy paid $334.00
I do have the receipt and the original box with some nomenclature for whoever is interested. Some items will depend upon rider weight and riding style. So it would be best to just call them and make sure you are getting the right stuff.
Luckily, the guy I bought the bike from was similar in weight and riding style, and I can say that the forks were awesome and offered extraordinary feedback at speed until I tweaked them myself after getting new tires. I'm close to getting them back to the way I want them now though. It's amazing what old tires vs new do to your bikes handling characteristics.
Fork gold valve #FMGV S2040 (Type 1)(20x6mm)-$159.00
Springs #FRSP S403195 (40.0x38.0x310) .95 kg rider w/o gear $110
Us1 ultra slick light 2 quarts at $25 each
With tax and all, the guy paid $334.00
Well, that's interesting. The dealer must have just sold him the parts for the older model, either negligently or because they knew they would be the same. It would surprise me if the parts were the same because the newer Daytona's have the cartridge fork and I thought the older ones did not.
Anyway, I've talked to Race Tech a couple of times about this and they did not suggest the parts for the 2001 would work, but said the only thing I could do would be to ship them the fork and let them measure it.
Apparently they work for you, so that's great. I just wish I had a good explanation for it all!
Anyway, I've talked to Race Tech a couple of times about this and they did not suggest the parts for the 2001 would work, but said the only thing I could do would be to ship them the fork and let them measure it.
Apparently they work for you, so that's great. I just wish I had a good explanation for it all!
I know what you mean. I wish I could offer more insight for everyone. It appears that the original owner of the bike ordered the items, then had the dealer install the parts and adjust the settings to specs per his weight and typical riding style.
BTW, from another forum, it is my understanding that it is possible and fairly easily to use forks from a GSXR to offer crisper handling than the stock daytona set-up. This isn't anything new, however. Lots of guys are on to the gixxer fork upgrade for other makes and models. It seems like it would be much easier, and cheaper to send them to Racetech, than to try and hunt down some straight forks from a gsxr, then try to spoon them on without changing geometry, etc... I'm sure someone on this site has done it though. It's just over my competency/comfort level more than likely.
I can look up the info if you might be interested in that upgrade.
BTW, from another forum, it is my understanding that it is possible and fairly easily to use forks from a GSXR to offer crisper handling than the stock daytona set-up. This isn't anything new, however. Lots of guys are on to the gixxer fork upgrade for other makes and models. It seems like it would be much easier, and cheaper to send them to Racetech, than to try and hunt down some straight forks from a gsxr, then try to spoon them on without changing geometry, etc... I'm sure someone on this site has done it though. It's just over my competency/comfort level more than likely.
I can look up the info if you might be interested in that upgrade.
No, I appreciate the offer but I don't want to go to that much trouble. I would just like to have the existing fork setup for my weight and riding style. I am 220 so I'm sure the stock springs are too weak, and I don't think it's ideal to try to compensate for that by jacking the preload way up.
I'm not a racer, just want a controlled but comfortable ride for semi-aggressive street riding. I should probably just be content with what I've got, but it's always fun to try to improve things!
I'm not a racer, just want a controlled but comfortable ride for semi-aggressive street riding. I should probably just be content with what I've got, but it's always fun to try to improve things!
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