Bonneville EFI 2011 Speeding up steering
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I have a 2014 mag-wheel Bonnie and putting OEM Scrambler shocks on the rear made a world of difference both in handling and ride comfort. Going to a 150/70-17 tire on the rear and 120/70-17 on the front also improved handling, comfort and road holding. Tbh, I don't know why the bike doesn't come like this stock.
I have a 2011 Speedmaster and it was a pig turning. I raised the forks 1” and it went from a pig to a “acceptable” turning bike.
Same results, though it costs more, is achievable by getting longer rear shocks. I would raise my forks, ride it for a few thousand miles and then, if you like the results, drop the forks back and get appropriate longer rear shocks.
Same results, though it costs more, is achievable by getting longer rear shocks. I would raise my forks, ride it for a few thousand miles and then, if you like the results, drop the forks back and get appropriate longer rear shocks.
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This is something we did all the time racing dirt bikes in the desert. Make small adjustments and then test it out. Also, remember that when you drop the forks, you gain better "turn in", but you lose high end stability on the other end. It's all a trade off -- do you want better turn in or high speed stability? That's why you want to make small adjustments and then test it. On my KX250, I dropped the front forks quite a bit to get it to turn better, but I also had a steering damper to help address the high speed stability issue.
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yep... and it works fine... I've had mine set up that way for years... 3/8 of an inch or 10mm is fine... 1/2 of an inch or 15mm is about the max you want to go...
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Dropping the forks will do the exact opposite of what you want and slow the steering.
If you want quicker steering raise the forks a little so the front of the bike is lower.
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I think we're (the OP, you and me) saying the same thing in different ways... raising the tubes in the triple trees... or "dropping the trees or yokes" down the tubes... kind of the same difference...
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Hey Tornado, I'm not aiming my response directly at you... but I'm using your post to address the various "cause and affects" of the two main ways to alter the rake and trail of the Bonnie's standard set up... lowering the front or raising the rear... or if you really want to get snappy... doing both...
If a person likes the seat height and feeling of the "center of gravity" of the stock settings, the best and easiest way to "quicken" the steering is to raise the fork tubes between 10mm & 15mm in the yokes... this will slightly decrease the rake and trail.. but it does it enough to aid or "quicken" the turn in... This will not affect seat height, the "center of gravity" feel or any suspension function or feedback... it's easy peasy... works great, costs nothing and can be returned to the stock set up in a matter of minutes if you want... and no... within the context of a 10mm to 15mm move, it does not negatively affect the high speed stability... Lots of folks have done it this way for years... myself included...
Raising the rear... this can be done via longer shocks and/or larger than stock diameter tires... 140/80/17's for example... work great on the Bonnie and will raise rear by about 1/3 of an inch due to their larger diameter (26.5" vs 25.75")... Going to the Thruxton or Scrambler length shocks nets you around a 1" rise... These alter the stock set up by raising seat height and the center of gravity of the Bonnie... some... not a lot... but it does affect it.... If you have a long inseam, these can be a good change... for others... ???? To me, the downside of raising the rear to affect the rake and trail and quicken the steering a bit, is in the case of longer shocks is: the cost and the altering of the seat height and the "ass in the air" look it adds to... and of course altering the C of G... Going to a larger diameter tire is purely down to buying a different size of a disposable/wear item... though going to a larger diameter tire does affect the final drive ratio a bit... going with the 140/80/17 has the effect a bit like adding a tooth to the front sprocket...
As the old saying goes... "there's more than one way to skin a cat".... for me... and this is just me... if you want to "quicken" the steering a bit... it make so much more sense to simply move the fork tubes up in the yokes a bit...
Just my 2 cents worth...
Thruxton 1200 R , 900 , KTM Duke 390 , Honda NSR 125 , SWM 124
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How much do you want to spend ? My 2010 Thruxton I purchased new wheels , Talon hubs , rims of choice were supermoto fitment 17" front and rear running 120/70 front 150/60 rear . Had to mount a 17" specific front mudguard "under" the stock fork brace .
Thanks Gentlemen for your helpful comment. Raising the rear with longer shocks will not help as I have very short leg's, they only just reach the ground. The tyre size options I will do at tyre change, thanks for that. I knew there would be a thread on this subject but was looking specifically for UK replies, as some of the kit that may be quoted may not be available. Also the language used ie names are not always obvious as to what is being meant. Sorry if that sounds like an insult, it's not. Your use of English was changed by one of your president's, so the old saying is true "Two people divided by a common language". So, where am I now. The tyre change is as and when but the forks are being dropped this week now the snow and ice have gone. I am off to deepest Germany in June so hope to have the bike handling better. I will also be doing the TEC mod but I am putting that off for a week or two because the UK carriers who deliver are in a real mess at the moment. The mad thing is TEC are only 1 mile from me but they will not let me collect at the door, so I have to pay a carrier! I will also be replacing my 22Litre panniers but I am struggling to find slightly larger ones that do not foul the rear suspension springs. That's me done for now. Again many thanks Gentlemen for your sound advice.
On my Thrux. the suspension needed some "help" to improve overall rideability. Nice new set of Pirelli GTs plus Hagons +5mm on the rear and Ricor Intiminators on the front forks and it's a different ride. Now very responsive. I also reduced the height of the forks in the yoke by a couple of mm.
I think you will be very pleased in achieving your objective with this or similar approach.
I think you will be very pleased in achieving your objective with this or similar approach.
Thanks Guys. I have got the answers I need, which includes yours, so thanks. Ricors sound good but I have ordered TEC emulators as they are 1/2 price compared with Ricors. The weather her is not yet conducive to ride testing the bike as the roads are still covered in leaves from Autumn and grit because of ice. I shall leave it until March. My grateful thanks.
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