Suspension Question

Well, I have been reading about the different suspension threads all night and can't seem to find any manufacturers that manufacture heavier springs for the forks and rear shock. Or am I missing something?

I know about the Ohlins TTX rear which will most likely be my next option if I can't revalve/respring the stock unit. I have already contacted GP Suspension (they're front fork cartridges are great on my track bike) and Race Tech about front cartridge options. Traxxion already said they have nothing I weigh anywhere from 250-290lbs during the year depending on the season. No I'm not fat and don't want to loose this kind of weight Any insight would be appreciated.

Most KTM's are setup for the average European of 75 to 85 kg. You are way over that and need to find a solution to sort the springs and sag out.
Someone had heavier springs for sale in the parts for sale section, that could be a start.

I'm assuming this is for a 1290 - ?

There shouldn't be a need to re-cartridge the forks or to replace the shock. Both are fine quality on the 1290. For your weight, re-valving and re-springing will be needed.

At this point, RaceTech should be able to help you with all your needs. They are now - and advertising as such - a "WP Authorized Center". http://racetech.com/Newsfeed/2014/03/20 ... zed-Center

Really want a custom shock (perhaps one with adjustable ride height - which Ohlins doesn't seem to offer for the 1290 at this time) - RaceTech should be able to provide this too. You could probably get Penske (via Traxxion) to build you a shock, but it might be a PITA and take a while. Traxxion doesn't generally service WP, but they are usually willing to put their AK-20 cartridges into just about anything - this will be spendy however ...

Given that RaceTech and KTM NA HQ are practically neighbors, they should be able to arrange to get their hands on a 1290 to sort this out on. In other words, you would send them your shock and forks. What it will take is one persistent customer to get it done right - you could be the one (Neo).

Your just to smart for me. I did talk to North American ohlins. That how I found out about them designing a new shock for the 1290r. He gave me the part number before they started preduction. I asked those questions. He's the one that told me that they build there stuff for everyone. Now that's not to say they don't have Rossie test new stuff. But it all make it to the paying customer. Get it paying customer. That's how most business stay in business by selling there latest Technology to paying customer. Your probably one of those people that believed in the 200 mpg carburetor being shelved by the greeting oil company. Lol. Your too funny.

SDnerd,

I hope your not taking my jokes to seriously. But seriously Ohlins is good stuf for the money. Stock stuff is just that, stock. You can make it a little better but it will never be as good as WP's racing suspension or ohlins. That btw you can also buy. And if your into dirtbike riding, WP is selling Ken Roczen lastest raced suspension before they went to the air suspension. Just saying it all make it to the paying customer. Oh sorry about the Harley commit. Just thought It might of been you I passed when I was aggressive sport riding.

Your right I have forgotten what this thread was originally about. But I was trying to help.

Sorry to learn that the shop probably won't work for you, but what you've experienced is a common reality in service providers today: Rare it's become that people return calls as promised. Everyone thinks they're a "rockstar", and are far too important in their minds to be bothered. Not that people can read these days, did you flame the guy on forums or Yelp?

To top it off people don't seem to have the stones anymore when service is poor or unacceptable ... So the terminally clueless service provider never seems to understand why business disappeared when closing shop.

You shouldn't have to have to have a "custom spring made" for the shock. There are street motorcycle shock spring rates available on the shelf, in 6" or 7" lengths up to 2200 Lbs./in. (39.4 kg/mm) and 1600 Lbs./in. (28.6 kg/mm) respectively. Even at 290 Lbs. rider weight, you won't need as much as 28.6 kg/mm.

Front springs may have to be custom wound, but they aren't that difficult to come by: 1.2 kg/mm are fairly readily available for many applications, and I don't think you'll need that much for street use.

I don't think springs alone will get you sorted either - and this is where the pros will be able to really get your bike setup for you. It's worth a call in to RaceTech, to ask if there aren't other RT Centers that can assist you. Maybe share with them your experience with the vendor In Naperville - and point out that he is advertising as a vendor of theirs.

My point re. Ohlins is that you can go wrong with them ... They are hardly perfect. They, like everyone else, don't always get things quite right the first time. In other words, being an "early adopter" for a new-and-low-volume motorcycle (like the 1290) may not be as rewarding as their price tags imply.

Sorry guy I do have bad grammar. I will shut up and go away. Tough crowd here.