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Author Topic: Best front suspension  (Read 3848 times)

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heath28

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Best front suspension
« on: June 22, 2015, 08:44:47 PM »

What is the best front suspension upgrade for my 09 serg? Mine front end is starting to feel a little sloppy on occasion....

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VaEagle

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2015, 08:49:33 PM »

That kind of depends on your budget and riding style.
You might find this thread interesting.....

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=76154.0
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Para Bellum

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2015, 02:42:24 AM »

Heath,

How do you use the bike?
  Short distance hot rod, so you want maximum control and don't need comfort?
  Medium distance cruiser, so you need some comfort with good stability?
  Long distance tourer, so good comfort and a controlled ride?

What's your budget?

This will help with recommendations for suspension choices, such as lowering/raising, price no object, etc.
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heath28

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2015, 09:40:13 PM »

I would probably fall into the med distance category. I would also like to lower an inch if possible.

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Para Bellum

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2015, 02:45:30 AM »

Here are some starting points.  You'll need to research to determine which will work for you.  Search function on here will get ride reports and names of other choices.

Low price and some improvement:
Progressive Suspension front lowering kit

Moderately priced and moderate improvement:
Progressive Suspension monotubes or Harley front fork cartridges
Ricor emulators

High priced and big improvement:
Traxxion Dynamics AK-20
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FlaHeatWave

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2015, 12:04:47 PM »

"The Ball & Chain" and I are very happy with the HD Premium Cartridges & Shocks on the '09 SERG.

We have > 26k miles on the HD Premium stuff, no degradation in ride quality / handling.  :2vrolijk_21: :2vrolijk_21:
« Last Edit: June 24, 2015, 12:08:28 PM by FlaHeatWave »
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kiro

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2015, 01:10:02 PM »

I believe the decision on what you modify to and how much you spend can depend somewhat if you plan to keep the bike multiple years or not. I didn't have any issue spending the money on the Ak-20 set up at the time because I had no plans to trade my bike. Any of the systems noted in this thread will most likely please you in the end result. Olin also has a new set-up that is supposed to be superb but is at the top of the expense list.
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Para Bellum

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2015, 01:08:49 PM »

Another consideration:  IIRC, '09 SERG was lowered in rear stock from factory (some people raised them to improve ride and reduce scraping).  If you lower the bike, you will have a much harsher ride and less travel in the shocks to absorb bumps; also reduces the amount of lean available for cornering.  It will be more likely to scrape on speed bumps, and the kickstand might be too long to lean the bike over enough when parked (at least that one can be fixed).

Ask all of us who have lowered a bike front and rear how we know.
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b407driver

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2015, 02:27:30 PM »

I've got the Ohlins cartridges in my CVO Ultra ($$$) and Progressive Monotubes (way less $) in my Goldwing. While both are a vast improvement over the stock items, I feel that the Ohlins are somewhat better......you would have to determine weather it's worth a $650 premium over the Progressives. The Progressives come with only one spring rate, while the Ohlins come with a spring matched for your weight. On the CVO, I also have Ohlins rear shocks and they are a huge improvement over stock once properly set up for sag and preload. On the Wing, I kept the stock shock, but changed to a heavier spring. Another alternative would be to go with Racetech springs and Gold Valves.
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Road Dad

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2015, 02:57:56 PM »

Öhlin's all day for me. Nothing better. But that is of course if you need that level of suspension. Some of the cheaper stuff works fine to. It all depends on how you ride
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sadunbar

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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2015, 04:34:08 PM »


I'm very happy with my Traxxion AK 20 front fork cartridges...  When I had them built and installed, I had them lowered about a half inch...  I consider the Traxxion's one of the best modifications I've made to my bike...    :2vrolijk_21:
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Re: Best front suspension
« Reply #11 on: June 27, 2015, 05:04:14 PM »

I've got the Ohlins cartridges in my CVO Ultra ($$$) and Progressive Monotubes (way less $) in my Goldwing. While both are a vast improvement over the stock items, I feel that the Ohlins are somewhat better......you would have to determine weather it's worth a $650 premium over the Progressives. The Progressives come with only one spring rate, while the Ohlins come with a spring matched for your weight. On the CVO, I also have Ohlins rear shocks and they are a huge improvement over stock once properly set up for sag and preload. On the Wing, I kept the stock shock, but changed to a heavier spring. Another alternative would be to go with Racetech springs and Gold Valves.
Plus one on anything from Racetech and Ohlins.
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