[brewmaster]

Hey what are your (anybodies) thoughts on Gold valves? Are they worth it, do they work better than stock valves? What are the pros and cons. My application is a Showa 43mm cartridge fork, but I am interested in general how they perform.

[legalspeed]

I'll take a guess, having been to a few suspension seminars; the difference between after m. and stock is the AM has bigger holes enabling more fluid to go through. This in turn allows for quicker shock reaction.

It is my opinion that AM valves are more efficient than OEM, that's why they sell so many to racers.

The valving is only part of the equation, you must also consider shim stacks, oil wieght, springs, and adjustments.

[brewmaster]

Yeah, I had BCM also match a set of Race Tech springs and shim them to get the right sag for my bike + me + gear. I would have attempted to do it myself but I didn't have the correct tools and figured "let the knowledgable ones" do it.

This was all prompted by a track day (May Tony's), the forks were bottoming out coming out of the bowl (turn six). Last wednesday I did another track day and found them to be better over the bumps (2,3,10) and didn't bottom out coming out of the bowl. Although I did the sin and adjusted other settings.....so I can't completely say what helped what.

Being relatively new to adjusting my suspension it has been educational to how things affect the bike. Of course there is MUCH more to learn! But boy is it fun learning.

It seems to me that most people should spend more money and time on learning and improving their suspension.. It will actually improve the bikes/riders ability to go faster(at least around corners) than more HP. I have very little HP and do OK out there for most purposes. Why isn't this brought up more?

Well that's enough for now.

Cheers

[legalspeed]

Originally posted by brewmaster

It seems to me that most people should spend more money and time on learning and improving their suspension.. It will actually improve the bikes/riders ability to go faster(at least around corners) than more HP. I have very little HP and do OK out there for most purposes. Why isn't this brought up more?

SHHHHhhhhh!!!

If you stand on your pegs through the transitions, you'll be doing yourself a HUGE favor. Weight on your seat is like a lever lifting your bike's front end, weight on your pegs; the bike dosen't even know you're there.

Did you put a zip tie on your forks to check travel?

[trackdog]

It seems to me that most people should spend more money and time on learning and improving their suspension.. It will actually improve the bikes/riders ability to go faster(at least around corners) than more HP

Best way to go I think...........

[Paul_E_D]

Well, I think the reason people don't do this is that unless you are timing your laps, the results are hard to quantify. It may feel better, but not make you any faster.

That means on the street, they are impossible to quantify. Motor hop ups are more gratifying to the average rider. At least the bike goes faster in a straight line.

On the other hand, lots of guys just throw money at their bikes suspension for no reason. Stock stuff these days is good enough for most riders in most situations.

For a trackday enthusiast, I'd say it's a worthwhile investment of time and money in most cases.

[brewmaster]

I agree with you on all the above Paul. I have not really noticed any change in the suspension on the street. I did however see a difference at the track. Mostly in feel, which made it easier for me to build my confidence in a few bumpy turns. Overall I'm glad I did it to the forks. Now if I can just learn how to use it better!

Next try Oct. 14th @ Tony's.

[gmdboston]

I don't agree... While some stock suspension is OK, most of the stock stuff is under sprung and under damped. This results in a wollowing yet harsh over bumps ride. By revlaving and respringing these problems can be fixed. Speed is not the goal on the street, but comfort and control are. You may not go faster but I guaranty you will be more comfotable and be able to ride longer. You never know how good your suspension can be until you try some thing better.