1Likes
-
1
Post By Big Yellow Tractor
|
12 Jan 2015
|
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 112
|
|
optimal suspension travel for dual sport bike?
Hi,
When I look now at more expensive adventure motorcycles all have inverted forks and long suspension travel like e.g 220 mm. I never ridden yet such suspension so my question is this really necessary for off-road? I have no problem riding off-road with my 155 mm suspension travel and don't see much of the problem, sometimes maybe bottomed a little bit but at least when I go back on tarmac I have no problem with fast cornering. What would be optimal suspension travel assuming it's not electronically adjusted?
I'm asking because I have noticed e.g xt660z without abs has much longer suspension travel then with abs, like 220 mm vs 160 mm. Does it mean then the latter is more road oriented and cannot do same things off-road as the other? BTW I found pretty good deal for version with abs hence my question and dilemma if it's worthy. Is that 60 mm difference will be noticeable?
thanks
|
15 Jan 2015
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
|
|
Having more suspension travel enables you to ride the bike faster on rougher pistes with better control, if you happen to jump the bike you have less chance of bottoming the suspension out and will have a much more enjoyable ride on a longer trip with rough pistes. It depends on what you surfaces you wish to ride, if you are doing a more asphalt based trip then the abs model would be OK, but for more gravel pistes I would choose the non ABS version with more suspension travel every time.
To answer your question, 60mm of extra travel WILL make a difference as you increase your speed
It also appears that there are some poorly thought out design issues with the ABS model, including poor battery placement under the tank and the abs is non switchable - which for a "Paris Dakar inspired bike" is not very clever, some more info here:
Yamaha XT 660 Z Tenere with ABS? - ADVrider
|
16 Jan 2015
|
|
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
|
|
Interesting link! I don't know the XT660 Tenere' well as we don't get it in the US. Surprising the travel would be so different from ABS to NON ABS version. Do both bikes use a 21" front wheel? Or 17" ?
As Grif says, if riding mostly pavement ABS model would be OK. For casual off road exploration or just riding mild dirt roads, you won't need 12" of travel.
"Real" dirt bikes have about 12" of suspension travel. (300mm)
And on a dirt bike you WILL use all that travel if riding the bike as intended
off road.
But do you need 12" of suspension travel on a dual sport travel bike? I don't think so.
My DR650 has about 10" of fork travel and I find that is plenty even in rough going at speed and works beautifully at a sporty pace on paved mountain roads as well.
I use heavier springs & Race Tech emulators, all works well on a loaded travel bike on rough conditions at good pace.
I don't slow down for "Topes" (speed humps) and generally never worry about pot holes. I can just hit them most times, suspension sucks it up.
So that is the beauty of having a bit of extra travel to spare.
But a well set up bike could get by with even 6" to 8" of travel and probably would do OK if the suspension was set up for the rider weight/ riding style and load carried. (IE: proper springs, damping)
|
16 Jan 2015
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
|
|
Some "spare" in the suspension isn't a bad idea for when you don't spot the speed bump or pot-hole.
My trips have so far involved riding to somewhere over a few days quite heavily loaded with camping gear. Then trailriding from a fixed base for a while before riding back.
I have my suspension set up so it's a bit too soft when loaded and towards the firm side of "spot on" when in lightweight mode. I can live with it being a bit floppy and wollowy on the road but it needs to be right for the fast and rough stuff.
|
17 Jan 2015
|
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 112
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
I don't slow down for "Topes" (speed humps) and generally never worry about pot holes. I can just hit them most times, suspension sucks it up.
So that is the beauty of having a bit of extra travel to spare.
|
I found using my legs as an suspension add on, when I get up on pegs
and don't have a problem with pot holes as well
On the other hand such long suspension travel must be awful while cornering on pavement, right?
|
18 Jan 2015
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Idaho
Posts: 163
|
|
The problem of a road suspension is that fully loaded there is not much compression travel left, my road bike was advertised at 5 but only measured 4 available from the dust cover to the lower clamp at static sag,did not measure it 2up with bags and gear.
|
18 Jan 2015
|
|
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by robson
I found using my legs as an suspension add on, when I get up on pegs
and don't have a problem with pot holes as well
On the other hand such long suspension travel must be awful while cornering on pavement, right?
|
Riding off road or hitting Topes or Pot Holes, standing up on pegs is normal
riding method. Goes without saying, yea? You just look a bit silly doing it on a street bike!
Thing is, with Topes and pot holes many street bikes will BOTTOM OUT and wham down on Topes, possibly doing damage to undercarriage. On a good dual sport bike you have plenty of ground clearance and enough suspension travel to hit things and not bottom out onto frame or engine case.
Most dual sport bikes are fantastic on paved roads. Great fun. Especially rough, beat up, wet, muddy or bumpy paved roads. The long travel smooths out these sorts of roads, easy to control, better than most street bikes.
Remember, 650 class dual sport bikes are not sport bikes and only top out at maybe 100 mph. If the bike went 160 MPH like my former Ninjas, then the soft dual sport suspension would be an issue if riding on the race track or fast, smooth roads.
The dual sport bike has a BIG advantage on wet roads or when mud is present. Sports or Street bikes running 17" wide tires can wash out ... where a 50/50 dual sport tire has traction, even in heavy rain.
If you're riding smooth, fast roads with many fast sweeper turns then a street or sport bike is the better bike. I'm talking about riding speeds between 70 and 120mph, which I did for years on my sport bikes.
On a dual sport, especially traveling, you're going half those speeds or less. So all very manageable.
|
18 Jan 2015
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by robson
On the other hand such long suspension travel must be awful while cornering on pavement, right?
|
You must mean awfully good fun !
A trail, dirt or dual-sport bike is a complete giggle on twisty tarmac.
The most fun. Full-stop, period, end of sentence.
Edit...........Riding (and braking) hard on tarmac does tend to kill your tyres. This is my front MT21 after 2,500 miles of twisty minor roads loaded with gear, a week of trails then roads home.
Last edited by Big Yellow Tractor; 10 Feb 2015 at 11:34.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|