YBR front forks

[Boro Jake]

Ride seems to be very rough, bikes 09 plate and i've done 11,000 miles on it.

Apart from buying new forks is there anything else i can do?

i think i may need new ones

[Susieque]

Maybe a little more info would be good - like in what way does it feel rough?

Could be other things, enough air in the tyres? Oil in the forks? Fork seals ok?

[Hoody]

If there is no oil ring around the fork leg, then the seal is OK.

The thing likely to give a 'rough' ride is head bearings. Check the head for free play. I slight nip (don't overtighten) may work, otherwise they may need changing.

[Boro Jake]

Yes there is an oil ring on the forks

[Hoody]

If you're not mechanically competent, get a dealer to replace them both, even if only one's leaking.

Whilst doing it get them to change the fork oil and check the head bearings.

[Boro Jake]

Its not as easy as 'replace both' there £250 each. The bikes only a young bike and it's been well looked after.

i'll give it a go at changing the oil.

and Tbh the mark around the fork is more of a muck mark not oil

[Ingah]

Check things like your tyre pressures, chain adjustment, wheel bearings, and that the front forks and rear suspension go up and down smoothly. Check those head bearings too. You should be giving the bike a thorough check before you try to improve/replace things.

Forks check:

Get on the bike, apply front brake hard, and then push the bars forwards a few times, hard (they'll sink down into the forks). Are they going down and coming back up smoothly (good), or notchy (bad, probably MOT fail)?

Head bearings check:

Pop the bike on centre stand.

Get someone to put their weight down on the back, which will lift the front wheel slightly off the ground. Ensure that they keep their weight on it, otherwise it'll be very difficult to feel any play!

Turn the wheel from side to side slowly (do it a few times to be sure) - if your head bearings are done then then you'll feel a small notch in the middle (most travelled bit) - almost like it's slipping into a comfty spot (in actuality it's a groove worn into place by constant rubbing). It could also feel notchy on the turn. If either of these are the case, they need attention (and are probably MOT fail)

Obviously ideal/good is when it moves smoothly through the entire travel.

As for improving ride quality of a bike: Progressive front fork springs will help, as will many aftermarket rear shocks.