Soggy suspension

[bonio]

This one's an odd one. In Germany last month, the weather was roasting, and the rear shock went soft. Really soft, like I needed to have enough clicks in for a pillion just to make it rideable with me alone. Now back in Blighty, and the weather's become cool, I've had to unclick back to normal settings. This should be a warranty job, but the warranty runs out in February and I have until then to to persuade KTM that the suspension really is gone. Not expecting too much hot weather before then.

 

Anyway, I wonder if the oil's becoming runny in the heat and not doing it's job properly? But I've never heard of this happening before... I've had shocks go before on me, but never be soft in the heat and firm in the cold. Anyone come across this?

 

 

  

[megaross]

Could be overheating I suppose. Talk to the stealer, tell them your shock keeps going floppy and could they have a look under warranty, give it the blue pill treatment.

[husoi]

A matter for a different suspension oil?

I'm thinking in line with engine oil where you will use different grades depending on temperature.

Or, there is something wrong with suspension.

I would "forget" to mention the heat factor and just say the suspension went soggy during the trip.

Continued use would have "tired" the oil.

[RideWithStyles]

Whoa whoa...nothing that drastic is required.

Simples the shock oil is coming to the end of its useable state!
So now it old when its cold it will be slightly firmer at first than normal (new oil and gas) but when it gets just the slightest warmer it will stay thinner or go even thinner when heated up but not proportionately the same as to when its new.

Hence why when you got it to a hot temperature you noticed it more than if you was in bligty and hand to slow it down and turn the damping up.

 

if i explain the range in numbers to get you to see. If new its 3 movement when cold and 6 movement in hot, when the oil and gas is old it can be -1 cold movement and 11 hot movement and the oil molecules and the additives have been broken up.

 

factory oils are cheaper and will degrade quicker than aftermarket oils even from the same supply of manufactures like motul rock oil etc.

 

if the shock have a small canister mounted to the shock directly or with a hose most which will be serviceable.

just a simple removal, clean, reoil and gas. Pop back in.you can get the dealer to do it or Find a suspension specialist near you or send it out.

 

if its an old bike without the can it might not be serviceable so either buy a used one or a aftermarket one...

 

also to note if your shocks oil has gone off then the forks oil will definitely be worn out now if it hasn't already been changed recently.

 

quality shock are more sensitive to changes because of the design and as they have more adjustment naturally. so the the window of needing adjustment as it ages will be more often than if it was a stock shock with 4 or 8 clicks of adjustment compared to a shock of 20+.

Edited October 5, 2023 by RideWithStyles