XSR900 Quandary

[Fish]

I've had my XSR900 for almost a year and whilst it's a very accomplished bike, the suspension is built for a 60kg person and not me.

 

I had a suspension setup completed last year and whilst it imporoved things, it was almost (within a click or two) of being max'd out.

 

I've emailled the company that completed the setup and they have quoted the best part of £1800 to replace/upgrade the suspension to something that will handle my 95kg.

 

So I'm now thinking do I spend that and upgrade or just replace the bike with something that is designed for shall I say a more european built person. Yes I know it's going to be my choice at the end of the day but I need my head to win this battle over my heart.

[Simon Davey]

How much do you love the bike?

Despite being on the limits, is the suspension working as you'd like it to? 

Is your riding manner making unreasonable demand on the bike?

Is there another bike that you'd really, really like to have?

 

[bonio]

Don't decide until you've called Darren at MCT Suspension. He put new fork springs and a Nitron shock on the Tiger I had, for under a grand, and last year he rebuilt the shock on the MV - new spring, slightly shorter shaft, new valves that actually work - for about £400. He'll know the bike and what to suggest for you.

[Fish]

@Simon Davey, am I love with the bike, nope cant say I am but I'm also not disliking it. It is a good bike with a cracking engine, but the one common complaint about Yam's is the suspension is on the budget side of things.

 

@bonio, I had my suspension setup by HM Racing down in Edenbridge, so I have confidence that they know a thing or two about setups. Sadly MCT is a bit too far away.

 

I think this weekend might end up going out for a test ride or two if I can fit it in.

[Stu]

If you are thinking of replacing it rather than spending £1800 on suspension then you have the answer there! 

 

Get some test rides in and that will probably make your mind up 

[RideWithStyles]

So probably the nearest competitor will be a triumph street or speed triple, which are better set up and have more scope, imho.

the reason being for a higher cost will be because the shock is not rebuildable (well not economically) so a new unit will needed to be sourced, then set up for your specific requirements.
Forks will most likely just need a spring and shim stack change (if rebuild able) if not then a new valve set up to spec, new oil and to level spec.

so it might sound like a lot but id look at it this way, it will be so much better, safer, more cost effective over time.

I don’t get it when people spend £****on an exhaust when it doesn’t do hardly anything better for less of the time, yet whine about suspension which is basic requirement yet fundamentally a extremely important job of keeping you going where you want.