Rough ride?

[Big G]

2000 standard with 15k new to the bike but it seems like I can feel every little bump especially in the front. had 2000 venture with 18k  rode a lot better and 88 goldwing 68k also rode better, no leaks in forks, seem fine avon tires which I love the handling on ANY IDEAS???

[Jess from VA]

Do you happen to know (or can you find out) if the prior owner had installed Progressive Suspension fork springs? 

The springs are fine, but a decent percentage of dealer installs overfill the fork oil or use too heavy an oil.

Either way, if you pull an ounce of oil out of each fork (tricky) it will ride smoother.... probably.

[alph]

Do you happen to know (or can you find out) if the prior owner had installed Progressive Suspension fork springs? 

The springs are fine, but a decent percentage of dealer installs overfill the fork oil or use too heavy an oil.

Either way, if you pull an ounce of oil out of each fork (tricky) it will ride smoother.... probably.

ditto, what he says......

[Big G]

Okay lets say he DID NOT put progressive shocks in, what else could it be there's no way for me to find out I bought it from the 2nd owner and he had it for a couple years only put a few hundred miles on it and basically told me what was done to it basic oil change and maintenance  it 's completely stock not even 1 extra piece of chrome which leads me to beleive nothing was ever done to it.

[sandy]

Check the setting on your rear shocks and look to see if the shock bushings are worn out or not. They need to be replaced about every 12-15K miles.

[Cruzen]

2000 standard with 15k new to the bike but it seems like I can feel every little bump especially in the front. had 2000 venture with 18k  rode a lot better and 88 goldwing 68k also rode better, no leaks in forks, seem fine avon tires which I love the handling on ANY IDEAS???

I would check the manufacture date on the tires.  They might be old.  More than 5 years is old for a motorcycle tire.  If they are worn they will also ride harsh.  Run the air down to around 28psi and take it for a short ride and see if that doesn't improve the ride a bit.  If so you need a new front tire.

[ValkFlyer]

15K and Avons tells me it's possible the front tire may have been changed not to many miles ago.  Sometimes during a tire change, if not tightened correctly the fork sliders pinch the axle and it doesn't center properly.  The result can be a stiffer ride.  

Consider trying this:

  Loosen your pinch bolts on both forks at the axle.  
  Loosen your axel bolt, (no need to remove it or the axle).
  Role the bike forward and apply the front brake so to get compression from the forks.
  Tighten the left axle pinch bolts to 16ft.lbs.
  Tighten the right axle bolt to 66ft.lbs. (Do not tighten right axle pinch bolts yet).
  Now for a second time, role the bike forward and apply the front brake so as to get good compression from the forks.  Try
  this a number of times to ensure the axle becomes centered within the fork sliders properly.
  Tighten the right axel pinch bolts to 16ft.lbs.
  Go for a ride.

[bogator]

 BIG G  where are you ----maybe someone can help with your problem? something is wrong with that ride, it should be smooth ---

[MacDragon]

You said there were only a couple hundred miles put on her in the course of a couple years... which means it sat for quite a while.  I might think the tires have a flat spot too if it wasn't moved around frequently.  They may look good, but that doesn't mean much.

[blackvalk]

Mine rides very rough also. It slams at the slightest road imperfection.

Daryl at XF6 suggested  installing the progressive springs w/10 weight oil. What I experience two days ago was it was very cold and the thicker oil in the front shocks made the ride much smoother. So I think new springs and oil may be the trick.

What I was told by a suspension company was that my springs are weak and I am using the last part of the spring and I'm bottoming out. They suggest new springs and valving. The cold weather and thicker oil makes me thing both solutions will help me a lot.

The progressive springs will be much cheaper but I want to make sure whatever I invest in my bike, it fixes the harsh ride. The difference in price between both options is more than $300.00

This will be my ride for many more years so the money isn't always the determining factor.

What say ye?

[PAVALKER]

Mine rides very rough also. It slams at the slightest road imperfection.

Daryl at XF6 suggested  installing the progressive springs w/10 weight oil. What I experience two days ago was it was very cold and the thicker oil in the front shocks made the ride much smoother. So I think new springs and oil may be the trick.

What I was told by a suspension company was that my springs are weak and I am using the last part of the spring and I'm bottoming out. They suggest new springs and valving. The cold weather and thicker oil makes me thing both solutions will help me a lot.

The progressive springs will be much cheaper but I want to make sure whatever I invest in my bike, it fixes the harsh ride. The difference in price between both options is more than $300.00

This will be my ride for many more years so the money isn't always the determining factor.

What say ye?

I would agree that new Progressive springs and 10wt oil should take care of it for you.   You might also want to consider new fork seals, sliders, and bushings and get the front end done with while you are getting it done.  If the seals have not been replaced... this would be a good time to do so.  And do check your tires and tire pressures as well.

[blackvalk]

Thanks PA! I've always gotten good advice from Daryl so it's good to hear it from you as well.
My bike ran so much better with the cold weather that made the existing oil thicker. It really smoothed the banging out.

I think I will try the Progressives and ten weight. My springs are probably shot and I will change the seals as well

Bill

[Stanley Steamer]

I have the Progressive front springs that were put in at a Honda Hoot a few years ago and when a fork seal started leaking and a friend helped me replace them, I MISTAKENLY put the 10wt oil back in them....WAYYYYYY too soft.....I was very unhappy because I liked the stiffer spring....especially for hard stops.......we took them back off a week later and added a 15wt oil that PROGRESSIVE'S website recommended.....it was back to "normal".......