Suspension upgrade - Ducati.ms

jssport · Jan 8th, 2012, 7:01 pm

So I'm seriously considering servicing / upgrading the suspension on my 03 4s (Showa front / Ohlins rear) and I've seen many recommendations for Rick at Cogent Dynamics Motorsports.

I'm in that designed weight range for the bike, I weigh about 150 with my gear on and carry about 20 lbs of stuff under the seat and in my saddlebags. My spring rate should be right but the front might need replaced due to norrmal wear.

Other than replacing the springs and changing the oil, what other mods should I be inquiring about ?

Re-valving (gold valves) or does Rick replace the shim stacks to his specs, both ?

If your suspension was done here, what did you have done ?

costs ? recommendations ?

**ST3S** · Jan 9th, 2012, 10:18 am

I had both the forks and springs done on my ST3s. Best thing I ever did to that bike. I weigh 210, so I put in heavier springs. Also changed the valving in the forks. I had GP Suspension here in Oregon do the work. I am sure that the other stores listed on this site also do great work.

todcp · Jan 17th, 2012, 8:05 pm

Call Rick at Cogent. He did my ST4S forks. He knows the ST well and has a few options in his bag of tricks. On mine I had Rick custom tune an Ohlins kit for the front forks and new spring for my weight. I sent him my Ohlins rear shock as well and he put a stiffer spring on for me. Transformed the bike to my desired track capable handling. I was more interested in sport than touring and he can tune to your wishes.
Tod

jssport · Jan 18th, 2012, 9:10 am

I've talked to Rick and it seems the 20mm Ohlins kit would be beneficial and is within my price range, my shock will take the ride with it for normal service.

MarkST · Jan 18th, 2012, 11:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jssport

I've talked to Rick and it seems the 20mm Ohlins kit would be beneficial and is within my price range, my shock will take the ride with it for normal service.

How much is this 20mm Ohlins kit jssport ? and how many miles on the bike now ?

jssport · Jan 18th, 2012, 11:34 am

This is from Rick:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>.
We have a lot of experience with the Ducati ST4s as well as the other Ducati ST bikes. With your bike, the best suspension improvement that can be made is to revalve the compression side of the forks. The forks, while having the TiNi coating and adjustability suffer from a fairly low tech damping setup and revalving them is one of the very best improvements you can make to your bike.

Servicing the forks and shock is something we recommend on a 12-20K mile interval (depending on how you are using your bike). We offer a wide range of options for your front fork and will make a recommendation based on your needs. We do have a very good sale on the Ohlins 20mm cartridge upgrade (replaces compression and rebound damping parts in your fork) right now. For the usage you describe, I feel like this Ohlins 20mm cartridge upgrade is likely to be a very good option for you. The cost of having your forks reworked with common wear parts along with installation of the Ohlins kit would run at about $500 right now. Servicing your rear shock will cost $89 + parts with an estimated total cost of $150.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>

I'm right 27,000 miles right now, suspension has never been serviced.

Since I'm right around the design weight for this bike, I wouldn't need a different rear spring, Mark (or anybody else) pm me your email addy and I'll forward you a complete price list attachment that he included.

MarkST · Jan 18th, 2012, 12:39 pm

Thanks for that, pm sent.
Yes I think at 27000 you're probably a trifle overdue a service on the sussies.
It'll be a totally different ride when you get all the parts back on - you're going to have an awesome spring dude

todcp · Jan 21st, 2012, 12:07 pm

JSSport
You will be very pleased. My ST4S handles far more confidently/competently. More lean angle and higher cornering speeds since the suspension is finally correct for my 6'5" 230 pound body. Also a very noticeable reduction in dive when braking. As Rick said the compression damping on the stock bike is poor. Mine is as I asked; far firmer but compliant and more communicative of what the tires are doing. A terrific way to spend 500 to 700 dollars.

Ronin120 · Jan 26th, 2012, 7:37 am

jssport,

I'll echo what the others on this thread have said, it is money well spent. I had that done to my 2000 Showa's after Rick told me that these forks are the same as the ST4S, just minus the TiN coating. I went ahead and purchased the Ohlins rear shock at the same time.

And as per todcp, I have noticed the same effect in performance and feedback.

I’d love to ship my Speed Triple forks off for the same upgrade.

Best,
Dave

jssport · Feb 20th, 2012, 1:04 pm

I got my suspension back from Cogent Dynamics, Rick and Joyce were easy to work with.

I had them upgrade my stock Showa forks with a 20mm Ohlins Superbike internal kit (it appears to replace the compresiion and rebound pistons and shim stacks within the stock cartridge).

Here's a pic of the parts returned for my forks, kinda interesting to me.

These parts do not appear to be listed individually on the exploded diagrams that I have seen for my Showa forks. I' pretty sure they're internal to the cartridge itself.

There were 4 groups sent back me, two for each leg. The allen bolt is hollowed out completely. The two pistons measure out at a 20mm diameter.

We retained the stock springs as I my weight and my normal gear are at 170lbs.