First ride of the year; suspension upgrade report

[stryder]

For anybody who is interested:

Well, the weather was sooo nice this weekend, I could no longer put my responsibilities ahead of my passion, put them on the back burner for a while and buttoned up my ST3 from winter storage and headed out for my first ride of the season, with my new suspension bits.

First off, the bike started right up with *no* issues as was the case last season. I attribute this to both, proper storage, and good machinery. I take the ecu and instrument pod and battery out of the bike and store them in a warm, dry place and would like to feel this helps avoid the freezing-cool-dry-damp cycles of the season and the effects they may have on the electronics. I trickle charge battery about once every three weeks for 4 hours.

In any case, I have to say the suspension upgrades are well worth the time and effort, as this was my first ride in 5 months, and without thinking about it or trying, I was 5-10% faster through familiar corners/sweepers, so the bits seem to be doing their job by provided good feed back, and improved tracking even though I still have a long way to go before it's all dialed-in.

To recap the mods: Gold Valve compression dampers tuned to weight/riding style as per Race Tech site; Race Tech .95 frt springs, Penske 8981 shock.

I can't say enough about the improvement in the shock, especially when it comes to adjustability of pre-load and dampening which are an absolute breeze in comparison to the Sachs. Ride height is only to a max of 12mms/.457"s, and can easily be done by r/r'ing the right side rider's peg first, a 2 minute job. The remote compression damper fits nicely into the side panel, and like the rebound damper requires no tools to adjust. The red spring is more a maroon and doesn't match the Ducati red, but still looks good IMO.

The Gold Valve install went smoothly and I used my home grown spring compression method rather than purchasing any compression tool which needs a third hand as well. I did however break-down and purchased an inch-pounds torque wrench, something I should have anyway I guess. The results are a pliant without being soft front end, and reduced dive under braking: exactly what I was looking for. I used 5w Bellray(sp?) fluid.

I purchased all the equipment through NCRick and Cogent Dynamics, who was a great support throughout and therefore earns high recommendations for those likewise interested in suspension upgrades.

Here's to a safe and thrilling riding season for all.

[butch]

It's hard to believe how much better the ST suspension can be. Rick did my forks and I bought an Ohlins (from him) for the rear and it has changed the entire bike.
Every new (to me) bike that I look at I consider money to re-work the suspension. This is always the first upgrade that I suggest to people.

Sounds like you had a good first ride of 2007.

[milznmilz]

Good for you Frank! I'm looking forward to writing up my trip down to Asheville in 2 weeks, where Rick and Meyers Ducati will be doing a full suspension upgrade (Penske Superbike kit w/ 95 kg springs on the front end, Penske 8987 shock on rear).

Could you post some picks of your installation of the remote compression damper on your 8981? I admit I'm living vicariously for now, but I always like to see how people approach their installs.

Best to you,

Thad

[stryder]

Originally Posted by milznmilz

Good for you Frank! I'm looking forward to writing up my trip down to Asheville in 2 weeks, where Rick and Meyers Ducati will be doing a full suspension upgrade (Penske Superbike kit w/ 95 kg springs on the front end, Penske 8987 shock on rear).

Could you post some picks of your installation of the remote compression damper on your 8981? I admit I'm living vicariously for now, but I always like to see how people approach their installs.

Best to you,

Thad

I'd love to post a pic Thad, but it may take a while as no digital camera yet. I can say it lays almost flat/horizontal, with the damper adjustment knob facing forward and on a slight downwards angle, the knob sits against a "butt" plate on the frame tube and will not slide down, which allows for a nice direct route for the line from damper to shock, and once snugged up against the top frame rail, I used a nylon tie down strap to save room and allow some movement to turn the knob, leaves what appear to be about 90-95% of the storage capacity available for other stuff. Being nitrogen charged, I'm assuming how it sits makes no diff to oil flow. Sounds like you'll be having a great time in 2 weeks. I'll try and post some pics by then.

[stryder]

Originally Posted by butch

It's hard to believe how much better the ST suspension can be. Rick did my forks and I bought an Ohlins (from him) for the rear and it has changed the entire bike.
Every new (to me) bike that I look at I consider money to re-work the suspension. This is always the first upgrade that I suggest to people.

Sounds like you had a good first ride of 2007.

Yes, I think it would be easy to say it's 100% better, but realistically I think 30-040% is more like it, which is significant in itself, and I may change my mind once I get it dialled in and start riding a little more.

Yes, I had a great first ride after 5 months off. I have to say, I was much better than I thought I'd be, hitting all my shifting and braking points with no drama, and certainly much better than last year, my first time spring ride after 5 months off with my Ducati. I hope the rest of the season goes as well. :-)

[mollycbr123]

Originally Posted by milznmilz

Good for you Frank! I'm looking forward to writing up my trip down to Asheville in 2 weeks, where Rick and Meyers Ducati will be doing a full suspension upgrade (Penske Superbike kit w/ 95 kg springs on the front end, Penske 8987 shock on rear).

Thad

I live in Fayetteville, NC, about 5 hrs from Asheville, and am considering taking my new ST3 there for service. Pretty good folks?

Thanks

STeve B in NC

[Desmo_Demon]

Originally Posted by stryder

buttoned up my ST3 from winter storage and headed out for my first ride of the season

I feel so sorry for you......so much that.....I won't tell you how many miles I've racked up already this year. Glad to hear you enjoyed getting out.....and were finally able to. I don't know which insane asylum I'd wind up in if I wasn't able to ride for five months!

Originally Posted by mollycbr123

Pretty good folks?

VERY nice folks, and eventhough I perform my own maintenance and repairs on my bikes, I believe Myers will be the first ones I go to if there is something I don't feel like messing with.

[stryder]

Originally Posted by Desmo_Demon

I feel so sorry for you......so much that.....I won't tell you how many miles I've racked up already this year. Glad to hear you enjoyed getting out.....and were finally able to. I don't know which insane asylum I'd wind up in if I wasn't able to ride for five months!

Seriously, I may at some future point move to a more temperate zone like North Carolina or BC *just* so I can ride all year, and for the spectacular roads. It really sucks to ride only 7 months a year as I don't ride in freezing temps any more.

Lucky you. (bastard!!)

[elmandarino]

Is anybody out there happy with the suspension on the ST3 (as opposed to the ST3s)? I am not a particularly fast rider but my forks feel really weird when I brake. There is a juddering and this makes the whole bike feel a little unstable giving me zero confidence when going round the bends. Am replacing the tyres tomorrow (they need replacing anyway) but am not at all confident that will be the end of my problems. However, having just bought the bike investing huge sums on new suspension (when I thought all Dukes handled like a dream) does seem a little disappointing.

Anyway, I have no idea who would do this sort of work in the UK. Could stiffer springs and thicker fork oil make any difference or is that just a bodge?

[milznmilz]

Originally Posted by elmandarino

Is anybody out there happy with the suspension on the ST3 (as opposed to the ST3s)? I am not a particularly fast rider but my forks feel really weird when I brake. There is a juddering and this makes the whole bike feel a little unstable giving me zero confidence when going round the bends. Am replacing the tyres tomorrow (they need replacing anyway) but am not at all confident that will be the end of my problems. However, having just bought the bike investing huge sums on new suspension (when I thought all Dukes handled like a dream) does seem a little disappointing.

Anyway, I have no idea who would do this sort of work in the UK. Could stiffer springs and thicker fork oil make any difference or is that just a bodge?

The stock suspension on an ST3 is on the plush side, but should be rock solid braking in a straight line (I'm assuming you're not trying to brake and turn at the same time...big no-no) As you test the limits of the stock suspension and/or increase your riding skills, it's natural to want to customize it to meet your needs. The 'juddering' you mention sounds more like an improperly aligned front wheel or a warped rotor (unlikely)--I'd pull the front wheel and re-mount it properly. If you do a search you'll find plenty of references to proper mounting technique.

Best bang for the buck fork upgrade that I know of for your bike is simply installing Racetech Goldvalves and going with a heavier oil (NC Rick uses Rock oil, but there are several alternatives). Stiffer springs would only be an advantage if you're over 200 lbs. or expect to ride aggressively most of the time.

Bottom line, your suspension should GIVE you confidence, not rob you of it. Something's not right, and it's probably a small adjustment. Good luck.