Ohlin's Fork Springs

[TX slide king]

Looking for an experienced opinion...

Picked up a set of Ohlin's Fork Springs 1.0 rate, these to go along with a new rear shock for my "05". My suspension guy thinks these will be too stiff and recommends 9.5 rate. I'm 200lbs.

Any thoughts?

 

[radman]

Yes. You have too much money.

 

[TX slide king]

OUCH RADMAN....that hurt.

I works very hard for the money.

 

[radman]

Don't we all. However, I don't think many here have Ohlins on the Feej, more familiar with less expensive brands. Also, seems something wrong with those rate numbers. A 9.5 is less stiff than a 1.0? Must be something Skandahoovian.

 

[TX slide king]

Hey I was/are just as confused. Maybe to save stamp space on the top of the spring a 1.0 is actually a 10.0 dunno!

I just ride the d*#m thing.

 

[yamaholic]

I've been using them for a couple of years now on my '03. I also weigh about 200.

To keep it short, no they are not too stiff. They work quite well, thank you--once you get every thing adjusted correctly for your riding style.

I prefer straight rate springs, so this was a no-brainer for me.

You probably won't get a lot of replies as most folks gravitated towards the WIlbur springs during the group buys.

 

[Randy]

There's not a huge difference between a .95 and 1.0. Using the Race Tech page, at 200 pounds (rider weight without gear), they recommend a .955 rate. At 230 pounds, they recommend a 1.0 rate. Assuming from your name that you're in Texas, if have the benefit of riding on smooth Texas roads, I think you would be better off with the 1.0. If the roads are a bit harsh and you're constantly dealing with bumpy roads (like we have in the northeast), a lighter rate spring would be more beneficial.

It also depends on how you ride. If you're a bit more agressive, the stiffer rate spring might also help.

With street bikes, it's tough. You're looking for a one-shot solution to cover comfortable rides down superslabs when the bike is fully loaded with luggage and also cover aggressive rides in the twisties carrying a minimal load.

 

[TX slide king]

Thanks for the input Gentlemen! I'm sticking with the stiiffer ones.

RIDE ON !!

 

[yamaholic]

Keep in mind by the time you add your gear and farkles, the 1.0 spring may actually be the correct fitment for your weight. I ride various styles---cruisin', high speed highway, and squidly on the twisties. Seems composed in all situations. So you can have your cake and eat it too.

BTW, I also have a Wilburs shock and two play very well together! What I like about he straight rate spring is much less brake dive (thus more rear wheel traction and less chance of washing out) since the initial spring stroke is the same as towards the end, verus progressive which is much lighter on the initial portion of the stroke.

 

[radman]

When I ordered up my Wilbers on the latest buy, I recalled many wishing they had gotten a litlle more spring than they did. I kept this in mind as I filled out the order form, and leaned toward the heavy side on all my responses. Not radically, mind you, but a comfortable margin that was probably more realistic than my original response might have been. I mean, I have yet to see a downward trend on anything associated with me over the last 25 years........

 

[MCRIDER007]

I mean, I have yet to see a downward trend on anything associated with me over the last 25 years.....

You may see a downward trend in the firmness of your shock and fork springs as the miles pile up. They usually break-in a bit when new and gradually get softer -- which is another reason to error on the high side when ordering.

 

[DocDanDC]

I have the 1.0 springs both front and rear with the Ohlins setup. They are not too stiff at all. In fact, it is nice to have the extra strength for Two up riding. No more front end dive.