Front Suspension Suggestions?

RobWCanada

RobWCanada

expert rider
Joined
Sep 12, 2021
Messages
156
Location
Toronto
Hey all,

So I’ve put nearly 11,000 km on the bike (rode out to Nova Scotia (Cabot Trail) from Ontario. 5,200 km trip. Overall the bike was pretty good and my ass didn’t hurt as much with the Ergo seat.

However, one thing I noticed was how light/soft the front is. Now I’m not sure if it needs different valving, different fluid or different springs. I would assume my desired result would be that stiffer springs.

My issue is that any reasonably large dip in the road became a hard clunk (bottoming of the front forks) and when braking harder the front would compress super quick and not appear to have much damping at all. Most of the ride I can avoid this by gentle brake pressure on the front (98% of the time it’s not an issue as long as I’m gradual on the front brake). But those times when I had to apply a bit more front brake pressure it felt uneasy lol.

I’ve seen options on other threads

- higher viscosity fork oil
- stiffer springs
- raising the forks
- preload spacer

From my description, I believe I need a stiffer spring rate. And if that’s the case where can I get these springs? And how do I know which spring rate to get? I’m used to snowmobile and Ski-Doo has charts and such…you weigh x lbs, you get this spring and that has always worked for me. Anything like that for this bike?

FYI, I’m about 205 lbs. and the back suspension seems fine. So just like to clean up the front. It either needs more compression or different springs…


Rob
 
I think the bike uses progressive springs, and yes there is parts available from some places.

I would recommend getting in touch with a local supplier to see if they have something for you.

Ideally you can go somewhere with you and your bike and then get it setup by that place.

If you dont have a local place, then you have the option to buy stuff and install it yourself, or send the suspension to a place and they send it back to you all setup.
 
Another option would be to chase up KTM forums to see what people are doing there. There are lots more 390s around than Svarts and somebody is likely to have wanted to do the same.
 
So have any of you guys actually changed the springs. I know some have played around with oil viscosity but I'm not sure that's the result I'm looking for right?

I'm kinda surprised Husq or KTM doesn't offer aftermarket springs for this. Why isn't a part...I guess not enough volume. I'd have to look around to see if there's anyone around here who specializes in shock rebuild. I was tempted to tackle myself as I like doing my own maintenance.


R
 
I put the Hyperpro Kit in my 401.
Front springs, different oil, and rear shock.

Also helped me get the settings dialed via Tec-Support.
 
BISavage said:
I put the Hyperpro Kit in my 401.
Front springs, different oil, and rear shock.

Also helped me get the settings dialed via Tec-Support.
Click to expand...
Which kit? I went to the site and there's no filament for front forks. I'm pretty sure I read your thread. You wound up raising your forks in the triple clamp or something? Anyway, a local shop GP Bikes actually carries that brand. So good to know.


R
 
But in general, before you buy suspension, get in contact with the peoples and let them know what you are looking to get outta a new setup.
 
BISavage said:
But in general, before you buy suspension, get in contact with the peoples and let them know what you are looking to get outta a new setup.
Click to expand...
Ya totally. Seems like people with the Duke 390 get the HyperPro as well. I have the winter to look into this! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

I'll give em a call when I decide to pull the trigger. Just wondering if you happen to know why there's different springs for the 390 vs 390 Adventure? Obviously their tech support will be able to help me out there but just curious if you know yourself...


R
 
I think every bike has different height / travel designed to work best with each bike, as I think they have different head angles and stuff.

From the physical dimensions the fitment may be the same, but not from the requirements on the spring.
 
Hey all, I posted this a while back and never changed the springs or anything because it was not determined to “fit” the Svart 401. I couldn’t find any front fork solutions. I even contacted WP, which they said no spring options.

Anyway, I did get to change the fork oil from the stock 4W oil (whatever brand, I don’t know) to MAXIMA 10W Fork Oil (green bottle).

I can tell you that the front dive on braking, overall bounciness of the front is pretty much gone. It obviously still dives on HARD braking…but it feels much better.

And on top of that instead of almost FULL compression I’ve managed to wind it back about 10 turns! Rebound is about 8 turns! So it has made it better imo. But hey, may not be for everyone.

After draining for about a day lol, putting cap on in between and pumping the forks a bit, about 430-435 ml of old fork oil came out. I believe I put in 430-435 ml. I put cap back on and protected my hand and put as much down pressure as possible and the fork JUST ever so lightly bottomed. Like very hard to get it to bottom. I.E., that means no hydro lock. Dave Moss has an example of this in his YouTube channel.


R

IMG_7593.jpegIMG_7594.jpegIMG_7597.jpeg
 
Last edited:
RobWCanada said:
Hey all, I posted this a while back and never changed the springs or anything because it was not determined to “fit” the Svart 401. I couldn’t find any front fork solutions. I even contacted WP, which they said no spring options.

Anyway, I did get to change the fork oil from the stock 4W oil (whatever brand, I don’t know) to MAXIMA 10W Fork Oil (green bottle).

I can tell you that the front dive on braking, overall bounciness of the front is pretty much gone. It obviously still dives on HARD braking…but it feels much better.

And on top of that instead of almost FULL compression I’ve managed to wind it back about 10 turns! Rebound is about 8 turns! So it has made it better imo. But hey, may not be for everyone.

After draining for about a day lol, putting cap on in between and pumping the forks a bit, about 430-435 ml of old fork oil came out. I believe I put in 430-435 ml. I put cap back on and protected my hand and put as much down pressure as possible and the fork JUST ever so lightly bottomed. Like very hard to get it to bottom. I.E., that means no hydro lock. Dave Moss has an example of this in his YouTube channel.


R

View attachment 4193View attachment 4194View attachment 4195
Click to expand...

I certainly appreciate your post.

I have a '22 Vit. It's never occurred to me that the fork was too soft.

I had to back off on the compression adjustment to soften it up.

I weigh 185.
 
GeoKrpan said:
I certainly appreciate your post.

I have a '22 Vit. It's never occurred to me that the fork was too soft.

I had to back off on the compression adjustment to soften it up.

I weigh 185.
Click to expand...
you sound about the perfect ideal 'testman' weight for these bike companies lol.

So perhaps it's perfect for you. But still change the oil at 7000 kms. I'm not fork oil/suspension expert though. I just posted because it made my ride better with the 10W

Like when I changed the compression and rebound I could feel a difference. I never really noticed much difference with the stock oil. Maybe stock oil is not very good? Or it is the oil weight difference.

Perhaps when it's time for you try the Maxima 5W, since it seems fine. It's really not the difficult to change the oil, so maybe try 10W...and see if you can get more 'adjustability'...up to you. Personal preference I guess.

Let me say though that when I first got the bike I never really had any major suspension issues, just that on hard breaking, it just dove SO fast and while trail braking it was just a little bouncy for my liking...even though I'm touching the brake ever so lightly.

I really noticed it on my trip out to Nova Scotia through some New Brunswick forest logging roads! Not the best and the ruts and potholes are enough to make you soil yourself. On these roads, these horrible roads, I notice the suspension smacking it's full stroke. Like seriously HARD bottom out! I even got off the bike to make sure nothing was busted!

With the 10W, I haven't experienced that since...not even close. But I haven't been back to New Brunswick either lol, will prolly go again this summer! It was fun.

To sum up, I just felt the 10W made the front end feel 'right'.


R
 
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