Suspension Upgrade For 2018 T100...what To Do?

I've used TEC rear shocks on my 2010 T100 and they were a big enough improvement that I didn't need to do the front.

On my current ride I put TEC progressive fork springs and adjusters and they were great. The adjustments really make a difference.

 

On my 2017 T100 I also used TEC shocks on the rear, but also added their fork upgrade kit to the front (springs, emulators, preload adjuster). It made an incredible difference and I'm very happy with them. Most cost effective solution out there. One note on the front, Triumph are apparently now using a thread locker compound on the bolts through the bottom of the forks. I had to drill them out and found finding replacement bolts near impossible to find, even on fleabay. Finally had to order them from Triumph. So, if you do the kit order a set of bolts from Triumph in advance, just in case.

 

Doing the forks is an absolute piece of cake, I did mine 3 weeks ago and it took about 30 mins to do both sides.

 

I can only speak from what I did, which didn't include emulators. All I had to do was slacken the bar clamps (so I could pivot them out of the way, then remove the cap tops (one at a time), then after protecting the paintwork remove the washer and lift the existing spring (allowing time for the fork oil to drip off) then put the new spring in, the washer back in and the adjuster cap on. Then do the other leg and yer done !!!

 

Depending on the emulator system, for my 09 America, I had to totally strip down forks and had to modify the lower inner dampers. Holes required filling/welding and new oneso of specific size drilled in different locations. But easy enough to do DIY if you have the suitable tools or access to them ! Took me couple of hours to fully strip modify and rebuild ?

 

I don't think you'll be disappointed. No, they're not Nitrons but for those of us that simply can't afford those, TECs are great. Delboy does a great video on the shocks here:

Triumph Bonneville #5 'TEC Gas shocks

Edit - just watched the video again, and contrary to the video mine came with the proper eyelet already installed.

 

Surprised nobody has mentioned Hagon shocks & springs or am I missing something?

 

I guess probably not mentioned because the OP said he was looking at TEC or Nitron.

I've got them on my Bonnie and they're also fitted to the other half's Bonnie, the Hagons seem a lot better quality than the TEC's that came with my Bonnie. (but they are more expensive)

 

Hagon's are fantastic shocks as well, but if you watch the last few minutes of Delboy's video he addresses this, basically saying the Hagon and Nitron's are great but overkill for the Bonneville. He believes the TECs are a much better match for both the T100's design and how most Bonnie's are actually ridden. But everyone rides and views their bikes differently so get the ones that are best matched to you. For me that's the TECs, but clearly not for all.

 

The Hagons I have fitted don'y have steel bushes either I rang them and was told they didn't need them. Well pleased with them though.

 

I’d opt for Hagons. I fitted Hagon progressive springs and rear suspension units to my ‘92 XL Sportster and they greatly improved the handling, at a reasonable cost too.

I splashed out around £200 on Ricor cartridge emulators for the Sportster and they were a simple fit and produced a great improvement

 

I have had this same issue. I didn't like how the bike handled with no extension and found it rode very nice with it installed, not paying attention to the original measurement. These were all with the preload at the minimum position. I'm about to remove the extensions and play with the preload to try and bring it to the original measurement and see how it handles. You could do the same. To be honest, the best way would be to leave the extension and properly measure and adjust the sag and preload. There's lots of websites that explain how to do it. Do that and it will probably run as well as possible without a good professional bike tuner.