Featured Nitron Shocks And Forks Now On Speed Twin

Afternoon All,
Just back from Nitron in Eynsham near Oxford. https://www.nitron.co.uk/contact

I'm very please to say I have the first fork cartridge kit for the Speed Twin. I wanted to upgrade my suspension and knew about the Ohlins option for the forks, but having looked at the quality of the Ohlins shocks, especially the OEM ones that seem to corrode very quickly, I had a closer look at Nitron.

I think they are better quality so having decided on the NTR R3 shocks I spoke to Nitron. They very kindly advised me on the spec for the rear dampers and spring choice and then I had them fitted at Steve Jordan Motorcycles near Leatherhead.


I had discussed the fact that I didn't ideally want Nitron rears and Ohlins on the front so Adam at Nitron asked if they could have my bike for a week or so, they would do the forks for me. And hey-presto, I have some really rather lovely looking fork adjusters! I have the billet stem/yoke nut from the Thruxton R ready to go one too which will match very well I think.
https://www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/view/T2049880

I've just unloaded the bike from my van, in time for the heavens to open, so I can't yet ride it on my familiar dry roads to report on the no doubt improved ride quality.

I had fantastic service from both Adam on sales and Scott who rode the bike before and after, did the development work and installation. They had to make sure that they were happy with it it all before they could release the kit on general sale. A great British company and very professional to deal with.

 

Yep, fully adjustable on the front; preload, compression and rebound. They have have given me a base setting, which is somewhere mid-range and then I can start to tune it to what feels spot-on for me.
They did comment that the standard fronts are very basic, with just the one side with some sort of cartridge. Bit of a parts bin cobble together job which obviously leaves room for an R model.

The rears are 3 way adjustable as well. The spring rates were chosen for my weight and the type of riding/pillion/luggage etc.

Looks like there'll be rain until the weekend, but maybe I'll catch a dry spell sometime. I'd ridden the bike for 2 days so I had a chance to focus on and remember how it performed on the stock suspension and of course it was dry, warm and sunny. So little point in comparing dry apples and wet pears.

 

As for whether they have the cartridges on the website yet, well I haven't looked but I expect it's something they will do. They took photos of my bike so maybe they'll do something with those.

If you are interested, just give Adam a call. I've no idea about cost as they did a special rate as it was an R&D project.

I paid full list price for the rear shocks and also for Steve Jordan to fit them. I could have done that but I'd put the order through them so it made sense to have them stick them on and set it up.

 

Bother! Just did the right thing and informed my insurance company of my better, safer and "more comfy" (as the lady said) suspension upgrade and they said "That'll be £90 please." That's about a 30% increase. I think the underwriters need educating.
Maybe I've made the bike 30% more desirable? It is to me I suppose. To them it is 30% more dangerous, faster, more nickable.

 

Thanks Jet, yes I am at peace!

Very happy with the bike, how it looks and how it rides. I don't think it needs anything else.

 

Thanks Beerkat for the Bikesure recommendation. Will certainly try them. I've got 2 bikes now so LV suggested a multi vehicle policy which doesn't seem any cheaper at all. Previously happy with their prices and the service has been good. But any insurer that doesn't understand things like suspension is taking the proverbial.
I hate insurance. Especially legally required got-you-over-a-barrel not made a claim in 36 years vehicle insurance.

Anyway, I had a brief ride out in the damp and drizzle, so can't comment on the Nitron's except to say it's loads better, especially while cornering. I spent some time on long roundabouts just noticing how much more secure the bike was.
Forecast for Wednesday says so will hopefully get to ride on dry tarmac and have something constructive to say.

 

We are similar weights Jet, I'm 70kg, probably 75kg or so in my kit. It sounds like you are thinking about softer springs? I've just looked at the Nitron record card which says the twin shock springs I have are 16-24 N/mm.

Using this conversion tool
http://www.dfaulknersprings.com/acatalog/Conversion.html
it comes out as 91.2 - 136.8 lbs per inch.

It depends on the type of riding, roads, pillion and luggage of course, questions they asked me, but that might be useful. As you'll see on Faulkners website, springs are relatively cheap to change, based on i/d and length, but I don't think they do progressive springs.

I think my shocks have 24 clicks of rebound available, 16 Hi-speed compression and 16 Low-speed compression, more than enough to experiment with. As you say I'm starting with a good set up which I got to enjoy for an hour yesterday.
If you're keeping the bike, maybe you can find out what springs you have and source some others, even if you need to get them powder coated.

 

Swapped my Upper Yoke nut for this aluminium one which is fitted to Thruxtons I think. Got it from Fowlers.

I think it goes well with the Nitron adjusters better than the chrome one anyway.