Wish me luck

Interesting. The cost isn't extortionate either, some cartridge solutions are four figures. Wonder what they can do for a Touring. The front shocks on it is pretty bad, dives a lot and still sucks at soaking up road bumps.

My guess is for the T the "guts" will be very similar. But I do not know if they have already done a "T". I knew they'd already done a USD fork R3. Thankee Capt'nJack.

As posted on another thread - "T"'s can avail themselves of CARTRIDGE EMULATORS from RaceTech in the US. - On Amazon for USD115 ish

I am really lucky to have Damian at DMX so close. He looked at making me a set - but declined finally on cost grounds.
I wont tell you what he actually thinks of some of the "off the shelf" cartridges kits - but it is less than complimentary.
It's not that they're poorly made - it's more they're not made FOR YOU. Generally he ends up gutting and re-valving most.
When I told him about the Maxtons - his reply was simple - DO IT. Maxton's reputation on road/race bikes is high.
Damian is known more for off-road - he does a mass of Dakar vehicles - bikes, cars, trucks. A lot from outside Spain too.

But worth asking Richard at Maxton what he can do for "T"s. I caution patience - they THINK before replying.

So following a few days of inactivity - Bloody public holidays - managed to get the cartridges fitted yesterday along with a full fork service.
I´m glad I entrusted it to professionals. Sadly another customer was unhappy about photos so could not take any.

Had a new front tyre fitted today - so tomorrow is rebuild day. Patience.

Eagerly awaiting your riding impressions. Seems like it might be a really nice way to get some adjustability along with a much better front end solution.

@barbagris , what do you have on the back? I can't recall.

Claviger said:

@barbagris , what do you have on the back? I can't recall.

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Fournales. I bought them direct from the factory in France. I have the Aluminium "Harley" shocks - at their recommendation. Cheaper too. I tried to get them to make me a set of "Air Spring" fork cartridges but could not persuade them.

If I had to put new rears on now - I would go straight to DMX as they're local and would make them bespoke for my weight etc. Next year they'll be making forks from scratch too. My Guzzi may be a test subject.

Looked into the GP20s after reading this post. Prices are very reasonable when you compare them to many of the competitors, and I doubt anything offered by anyone else would be notably better, Maxtons got some pretty serious credentials.

Can't wait for your take on them.

Claviger said:

Looked into the GP20s after reading this post. Prices are very reasonable when you compare them to many of the competitors, and I doubt anything offered by anyone else would be notably better, Maxtons got some pretty serious credentials. Can't wait for your take on them.

Click to expand...

DMX said exactly the same about Maxtons price/performance ratio. So much so they have decided they'll HAVE to match their price when they start making cartridges next year. They have put Maxton as their "muse" in terms of future road products.

I have just been for a post installation run. Was not pushing too hard as I also had a brand new front tyre on.

First point - the static sag (bike upright on wheels - no rider) is almost exactly half that of standard forks - actually more than half but only just. Now 20mm instead of 44.

So the headstock sits higher. Some of this in my case counteracted by the lower profile tyre. I say this just so folk realise - headlight adjustment is probably required after. This static sag is actually PERFECT for me. They were built to my weight so I suppose that was to be expected. So pre-load adjustment would for me have been a waste of money.

Once moving, well things are notably (as expected) better. Even fierce front braking does not cause stupid excessive nose dive. Over small ripply bumps they're smoother. Over potholes - good too.
Only "speed bumps" really gave them trouble - but even so they handled them far better than stock.

Under harsh acceleration there's little or no rise and fall at the front end. Sadly however this part of the test was curtailed by acquiring a police "escort". When we parted company they did give me a thumbs up though.

Only have one niggle - but it's rebound related and can be adjusted - every so often banked over on not so perfect surfaces there is a tiny bit of float and it steers a bit wide. This however at corner speeds easily 10mph faster than I'd be on stock forks.

Once the tyre is scrubbed in and I take 1/4 turn of the rebound (I went to see and pay DMX on my run and they advised back a 1/4 turn off) I think they'll be good for as much as 20mph in bends. That's actually a bit worrying.

There is however now a more serious issue. Even though I have good rear shocks - The Maxton forks may well force me to re-upgrade the rear too. I'm off to check the Fournales pressures as soon as they cool down.

I'm reluctant to eulogise too much - but definitely an investment - and I wish I'd done it sooner.

Sold already. There's one particular thing you mention:

barbagris said:

Only have one niggle - but it's rebound related and can be adjusted - every so often banked over on not so perfect surfaces there is a tiny bit of float and it steers a bit wide. This however at corner speeds easily 10mph faster than I'd be on stock forks..

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That is the one issue I have with the front end that corrected weight springs and 10w oil didn't fully fix. We have a lot of roads with short little choppy bumps here, conveniently in corners, that set the front tire floating all over, really destroys confidence and limits corner entry speeds. That being able to be adjusted out is worth the entry fee to GP20s to me.

Enjoy relearning your bikes new limits

Claviger said:

Sold already. There's one particular thing you mention:
That is the one issue I have with the front end that corrected weight springs and 10w oil didn't fully fix. We have a lot of roads with short little choppy bumps here, conveniently in corners, that set the front tire floating all over, really destroys confidence and limits corner entry speeds. That being able to be adjusted out is worth the entry fee to GP20s to me.

Click to expand...

I'm sure if you mention that particular thing you wish to correct to Maxton - they'd be extra vigilant.

I'll guess you also have a light dusting of sand and/or coral dust - which I know from the West Indies is like ball bearings. Here we have something different but similar. Dried sheep (and goat) **** dust.

New limits - Hmm we wont mention that to my missus though.

[QU

OTE="Claviger, post: 398045, member: 5345"]Sold already. There's one particular thing you mention:



That is the one issue I have with the front end that corrected weight springs and 10w oil didn't fully fix. We have a lot of roads with short little choppy bumps here, conveniently in corners, that set the front tire floating all over, really destroys confidence and limits corner entry speeds. That being able to be adjusted out is worth the entry fee to GP20s to me.

Enjoy relearning your bikes new limits [/QUOTE]

i get this and another rocketeer also said he had the same problem,as though the bike was sliding away at the front.So your upgrade does nothing for this ? i put it down to the avon front tyre being worn and is squaring off.Is your tyre very slightly squareing at the edge.??