[Washryc]

Hi everyone,

Anyone used or have any experience with the HyperPro Shocks TYPE 461? Or Touratech Extreme?

I'm reading on the TT website they use HyperPro as suppliers for the TT front progressive Spring, so I thought TT "might" be using HyperPro for their Shock production as well? Are they the same shocks, HP Type 461 vs TT Extreme?

I'm comparing pictures and they seems to be similar, except the locatio of the Hi/Low speed compression adjuster.

I emailed HP today, and even asked if they are the supplier for TT, but the questions was ignored, but my other questions were answered.

I'm think about upgrading the shocks, as I have always done this for all my bikes, may it be Ohlins or Nitron or even the odd Hagon on my old yams. This is not to say the stock isn't enough on the AT.

Thoughts?
Thanks
Rich.

 

[Jonathan Parke]

The TT suspension is manufactured by Tractive Suspension.

There are a lot of suspension companies based in Benelux who all have a shared history so it's no suprise if there is an element of crossover between the various companies.

I have a Nitron development shock on my own CRF1000, which is not finished yet as we're working on a replacement 'piggyback' dumpy compression canister to fit when the swingarm is in full compression. Built with a 46mm piston, 16mm rod and will offer Preload (optional Remote), Rebound, and Hi/Lo Speed Compression adjustment.

I know Ohlins will be bringing their CRF shock offerings sometime during the summer

 

[True Ad Venture]

As I posted on Advrider, I found the front end of my AT to be too light once loaded with luggage for camping even with the preload cranked up. Not a ton of luggage, just a 55 liter duffel bag on the passenger seat with the tent and other heavy stuff, lightly packed small side bags and a small tail bag. Bars would get headshake if I took my hands off, could also feel headshake in corners and the front end felt like it wanted to tuck on really tight corners. I'm thinking either a longer spring or longer shock.

 

[Yromulus]

It was really disappointing to read the various posts on the handling being rubbish (borderline dangerous if the front wheel is tucking) when loaded - especially as I'm off on a trip to the Balkans next month! You would hope it is just adjustment of the existing suspension units that is required rather than replacement seeing as people don't seem to be exceeding the Honda-published limits. Certainly the loading on True Ad Venture's bike doesn't seem excessive although it is predominantly quite high up and to the rear of the bike - but you see other adventure bikes loaded like this all the time, seemingly without any problems.

 

[Washryc]

Thanks Jonathan again for the insight. Now I know the TT extreme are made by Tractive Suspension.

I have used the bike for a tour, no off road, but with enough luggage on the bag for 5 days. A loaded Medium water proof bag, loaded pillion bag with spares and a tank bag full of things I needed. My bike was fitted with the TT bars prior to departure. I did notice the ride was worsen as I had "semi" loaded the bike without changing the preload. But when I say worsen, I don't mean it was unrideable, the bike sill felt find to me, I could feel the suspension working harder and, but you would expect that with gear on the bike. Coming from classic bikes, any suspension is better than the ride I've had in my other bikes!

There is a lot of discussion on other forums about the load of the rear, I can't comment as I'm probably the least experienced in the bunch when it comes to off road suspension. I am only think about upgrade as I want to take off road riding a bit more seriously over the next couple of years. I could just blow similar amount of money on an exhaust I don't need Or i can get the bike to perform even better on and off road with an upgrade suspension, I can only see the positive side of better suspension when it comes to riding in the loose stuff.

 

[xsilvergs]

From my experience two-up with pannier (they weren't full and neither of us are heavy) there are some issues with the handling. At 120 kph uphill on a twist Spanish motorway it was scarey. I ended up with 44 psi (up from the 42 recommended) in the rear to stop it following surface irregularities. The front started to go three times during the trip on twisty roads.

I weigh about 74 Kg in my birthday suit and needed 25 clicks on the rear pre-load where the handbook recommends 7 to get approx 30% sag, there is about 5 left for pillion and luggage.

The front tyre pressure is 2 bar recommended. A 990 KTM Adventure has 2.4 bar, two similar bikes. Next time out and loaded I will try 2.4 in the front.

Interestingly last night I asked Jonathon Parke a question on Facebook, now I see he's Rugged Roads which is just down the road from me.

 

[Yromulus]

In standard form it's a RTW bike as long as you don't have luggage then. Useful.

Wonder what it's like towing a trailer...

 

[cadoganpier]

Using static sag isn't the be all and end all for setting up bikes with long travel suspension. Anyhoo.....I am a big guy who rides off road a lot and I agree that in comparison to the front end the rear is under sprung. I have changed the rear spring to a Hyper Pro unit and have noticed a big improvement, you just to have to make sure you up the rebound damping otherwise it's a bit like a pogo stick. It also means you can increase the pre-load on the front and keep the bike in balance. It no longers bottoms out on jumps and feels a bit more planted at high speed. The only thing I find that can slightly unsettle the bike is turbulence from trucks and other big vehicles, this has got slightly worse since fitting Bark Busters and I suspect is due to the turbulence hitting the hand guards and moving the bars slightly, if you think I am being paranoid try riding your bike with one hand guard missing!. It never threatens to get out of hand and I've just learnt to live with it.

 

[Washryc]

Using static sag isn't the be all and end all for setting up bikes with long travel suspension. Anyhoo.....I am a big guy who rides off road a lot and I agree that in comparison to the front end the rear is under sprung. I have changed the rear spring to a Hyper Pro unit and have noticed a big improvement, you just to have to make sure you up the rebound damping otherwise it's a bit like a pogo stick. It also means you can increase the pre-load on the front and keep the bike in balance. It no longers bottoms out on jumps and feels a bit more planted at high speed. The only thing I find that can slightly unsettle the bike is turbulence from trucks and other big vehicles, this has got slightly worse since fitting Bark Busters and I suspect is due to the turbulence hitting the hand guards and moving the bars slightly, if you think I am being paranoid try riding your bike with one hand guard missing!. It never threatens to get out of hand and I've just learnt to live with it.

Interesting about the bark busters handguards comment. I found the same situation on my standard handguards, but it wasn't so bad.
Mind if i ask which version Bark basters you have? I have the Storm on order, waiting for delivery.

 

[cadoganpier]

Mine are the VPS. The issue certainly wouldn't make me change back to the standard ones, they are absolutely useless and do nothing other than keep the rain off your hands a bit. if you plan on riding off road you have to change them or bring some spare brake/clutch levers with you......

 

[erey]

Same issue. The rear suspension doesn't support the weight. I was not very happy with the behaviour of the bike

But the worst for me was the off-road. In rocks, the machine swing from left to right. The others with GS didn't had the same behaviour.

I was not satisfied. IMHO, the rear suspension needs to be changed. A steering damper is something to analyze too.

 

[Yromulus]

I guess we're starting to find out where the £4K difference in price between the GS and the AT comes into play. Disappointing but perhaps to be expected?

 

[cadoganpier]

A new rear spring is £80 and 60 mins to fit. The bike doesn't need a steering damper.

 

[Yromulus]

A new rear spring is £80 and 60 mins to fit. The bike doesn't need a steering damper.

Do you ride with luggage at all? I'm wondering whether to pre-empt problems with luggage by fitting one of these but I'm not sure if we're all having (or about to have) the same problem...

 

[Tinpot]

people with GS buy suspension upgrades too.

 

[xsilvergs]

I have the feeling the some guy went to a lot of trouble and gave lots of thought to the rear suspension. And then along came the sales guy and said "it's to high, half of our customer won't be able to touch the ground!".

So they made the spring shorter.

 

[xsilvergs]

I have changed the rear spring to a Hyper Pro unit and have noticed a big improvement

The Hyperpro was going to be my route but seeing the Nitron....... I bet that will be nice!

 

[tredown]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets headshake, hope someone finds the answer SOON !!

 

[Yromulus]

people with GS buy suspension upgrades too.

I guess the annoyance with the AT is that you have to upgrade it to do normal stuff like carry panniers and a top box without experiencing problems. If you're doing extreme off-roading or you and your passenger are both very heavy then fair enough but for a normal person going on a weekend trip it seems wrong.

 

[True Ad Venture]

Certainly the loading on True Ad Venture's bike doesn't seem excessive although it is predominantly quite high up and to the rear of the bike - but you see other adventure bikes loaded like this all the time, seemingly without any problems.

Actually, the bulk of the weight is in the bag on the passenger seat, exactly where a passenger would sit and far lower in height. The small side bags are also positioned where a passenger's legs would be and were lightly loaded. The only weight south of the rear axle was the tail bag, and it was lightly loaded as well.

One thing I have to check is whether I had too much preload cranked up in the shock. A guy on advrider who rode similarly loaded as well as with a passenger said he didn't have any handling issues and suggested I might have added too much preload.