Lowering a r3t

[scottee]

Ikon lowered shocks

Just received and installed my Ikon shocks. Mine were the lowered versions but with a heavy duty spring as we ride 2-up %99.9999 of the time.

Firstly, they are a very good shock. We running the damper on 3 (of 4) and the progressive on 2 (of 3) and ride is smooth and much less bouncy.

Secondly, they do lower the bike and make a difference to us vertically challenged folk.

Thirdly, they do not make the bike scrape on corners (which I was worried about).

Overall, they are a good addition to the bike I reckon. :bch:

 

[albertaduke]

Just received and installed my Ikon shocks. Mine were the lowered versions but with a heavy duty spring as we ride 2-up %99.9999 of the time.

Firstly, they are a very good shock. We running the damper on 3 (of 4) and the progressive on 2 (of 3) and ride is smooth and much less bouncy.

Secondly, they do lower the bike and make a difference to us vertically challenged folk.

Thirdly, they do not make the bike scrape on corners (which I was worried about).

Overall, they are a good addition to the bike I reckon. :bch:

how many inches did you gain ? and is the presumably higher front fork in relation to the rear not bothering you

 

[scottee]

Sorry with the delay replying.

Did not notice any issue with front forks. Overall the bike is lowered about 35mm (depending on pre-load). Still rides and corners like a dream.

 

[BigWillie]

If you want the same handling you need to lower the front the same as the back. Keeps the weight distribution right. I don't know about you but I scrape my running boards now with the stock setup. Maybe you need to hit a few more corners.

 

[albertaduke]

Hell fire , I had the seat shaved has much has they could on the saddle and the sides , problem seems to be the width of the bike , I bought the touring seat , that helps a bit putting me forward , but the issue is still the height.

I can't stand both feet flat its more an issue when i've got the wife on the back the centre of gravity changes , I've actaully just got off the phone from my dealer and he tells me IKON do a smaller shock for the rt3 , that is shorter by 35 mm , about 1 1/4 inches .

Not sure if this will be enough , dark side are out, here in australia , insurance would be void and a bike defect likely to happen .

Its a real difficult one because on the one hand , i did'nt buy the bike for round town i have another one for that , i bought it for long sunday rides and the occasional overnighter , with a few long tours a year threw in , and when i'm on the road me and the wife love it, me for the handling, her for the comfort .

But every time i come to slow traffic lights ect, and even the tight u turns ect , Then i relize its a monster , and with the wife on the back worry about the size , Would be embaressed to drop it , but thinking more the wife being wrong side of 50 bones break and don't heal like they used to .

Funny enough she's not has worried has me , she says , stop winging and harden the fack up ha ha . .

The normal rocket 3 though is different i can actually touch the floor with both feet on that due to the tank being different.

talk to wilber suspension specialist in germany not only they work better than OEM but they make them specifically for each rider in the height required.by the customer. front and back..

 

[coneye]

Albert . I done the cheapest thing and took my wifes advice , I am now fairly comfortablre with the bike, just done a 7000 klm trip and was smiling all the way , the only time i struggled was in the big towns , heavy trafficc, stop start , lights , u turns with the bike fully loaded and the wife on the back , and since i bought it to tour not commute , i decided to leave it alone , The bike was a dream to take on tour and performed very very well .

In fact i bought the thunderbird a couple weeks ago , with the view of turning it into a tourer . Well the wife was on the back today (first time ) and said last time i'm going on that thing , don't you dare sell the rocket , So it looks like the T bird is gonna get stripped down and turned into a boys solo bike .

Regards handling i have found , except for the obvious , in between cars , quick town and city riding , in heavy traffic ect , i can actually now handle the rt3 better in the hills and rural drives .

It was and still is a mental thing , feel confident you'll be confident ,

Just was a matter off taking my wifes advice , and getting out there and used too it