Suspension Upgrade For 2010 Tdm900 Cartridge Vs Emulator

[Trevini]

@ Bjørge, thank you for input and taking the time to reply. Theoretically I think the cartridges should be better than emulators, but I also suspect there comes a point where good quality emulators may just about equal a cheap cartridge. The only advantage then being external adjustments but with a premium of about double the price. If I could find feedback that there is a cartridge conversion which people find superior to emulators I would buy it, especially in view of the external adjusters. 

 

@ Trevini, thank you for the tips. The YSS emulators appear to be about half the price of of the Racetec. As I have been unable to find any feedback on the net for TDM900 cartridge conversions I'm thinking I may go emulators.

 

Is there any further information you could share on your front suspension setup such as your front springs (make/model/rating/linear/progressive), fork oil brand and weight, and your weight with riding gear. Additionally, how did you find the installation instructions from YSS? Were the instructions clear and easy to follow, do you need to modify the forks, were their setup recommendations close to your final configuration? 

 

I like the idea of an Ohlins rear shock. At only 5mm longer the MT09 should be a good fit. Shame they don't make cartridges for the front forks. What model Ohlins rear shock did you get? 

 

 

This might go on a bit....

 

Me

 

I'm not heavy, weighing in at around 85- 90KG in full kit (depending on summer or winter riding).

 

Front end

Standard 2004 MY fork springs with Dextron 3 ATF set at 130mm height. 7 turns of preload giving me 58mm of rider sag. Free sag is 30mm, static sag is 45mm. I left the adjuster ring in the fork (you have to cut the adjuster rod to fit the emulators) and have that set to pos 2. On the emulator, I have three holes drilled in the top plate of the valve (they come with one hole drilled, but I experienced chatter with only one - the extra two are the same diameter as the original drilled hole) and have it set at three turns preload on the adjuster. On the original damper rod, the existing holes are opened out and two extra holes added slightly higher up (as per instructions for the gold valves). It took a few goes to get the setup how I wanted it.

 

I did try some harder springs and also heavier oil to go with, but there was too much of an imbalance between front and rear for my liking. The instructions missed a few important details, but the instructions for the gold valves will tell you all you need to know. 

 

Rear end

Ohlins shock for an MT09 - I bought second hand from Fixitsan on here. I'm running the rear spring at standard rate for a 2004 900 with a preloaded length of 170mm. This gives ma static sag of 18mm and rider sag of 38mm. Adjuster set at 10 clicks out. 

 

The above settings work well for me and give a nice plush ride without any wallow when cornering briskly. Tyre wear is spot on at both ends. I never carry a pillion, so no idea what it would be like (plus it'd be a faff to adjust the rear preload due to access). I do run with either a top box of tail pack most of the time and occasionally add a couple of E21 boxes if I have more to carry/touring. 

 

Hope that helps!

 

Trev