|
|
Arlington, TX | Craig,
Thanks so much for letting me test ride your bike with the new Traxxion parts on it. I've been wanting to find out for myself since you've been so excited about the TD improvements. I will repeat for the group what I told you. It makes a jaw-dropping amazing difference. It doesn't feel like the same bike. I didn't even get out of the parking lot, not even out of 1st gear before I noticed a huge improvement over my stock Vision. I could *easily* cut figure-eights in a small parking lot. I felt like I could ride double the distance without fatigue. As you remember, it was raining that day and the streets were wet but I felt total control on your bike where I knew mine was tender in the corners and braking.
Folks, EVERYTHING Craig tells you about the improvements to his Vision are true and possibly understated. When I gave his keys back to him, my comment was "Dammit!" because I knew that test ride was gonna cost me some money.
Thanks again Craig ! I look forward to riding with you again soon.
=Mark=
2009 Vision Tour, Black of course. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | marcparnes - 2012-03-19 6:05 PM I emailed Max at Traxxion yesterday and he emailed back today that he was too busy to take the call and gave me his sales manager's name and email. I emailed and left a voice mail for him but he didn't respond either. Sounds like their business must be booming or they're just not particularly responsive. Odd way to do business. Each to their own I guess. Marc Having read this thread and some others, I was seriously considering this upgrade to my '08. However, I had the same experience Marc had with contacting Traxxion. They are very unresponsive - which is a poor business model, no matter how "slammed" they may be. If they (or any company) wants to remain "slammed", or in business at all, they should find a way to at least respond to emails or calls. I actually asked them how to schedule an appt. at their shop in Ga. and on their schedule, and got no response. Possibly I could just order the parts (although the promised "update" to their site about Vision parts never happened) and have my local shop install - but, I was more interested in having them do the work at their place to ensure all goes smoothly and would also allow for a nice pre- and post-test ride for comparison. Maybe a great product, but shoddy business style (read a similar problem on another Vic site). I like the idea of this upgrade and the positive reports from Spock and others, but I admit to being put off by any company so cavalier in the way they respond to potential customers.
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Nothing about the Vision on their website at this time. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 4278
| So what did you do fork brace springs what very poor post I think |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Based on Spock's post and my own research I decided to buy and install Traxxion's cartridges and Penske shock. Let me preface this by saying that dealing with Mike in sales and in particular with their tech Martin was a great experience. They are both very knowledgeable and responsive to the customer. As far as getting the organization in general to respond, I agree it can be frustrating. What I found actually works is to just keep dialing until someone's phone is free and then they pick up. Leaving voice mails did not work. At the time I was dealing with them they only had 3 guys total in the shop. Martin did tell me that one of their guys was currently in the hospital.
In general the installation went well. I had some problems getting the lower shock clevis to fit but I eventually worked that out. The shock was also assembled with the wrong bump stop which was too thick reducing the overall stroke. With Martin's guidance I was able to cut it in half with a razor blade without having to remove the shock. There was also a problem with one of the fork cap's internal threads but Martin sent me a replacement quickly.
In order to reduce fork dive, high speed compression was set very restrictive resulting in a fairly severe reaction when hitting high speed bumps. I brought this to Martin's attention and he immediately knew what the problem was and had me send him both complete fork assemblies so he could re-valve them. I can say now that since he adjusted the high speed compression the forks respond much better than they ever did. They're actually perfect for me. They are very compliant yet controlled. It has a beautiful ride. I tend to use both brakes together so brake dive for me isn't a big deal. I'm very satisfied with the forks.
Unfortunately the shock did not work out. Even though I'm sure the Penske shock has far more sophisticated dampening than the stock KYB unit it is a compromise in this application. I played around with it for 600 miles but was unable to get it where it would work with just me on the bike and no top case and also work with my wife aboard and luggage. The problem is that there is no practical way to adjust preload so whatever spring weight and preload setting you decide on has to work in a situation where the load can change by up to 250 lbs. So it is either too stiff solo or too soft loaded. The Penske shock came with an 800 lb spring on it while the KYB shock uses a 600 lb spring. The reason KYB can run a softer spring is due to the fact that you can add air to it which not only raises the ride height for an additional load but also augments the spring which resists bottoming. After having spent quite a bit of time living with both shocks my recommendation is to stick with the stock shock. In my opinion the overall ride with the stock shock is more comfortable for both the rider and passenger.
In summary, Traxxion is a bit hard to communicate with but once you've gotten through Mike and Martin are really good guys to deal with. I definitely recommend their fork cartridges as an upgrade to the stock equipment with the caveat that they are set up as mine are now. I'm sorry to say that I would not recommend the shock as I don't see anything but disadvantages to it. If you have any questions please let me know.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Marc, I'm sorry to hear about your challenges in installing the Traxxion suspension system. Martin installed my fork suspension and rear shock. After putting about 2,500 miles on the Traxxion suspension I love it more with each day of riding. The front forks are totally amazing and perfect. I have fine-tuned the rebound and compression on the forks and it rocks. I agree with some of your thoughts on the rear shock. I have adjusted the rear shock and it is pretty good now. I do want to adjust the rebound some more as it is a little harsh on bad bumps but the Penske shock does so many other things better than the stock shock. I think with some minor adjustment on the rear rebound it will be perfect. My wrench is building a special shock wrench for the Vision to make it easier to get to and adjust the rear shock when installed on the Vision. I have had 5 Vision riders ride my bike now and everyone was blown away. They all said they could not believe a change in suspension could make such a difference. A friend just had the Traxxion suspension installed on his Harley Road King and he was blown away and says it is the best thing he has done to his bike and he has done a lot. I spent three days riding the great roads of AR the weekend before last and the Vision was a whole new bike taking those corners. The bike handles so much better it is hard to believe. It makes the bike so much safer and comfortable not to mention the fun factor.
Edited by Spock 2012-05-07 10:35 PM
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I'm really happy to hear that you're liking your Traxxion suspension Craig. I'm liking mine too but for different reasons. I think the big difference is all in what you're looking for and what your perception is when it comes to something as subjective as this. There is no question that stiffer and more controlled dampening will allow a bike to handle better in the twisties. The first time I rode mine with the original Traxxion setup I was pleasantly surprised as well. The difference for me is that I was quite satisfied with how it handled originally and am more focused on the ride, solo as well as loaded for touring. I've had some pretty high end suspension systems including Ohlins on many, many bikes and always in order to find the best handling possible. These days as I'm getting older I'm less interested in a touring bike that's going to rail around corners even though the Vision actually does that quite well. I have a R1200GS that I've Motared with 17" wheels, sport rubber and Ohlins suspension that I use for my Tuesday rides with the guys and I also just bought a new Triumph Explorer but for touring duty on the Vision I'm more interested in comfort and adaptability. What is a great aspect of the Traxxion cartridges is that you can have it any way you want it simply by specifying that to Martin so he can valve it accordingly. As for the shock, I stand by my opinion that it is too much of a compromise if you're planning to use the bike for solo riding as well as loaded to the gills for touring. I think the original shock is better equipped in that regard. In any case, the Traxxion cartridges are a worthwhile upgrade for those willing to make the investment and something I would wholeheartedly recommend. Marc
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Good points Marc! The Traxxion upgrade is much better just going down the interstate. Big improvement in all riding conditions including low speed manuvering. How do you like the new Triumph Explorer 1200 compared with the BMW 1200? I want to buy a adventure bike also and am looking at the Triumph Explorer 1200. I hope to test ride one tomorrow. I want to do a trip to Prudue Bay Alaska and South America and will need an adventure bike for those roads. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I haven't picked up the Triumph yet. I'm hoping it will come in this week yet.
I just thought of something. If you're finding the shock particularly harsh on big bumps I wonder if yours has the wrong bump stop in it as well. That's exactly what mine felt like. It seemed real springy at the bottom of the stroke. It turned out it was bottoming on the rubber stop. Since the ratio of wheel movement to shock travel is 2:1, that extra 1/2" of rubber caused the stroke to be 1" less than it was supposed to be. The Penske gives a total wheel travel of 4.7" as I remember so with the wrong bumper installed and taking into consideration free sag you have only 2.2" of wheel travel left which is about the same as you get on a Harley. Cutting the bumper in half will give you an additional 1" of wheel travel which makes a big difference. Maybe call Martin and ask him if yours was set up the same as mine.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Thanks for the info Marc. I will call Martin tomorrow. He installed mine. I have an appointment to test ride the Triumph Explorer 1200 tomorrow afternoon. I'm looking forward to it. Did you get to test ride the Triumph before you bought it? How would you compare it with the BMW R1200GS? The only negative I have heard about the Triumph Explorer 1200 is that it is a little rough above 5,000 rpm. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Actually I ordered it without testing it since there wasn't one around. I definitely will ride it before signing anything though. I read all the reviews on the internet and people seem to love it. I really needed a change from Beemers. I've been riding them for what seems like forever :-)
Marc |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Hi Marc, I rode the Triumph Explorer 1200 today and it is an awesome adventure bike. I look forward to you getting yours and getting some time to ride it and let me know what you think of it compared to the BMW R1200GS. The power of the Explore 1200 is amazing and the braking is first rate. The suspension seems a little harsh on big bumps but I didn't spend time trying to dial it in. I was disappointed that the fuel tank is only 5.3 gal. That doesn’t seem to be enough for true adventure riding especially if you plan on doing big rides in other countries, your thoughts? I think it is a winner but I don't know what I don't know and you have put so many miles on an adventure - dual sport bike you will have a much better understanding of how the Explorer 1200 is suited to compete with the BMW. I look forward to your thoughts. I studied your website and I hope all goes well tomorrow Marc! |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Hi Craig,
Thanks for the good thoughts :-) I've read that the suspension on the Explorer is a bit on the harsh side. There aren't any adjustments on the front and the rear only has preload and rebound so nothing much. It might just take some miles to seat in. I hope so otherwise I'll be messing with it. Everybody loves the engine. Lots of power and a great sound. I'm looking forward to it. The tank capacity is about the same as the GS and I would imagine the mileage to be about the same as well which gives you about 220 miles per tank. That should be enough at least for my purposes. Its a bit lower than the GS which comes in handy getting your feet down. It also has throttle-by-wire and cruise control which I always wished the GS had. Hand gets cramped after too many miles on the slab. Most testers also comment that it is a bit more street than the GS which will work fine for me since I don't ride the GS off-road. I'll report back as soon as I get a chance to put some miles on it. I'm going to be out of commission for a few weeks or maybe less.
Marc |
|
| |
The best upgrade to my Vision in almost 77,000 miles
