[setuniket]

I noticed in the brochure of Honda Highness CB350, the rear alloy wheels come with 130/70-18 tyres, if any one has access to Honda spares, we can try to fit in the rear alloy on Interceptor

[adwaith]

I was recently told that the engine was designed by Triump. It sounded stupid and untrue but I just wanted to confirm.

Originally Posted by setuniket

I noticed in the brochure of Honda Highness CB350, the rear alloy wheels come with 130/70-18 tyres, if any one has access to Honda spares, we can try to fit in the rear alloy on Interceptor

This could be a good solution. Similar to the one with the Q3 and Kodiaq

Originally Posted by yesyeswe

I agree with you, there should be a separate thread on the suspension upgrades of the Twins as it is the primary concern of the owners and it would be beneficial for everyone, including the non members who google regarding this issue.

I am not a corner craver and i don't understand the various technicalities of the suspension, but even i could tell that there were some issues with the front suspension just after making the purchase. And the thud sounds irritates me even after one year of making the purchase.

I wanted to post some pictures on the thread but i thought it would be unimportant and would hide the important technical discussions which are going on the thread. Even this post adds nothing to new value.

Please do link it here when you do create it. Suspension is something that is troubling all owners I think.

[ashishk29]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

One you can report the post from where you want it to be moved to a new thread. Click the triangle with exclamation mark. I could do it, but I don’t own an interceptor lol.

Originally Posted by adwaith

Please do link it here when you do create it. Suspension is something that is troubling all owners I think.

I have done as Red Liner here recommended. I will add the link here if/when the thread gets created.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

One you can report the post from where you want it to be moved to a new thread. Click the triangle with exclamation mark. I could do it, but I don’t own an interceptor lol.

Originally Posted by yesyeswe

I agree with you, there should be a separate thread on the suspension upgrades of the Twins as it is the primary concern of the owners and it would be beneficial for everyone, including the non members who google regarding this issue.

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

I agree on having a dedicated thread for twins' suspension.

All ye lazy buggers doing the same thing as (lazy) me instead of taking the effort to open a new thread

Here's the suspension thread - link.

I might have missed other important updates shared by other bhpians on this thread, please add the respective posts to that thread so that we have one single source to refer to

[neil.jericho]

We seem to have circumnavigated the world for what should have been a simple discussion on the topic of finding better performing aftermarket suspension ourselves to replace OEM parts. So let me voice my concerns here one last time, lest someone take what is written on these threads as the gospel truth and tries it without knowing the possible risks.

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Rear Suspension:

Generally twin shocks have similar mounts at best you'd have to change the rubber damper and metal sleeve to suit your mount.

Measure the height of your stock shocks and also compress it by putting your body weight on it. It'd give you a fair estimate of where you'd want to be.

After that simply go out looking for something that'd suit your needs, a pair of shocks cost anywhere from 1.5 to 5k depending on whether you get Gabriel or Endurance or Showa.

It all started here. Want to replace OEM suspension? There may be cost effective options in the market, as you correctly mentioned. However, how to identify them safely while improving performance is the question which we were digging into.

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

While the approach you have shared is correct in theory, from what I know, it is difficult to actually know what shock to go for in reality. The Gabriel site for example, makes no technical details known of their different products. The Endurance site doesnt even work. So I am not able to understand, is there is way to know what you are actually getting when you look at 5 options in front of you? Or just pick which one is closest to the dimensions of the OEM exhaust and try your luck? And then work through your options till you find one that works?

Simple enough question right?

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Now based on budget and spare availability we can either get a setup that is perfect to the dot or get one that is in the general ballpark of our weight.

Since we have the recommended numbers at hand the next thing that needs to be done is remove the stock shock from the motorcycle, measure it and then put load on it to gauge compression.

Once you're done just go to your nearest showroom or spares shop and find a suitable match.

Length is the most obvious factor and once you have found a lengthwise match next you put load on it, use your body weight. It would give you a relative idea of compression.

Once you find a suitable match you can buy a pair and install them. After installation you could get the tape measure out again and measure your static sag and free sag and compare it to recommended specs if you're doubtful of yourself to be certain.

In simplest terms, a suspension needs to have compression and rebound. I fully understand what you are doing which is why I mentioned that its not scientific. To recap,
1. You remove the existing suspension.
2. Then you put pressure on it.
3. You memorize how much pressure you put.
4. Your body "measures" the compression and rebound separately based on how much pressure you put on it.
5. You memorize the compression and rebound.
6. You got to a parts store.
7. You ask for suspension similar in length to what you already own.
8. You recall the pressure that you put in step 2 so that it can be duplicated.
9. You recall the compression and rebound that you memorized in step 5.
10. Then you start testing the multiple options in front of you by putting the same pressure as you recalled in step 8.
11. You decide which is best.
12. You try and see if it works, else go back to step 2 and repeat.

If I take a car analogy, suppose I want to replace the suspension of my Honda Jazz. I do steps 1 - 5 and then go to the parts store. I tell the store guy show me what suspensions you have in similar sizes and he shows me suspension of the Alto, Kwid, JTP Tiago and XUV 300 all of which are around the same size. I then follow steps 7 to 12.

Anyways, as I said, if you feel this is scientific and it works for you, all power to you.

Well there are other impacts to the motorcycle when you change the height of the suspension as you had stated below.

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Do keep in mind that if you contemplate changing height of the motorcycle it'd also affect your wheelbase which means you'd have to keep an eye on the chain length as well. Taller shocks means shorter chain and shorter shocks means longer chain, keep an eye on squat, If you do not know that just hit the search function and you'd stumble upon my thread explaining the same.

So it isnt as simple as swapping out one suspension for the other from a different manufacturer / OEM supplier. There are much more things to keep in mind. BTW what happened to the squat thread that you mentioned? I went back to reference it and jog my memory but I noticed that some points from Sutripta and nitro.1000bhp were brought up by there was no response and eventually, nothing useful came out of the thread. Hope you can reply to them there and continue the discussion on that, so we can all learn.

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

The next obvious question is whether you're willing to pay someone big bucks for a generic fix when you could do it better yourself with the help of quality reading material and logic at a fraction of the cost.

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

P.S. The reference to Tuners is directed to the desi kind that throw in everything including the kitchen sink and expect things to work, not the pro's that charge 10k for an hour for consultation alone.

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

That is simply how understanding the working principle has an impact on one's outlook. But yes, you're entitled to your opinion, the reason I take this effort is in hopes that one doesn't end up relying on the comfort of ambiguity by paying someone else to do an even shoddier job.

I do believe that you are mistaken while making some of these sweeping statements regarding paying a fair amount for a product or an offering that has been tested by after market specialists, whether they are in India or abroad. Why so much negativity against the professional aftermarket industry? If companies and enthusiasts are spending their time and money on R&D and extensive road testing and offering suitable products to improve stock parts safely, why unnecessarily throw shade on them? How are we predetermining that what they offer will be shoddy? Or that they are just praying for their parts to work?

Lets come to the fraction of a cost aspect as well. Lets assume a pair of rear suspension costs an average of Rs 3,500. Now since its all trial and error, for the sake of our discussion, lets assume that we need to go through a say 3 pairs to find something that may be comparable or better (if we are lucky) to the OEM suspension. So keeping aside the time and labour costs, that in itself is Rs 10,500 for the parts alone. Then you add up the proper road testing and time required for each option that you try.

Im not discounting the possibility of better parts being available in the market that maybe an upgrade to what you or I have on our motorcycles. But to make a blanket statement that everything aftermarket will be shoddy and that anything trial and error will be super cheap and better, is misleading at best.

To those who may be new to this and want to improve the suspension of your motorcycle, I would suggest that you dont just blindly follow the trial and error process if you are not an expert and get something proven instead that fits your budget.

[r_nairtvm]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Here's the suspension thread - link.

I might have missed other important updates shared by other bhpians on this thread

ninjatalli, you have done a good service by moving out the relevant threads on suspension to the new thread

What's left here is crap and if someone is unwise enough to follow them its downright there own funeral, I am sorry to say.

Advise from an "old biker" is please follow the sane advise that have been moved to the separate thread. Don't follow the crap on suspension that is left here.

Best Regards & Ride Safe

[nasirkaka]

To those who may be new to this and want to improve the suspension of your motorcycle, I would suggest that you dont just blindly follow the trial and error process if you are not an expert and get something proven instead that fits your budget.

Me! Me!!
I do not understand suspension science much, but i do know what i want. 310gs is my primary bike which has a very supple suspension and absorbs undulations like it wasen't even there. It does have its flaws, but i am in love with how it works for my riding. Am so used to this long travel supple suspension, that on the days when i take the interceptor out, suspension is the only things that comes across as a big bummer. Its clearly more a matter of me being spoilt by the 310 suspension rather then the interceptor's suspension being very bad. So my quest is to try and make the suspension suitable for comfort esp over bad roads. I was considering the YSS front kit but some read up and online reviews pointed it towards more tuned for better highspeed handing which is not my primary requirement. Also a friend who owns an interceptor rode a GT with YSS front and was not that impressed for comfort. I also thought of trying springs from himalayan and thunderbird, as some friends have already explored and experimented with mixed results, still in R&D phase, and nothing proven. Also thought about suspension from xpulse and 390adv, but the weight difference is just too much.
Way2speed kit is not really proven so far but talking to Melwin seemed like hes put in good amount of effort in the initial R&D. Also some riders who have installed the kit have good things to say. Sharing the video link below of one such. And at 1/3rd the cost of yss, i thought to give it a shot. I guess for something to be proven or otherwise, a lot of people like us need to try it and share our thoughts. A pic of the kit i have received and the youtube video link. Will get it installed and share how it feels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTY3eZQzFOU&t=9s

[acarun.vel]

Greeting Folks, This is my first post in Team BHP. Been an avid reader of the portal and have learnt a lot, from all you, in the past 8 years. Thank you everyone !

Happy to share that, I have booked the Interceptor and will be taking delivery of it shortly. I purchased a few OEM accessories and found that the ones manufactured in Sep'20 have fork gaiters, as a factory fitting. It was an accessory at the time of booking. Kindly note this if you planning a purchase in the near term. I also noticed that there is marginal hike in the pricing. Not sure, if this hike relates to the addition of the gaiter. Will pen up the review on what lead to me choosing the Interceptor over the Himalayan, as soon as, I have the bike.

[shabih]

Originally Posted by setuniket

I noticed in the brochure of Honda Highness CB350, the rear alloy wheels come with 130/70-18 tyres, if any one has access to Honda spares, we can try to fit in the rear alloy on Interceptor

The moment I saw online pictures of the bike, this was my first thought as well. Those do look nice

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by acarun.vel

I purchased a few OEM accessories and found that the ones manufactured in Sep'20 have fork gaiters, as a factory fitting.

That's a pretty good move, as fitting them required the front wheel to be removed. Good that now it's factory fitted!
Yes, RE hiked prices across models and the increase for 650 twins were around Rs. 1800/-

Welcome to TBHP, congratulations on your booking, thanks for sharing.

/surjaonwheelz

[acarun.vel]

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

That's a pretty good move, as fitting them required the front wheel to be removed. Good that now it's factory fitted!
Yes, RE hiked prices across models and the increase for 650 twins were around Rs. 1800/-

Welcome to TBHP, congratulations on your booking, thanks for sharing.

/surjaonwheelz

Thank you for the welcome & wishes

[yesyeswe]

I was looking for a place on my Gt to paste Tbhp stickers, but due to the large size of the majority of the stickers i wasn't able to. Finally i decided on the small stickers and found the perfect place on the single seat cowl.
Here's my Gt Team-Bhpfied

[nasirkaka]

Got the Way2Speed front suspension kit installed on the bike and took it for the spin around DD hills area (Bangalore outskirts).
Initial Impressions are very positive. Could immediately feel the difference post the upgrade. At stationary, when we try and compress the front end by applying the pressure on the handlebar, the suspensions feels harder then the stock. ride on, and it feels planted and seems to absorb the road undulations pretty well. The front end of the bike is been raised by almost 35mm. 10mm or extra travel due to dampner rod extender and about 25mm at triple tree. I sort of like this stance. The improved front end explodes the shortfall of the rear suspension now which appears more bumpy. Will ride more and share the findings. will also share feedback from some interceptor rider friends who are interested the the kit and would ride my bike to get a feel. some pics.

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Got the Way2Speed front suspension kit installed on the bike and took it for the spin around DD hills area (Bangalore outskirts).
Initial Impressions are very positive. Could immediately feel the difference post the upgrade. At stationary, when we try and compress the front end by applying the pressure on the handlebar, the suspensions feels harder then the stock. ride on, and it feels planted and seems to absorb the road undulations pretty well. The front end of the bike is been raised by almost 35mm. 10mm or extra travel due to dampner rod extender and about 25mm at triple tree. I sort of like this stance. The improved front end explodes the shortfall of the rear suspension now which appears more bumpy. Will ride more and share the findings. will also share feedback from some interceptor rider friends who are interested the the kit and would ride my bike to get a feel. some pics.

nasirkaka, can you share some pictures of the installation as well? Also, is the 35mm height rise the recommended setting from Way2Speed? Or can you install it at the same height as the OEM setting. The reason why I am asking is that if the height is kept the same, then you can get a direct before and after comparison and then if you change the height you can get another reference point for comparison. Also, do you feel any difference while cornering?

Even though 35mm is not a huge increase, as you rightly pointed out, it will tilt the weight balance slightly more towards the rear which in turn will highlight the issues already present with the OEM suspension. I look forward to your updates from your friends who are riding stock 650s and can get a feel of your bike's new ride and handling capabilities.

[adwaith]

I have searched and found no thread to be of help, since most of them speak of personal preferences and nothing more, therefore I decided to ask this here.

Between Speed and normal petrol which would you recommend for the bike. I've been filling Speed for a while. Also please tell me why one type of fuel is preferred over the other. Thanks!

Originally Posted by yesyeswe

I was looking for a place on my Gt to paste Tbhp stickers, but due to the large size of the majority of the stickers i wasn't able to. Finally i decided on the small stickers and found the perfect place on the single seat cowl.
Here's my Gt Team-Bhpfied

The sticker fits perfectly on the cowl. It looks really good!