Hard Suspension

[Aussie Dave]

.....took my Ohlins equipped CBR1100XX out for breakfast this morning......lovely old girl she is.....but after bouncing over the same bumps the Gt just glides over I have to admit electrickery is wonderful....

[Charliektm400exc]

Thanks everyone for your input; at one stage I thought I was losing my mind!
My wife and I went for a good length ride this past weekend, and I put it on Comfort and 1 rider + baggage. Wow, what a different motorcycle! Touched speeds of 220kph and it was perfect!
PS: my wife is now refered to officially as "baggage"!!

Not the same bike, 1290SA but I find it's not as comfortable as I would like on comfort setting 16K on it so well worn in. Like the OP I was expecting BMW comfort on that setting.

Like you, as soon as I went two up with gear and adjusted the suspension to that it was perfect. Makes me think I might have to much preload, so I am talking to the dealer about changing the preload. I think from memory it's on -3 but I might try 0 or even +3. And just in case this is all news to people, on my bike at least the dealer can adjust it from -5 to +5 with -5 being maximum preload.

They are a brand new KTM dealer, only took on dealership a week ago so they are still not sure on what I'm talking about. They have been around as a dealer of other brands for years and are one of the best dealers in my town.

[furndog]

So the saga continues I took my GT in so they could have a look at it, mostly to get it on record for any future issue. Well they couldn't actually work on it then said they had to call KTM for advice. They come back with "probably the axle isn't properly torqued or the forks are miss aligned". But that entails another service appointment two weeks out to check that. Fast forward axle is good forks are parallel and "It's not a Gold Wing". I realize they have to jump through some hoops before they can replace any major components. But since they think there is nothing wrong they are a bit reluctant. In the mean time, this is where it starts to get good, I hope, a customer comes in and test rides their demo '16GT. He brings it back and says the suspension is a piece of s*@t and is not interested. Not wanting to lose a customer they prep their '17GT for him. He come back from the test ride and says "two different bikes, totally different, world of difference". So now they call me in and want me to try out the 17 to see what I think and then compare their 16 to my 16. Well pretty much the same impression as the other fellow and both '16's are about the same. Long story short, sorry, they are now pretty sure something might actually be wrong with my bike and are going to have ago with KTM over it. That was a few days ago still in limbo will keep you posted.

[Aussie Dave]

Cheers Furndog.....sounds like progress - who'd have thought there would be any difference between a 016 model and an 017 (mine is called 2017 and the owners manual is printed 2017.....and it arrived in Aus in late Jan017.....has the LED rear flashers blah blah) but the sticker on the left frame tube under the tank states it was built in Nov 2016.. .......it takes that long to get stock shipped around the globe..

Hope the dealer discovers what needs to be done to give your GT what mine has always had....suspension

Ps I could use a smidge more rebound damping on the rear, but it's fine for everyday use (I'm not a track day rider )......might take a while before the local techs work out what to do to upgrade the damping rates.

[DucBMW]

So the saga continues I took my GT in so they could have a look at it, mostly to get it on record for any future issue. Well they couldn't actually work on it then said they had to call KTM for advice. They come back with "probably the axle isn't properly torqued or the forks are miss aligned". But that entails another service appointment two weeks out to check that. Fast forward axle is good forks are parallel and "It's not a Gold Wing". I realize they have to jump through some hoops before they can replace any major components. But since they think there is nothing wrong they are a bit reluctant. In the mean time, this is where it starts to get good, I hope, a customer comes in and test rides their demo '16GT. He brings it back and says the suspension is a piece of s*@t and is not interested. Not wanting to lose a customer they prep their '17GT for him. He come back from the test ride and says "two different bikes, totally different, world of difference". So now they call me in and want me to try out the 17 to see what I think and then compare their 16 to my 16. Well pretty much the same impression as the other fellow and both '16's are about the same. Long story short, sorry, they are now pretty sure something might actually be wrong with my bike and are going to have ago with KTM over it. That was a few days ago still in limbo will keep you posted.

You can check and compare part numbers here:

http://sparepartsfinder.ktm.com/?lang=en

Which is what I did earlier this year, and which made me decide to swap my 2016 for a 2017 SDGT. Amongst others, you will find that cardridges for both front and rear suspension have changed.

Recognizing that I had quite some troubles with the previous SDGT that I took delivery off in April-2016, KTM offered me a sweet deal, but that might also have some relation with KTM offering a €2000 discount on these bikes in Europe nowadays.

Difference between the current 2017 SDGT and the previous one is night and day, in many respects. Not just suspension, but aso reliability and engine behavior below 5000 revs.

[Aussie Dave]

Thanks DucBMW......and I was musing (to myself..) that it might have been software - but changed internals makes sense.......now if only all the dealers tech's could be schooled up on what to do to delight their customers.......oh.....sorry.......must be dreaming again .........

My local KTM service guys seem to have a good grasp but I'm yet to ask for a tweak to the rear rebound damping..... ......that'll be a job for the 15k kms service...if they can be dragged away from the Ducati's they have just taken into the family...

[DucBMW]

There are also known issues with software (i.e. modulator, which is still a HW/SW combination) known for both (early?) Super Adventure en Super Duke GT's. So difficult to tell what causes the problems you are experiencing. My previous SDGT (2016) received a complete overhaul by the manufacturer last October, including modification of the rear spring (!), allegedly. Didn't exactly improve things: yes, there was wheel travel for a change, but now the thing was jumping all over the place.

The feel I got was that there might have been something "not so good" in terms of internal communications. Every mechanic (dealer, distributor, manufacturer) that I came across claimed that things were just OK. At some point I was even offered a swap for BMW (they di not even hold that dealership), or whatever I wanted. I didn't fancy a Beamer though...

Best thing to do I guess - but I don't know how practical that is at wherever you are - is to get your hands on a 2017 model, for a test ride, so that you can compare. SDGT will never become as plush as a GoldWing or so, but the difference between 2016 and 2017 is very noticeable in my experience.

Best of luck!

[akarmire]

Furndog any news on your bike?

I've been watching this forum for a long time and tried to register many times and today it worked.... I'm in the same boat as you I have the 16 GT and absolutely get pissed every time l ride it because of this suspension problem (Its awesome besides that) but lets be honest suspension is very important.
I've called WP north America and they know nothing. I've called KTM North America and the rep just types every word I say(I hear the clicking in the background)telling me unless the dealership thinks there's a issue nothing can be done and the 16 model and 17 have the exact same suspension..... I mention I've heard different on this forum and she laughs and says "don't believe something you see on a forum" what a C**t.

So my my main complaint with the suspension is cornering, it feels like the rebound is fighting me through them. It pushes up causing me to feel like the bike wants to standup mid corner,and no doubt pavement seams throw you around. Not confidence inspiring! This has been felt in every preload setting and every mode.

I've had to many bikes in my life to know this is a huge problem. I have 5000 miles on her now and l guess I thought I'd get used to it and it was the semi-active suspension doing it's thing, now l realize it's hard to live with.



Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[furndog]

Furndog any news on your bike?

I've been watching this forum for a long time and tried to register many times and today it worked.... I'm in the same boat as you I have the 16 GT and absolutely get pissed every time l ride it because of this suspension problem (Its awesome besides that) but lets be honest suspension is very important.
I've called WP north America and they know nothing. I've called KTM North America and the rep just types every word I say(I hear the clicking in the background)telling me unless the dealership thinks there's a issue nothing can be done and the 16 model and 17 have the exact same suspension..... I mention I've heard different on this forum and she laughs and says "don't believe something you see on a forum" what a C**t.

So my my main complaint with the suspension is cornering, it feels like the rebound is fighting me through them. It pushes up causing me to feel like the bike wants to standup mid corner,and no doubt pavement seams throw you around. Not confidence inspiring! This has been felt in every preload setting and every mode.

I've had to many bikes in my life to know this is a huge problem. I have 5000 miles on her now and l guess I thought I'd get used to it and it was the semi-active suspension doing it's thing, now l realize it's hard to live with.



Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

For some reason this is dragging on a lot longer than it should i'll try to keep it short. KTM denied my warranty claim even though they know there is an issue. My sales manager had two long talks with KTM explaining the problem and it boils down to this. And this it the part I find hard to believe, well I do and I don't, and this is a quote mind you "if we do it for one we have to do it for all the reason there is a difference between the two years it KTM is always trying to improve its product. If your customer want to he can purchase the components his self". So my dealer said there was nothing more they could do and gave me number to call saying sometimes an individual can have better luck. I called and left a message Friday and yesterday they returned the call. It's not very far up the food chain just "customer service" but she did listen intently as I plead my case. And then returned with this "KTM has been in touch with your dealer and there is nothing we can do at this time" and referenced the above quote verbatim. They've drawn a line in the sand but I'm crossing it.

[akarmire]

Thanks for the response Furndog, this helps my case. Maybe we should both blow up the phones at customer service until they get sick of us and fix them??? I'm going to push the subject also.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Dewayne Edwards 1974]

I have a 16 and so far not had any of the issues with suspension. I just spent a weekend at Deals Gap and it worked great had it set in sport, single with baggage. If it's not every 16 then it might be specific to a select few. In which case you might have a better chance getting it fixed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[akarmire]

Good to know Dewayne, I've been to Deal's gap several times and I'll tell you right now my bike would not carve those corners very well. And l swear I can kinda ride



Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Dewayne Edwards 1974]

I bought my GT in July it was the demo bike and they made sure all the updates was done. IDK with it being electronic suspension (1st for me) wondering if that has anything to do with it. Not trying to say anything neg about your dealer but I have witnessed a tech at a Yamaha dealership forget to put oil drain plug all the way and caused customer to wreck in parking lot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[akarmire]

I bought mine in August of last year, far as i know its all up to date.... l have them looking into it now,hopefully they find something that will fix it. Fingers Crossed!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Dewayne Edwards 1974]

I hope they find something that easy and can be covered under warranty!!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MR C]

It's Deffo bike related and not all 2016, because I've just been away to Luxembourg / Germany and one particular rd out of the town we were based in was like an off rd track with the worst Tarmac repairs I've ever seen and even with the bike suspension set to sport my 2016 dealt with it outstandingly, my bike has been faultless, I'm using 3/4 travel on the front forks so all seems to be working fine.

[akarmire]

Where I notice its faults is cornering. If I'm cruising around its not horrible but as soon as l bump up the pace and get into a corner it literally feels like it wants to push me up from any decent lean angles. Throw in a asphalt lap mark and you talk about sketchy AF! It's as if the suspension won't settle into the corner which l would maybe expect in street and comfort modes(anti dive feature) but in sport it should settle in.
I just don't feel comfortable cornering with this bike..... l don't have a problem on my other bikes!

And no l don't ride like a complete idiot on the street but l do enjoy a nice spirited pace.

I'll get to the bottom of it one way or another. I hope

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Charliektm400exc]

Just to throw a different spanner in the works, but is there any chance the steering head bearings have a notch in them which is causing the cornering problem?

[akarmire]

Its possible, tonight while I was cleaning her up for a ride tomorrow I began to wonder if my Angel GT front is some of the issue... it might be cupping slightly.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Aussie Dave]

Cheers all......keep in mind that the rear shockie does feel like it needs a click more "rebound" damping.

That might explain why it feels like it wants to push up too quickly - I only know how this feels because I invested in Ohlins for my Blackbird and it's got clickers everywhere.....but the rebound is critical whereas the compression damping is just a choice setting......the rebound controls the 'bounce back' after hitting a bump, the compression is what is felt when you first hit the bump.....if that helps......I'll be asking my tech'o to dial a smidge more rebound damping into mine at the 15,000km official service (hoping they know how to do this by then... ).....otherwise I'll have to ask my shockie servicing guy if he has done any WP semi active valving mods yet.....

Cheers from hot dusty Aus.