Anyone tried sport settings on the 990 ?

[Window_licker]

Heard a few mixed reports about the sport suspension settings for the 990. As im looking to improve feedback from the tyres I would like anyone to pipe up if they have tried these settings or come across settings away from KTM's recommendations that work so I can try them out. Maybe also the 950 settings are the same?

Thanks guys

[Joe Bar]

This was posted by KTMax in another thread, I've tried it with stock wheels /tyres and definitely firms up the front end feel. Costs nothing to try and can be put back to stock in 5 minutes.

Are you still thinking of selling it Lloyd?

Last week at the Dutch KTM Orange day I had an interesting talk with a technical guy from WP Suspension who turned out to be involved with the development of the 950 setup back in 01-02 (WP is a Dutch company owned by
KTM).

I asked him about fitting heavier springs and/or reducing the air chamber to stiffen things up a bit after fitting 19/17" wheels. He told me that KTM wanted to give the 950 the same calm & steady 'fly-by wire' feel in the bars as the GS. For this the 950 forks are lightly damped smoothing out as much ripples and jerks as possible. To avoid GS riders being put off by rattling and shaking handlebars. The 950 forks are the only WP forks with two bypass/damping holes (not sure what he said).

He said not to start mess'n with the springrates and air chamber right away. "Try these 4 steps first"; put the fork egs flush with the top yoke (already did that), wind up the spring preload to max (already did that too), add 4 or 5 clicks of compression damping (dang, did that too) and last but not least, close the rebound adjusters all the way up to max or one click before max, effectively close one of the two holes mentioned.

"This will calm down the front end big time and give a much better feel & feedback". "You'll probably don't need to change anything else"...

Back home click-click-click-click-click-click... Wow, that is a big step forward! Well worth a try!

[Window_licker]

BMK

Thanks for the copy and paste , will give it a try on my next day off

Last week I was trying to sell the bike, but couldn't find a new 950 . After changing my mind at least a dozen times I decided to put a new trye on to stop the thing wobbling all over the place. The new Avon sorted the problem, and seems to be grippier too. It got me to thinking that if I could only sort the fuel injection problem out I could end up with a good two up bike. Along came my friendly Power commander dealer who is sourcing one direct from the states.
This means I could have a fully sorted bike, shame I can't fit the 19" front but Im getting an LC4 supermoto anyway for solo fun so I think I will be happy with my 990 as is.
If things don't work out then I will ask my dealer to get me a mint 950 when one comes available .

[MarkN]

As I spend all my time on the road, I've set mine to "sports" and it feels really good and firm. The wheels still track over bumps etc but it doesn't sink so much in corners etc.

It's so easy to do and I found it improved the bike loads.

Cheers

Mark

[TonyIOW]

Ditto Mark! Interestingly, when I was making my adjustment, I discovered that the "stock" settings were NOT stock! In particular, the front front fork settings were not even set evenly! Nor were they on my friend's 950 when he made a similar adjustment. We are first owners of our bikes so either KTM or the dealer messed up at the pre delivery stage.

Tony

[kamanya]

On a big trip last December at a point where I had already covered about 2500k's I knew the road would get really rough. That evening I changed from standard to sport settings.

The difference was amazing. It felt more plush but at the same time more controlled and stiffer, if that makes sense.

I had left it there.

For a time now I have been meaning to up the rebound and preload and this post prompted me to do it. I am off in a few hours to test it out. Just the ride to work this morning felt like it had moved in the right direction for me.

Look forward to reporting back on the change.

Cheers

@

[Joe Bar]

Originally Posted by TonyIOW

Ditto Mark! Interestingly, when I was making my adjustment, I discovered that the "stock" settings were NOT stock! In particular, the front front fork settings were not even set evenly! Nor were they on my friend's 950 when he made a similar adjustment. We are first owners of our bikes so either KTM or the dealer messed up at the pre delivery stage.

Tony

I always check and reset the suspension setting on every bike I buy, it's surprising how often they are not done on the pre delivery inspection by the dealer.

The settings on my 950 were set spot on by the dealer though, which was nice to find.

[BLUE(UK)]

Originally Posted by bmk

I always check and reset the suspension setting on every bike I buy, it's surprising how often they are not done on the pre delivery inspection by the dealer.

The settings on my 950 were set spot on by the dealer though, which was nice to find.

So were mine strangely enough!!
I checked ITB's suspension after going on a rideout and him complaining about the handling and his were out......turned out the previous owner was about 11stones wet through!!


Always check them!!(i check mine every few weeks in case some scrote has had a fiddle wiv me knobs whilst it's parked in public!!)

[HappyGoLucky]

KTMMax's post........... when you guys say turn to max, are you talking max of sport settings or as in max - no more turns available on the rebound/preload?

I think the shocks are way too soft in some regards, and have bottomed out on them too often.

I already have them on sport settings, but with one turn more on the rebound and compression.

[kamanya]

Even in deep sand it feels way better. Very solid more feeling and the bonus is that I can see the clocks better - the brake line sits a little lower.

I really recommend this tweak.

[jsrider]

Originally Posted by TonyIOW

Ditto Mark! Interestingly, when I was making my adjustment, I discovered that the "stock" settings were NOT stock! In particular, the front front fork settings were not even set evenly! Nor were they on my friend's 950 when he made a similar adjustment. We are first owners of our bikes so either KTM or the dealer messed up at the pre delivery stage.

Tony

I had the same situation with the front fork settings. I put everything to standard and have no problems in the twisties or the bumps. I weigh 200 lbs.

[LC8rider]

All the above posts are very interesting and on a subject that very few actually get right, me included. The 950 is so versatile that the stock suspension is asked to do quite a bit, ie: fast sweepy tarmac (rider only and rider + pillion), tight bumpy back roads, sand, dirt, rocks etc... In one ride alone I covered all the above except the sand, but did cross a shallow river! My previous sports bike was the dogs danglies on smooth tarmac, but once I hit bumps I felt like getting off and walking.
My settings when new from the dealer were ok to, but has anyone checked the fork oil level, or changed the fork oil on higher mileage bikes? Not me (only 7k). I'd need at least 5 different bikes to cover all the conditions I like to ride. I'm afraid the prefect suspension setting is an art I will never master.

[BLUE(UK)]

On all the bikes i've owned i've simply ran the suspension as 'standard'.The only one i have modified is the 450exc which was a simple spring change at front and rear to suit my weight.


Maybe that could explain why i am such a slow rider!!

[LC8rider]

Hey Blue, shouldn't you be at work at this time of day???

[BLUE(UK)]

Originally Posted by LC8rider

Hey Blue, shouldn't you be at work at this time of day???

Not at all!!

I work part time,evenings on Thursdays,Fridays and if i aint busy doing something else i might work on Sats and at times on Sundays!!
I spent many years(about 7)working two jobs....carpenter and a door supervisor(bouncer or whatever one would like to call it).Anyway,i now work part time and will do for as long as i can do so til i need to get another fulltime job!!


Ohhh,i aint rich or anything,i just get by.