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Front suspension beating me into the dirt

4250 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  mtb2104, 
M
Hello all. Just over a couple hundred km on the bike and love it!
One thing I don't like though....

Just curious on advice/thoughts

I don't mind the rear suspension or the hard seat ( Icon )

I really do find that the front suspension hardly moves and beats my hands up really severely. Just the cracks in the road/pavement over an hour make my hands sore more than anything.

Just wondering if my bike was setup incorrectly or if there is something I should be checking in the front suspension?

Or maybe Im kind of a whiner and thats what these bikes are like?

Thanks for the assistance!

Mark
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T
[email protected] said:
Hello all. Just over a couple hundred km on the bike and love it!
One thing I don't like though....

Just curious on advice/thoughts

I don't mind the rear suspension or the hard seat ( Icon )

I really do find that the front suspension hardly moves and beats my hands up really severely. Just the cracks in the road/pavement over an hour make my hands sore more than anything.

Just wondering if my bike was setup incorrectly or if there is something I should be checking in the front suspension?

Or maybe Im kind of a whiner and thats what these bikes are like?

Thanks for the assistance!

Mark
Click to expand...
Cartridges will help, but a lot has to do with how much strain you put on your arms/hands. If you relax and only provide gentle inputs you'll notice a huge reduction in pain. You probably already know that, but hey if not try that before you spend the cash on cartridges!

Unfortunately, those forks are NOT adjustable.
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kjs
TransNone13 said:
Cartridges will help, but a lot has to do with how much strain you put on your arms/hands. If you relax and only provide gentle inputs you'll notice a huge reduction in pain.
Click to expand...

Yep. Loosen up! Don't clench the grips, keep your elbows loose. Pressing the footpegs with the balls of your feet will transfer some weight to your feet and keep your ass end from yanking you around too.
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K
Yes, That is the normal front end of the Scrambler. Nothing to check or adjust.
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TC3
You get used to it. As others say ease up on your grip. I got used to it but the rear shock i could not live with so swapped that out and it high lighted the poor front suspension but now am once again used to the front :)
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P
Its Ironic how we don't notice these things during the test drive before purchase. I would recommend calling Ken Hall about that front suspension.
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TC3
PERPETUAL MOTION said:
Its Ironic how we don't notice these things during the test drive before purchase. I would recommend calling Ken Hall about that front suspension.
Click to expand...
I noticed and knew i was going to upgrade the rear for sure
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P
TC3 said:
I noticed and knew i was going to upgrade the rear for sure
Click to expand...
I was too tired from work and was just glad I had a Scrambler at the time...come to think of it, I never even test drove one >:D. It is an inexpensive bike with a low price point and very obvious where Ducati cut corners to make it work. I wish they had not done that...would've been glad to pay more for better components.
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TC3
PERPETUAL MOTION said:
I was too tired from work and was just glad I had a Scrambler at the time...come to think of it, I never even test drove one >:D. It is an inexpensive bike with a low price point and very obvious where Ducati cut corners to make it work. I wish they had not done that...would've been glad to pay more for better components.
Click to expand...
I am happier to select what to upgrade and not pay increased purchase price. As a base the bike is ok
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M
I think you all maybe very correct.
I probably have a death grip on the bars, so thats something to watch for.

Put on some FT bars today so the better position ( for me ) may help too.
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mtb2104
also, you might want to check your rear preload

if it sags too much, the front will feel even harsher... personal experience :)
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M
That could be the case perhaps. What is the stock preload?
I am 6'2 and 225lbs. I doubt the dealer did any setup.
So its probably at stock.

What preload have others had good luck with? Especially based on your weight/height?

Thanks for the advice.
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mtb2104
right now I am at 2nd notch from the hardest setting... stock was 3rd if I remember correctly

I am 5'9 and 187lbs
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