White Power Info - 1100 Sport

[Bull Tahr]

I'm keen to start playing around with the suspension on my 1100, as it's pretty "firm", esp in the rear. WP info seems pretty sparse, I can work thru it myself but a Template or similar like the Ohlins have would be a great starting point. Any help/info/links to docs/downloads appreciated. Thanks. 

[Guzzidad]

   Just my experience, when I first bought my 96 Sport I think the rear shock was set up for someone a bit heavier than me. I went into a nice sweeping curve with a couple of bumps in the road and I went into a tank slapper. I thought this shouldn't happen on this bike. I ended up softening the preload on the rear spring and it never happened again, and I rode that bike pretty hard. 123,000 miles. One of the best bikes I ever had.

[80CX100]

I stand to be corrected,but are you sure that WP stands for White Power,,, I always thought it was Works Performance,fwiw idk.

[Canuck750]

I stand to be corrected,but are you sure that WP stands for White Power,,, I always thought it was Works Performance,fwiw idk.

White Power” Suspension – not a political statement, but an allusion to the striking white springs used for his products. Yet this colour choice is as iconic as it is pragmatic. The only coater in Peter’s home country, Malden in the Netherlands, makes hospital beds. These are typically white – and so will Peter’s springs.

[80CX100]

White Power” Suspension – not a political statement, but an allusion to the striking white springs used for his products. Yet this colour choice is as iconic as it is pragmatic. The only coater in Peter’s home country, Malden in the Netherlands, makes hospital beds. These are typically white – and so will Peter’s springs.

     I used to have some White Brothers accessories way back in the day, didn't realize there was a White Power too, that's a new one for me, tks for sharing the info

[guido guzzi]

   Just my experience, when I first bought my 96 Sport I think the rear shock was set up for someone a bit heavier than me. I went into a nice sweeping curve with a couple of bumps in the road and I went into a tank slapper. I thought this shouldn't happen on this bike. I ended up softening the preload on the rear spring and it never happened again, and I rode that bike pretty hard. 123,000 miles. One of the best bikes I ever had.

Changing the rear spring is something I think about from time to time as it seems it was designed for a 300 lb rider with a 200 lb passenger... Even with the stock spring I was able to adjust the static sag by backing the preload WAY off and adding (1/2"?) spacers to the fork springs. Dramatically better handling as it now squats like it should during acceleration although the rear still has very little travel.

[janguzzi]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP_Suspension

[Bull Tahr]

Changing the rear spring is something I think about from time to time as it seems it was designed for a 300 lb rider with a 200 lb passenger... Even with the stock spring I was able to adjust the static sag by backing the preload WAY off and adding (1/2"?) spacers to the fork springs. Dramatically better handling as it now squats like it should during acceleration although the rear still has very little travel.

Glad it's not just me then, either I need to start eating more or I need to get the seat off and wind things way out!

[LaGrasta]

Over Christmas break, setting SAG was my goal, until I discovered I have to remove the fuel tank and air box. Having just made this bike road worthy again, I've removed these items far too many times. I just didn't have the energy to do it again. I'll have to first work my morale up for a few months. 

[Bull Tahr]

Over Christmas break, setting SAG was my goal, until I discovered I have to remove the fuel tank and air box. Having just made this bike road worthy again, I've removed these items far too many times. I just didn't have the energy to do it again. I'll have to first work my morale up for a few months. 

I thought it was just the riders seat to be removed... Tank/Fairing/airbox not too much problem. Grab a couple of beers and a mate and get into it..... I might document it when I get back to by bike early Feb......

[LowRyter]

I stand to be corrected,but are you sure that WP stands for White Power,,, I always thought it was Works Performance,fwiw idk.

IIRC, they changed the name to Works Perf.  I think WP are on most KTM bikes. 

[rocker59]

What do you guys weigh?  LOL!

The WP/White Power rear shock on my 1996 Sport 1100 was perfect (for me).  When new I set up the preload and damping to suit me and never touched it in 30,000+ miles.

On the other hand, the Marzochhi fork was really soft.  After years of owning the bike, I upgraded with the WP/White Power spring kit and went up to 10wt fork oil.  Then it was perfect!

That was one great motorcycle, and I regret selling it, even though riding it became painful and it sat a lot.  It was some of the greatest garage art, ever...

[John Croucher]

Something to consider.  The Sport 1100 is a CARC/Parallelogram shaft drive rear swingarm.  When the applying power, the rear suspension compresses adding additional preload to the shock. Making the rear shock stiffer.  Adding a preload or a heavier spring will make the shock even stiffer.  Un-like a Tonti frame or other bikes that are shaft drive with a typical swingarm that unloads the rear shock. 

I owned a Sport 1100 and have a Tonti frame with a Magni parallelogram swing arm.  They both squat down massively when applying power instead of raising the rear of the bike and making the shock softer.  I set the sag/preload on the Tonti frame tighter.  The ride was choppy and harsh.  When I added more sag the ride is better.   I like the Magni swing arm.  Going into a corner under power plants the bike harder on the road.   

[Bull Tahr]

Something to consider.  The Sport 1100 is a CARC/Parallelogram shaft drive rear swingarm.  When the applying power, the rear suspension compresses adding additional preload to the shock. Making the rear shock stiffer.  Adding a preload or a heavier spring will make the shock even stiffer.  Un-like a Tonti frame or other bikes that are shaft drive with a typical swingarm that unloads the rear shock. 

I owned a Sport 1100 and have a Tonti frame with a Magni parallelogram swing arm.  They both squat down massively when applying power instead of raising the rear of the bike and making the shock softer.  I set the sag/preload on the Tonti frame tighter.  The ride was choppy and harsh.  When I added more sag the ride is better.   I like the Magni swing arm.  Going into a corner under power plants the bike harder on the road.

Are you saying leave it stiff or back off the pre-load? I only ride this bike fairly hard, so I'm OK with stiff, if it keeps it stable under power. I prefer hard to bouncy! I understand what you are saying about going in under power compressing and pushing the tyre harder into the road.

[Tusayan]

There is no difference in the spring rate of a non-progressive spring if it is compressed, or not compressed.  The only difference in rear suspension stiffness felt by the rider with rear shock partially compressed would be if a linkage changed the mechanical advantage on the shock as a function of rear wheel movement.  On the 1100 Sport there is no progressive linkage.

[John Croucher]

There is no difference in the spring rate of a non-progressive spring if it is compressed, or not compressed.  The only difference in rear suspension stiffness felt by the rider with rear shock partially compressed would be if a linkage changed the mechanical advantage on the shock as a function of rear wheel movement.  On the 1100 Sport there is no progressive linkage.

I have straight rate on the Tonti/Magni.  With more sag to give a smother ride.  When I tighten it up, the front gets funny in a turn on a rough surface. Tighten up the steering damper helps.  But on road riding, conditions change quickly.  Turning the damper adjustment on the fly is easy to do when going from 2 lane curves to highway riding.  Adjusting  the preload is not easy at 75 mph.