V7III Front Suspension Upgrades

[mnuttall87]

Hey everyone, wanted to get some opinions on suspension upgrades for the V7.  Who has done it?  What do you like and what do you hate about it?

If anyone has done it, can you discuss the installation and how difficult you thought it was?

Example links for products I have seen are below.
K-Tech:  https://www.ktechsuspensionusa.com/p-21477-k-tech-suspension-tracker-fork-cartridge-kit.aspx
Matris:  https://www.matrisdampers.com/prodotto/prodotti-it-it/f15k/
Ohlins:  https://gtmotocycles.com/products/ohlins-v7-iii-front-fork-upgrade-kit
Traxxion:  https://traxxion.com/

[tonUPRacer]

Your survey question is difficult for me to answer and I doubt anyone really knows which is best. And I doubt many have been able to compare and use all the different products you listed. I mean if money is no object then probably a complete fork swap. In my case, I was limited by my budget and what was available to the V7 at the time. That left me with having my dealer install the Matris Preload adjusters with Race Tech springs, they have been a good improvement for the bike at a modest expense.

[Roebling3]

As you know the V7 III Racer comes with Ohlins shocks. To upgrade the front I had my dealer add K-tech internals, pre delivery. I'm quite satisfied with the cost and performance. Steering got a whole lot better pulling the fork tubes up 15mm. 
I had abs problems that could not be resolved. My dealer has a fix including a Brembo 4 pad caliper (which may be on the 2019 Racers), and a Brembo 15 RCS radial master cylinder. Excellent braking performance.
It ran great right out of the crate!  Good fortune,  R53~ 

[twowheeladdict]

I did the Traxxion Dynamics Cartridges.  I decided to go that route because I hope to have this bike a long time.  I've done gold valve emulators and springs on other bikes with good results. 


I used Traxxion Dynamics because they have built a great following and I could bring the bike to them in Woodstock, GA to do the install and then go hit the mountains.  Unfortunately the day I had scheduled turned nasty cold rainy.  Oh well.

[mnuttall87]

Your survey question is difficult for me to answer and I doubt anyone really knows which is best. And I doubt many have been able to compare and use all the different products you listed. I mean if money is no object then probably a complete fork swap. In my case, I was limited by my budget and what was available to the V7 at the time. That left me with having my dealer install the Matris Preload adjusters with Race Tech springs, they have been a good improvement for the bike at a modest expense.

Maybe I should have asked which upgrade you have and why you like it.  I've seen a small handful of posts, but not a lot of in depth feedback from anyone who has installed, if that makes sense.

[mnuttall87]

I did the Traxxion Dynamics Cartridges. 

Added yours to the poll.  Changed the question to ask what everyone has.

[kingoffleece]

I have RaceTech Gold Valves and springs.
Tracks much better thru corners, holds a line well, and rough road thru the corners does not throw the bike off line at a spirited pace.  Brake dive is more controlled.

[mnuttall87]

K-tech internals

I got quoted $1100 for the ktechs, 895 plus 200 install.  I wonder if the Matris performance would be similar for half the price.

[egschade]

Progressive springs suitable for my weight with slightly lighter oil made it much better than stock for me. Suspension setup will vary with how you use the bike. I don't push the bike hard and deal with rough and unpaved roads so compliance is important to me. If you want to drag pegs in every corner you'll want something different. Full race kit is expensive - my upgrade cost about $125 and totally DIY.

[jpv7]

I have RaceTech Gold Valves and springs.
Tracks much better thru corners, holds a line well, and rough road thru the corners does not throw the bike off line at a spirited pace.  Brake dive is more controlled.

+1.  I have done the same with excellent results.  Good value as priced below the other solutions.  Be sure to include the gold valve emulators.

[kingoffleece]

THX.  I did, and should have been more specific.  One of the best reasons to do this is it eliminates the horrid damping rod system, which no amount of tampering can fix.  Hydro lock can't be overcome by springs and oil weight.

I'd add that this mod is very reasonable in price and it easy to do when a renew of fork oil (every two years at best, eh mates?) is preformed.  The forks are off anyway making it a short procedure.  In WNY many of us, when it's time, remove the fork in winter, ship them to Hamlin, and lose zero riding time.  Others will tend to this in their shop when renewing tires.  You get the idea.  Or, a few mates, a beer or two, some Howlin' Wolf, and presto, it's all done!

[Roebling3]

Just to clarify:
AF1 Austin, TX is a dealer offering K-Tech fork modifications along with dozens of other K-Tech dealers, nationwide & worldwide.  R3~

[mnuttall87]

The K tech and the Matris F15k options look really similar, with Matris being half the price.  Does anyone know if the K tech is actually worth 2x?