Matris F15k Cartridges - V7 850

[YellowDuck]

No question, just wanted to share my happiness with these fork cartridges.

I installed them over the winter (very straightforward job for someone who has any experience at all taking forks apart - no machining needed), and just recently got the weather needed to go try them out here in SW Ontario.

Mine came with 7 N/mm springs, and the forks are very compliant.  Matris's suggested preload setting gave me sag of exactly 1/3 of travel (so, they did the math right).  I also started with the suggested damper settings, and they were immediately such a clear improvement over the OEM forks!  I have fiddled with rebound quite a bit since, but am finding I like the suggested setting as much as any other, on the pretty rough roads I ride.  I always find compression harder to tune, but I will eventually monkey with that as well.

Honestly, the forks are so good now, it makes my rear suspension with Shock Factory 2Win shocks seem a bit basic.  Nothing against the 2Wins, I think they are great, but there is only so much you can hope for with a twin shock, linkage-less setup.  I had the same experience with YSS fully adjustables on my RE Interceptor - it's never going to be great with that geometry.

But the forks...if they were any better, I doubt I could tell the difference!

[YellowDuck]

I was really focused on what my suspension upgrades could do for me on crappy, broken asphalt - mostly, reducing the harshness of the compression damping over sharp bumps, and the lack of control over extended bumpy sections.

The changes have improved both of those things, but as I ride the bike more, I am realizing that the benefits on relatively good asphalt are even greater.  On smooth pavement with lots of corners (like, switching from a medium speed left immediately into a medium speed right), the improvement over the stock setup is incredible.  Feels more or less like a sport bike. It's really a remarkable difference over the stock setup for that kind of spirited riding.

I take deliver of my V85 Strada next Friday.  I guess we will be back at square one on getting the suspension sorted on yet another bike.  Might wait a bit to start that project.  I already bought the MG Urban panniers (and associated hardware) for it, so $$'s getting a little tight!   

[Vagrant]

A tip, set the new v85 up exactly as the owners book states. From there never go more than 1 turn or two clicks. They make a big difference. I raised my forks up 4 lines instead of the 1 it recommends but mostly because I'm short.

[Rocket Rod]

A tip, set the new v85 up exactly as the owners book states. From there never go more than 1 turn or two clicks. They make a big difference. I raised my forks up 4 lines instead of the 1 it recommends but mostly because I'm short.

Is there a guide or manual I can use to set up my Matris cartridges? A previous owner installed and I love to tinker, but am ignorant.

[YellowDuck]

A sheet would have come in the box with the recommended settings.  FWIW mine said 15 clicks rebound, 15 clicks compression, 6 turns preload, 130 mm air gap.

[kingoffleece]

I've said what you have for over 15 years.  One need not be trying to qualify for Superbike to enjoy the benefits of proper suspension.  The results of a job done correctly are superlative and make a huge difference in everyday riding.

[guzziart]

A tip, set the new v85 up exactly as the owners book states. From there never go more than 1 turn or two clicks. They make a big difference. I raised my forks up 4 lines instead of the 1 it recommends but mostly because I'm short.

Thanks for that V, I'll have to pull out the owners manual and try to figure out where my suspension "should" be.  I got my v85 used and haven't messed with the suspension and don't know if the PO did either.

[davethewelder]

I had considered these, instead it went the cheaper route. Hyperpro springs and raised the fork tubes a 1/2".   For the most part its a good set up, but the Matris probably better with all is adjustability.