RSD wheels and / or front springs + rear shock upgrade

[need2lose20lbs]

My RSD wheels finally arrived and I’m wondering if anyone can provide feedback on how much of a performance difference they made. Is it worth also changing rear shock and possibly front springs at the same time? I seemed to have opened up a Pandora’s box of upgrades, but the stock Roctane suspension needs a bit of tweaking. The roads here is the Los Angeles area are absolute trash and I’m a good size boy. Overall, the bike does quite well, but some harsh bumps can send minor shockwaves to my kidneys.

 

[Rufus]

The RSD wheels are probably very rare and no doubt expensive so you may be the first and only owner to take this path on a Roctane. Suspension is a personal thing, I find the standard bike pretty plush tbh (I’m 107kg or roughly 17st). Yes I try to avoid potholes but I do that no matter what I’m riding or driving. There isn’t much suspension travel front or back so I expect there’s only so much a change of components can make. I know you can buy better quality components but the cost of purchase and fitting vs tangible improvements might not be worth it, if you do take it on you’ll have to update the forum to share findings with others.

 

[Noelpolar]

I did the wilbers +20, the roads here are poor as well..... the +20 gives 115mm of travel (as well as correct sprimg rate and dampening)..... I'd do it again for sure.... probally the difference you're needing. I'd then see how it goes before doing the forks. I did do the forks as well (springs/emulators/oil) mostly because I could but 90% of the improvement I'd attribute to the rear shock.

 

[need2lose20lbs]

I did the wilbers +20, the roads here are poor as well..... the +20 gives 115mm of travel (as well as correct sprimg rate and dampening)..... I'd do it again for sure.... probally the difference you're needing. I'd then see how it goes before doing the forks. I did do the forks as well (springs/emulators/oil) mostly because I could but 90% of the improvement I'd attribute to the rear shock.

Nice. My BMW dealer isn’t comfortable doing suspension work. My Roctane is at the dealer getting the RSD wheels installed and also Metzler Cruisetech tires. Apparently these tires will soften up the ride vs the stock high mileage tires. Will hopefully have the bike back this week and report back.

 

[need2lose20lbs]

Here are the RSD wheels paired with the Metzler Cruisetech tires. Stock tires were the Metzler Marathon Ultra. The new tire and wheel combo completely transform the motorcycle. They really should have come stock, at the very least the Cruisetech’s. The bike corners like a much smaller bike and I am comfortably lane filtering. The freeways in Los Angeles are built with multiple expansion joints and on the stock combo there was a thud every time I hit an expansion joint. Now the bike just glides over everything except for the harshest bumps. I don’t see a point in changing the suspension. Overall I would say it’s like going from wearing work boots to running sneakers. Seriously that much of a difference.

 

[kate_brett]

Good to hear that the softer / stickier tyre is comfortable and confidence inspiring.

 

[need2lose20lbs]

Good to hear that the softer / stickier tyre is comfortable and confidence inspiring.

The Cruisetechs are V-shaped vs the flat shape of the Marathons. That makes such a difference. Cheers.