[v01d]

You guys are hysterical.

I hope this helps,

On the other side of preload settings, what happens if you dial way back on your MotoGP-like adjustments in your EVO dash? Now your springs hold you way lower in the stroke of your suspension, no where near the 2/3 available to absorb bumps place. Sure your seat is lower, and if that was your goal you should not feel bad for that. But achieving this by sitting yourself much closer to the bottom of your shock stroke is not the best way to achieve this - because you could bottom out your suspension on a bigger bump, or a bump you hit at a higher speed.

Hey go-go, just to add to your great post: note, as we 've learned, EVO only has pre-load adjustment on the rear. For some (stupid??) reason, EVO has NO preload adjustment on the front. At all, no electronic, no manual. (That is true for 2023 to 2025 I beleive, may be changed later.) Was a great dissapointment to me. A bit strange, for top of the range model, no?

Btw, I think I have seen one of your YouTube videos riding SDR, and I have to say - wow, looks like you 'one with the bike', very awesome SDR track riding.. Listenting to the engine and thinking about your throttle use there, it's really awesome. 👏💪. It feels like "Superduke riding in poetry in motion Style" , specifically for this bike.

 

[DaveNZ]

I have to say, just to be honest from self, this KTM SDK chassis and/or suspesion makes it feel like an 18th Century old wooden wheel wagon. Hard sturdy and feels unflexible as fk (!!!!! <-- thats my frustration).

Thats coming off RSV4 essentially. I felt that bike handles smooth as butter. (Wobly and too loose if suspension not set.)

Which/what 1290 do you have vO1D. ?

 

[v01d]

Which/what 1290 do you have vO1D. ?

Still the same bud, 1290 SDR Evo 2023, with track and suspension pro packages enabled. Some occasions I enjoy it.

 

[Lowrance]

Dave Moss is currently doing a video or two detailing his setup process for a 22 or 23 SDR EVO. Not sure if it's his bike or a customers but either way, a good watch.

Cheers

-John

 

[DaveNZ]

I have to say, just to be honest from self, this KTM SDK chassis and/or suspesion makes it feel like an 18th Century old wooden wheel wagon. Hard sturdy and feels unflexible as fk (!!!!! <-- thats my frustration).

Thats coming off RSV4 essentially. I felt that bike handles smooth as butter. (Wobly and too loose if suspension not set.)

Which/what 1290 do you have vO1D. ?

Still the same bud, 1290 SDR Evo 2023, with track and suspension pro packages enabled. Some occasions I enjoy it.

Thats right, forgot you had the EVO. After a 2014 1290 SD then i got the 2016 1290GT with the electronic suspension, i wasn't keen to get another KTM with WP electronic suspension, so got the 2020 1290R. And on track days ive ridden with mates on a 2023 Tuono, Factory's and a 2022 Street Fighter V4S, the only place those bikes were faster was at the end of the long straights, everywhere else they could just barely stick with me. the KTM1290 holds its own in the tighter parts of the track. And on our tighter back roads with my shorter gearing and Go Go link plates im held up by them. Don't underestimate how good the 1290 goes, but it is a road bias bike that dose ok on the track.

 

[Lowrance]

Just finished up installing the 95nmm shock spring on my 1390 EVO. Haven't ridden it yet so ride impressions still to come. I have done ye'ol seat bounce test (yes, with engine running), changed preload and damping settings and everything still works as it should. Fork is next, hopefully soon....work always seems to get in the way.

Still have GoGo's 15mm Sportlinks installed in order to evaluate the spring change on its own but just received the 20mm Sport links to try in the not too distant future.

Shock R&R is pretty straight forward with a couple caveats. The three electrical connectors under the LH side triangle cover were a bit of a pain to fish out (they were buried in the harness bundle under the seat) so a little patience is required here so as not to damage anything. Once past that little hurdle the rest was easy enough. Actually a lot easier than pulling the shock on my R1! Highly recommend obtaining the 1390 EVO service manual before proceeding. The only thing I didn't follow per the manual was removing the voltage rectifier/regulator. There is plenty of room to get the shock out with it still in place provided you remove the link plates completely (just two additional bolts). All up, took just under 3 hours.

Will ride the bike soon, in its current configuration (with anti-dive on 😁), and then get the 21nmm fork spring spun up and installed before I install and test the 20mm links.

Stay tuned!

Cheers

-John

 

[Lowrance]

Wow!

All I need to say really. But.....I know, I've used this phrase before but it really applies here....again! The 95nmm rear spring (in conjunction with GoGo's 15mm Sportlinks) has transformed this bike....again! It freakin rails corners!

If I'm honest, I was dragging my feet a little as I was concerned about installing this spring on the 1390 EVO. It's the exact same spring I installed on my 2021 SD-R 1290's analog shock...with very different results. On the 1290, the stock shock's valving couldn't compensate for the additional energy in the higher rate spring (same issue in the forks with stiffer springs). I probably could have had the stock shock and forks revalved but that's typically hit and miss in my experience so I ended up purchasing a Penske Racing shock and GP fork cartridges.

I'm happy to report that is a non-issue with the EVO suspension! In the interest of comparing apples to apples, I set preload to Auto-Standard and used just the Comfort (for freeway), Street and Sport (for twisty/bumpy bits) and was pleasantly surprised by the compliance and control. I noticed it first getting to the fun stuff. All of the typical freeway bumps and expansion joints were substantially smoothed out compared to the 85nmm stock spring (again, using 15mm Sportlinks). I thought maybe it was the placebo affect and was still expecting the worst when we got up into the extremely bumpy Santa Monica's. Man was I pleasantly surprised! Bike tipped in, railed on the chosen line and allowed me to absolutely rip out of the corners. I had a big ol ****-eating grin on my face all day! Slow, medium and fast corners all dealt with confidence in Spades! If I get half as much improvement out of the 21nmm fork spring I will be a very happy EVO owner!

If you own an EVO, weigh more than 200lbs less gear, i highly recommend you install this spring (and GoGo's Sportlinks). I would be shocked if you aren't as impressed as I am with the improvement.

Here is a link to the K-Tech shock spring:

https://store.ktechsuspension.com/shock-absorber-spring-95n-59x195-white-59-195-95.html

More to come!

Cheers

-John

 

[Prospected]

Wow!

All I need to say really. But.....I know, I've used this phrase before but it really applies here....again! The 95nmm rear spring (in conjunction with GoGo's 15mm Sportlinks) has transformed this bike....again! It freakin rails corners!

If I'm honest, I was dragging my feet a little as I was concerned about installing this spring on the 1390 EVO. It's the exact same spring I installed on my 2021 SD-R 1290's analog shock...with very different results. On the 1290, the stock shock's valving couldn't compensate for the additional energy in the higher rate spring (same issue in the forks with stiffer springs). I probably could have had the stock shock and forks revalved but that's typically hit and miss in my experience so I ended up purchasing a Penske Racing shock and GP fork cartridges.

I'm happy to report that is a non-issue with the EVO suspension! In the interest of comparing apples to apples, I set preload to Auto-Standard and used just the Comfort (for freeway), Street and Sport (for twisty/bumpy bits) and was pleasantly surprised by the compliance and control. I noticed it first getting to the fun stuff. All of the typical freeway bumps and expansion joints were substantially smoothed out compared to the 85nmm stock spring (again, using 15mm Sportlinks). I thought maybe it was the placebo affect and was still expecting the worst when we got up into the extremely bumpy Santa Monica's. Man was I pleasantly surprised! Bike tipped in, railed on the chosen line and allowed me to absolutely rip out of the corners. I had a big ol ****-eating grin on my face all day! Slow, medium and fast corners all dealt with confidence in Spades! If I get half as much improvement out of the 21nmm fork spring I will be a very happy EVO owner!

If you own an EVO, weigh more than 200lbs less gear, i highly recommend you install this spring (and GoGo's Sportlinks). I would be shocked if you aren't as impressed as I am with the improvement.

Here is a link to K-Tech springs:

https://store.ktechsuspension.com/part-finder?find=KTM_1290+Super+Duke+R_2020

More to come!

Cheers

-John

John, are you using the KTech?

https://store.ktechsuspension.com/shock-absorber-spring-95n-59x195-white-59-195-95.html

 

[Lowrance]

John, are you using the KTech?

https://store.ktechsuspension.com/shock-absorber-spring-95n-59x195-white-59-195-95.html

Hey Pro,

Yes, that is the spring. I added the link to my post....a bit late. It's a direct replacement. No shimming required.

Cheers

-John

 

[Prospected]

Hey Pro,

Yes, that is the spring. I added the link to my post....a bit late. It's a direct replacement. No shimming required.

Cheers

-John

I got the +15 link last week but didnt want to throw it in the air if I could do the spring at the same time.

 

[Lowrance]

Good plan. Better start working on those cheek muscles now, they're going to be sore after your first ride!

Should clarify......from all of the smiling!

Cheers

 

[R0man]

What's everyone's opinion on how 1390 Evo suspension compares to any of the Ohlins EC2/3 setups installed in MT-10/Tuono V4 Factory/Speed Triple RS?

I am a bit concerned that there is no front preload adjustment as mentioned earlier.

 

[Lowrance]

Hey RO,

Personally I'm a bit disappointed there isn't a preload adjuster on the fork but, after I get off my ***, purchase and install a 21nmm spring, if I still feel the need, I may try to fab one up. But first, I'm going to add a preload spacer (8mm nylon shim, educated guess based on past experience) when I install the spring. If I don't get the sag numbers and feel I'm after, I'll swap in another spacer thickness. After 2 attempts I may get frustrated enough to bite the bullet and pursue an adjustable solution.

May be quite some time until I get to that point though. Hopefully first attempt is a success!

As for comparison to Ohlins EC suspension, the only one I've sampled is the Tuono which is still the best handling bike I've ridden. With the modifications I've detailed in posts above, the rear end of my 1390 EVO is better than the Tuono! Hopefully the stiffer fork spring gets the front end on par. Even if just 75-80% of the way there I'll be very happy!

Cheers

-John

 

[v01d]

What's everyone's opinion on how 1390 Evo suspension compares to any of the Ohlins EC2/3 setups installed in MT-10/Tuono V4 Factory/Speed Triple RS?

I am a bit concerned that there is no front preload adjustment as mentioned earlier.

I had MT-10 SP, with eOhlins, and Tuono with no Ohlins.

Tuono handles best of a sport naked, I feel I didn't need semi-active on it. MT-10SP was great, I did not relatively, liked that big-bang vs V4, or V2, but it was still awesome to ride everywhere. Cannot remember if I played much with e-Ohlins on it.

Overall, WP/KtM for me is at the bottom of my list at the moment, I guess I haven't quite married to it.. Hope yet.

 

[DaveNZ]

Ive riden and owned Tuono's with Ohlins, ive ridden a few Street Fighters with the E Ohlins, and ive ridden 2022 Triumph 1200with E Ohlins. The Triumph was brutally harsh, the new 1200 RX has Gen 3 E Ohlins, and gets rave reviews. The Street Fighter felt really nice once up around 140kph then it worked amazingly. Mates Tuono was good with the Gen 2 E ohlins, but with the rear preload wound right out, it still had no free sag, but the suspension felt very good, not on the Street Fighter level. My 1290 ive tweaked it a bit, 2.5 weight oil in the forks, and the 20mm link plates. I find it as good as anything else, id like a little less aggressive high speed dampening in the shock, but for the road its dam good.....Out all the bikes ive owned and ridden i felt the Semi Active Ohlins on my 2010 1200 Multistrada had the best road suspension.

 

[Lowrance]

Looks like GoGo has gotten clearance to ride again! He's going to ride the 1390 EVO stock then mount up some of his goodies and ride it again for comparison capturing it all with data acquisition!

I have been waiting (not so?) patiently for this!!

Cheers!!

-John

 

[DaveNZ]

^^^^^ Cool. Love what he dose for KTM, he's a great asset to the brand. Looking forward to it also.

 

[Lowrance]

Latest.

 

[Lowrance]

Tasty! These things are a work of art!

Not sure when I'll have a chance to install them, have to plan a three(ish) week period of downtime so I can measure the stock fork spring and get a 21nmm spring ordered and delivered which I plan to install at the same time. Hopefully soon(ish).

Cheers