SUSPENSION UPGRADE

[Espanolito]

This has probably been discussed to no end already, but as I don't see a current discussion ...

Am looking to upgrade the suspension (front and back) on muy 2017 Triumph T120 and wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

I weigh 185lbs (with no gear), 5'9" tall. Mostly ride in heavy city traffic commuting to work with bad, pot-holed city roads. Put on approx. 200km highway / country every other weekend.

Have looked at the Fox Performance for back (with Triumph logo) but not sure I like the idea of no rebound adjustability. Looked at Hagons for back with just rebound adjustability.

Would also consider fully adjustable setup (compression and rebound), like Matris on both front and back if the difference in cost to performance ratio compared to another option like Hagons on back and valve insert in front.

Anyway, starting to look. Any feedback with actual experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Vector]

https://newbonneville.com/?s=suspension

 

[DoorPosition]

Be careful with New Bonneville. Make sure they have your item in stock before ordering. They like to show inventory on their site as “in stock” that they don’t actually have on hand. They’re almost impossible to get ahold of too. Your phone calls will go straight to voicemail and the outgoing condescending message says something like “we’re probably busy on the other line handling our other numerous awesome customers so blah blah blah, leave a message and we’ll get back blah blah blah.” Then you’ll get another message saying the voicemail is full.

After several attempts at emailing them over a week or so, I had to threaten them with a fraud report at my bank when they took my money and told me via email the instant I hit “order now” that it could be many weeks before they got the parts back in stock. There was nothing on any of the pages to indicate anything was on back order.

 

[Vector]

I've been doing business with them since 2003 and never had a problem.

 

[DoorPosition]

YMMV. Check their online reviews. I did, but unfortunately it was after I placed the order and they hit me with their “it could be several weeks” email.

Buyer beware.

 

[CarlS]

I've been doing business with them since 2003 and never had a problem.

Ditto. And I have always been able to contact them.

 

[DoorPosition]

Oh yeah, and I ordered an LED conversion kit for the Speedmaster from them. They sent me the wrong kit and would not refund or exchange it for the correct one. After several attempts at contact, they finally cited that they didn't take returns on that specific part once you opened the packet. Fair enough, but it was THE WRONG PART. They, sent me, the wrong item. The only way to check fitment was to… check fitment. 30 bucks I may as well have used as toilet paper.

Run down some reviews on the "other forums." You'll see a pattern. They also have a C rating with the BBB.

Do, or do not. No skin off my back. My simple advice is to confirm inventory before ordering.

 

[Old’n’slow]

I bought Ohlins front internals an Ohlins custom shocks sprung and valve to my weight on an 2018 Thruxton S ,I can’t imagine the bikes are different in many ways and they worked beautifully

 

[Lordmac]

Be careful with New Bonneville. Make sure they have your item in stock before ordering. They like to show inventory on their site as “in stock” that they don’t actually have on hand. They’re almost impossible to get ahold of too. Your phone calls will go straight to voicemail and the outgoing condescending message says something like “we’re probably busy on the other line handling our other numerous awesome customers so blah blah blah, leave a message and we’ll get back blah blah blah.” Then you’ll get another message saying the voicemail is full.

After several attempts at emailing them over a week or so, I had to threaten them with a fraud report at my bank when they took my money and told me via email the instant I hit “order now” that it could be many weeks before they got the parts back in stock. There was nothing on any of the pages to indicate anything was on back order.

Dang! I still can't get new OEM silencers for my '78 Bonnie. What gives? Triumph really aught to get serious about parts for their newer bikes AND for all those thousands of older bikes out there and make proper-fitting and looking spares, even if they need to build new factories to do it. I would if I could.

 

[JerryP]

I've had good results with New Bonnie but perhaps my selection of parts needed were the garden variety popular offerings. In any case I'd just try to get in contact with somebody there who has been around awhile. My guess is "new employee" syndrome.

 

[Lewis III]

I used a company in the USA around Atlanta. Traxxion Dynamics. Their front fork kit installs their AK20 cartridges and new springs for your weight. Includes compression, rebound and preload adjustments.

 

[Lewis III]

I went with Ohlins on the rear. Very happy with the results.

 

[atomsplitter]

I went with remote reservoir rears and progressive springs with preload adjuster caps in front on my T-120. Very happy with the result. On my Bobber I went whole hog with Ohlins rear shock and Matris emulators in the forks.