Confused with stock suspension

AryanWinters

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Hello, first time poster.

I'm curious about others opinions on the stock suspension on my 2016 RC 390. This is my first motorcycle and this was my first year riding which is fast approaching the end of the season : /.

One thing I've found myself curious about is the suspension seems to be non existent, this being my first bike so I have nothing to compare it to other than that of a xr 200r dirt bikes suspension but it feels like riding a bmx bike, if I ride over something as simple as a depressed sewer covered or a small bump in the road, I have to often brace or lift myself a tiny bit to not crush my goods against the tank if or just avoid anything but flat road. ( I prefer to ride hugging the tank like one would on a dirt bike.)

It feels like the the suspension is rock solid literally like riding a bmx bike, there is no give what so ever. I've tried adjusting the preload and it really makes no difference where I set it. It's not like theres something wrong with them, they work as they seem they should and the entire bike is in minty perfect condition, if I use both hands I can bounce the suspension a little when parked but I just feel like when Im on it I don't weigh enough to depress them at all.

I'm 6' 2" 175Lbs. Is there anything I'm missing or is that exactly how the rc 390 is supposed to feel? I absolutely love the rc 390, I love everything about it and it's exactly what I thought it would be but the suspension is the only thing I'm bothered by.

I dont know if its because I dont weigh enough to actually effect them but any advice would be much appreciated!
 

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Emu83

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I know the suspension on these is sub par, but I don't think it's overly stiff. I'm 189. Did a previous owner change any of the suspension?
 

AryanWinters

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No, everything on it is stock except for the Yoshimura fender delete and the shift lever I upgraded. I've considered upgrading the rear shock and possibly the front if not just upgrade the front cartridges.

All I'd need is a tiny bit more bounce when riding to be happy. It's not unbearable but I really can feel everything in the road when riding.
 

KTMasean

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OEM suspension is sufficient for the intended market it is designed for (65 - 80kg).
Not a lot of adjustability hence the relatively low price of these bikes.
When planning to use the bike on track or more sporty rides it is good to have more adjustability in compression (high-low speed) rebound and finer pre-load adjusting.
I found a very good product in Nitron shocks and Mupo Cilibre22 fork inserts.
With the fork inserts, I have used Motorex fork oil instead of the Agip 5W oil as this is at a higher consistency level (especially where I ride in the tropics)
On my Duke 390 I run Öhlins KT301 and Andreani inserts with Öhlins fork oil.
 

AryanWinters

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Thanks for the info, I already had my eyes on the Andreani inserts for a start but Ill have to look into the rear shocks more to see what my options are. If I upgrade the rear shocks I'd rather drop a lot on the absolute best set up for the rc390 so I never have to upgrade it again. The Ohlins KT303 seems fitting but Ill do some pondering.
 

Nemesis13

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The KT303 has preload, rebound and compression adjustability, while the nitron and matris are only preload and rebound. As a street rider and maybe 3-5 track days a year, is having compression adjustability significantly better?
 

AryanWinters

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The KT303 has preload, rebound and compression adjustability, while the nitron and matris are only preload and rebound. As a street rider and maybe 3-5 track days a year, is having compression adjustability significantly better?
I'm not an expert but from my perspective. IF im going to upgrade anything, I'd prefere to do it only once. So the option that covers all bases is best. The KT-303 really seems like the most well rounded and fully adjustable rear shock so if you plan on keeping your rc 390 forever, like myself, just get the best upgrades the first time around.
 

Nemesis13

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I'm not an expert but from my perspective. IF im going to upgrade anything, I'd prefere to do it only once. So the option that covers all bases is best. The KT-303 really seems like the most well rounded and fully adjustable rear shock so if you plan on keeping your rc 390 forever, like myself, just get the best upgrades the first time around.
I agree with that 100% I’m horrible as I think since the 24 years I’ve ridden I’ve owned at least 24 bikes sport, dirt, cruiser, dual sports looking for that perfect unicorn. I don’t think it exists. Closest I got to one is the bmw gs1200 except it’s just so heavy off road. Now the RC390 is a bike that has brought me back to what it was like when I first started riding. Even with all the negative stuff I hear about reliability I think KTM’s just have so much more character. They’re fun and like to be ridden and have money thrown at them even if it’s not broke lol
 

Nemesis13

New Member
Country flag
Hello, first time poster.

I'm curious about others opinions on the stock suspension on my 2016 RC 390. This is my first motorcycle and this was my first year riding which is fast approaching the end of the season : /.

One thing I've found myself curious about is the suspension seems to be non existent, this being my first bike so I have nothing to compare it to other than that of a xr 200r dirt bikes suspension but it feels like riding a bmx bike, if I ride over something as simple as a depressed sewer covered or a small bump in the road, I have to often brace or lift myself a tiny bit to not crush my goods against the tank if or just avoid anything but flat road. ( I prefer to ride hugging the tank like one would on a dirt bike.)

It feels like the the suspension is rock solid literally like riding a bmx bike, there is no give what so ever. I've tried adjusting the preload and it really makes no difference where I set it. It's not like theres something wrong with them, they work as they seem they should and the entire bike is in minty perfect condition, if I use both hands I can bounce the suspension a little when parked but I just feel like when Im on it I don't weigh enough to depress them at all.

I'm 6' 2" 175Lbs. Is there anything I'm missing or is that exactly how the rc 390 is supposed to feel? I absolutely love the rc 390, I love everything about it and it's exactly what I thought it would be but the suspension is the only thing I'm bothered by.

I dont know if its because I dont weigh enough to actually effect them but any advice would be much appreciated!
Also I took my RC390 out today even though I’m suppose to stay off the bike 4weeks for doctors orders. I weigh 165, and tried going over all bumps and tracks etc.. compared to dirt bikes it’s not plush but feels normal for a sport bike. There are times it feels a little bouncy on bumpy roads. Have you checked your tire pressure? I’m running 29psi front and back, I’ve even run it as low as 21 because I never bothered to check and it rode fine
 

KTMasean

Member
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The KT303 has preload, rebound and compression adjustability, while the nitron and matris are only preload and rebound. As a street rider and maybe 3-5 track days a year, is having compression adjustability significantly better?
No idea what a distributor has on their website.
The factory page clearly has it all, pre-load (hydraulic or manual), rebound plus high AND low-speed compression plus, unlike the Öhlins when you order your Nitron from the factory it will be custom made to YOUR requirements and your choice of colour spring being it their own blue/green or black.
I have just weight the OEM WP on my Duke 200 (2012) and compared this with the R1 from Nitron and the latter is 950+ grams lighter.
All the other brands I mentioned do full adjustments shocks as well (perhaps not by the US reseller though).
 

KTMasean

Member
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I'm not an expert but from my perspective. IF im going to upgrade anything, I'd prefere to do it only once. So the option that covers all bases is best. The KT-303 really seems like the most well rounded and fully adjustable rear shock so if you plan on keeping your rc 390 forever, like myself, just get the best upgrades the first time around.
I think you are spot on if you want to keep your bike, hence I would opt for an R3 Nitron custom assembled to my riders weight, riding style and adjustabilities.
 
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