Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: solman on September 24, 2007, 03:32:00 PM
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Has anyone ever used the Race Tech Gold Valve Fork Kit? If so, did it help and was it worth it?
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Yes - I installed them this past Spring. Previously, I had a B6 with Progressive springs and a Hayabusa shock. I did not revalve the B6, but did play with the fork oil weight. I got a B12 last Fall and added Racetech springs (0.95) right away (with 10W oil)- after a few months, I added the Gold Valves and 5W oil (stock oil is 10W). The B12 handled WAY better than the B6. The difference around town is more subtle - you will notice more plush response out of the front end. I noticed most of the difference during a three day weekend to Deal's Gap/Blue Ridge parkway - the B12 was very steady in turns and soaked up mid corner bumps very well during aggressive riding- I would recommend. Just be sure and get all your tools sorted out ahead of time (an in-lb torque wrench is tough to find) and debur (use emory paper too) the holes in the tubes (the ones you create when you drill out the stakes). Also, use white lithium grease (or seal grease if you have) to lube the O rings - or you will cut them -I had to order more from Racetech as I chewed up the two that came with the kit.
Jay
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i dont have a bandit but?! i put racetech valves , springs and cartiridge(sp) emulators in my triple. same as above post slow speeds seems plush. high speed is more stable and has way more feed back. i also have the race tech stuff in the rear new spring and valves in the shock. much improved over stock. i had my buddy do mine at his duc shop. he also does ohlins and knows his stuff way more then i do. set it up for me and i just tweaked it a bit. but well worth the money if you ride real hard in the twisties.
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Cool, thx for the responses. :grin:
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works great on my gen 1 bike. really makes fast cornering more stable & confident. reduces nose dive with hard braking. make sure you get the progressive springs to match your body weight.]
can't speak to the other bikes
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Hey Solman,
Racetech builds a great setup and I can a dealer for them, but you have to ask yourself a question and it would be to your benifit to be honest. How do you ride most? Are you and agressive rider and do a lot of twisties or are you a average rider and do some twisties.
If you are the agressive rider I would recommend the RaceTech setup and a Holeshot Fork brace. If you are not an agressive rider, you might want to consider Progressive Fork Springs and a Holeshot Fork Brace. The Progressive fork springs along with the fork brace will help the Bandit front a lot.
Bill
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I am becoming more aggressive in the twisties. It is hard for me to judge, because some of the guys I ride with are very good riders. So it is hard for me to judge where I am at in the spectrum.
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Well I have a friend that is a very good rider and the progressive springs have done good for him. But if you feel you are at that level then Racetech may be the way to go.