scooter front suspension

Having had 8 scooters with trailing link front suspension (Vespa/Helix) and at least 5 with conventional tele forks------I seem to prefer the trailing link for comfort riding at scooter speeds.....and riding like scooter was designed for......not as sub for real motorcycle.

Thought about this on recent trip on horrible roads/broken pavement.


AND now having done many serious long trips on SilverWing/Helix/Reflex/Burgman 400 and Vespa------given a choice I would prefer a new Helix, rear foot brake, after market shield---built in trunk-- I have used same 2 bag packing system, weight about same and found the Helix most stable going down road----did have rear luggage rack on at least one Helix---still stable. Danger with Helix----J rated tires on bike that would go 70 mph downhill/tailwind----only had one rear fly apart, speed related. Looking back I rode Helix into Central America/did length of Baja California and had fun, and length of Japan.... And I liked my 4 Vespas----front luggage rack/rear rack/windshield that provided hand protection and they were great in snow/sand--one sided trailing llnk suspension-balance?? And OH, Helix belt can be changed by only taking cover off!!

How did I ride my Helix---wide open and no engine trouble, highest mileage at trade=50,000 miles. Just something to think about. They did break rubber intake manifolds/ insides of muffler broke loose @ 30,000 miles, I think I had 2 intake boxes break-----Honda replaced all under warranty. Just something to think about.

john grinsel wrote:

Having had 8 scooters with trailing link front suspension (Vespa/Helix) and at least 5 with conventional tele forks------I seem to prefer the trailing link for comfort riding at scooter speeds.....and riding like scooter was designed for......not as sub for real motorcycle.

Thought about this on recent trip on horrible roads/broken pavement.

That's also easy to fix.
They're called HyperPro progressive front springs.
Sorry, but they don't sell them at McDonalds.

Harder / stiffer fork spring will do nothing for me---fork dive is part of tele's. I do not want even worse ride.

I thought the hyperpro's made the ride nicer for me.

john grinsel wrote:

Harder / stiffer fork spring will do nothing for me---fork dive is part of tele's.   I do not want even worse ride.

They aren't harder/stiffer. They are progressive.

As I have stated on this forum before, I would not own a Silver Wing unless I could upgrade the crappy front suspension. The Hyperpro kit is superb!

My question is....have you ever owned scooter with trailing link front suspension? Then comment.

I have, when I had a Honda CN250 Helix and it was a very good front suspension. There was no real fork dive and it was virtually maintenance free.

As for the Silver Wings front suspension it feels no different from the telescopic forks on any other maxi scooter I've ridden, and I've ridden on loads of crappy road surfaces. Of course I know HyperPro springs are as essential as a cup holder on the other side of the Pond for "blasting through the twisties".

Yes I have. 3 Helix and an old dirt bike and a few other scooters as well. Also I rode a couple of sidehack rigs with trailing link. The system does a great job on anti dive and adjustability. Likely this system is rare due to cost and complication of manufacturing, less suspension travel and clunky looks.

Would the Silver Wing do well with a trailing link system? Possibly. But it would have to be built from scratch. There are those of us that don't mind spending $170US to make a MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT in the Silver Wing's handling, suspension action and braking capability (via much less dive). For me (and many others) the stock front suspension is a huge weak point on the Silver Wing that is easily fixed -- or maybe we just have higher standards and ride harder.

I do not blame the bike/scoot for not being perfect for me. I do always assume I will make modifications, upgrades, adjustments, etc. In stock form, the Silver Wing is a dull knife. Many people do fine with a dull knife -- some people should not have a sharp knife as they will just get hurt. My Silver Wing has been sharpened and honed, for my uses and preferences.

As for a cup holder -- since I am fully geared up when riding, drinking while riding is not an option and the water bottle goes in the tail trunk. But I do have a cup holder in my old pickup truck if that gets me points!
 

Take another look at sidecar forks=leading link? such a Earles type leading link---old indian trailing link.

Wiki on motorcycle front suspension types.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_fork

I don't know a lot about suspension or what kind of forks I had on the Swing....but one thing I do know, is that the Hyperpro's really made the SWing ride nicer and with more of a m/c ride. And as Forrest Gump said...That's all I have to say about that.