Apologies as I’m sure it’s been talked about before, stock suspension in the tenere is no longer cutting it. Does anyone in here have experience with any cartridge kits like k tech or adreani (probably butchered that) I cannot stomach the price tag of the tractive units. Looking either at the cartridges or just heavier springs. TIA
I had my stock forks resprung and ktech valves installed by Bryan Penney at Full Factory Offroad. Give him a shout at fullfactoryoffroad@gmail if you don’t have another suspension person. The ktechs are the right value option I think, before going to a fork swap (which I still routinely consider). Obviously high-level suspension/fork swaps from Ttech or MX-tech are pay-to-play and the cost is in the “Why didn’t I just get another entire bike” territory.
I replaced the rear shock entirely with a Tractive unit. It is night and day in terms of rear traction and adjustability. I know Bryan (and other suspension places) can also just revalve the stock shock to good effect and less cost than a full replacement.
At the end of the day, it just depends on your budget vs your riding style. I ride ‘enthusiastically’ and I can definitely find the limits of the forks while jumping, especially once everything heats up. But if you’re just riding fast offroad and mostly staying on the ground they will increase your enjoyment of the bike.
To your point exactly man, for the price of tractive I’m just gonna sell the tenere and buy a 890r or something. I only really bottom the stock suspension out when it’s in the air given I’m 180 with all the gear on but I feel it deflect a little too hard on rocks and stuff when I’m on a trail. How much did it run you for the revalve and installation? (Aside from the springs themselves)
Bryan from full factory off-road did ktech front and rear for my T7 with proper springs for my weight and luggage set up for just over $1200.
Couldn’t be happier with the new set up for the price. You’re welcome to take my bike for a spin if you’re on the fence about it. I live in Frederick but will be out in Moab next week.
You start to get diminishing returns doing much more to the suspension. Sure you can get better performance but you have to judge if it’s worth the jump in cost. Ktech is a great “mid-tier” option that’s good enough for me. You could easily spend as much on suspension as the bike costed to purchase.
Good thing about full factory suspension is that if you’re not happy with it, Bryan will make some changes for you free of cost.
Like Matt said, about 600 for the valves and springs installed. I already had the springs. The 600 or so included valves and new fork seals/oil I believe.
The tractive rear shock was about 1500 but I would do it again.
I was thinking about that as well but I didn’t want the bike to feel unbalanced going with two different set ups for front and rear. I figured I would just want both ends of the bike to perform similarly. Doesn’t sound like you have that problem though which is great. A new Shock is basically plug and play. Forks are a little more involved. Still doable for DIY. I do them on my KTM but I had Bryan do mine because I wanted someone else to blame if it came out badly. lol
Appreciate it guys. Think the plan is to go grab the heavier race tech / k tech springs and hit Bryan up. Don’t think I’m gonna diy it, would probably have to end up going to Bryan after that anyways lol
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