They make quality stuff... used them on my Wing for years

 

I've been very happy with my Dark Scout shocks. He set them up perfectly for my riding weight (240 lbs). The stock setup was waaaay way too soft for me. The @DarkScout shocks make my bike ride like a Cadillac (or a Mercedes, if you will) while going over rough road, but it's also responsive enough to handle aggressive riding. I don't know how he balanced it, but he did. Excellent work.

I've never ridden on the Traxxion re-valved shocks.

TheDude

 

The maximum rider weight is 187lbs for the DS recommended fork setup so I'm assuming you used something different up front? What did you use and how do you like it?

 

I've never tried the Traxxion products, although I've not heard any negatives.

I can tell you the DarkScout product is phenomenal...and totally transformed the ride. This was especially critical after getting the engine to SING with a few modifications. What a ride! - JJ

 

I had a pair of OEM shocks revolved and adjusted to my weight.
All I can say is that the change was phenomenal. And that the ride changes were well worth the $300.

 

I used traxxion suspension on my goldwing for years and their gear is top of the line and well engineered. I have written to see if they can do anything on a chieftain

Mark

 

I don't understand why the front forks are $1100. All the other offerings focus it would seem on the rear. I realize they're adjustable but $1100?

They're close to me and I'd like to give them the business but I can't see any circumstances where I'd spend that just on one end of the bike.

 

It's likely once you rode a Cruiser style bike with a true cartridge style suspension, you'd realize why spending the money on the forks is every bit as important as the rear shocks. In fact, it's the most noticeable improvement you can spend on a Scout. The reason for the needs of a cartridge style are necessitated by the stock Scout suspension dampening (about zero results). I could go on about why a cartridge is money well spent and aside from that, change the springs and run with it..but your bike will still have no control over the front end compressing and rebounding until it runs out of energy. Also, it's pretty important to address both ends of the motorcycle at the same time. If you only do one end, you exacerbate the problems with the other end. Shocks on the rear make the front feel more horrible than it even is stock (as if that's even possible).

Why is dampening so important? Dampening is what keeps your contact patch constant (traction) and creates that positive steering feel you get mid corner when you hit a bump/ undulation. Lack of dampening in the front fork is what puts you in the other lane mid corner when you hit that large bump in the road like the guy in front of me heading to the coast.

I read these threads about people reluctant to spend the appropriate funds to fix what truly sucks on all of the cruisers: the suspension components, and I believe if any of you rode our Scout, you'd then understand what a properly setup motorcycle is supposed to feel like. Less fatigue, incredibly more confident chassis and steering feel and overall, a much safer ride. That's what quality suspension gets you.

In the Roadracing world, the first thing we upgrade are suspension components. Now, I know a Scout isn't a road racer, but considering Polaris spent no more than $49 max on their suspension front/ rear (enough to get it off the showroom floor), it's the first thing you guys should be seriously considering. It's not cheap, but neither is putting the bike on the ground.

If any of you are in the Ventura area, stop by and ride our Scout. It's pretty enlightening.

 

I've had Traxxion suspension components of several bikes. They're my go to suspension shop. Great stuff and fine customer service. The AK20 cartridges are fantastic, I had them on a track bike and all I can say is WOW!! Another fork option from Traxxion , if available for the scout, would be emulator at about $300.00 . That's typically what I use o my street going bike, not as nice as the AK20's but good enough for on the street.

Paul

 

Another fork option from Traxxion , if available for the scout, would be emulator at about $300.00 . That's typically what I use o my street going bike, not as nice as the AK20's but good enough for on the street.

Paul

They are available for the Scout. About $800 for the emulators and rear shocks re-valve installed.

 

I don't understand why the front forks are $1100. All the other offerings focus it would seem on the rear. I realize they're adjustable but $1100?

They're close to me and I'd like to give them the business but I can't see any circumstances where I'd spend that just on one end of the bike.

Since you are the OP, and initiated the thread, I feel OK letting you know that you do not need to spend that much money. Please check out our website and let me know if you have any questions. - John

 

Is that jethrosparts.com?

 

yes

 

The traxxion front kit changes the style of the fork.. it makes it a real cartridge fork like what's on sport bikes... infinitely better than the damper rod style that the scouts are.
Another option would be to go with new springs and oil for your weight huge improvement.. want even more, race tech emulators.. this is a great compromise and is much cheaper. For now you won't have the ability to adjust them.. but will provide a fantastic ride for about any purpose on the Scout.. I'm currently testing adjustable fork caps..
On the rear? Just go DS.. his are perfect. And are adjustable rebound damping.. the stock do not.. which, IMHO is a must on the rear for sure.. his shocks are best return for money on shocks I've ever had..
I'm a picky dude when it comes to suspension, but I don't think I'd put that much money into the front end of a scout unless I wanted to win trophies with it..and if I did, I'd just go with a sport bike front end from eBay for a few hundred..

 

Traxxion Dynamics also sells emulator kit. Their emulator product included new dampening rods which will make a significant difference over emulators alone.

Paul

 

Traxxion Dynamics also sells emulator kit. Their emulator product included new dampening rods which will make a significant difference over emulators alone.

I saw the kit on their web page, but is it available for the Scout? Indian is not even in the makes listed.

 

Agree on almost all points Paul. I'm not a fan of emulators for the cost, but your point on the price point being better is a good one. The weight/ geometry certainly limits the handling of a cruisers, but I feel the inverse; that under-dampening is a larger problem than a lighter motorcycle. I'm spoiled by the convenience of adjustment in a cartridge.

 

I hear ya, I to have been spoiled by experience with very good suspensions.

My BMW's have ESA. At the push of a button I can adjust pre-load and also select ride comfort, either hard, soft, or normal. In addition the suspension is integrated with the 5 different ride mode, rain, road, dynamic, and two setting for off road riding. ABS and traction control are also integrated and dynamically modified by these settings.

Yeh, that's a lot of gadgetry and I'm spoiled. It works great, makes me a better rider, a safer rider, and a more comfortable rider.

Paul

 

I saw the kit on their web page, but is it available for the Scout? Indian is not even in the makes listed.

I suggest you give them a call and see what they say. Ya got nothing to loss.

Paul

 

The Scout setup from Traxxion is $1809.95 if they do the install. Couple hundred less if you do it.

Paste from an email inquiry.

http://www.traxxion.com/AK-20-Axxion-Cartridge-Kit/

The Kit for the Scout include fork caps for compression and rebound adjustment, and are $1099.95. Installation into the forks is $225, and we charge an additional $100 to remove and replace the front end if you bring us the bike.

For the rear, we can revalve the stock shocks for $300 for the pair, makes a big difference and is a big bang for the buck. Remove and replace the shocks for $85 if you bring us the bike.

End paste.

 

We ended up doing our standard DLC treatment to the chrome tubes, this time not for the anti friction aspect, but to black out the front end. We also have finally gotten a great valving spec on the 25MM cartridges. Would I spend $1K+ on just the front end of the bike, especially it not being a sport bike? After riding her down Mulholland and the coast for the day on Sunday, I'm pretty spoiled. We spent the $1100 on the Ohlins rear shocks to keep the bike balanced, but I'm not super impressed for that kind of money. Certainly the bike holds proper geometry and has some decent valving, but they're range of adjustment appears to be fairly limited compared to the road race product. Weird. I'd like to try a re-valve and see how that compares. The forks are on the money, but now we've to price them ultra competitive.

Either way, the motorcycle is a completely different machine. We've been spending considerable time tuning the front end with our flat track guys and we're at a point we're happy with. Paul, if you're in the Ventura area, stop by and take her for a ride. Be interesting to get your impressions as compared to the emulators.

 

The maximum rider weight is 187lbs for the DS recommended fork setup so I'm assuming you used something different up front? What did you use and how do you like it?

I didn't realize DarkScout had something for the front forks. At the time, everything was still very new for the Scout, and I used the only option then, the Progressive fork springs.

TheDude

 

Went up to Traxxion today to talk with them about the AK20's and this is beside the entrance. [emoji1303]

 

Not sure how you may have came to the 187lbs limit on the Darkscout suspension, however you are indeed correct in part regarding weight limits, every motorcycle's suspension has indeed an operating range for a given riders weight, one that get's overlooked by many rider more often then you would think, to achieve correct bike setup and bike handling performance one first needs the determine spring rates for a given riders weight.

During the development of the DarkScout suspension I worked around a max load carrying capacity (rider, cargo, accessories) as stipulated in the scouts riders manual of 448lbs (204) P98, during my research at the time, most riders who had scouts were in the 150 to 260lbs solo riders and some had pillions added to that as well, this sure exceeds the bikes limits as a two up bike if you and your pillion combined weight exceeds 448lbs.

So to accommodate for this a higher spring rate was installed a long with a higher spring rate for the front to accommodate the bigger boy scout riders, along with custom designed 4 and 6 spring seat adjusters and settings.

The DarkScout scout customised suspension is just that, it was designed and built in Australia for you and your scout, and not for any other motorcycle

 

Not sure how you may have came to the 187lbs limit on the Darkscout suspension

That's not what I said, I said DarkScout recommended fork setup or something close to that. Check the post. It had nothing to do with the rear shocks.

I got the information from the installation docs.

 

You are so 100% correct,, @Chilly Bear, the above info is a guide on the installation of the front suspension and how to determining the correct spring rate for a given riders weight for the scout and is an example on how to achieve this, please note that it's not a governing factor in max load limits of the DS suspension, this is set by the bikes load limits and max spring rate on the shock and front fork springs.

 

You are so 100% correct,, @Chilly Bear, the above info is a guide on the installation of the front suspension and how to determining the correct spring rate for a given riders weight for the scout and is an example on how to achieve this, however not a governing factor in max load limits of the DS suspension, this is set by the bikes load limits and max spring rate on the shock and front fork springs.

Gotcha. I wondered if that were the case as it seemed light but I'm way too literal. The fork setup with just oil and spring replacement hasn't really been a consideration for me as when I learned how it worked I'm like "really?" I'm learning.

Right now if I won the lottery I'd go with your setup on the rear and the Traxxion in the front. Ha.

One can always dream.

 

Thanks dude and always keep asking questions and never stop asking until it makes sense, stay safe and stay upright dude and you can find me on facebook - Darkscout suspension if you need help your setup or anything Indian or john at Jethroparts.

 

I've decided to go with the DarkScout but probably be a few weeks before I can order them. As I understand it the maximum rider weight is 230lbs? That's 230lbs with gear correct?

Assuming that's correct what if I lose to 200 lbs? Is it just an adjustment?

 

Yes approximately, you will max out the suspension over 448lbs total mass ie riders and bike combined, depending on some factors.

The custom suspension will be built and set up for either a solo or two up riding, on the custom order form that John at jethroparts will send out to you, this is so I know how to assemble your shock at the time.

If you ride two up 50% of the time then the suspension will reflect this as mentioned in post #26 you must not overload your scout if you and your pillion combined weight exceeds 448lbs as indicated in the owners hand book, then your overloading the scout and the suspension.

On the order form one of the questions is riders weight this is very important "why" because if you stipulate your riders weight of 200lbs I will set the suspension up for that riders weight but if your really 220lbs then the suspension with be to soft and I would not have installed the correct spring seat adjusters for you and then you will say it's bottoming out.

And if you stipulate your riders weight of 220lbs I will set the suspension up for that riders weight but if your really 200lbs then the suspension with be to hard and I would not have installed the correct spring seat adjusters for you.

When your calculating your riders weight put you winter riding gear on and factor in one hamburger and jump on the scales, better to have slightly stiffer suspension than under dun.. and riding on the bump stop rubber that gives the jarring feeling in your back.

 

Does upgrading the suspension void the warranty?

 

No

 

I have used traxxion on all my past goldwings They make an awesome product but are a little pricey. As for the warranty, depending on your dealer it may void out anything that could be related to the suspension but again, it will depend on if you have a decent dealer

Mark

 

I'm going to get their damper rod suspension and have them re-valve the rear shocks. I'd love to have the cartridges but it's just too much. This is going to be $1000. I was going to get the Dark Scout but changed my mind.

 

If I may ask..why mind change?
You will have a more apt and adjustable rear shock then a static revalved stocker.

 

Good to know about the warranty, thanks. I haven't decided which way to go.

 

Anyway but stock.