This was a mild week here in the Northeast. Had a chance to install Intims on my Speedmaster. Used 1" PVC as spacers with the length of the original less 5/8". Measured the original oil level without the springs to make sure I pour back the same amount of 5W Amsoil.
I wasn't after a plush or less jarring ride. I was after improved handling and braking similar to what I was used to back in the 60s & 70s with my BMW R50.
THE INTIMS DID IT!!
With stock, I always felt the fronts to be very tentative specially on turns and curves with little twitches caused by the smallest road imperfections. Even turning from a stop light (left or right) I found the stock footing to be unsure. The Intims eliminated all the twitchiness. It's now surefooted and planted on turns and curves. I can take these at much higher speed now. I can now bank and launch easily when turning from a stop.
Dive is not completely gone but much reduced. With the dual disc on the Speedmaster, it always threathened to take you down each time you make the smallest mistake of putting too much when your wheels are even slightly turned. Braking is greatly improved.
Overall, it's a much safer bike as a result of the above. I really didn't pay too much attention to the ride quality as far as plushness or jarring rides since this was not really what I was after. I'll try some rough roads sometime but it's not really my priority for getting the Intims.
I didn't really experience much wrong with my rears but I won't be surprised if some twitchiness remains there. I plan to get the Progressive 440s for good measure or maybe even the new Ricor rear shocks.
I just don't understand why I have to make these mods to make a 2009 bike perform as well as a 1960s bike. This handling should just be about standard on all bikes after 50 years.
