My SP is booked in for its run in service and I’m just wondering if anyone knows if it’s safe to compress the fork in transport as you would a bike with a non-active fork or are there precautions you need to take?
What an interesting question! I can't answer, but it's a point many would not even think about. Great call!
why would you compress the forks ? do you want to blow the seals ? just stop the bike moving from side to side but let the suspension work. I have transported bikes on trailers and in vans and never compress the suspension. Best method is a wheel chock and a couple of straps on the footpegs.
I’m lucky enough to live only a few miles from Öhlins MotoGP engineer here in Northern Ireland Graeme Irvine but I don’t like pestering him for small things like this (hence why I’m on here). He’s usually away from home from February to October anyway. He recommends using a front wheel chock, a rear paddock stand, a handlebar strap with 2 x ratchet straps connected to the foremost lower anchoring points on the van. You are only supposed to take the fork down an inch or so evenly on each side to reduce the free travel that will cause the bike to slump to the side when cornering. I have used this method for years on all my race bikes and road bikes without any issues. If you are bottoming out the fork then you’re obviously going to do damage eventually but it should only be an inch or so. You’re supposed to judge it by feel and it causes no damage whatsoever to a healthy fork. This is my first bike with an active fork so I’m really just making sure the same method is safe.
Yes certainly safe, if you are only compressing an inch. I have an MT10 SP with the Ohlins active suspension, I tow it on trailer behind my motorhome. When the engine is not running the electronic damping is not doing anything so you won't hurt it. I did confirm with my Yamaha dealer
