Has anyone upgraded their Forza 350 suspension?

[scootabout]

My latest Forza 350 doesn't seem to handle UK's pockmarked roads as well as my previous one (stolen). I need to upgrade the suspension and wondered what other owners had done. I'd welcome any advice/feedback I know I'll have to throw some money at this, but I want something cost effective.

Many thanks,
Tim

[MrGrumpy]

Can't help you, but I think Honda already did the job for you by producing the ADV350! This is the reason why I've long considered the ADV350 as some of the mid sized scoots do struggle on bad roads, especially in the sticks.

[mottza]

The ADV350 does handle well.

[scootabout]

I'd probably get the ADV if it had better weather protection, especially for my aching knees... In fact, I'd got for any scoot that had the luggage capacity, reliability and running costs of the Forza. Suggestions welcome!

[Bellman]

I ride the 2018 Forza 300 that became the Forza 350 a couple of years later. They probably both use the same rear twin shocks which I read somewhere have seven stages of preload. I wouldn't know as I've never touched or adjusted my rear shocks, in fact I'm unaware what they're set to. They seem to work fine on whatever road suface I'm riding on.

[Data]

scootabout, I wouldn't rush to change your shocks just yet. Without question your shocks both front & back will soften & damping will also further improve as the bike covers more miles. Many folks rush in a swap shocks early on after getting a new bike without realising just how much everything settles in with a few thousand miles on the clock. My own new Royal Enfield had very harsh suspension when I picked it up but now it's superbly smooth with better damping too as it has loosened up.

Obviously I don't know how many miles you have on the clock but you do normally need two or three thousand miles to get the desired effect.

[Ministerofsillywalks]

I find mine handles well but isn't so good on potholes. No problem - I just go round them. Potholes are going to be a problem with small wheels anyway.

[scootabout]

scootabout, I wouldn't rush to change your shocks just yet. Without question your shocks both front & back will soften & damping will also further improve as the bike covers more miles.

Just to clarify, this is the second Forza I've had. The first was stolen with 15K on the clock. The replacement now has 13K on the clock. The replacement's suspension is far worse than the first one. My wife is complaining about the suspension and I agree with her. My SH300 is far better over the same roads. I'm actively considering Hagon replacement shocks as an initial upgrade, but I suspect the forks will need upgrading too. I do a lot of touring (~8K /year), so poor handling/ride really matters to me.

All the best,
Tim

[Data]

Ah, so you are well versed Tim in Forza suspension. It must be bad if the SH300 is better. Hagon make some pretty good units. Also 'White Power' will make any custom suspension you desire. Just tell them the problem & they solve it.

[knight2]

I hadn't heard of "White Power" so I had to look it up to find it's now called " WP " which of course I had heard of. I can see why they changed the name seeing as they are Austrian. They do make excellent suspension but I think it might cost more than my burgmans worth. I'd looked at Hagon they make rear shocks for the burgman for about £200. I'm not sure they would be much better than the suzuki ones. There's nothing wrong with the ones on the bike just looking at a more comfortable ride for the pillion.