Best motorcycle suspension upgrades and tools

Updated: 19 July 2024

Forget about engine tuning or performance pipes if you want to make a dramatic change to your bike’s performance. If you’re looking for something that’ll affect every aspect of your riding, pound-for-pound, suspension upgrades make the biggest difference.

Whether your bike is brand new or a 20-year-old hack, a touring machine or naked, there’s always something that can be done to the suspension to either improve it or make it work better for you.

The trouble is, suspension is also something of a black art and commonly misunderstood, which is why so many turn instead to experts such as K-Tech or MCT to do it for them.

If you don’t want to go that far, however, there are a number of relatively simple things you can do – or buy – to upgrade your ride.

If you’ve a relatively new, quality machine the first thing to do is to check the standard suspension is working correctly and, if adjustable, set up correctly for you and your type of riding.

However, if your bike is older, perhaps worn, or with more basic suspension, there are plenty of things you can do such as upgrade your front forks via a kit or even replace your rear shock with a higher spec, adjustable item that can give a dramatic improvement to your bike’s handling and ride – and your enjoyment and safety.

Here’s our pick of some of the best:

Ohlins STX Street Shock Absorber

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Yes, it's pricey, but we've started with one of the very best replacement shock absorbers to illustrate what's available and what it can cost. Ohlins is generally regarded as the elite in motorcycle suspension and this street shock as long as you buy the model appropriate for your bike and your weight, will transform the ride of your bike, its handling and controllability.

Yes, there are cheaper alternatives but we’d recommend only recognised brands and be wary of shocks costing under £100. Quality – and safety – costs. This STX 46 model is the perfect upgrade for sporty street bikes, comes with an internal or external gas reservoir and with a 46mm main piston. Depending on the application, the shock absorber features hydraulic preload adjustment as well as adjustable compression and rebound adjustment.

Savage Motorcycle Rear Suspension Lowering Link Kit

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A popular suspension modification, if not exactly an upgrade, particularly for shorter riders, is a rear-suspension lowering kit. These usually operate by having specially designed, shortened linkages between the shock absorber and bike chassis, so it's important to get one specific to your bike.

These are for a Yamaha FZ8. Lowering the height of a motorcycle can be the difference between love and hate. Riding your bike at an optimal height for you is a must and will not only provide comfort but also increase the control and stability of the rider, especially at higher speeds. You can sometimes also get the reverse; linkages that raise the rear end.

Progressive Suspension 10-2210 Drop-In Fork Lowering Kit

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If your bike's too high, and a rear suspension lowering kit isn't sufficient, another alternative is a fork-lowering kit, such as this one from reputable specialist Progressive. Its drop-in fork lowering kits have transformed a once messy, and time consuming install, into a cake walk.

Pull up to two inches out of the front end of your bike without the hassle of disassembling the forks or even changing the oil and the whole process can be done with basic tools. Shorter springs and Progressive's new secondary compensation spring make short work of the formerly complicated act of lowering your front end. No special tools required.

Laser 4946 Motorcycle Fork Oil Level Adjuster

Price: $50.52

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A crucial component in how your motorcycle's telescopic forks work is their damping oil and it being set to the correct level. Heavier weight oil gives more damping properties, lighter less' but replacing it accurately can be difficult.

Too little and the air gap alters its effectiveness. Too much and you risk blowing your fork seals. This British-made tool is a quick and accurate way to set and adjust fork oil levels on motorcycles.

BELEY Motorcycle Adjustable Fork Seal Driver Tool

Price: $23.99

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The fork seals in your motorcycle's telescopic forks are crucial for preventing leaks of damping oil. Over time they also wear and need replacement, which can lead to a loss of damping, in turn affecting your bike's front suspension effectiveness. Replacing seals can be difficult but it's made much easier with the use of a tool such as this.

Hyperpro Rear Shock

Price: 406.85

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Hyperpro is another quality replacement shock absorber brand, although not quite as pricey as Ohlins and its multi-adjustable units, which comes with bespoke settings for your bike (this one's for a Honda VFR800Fi) come highly recommended.

It has a CNC-machine aircraft-alloy body, 50-click rebound adjustment, optional high/low-speed compression damping adjustment and an optional hydraulic preload adjuster. Hyperpro’s rising-rate progressive springs are used worldwide, as are its shock absorbers.

Hyperpro Front Fork Kit

Price: 120.65

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Also from Hyperpro is this front fork re-springing kit, which replaces the standard springs and oil, is designed to use the maximum front fork stroke under heavy braking without upsetting front grip, is bespoke to your model of bike with a huge range of fittings available (this one's for a Suzuki SV650), is easy to fit (as long as you have basic mechanical skills) and is highly recommended.

Motul Fork Oil 10W

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Replacing your fork oil may sound messy but is one of the simplest, and cheapest, ways to improve your bike's front suspension. By using different weights of oil, ranging from light (5W) to heavy (20W), also has the effect of reducing or raising the damping of your forks, depending on your usage and type of riding. This Motul oil is typical and is currently on offer, but there are plenty of quality brands and options available.

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By Jim Blackstock

Product Tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine - Jim began riding motorcycles in the late 1980s while working in an automotive repair garage after earning a Mechanical Engineering degree. Initially, he used bikes for practical purposes but later shifted to cars, starting a publishing career in the early 1990s focused on car modifications and product testing. After a stint in PR and Marketing for major motorsport teams and events, Jim returned to publishing and joined RiDE Magazine in 2017 as a Production Editor. His expertise in product testing soon led him to oversee the magazine’s product content. Rediscovering his love for motorcycles, Jim earned his license through the Direct Access process and now enjoys riding his KTM 790 Adventure across various terrains.