Had the good fortune to be able to ride to Traxxion Dynamics yesterday and get a set of their AK-20 cartridges installed. Then I had the pleasure of enjoying a 220-mile back home. Reckoned I'd post some observations, in case anyone is thinking of going this route.

Pardon the cliché, but the bike is on rails now. It holds its’ line. I don’t think I realized how much I was fighting the bike until I didn’t have to. I pick a line, give some input to the handlebars, and the bike does what I want it to do (nothing more, nothing less). The bike just tracks better now. Straights or curves, it goes where I want and stays where it should. Maintaining lane position is now boring (it used to be a constant struggle). Confidence in the corners…this may be the best part. I don’t feel like I’m going to drag my boards at the slightest turn any more. Turn-in seems much quicker. Even in the wet yesterday, curves were not a significant emotional event. 90-deg turns are a lot smoother and faster now.

The effect of turbulence from 18-wheelers is night and day. While I can still feel the rough air, the bike just ignored it. The shimmying in the bars is gone. Not sure if this is a placebo-effect, the AK-20s, or something else altogether. But I'll take it...

The nose dive is gone. While hard braking still induces some dive (can’t fight physics but so much), average braking yielded no dive. The nose dive from gear changes is gone as well.

Slow speed maneuvering…this will take some getting used to. It’s amazing how much more responsive the bike feels at parking-lot speeds now. I’ve got some brutish muscle-memory to overcome…I just don’t need to man-handle it around anymore.

While not the sexiest of mods, the AK-20 upgrade has made the most difference in increasing rideability, confidence, and fun. In concert with Howard's JRi shocks, I now have the distinct impression of a real suspension system working under me when I ride.

 

What did you have before these the stock or other?

 

Stock front end before yesterday.

 

$1249.95!!! No thanks. Thank you for your review though.

 

A good suspension makes a difference for sure! Enjoy the ride.

 

Had it done also this past summer, and i agree..
If you have the cash, its a GREAT front end package. The biggest difference for me was how it changed how the bike felt during the initial dive into a corner, she wanted to dip in, instead of wanting to stay up.

 

I wonder how the MoCo's twin tube compare. Not trying to hijack the thread, but damn, that does sound like a very spend upgrade.
I addressed my rear this past summer and it shows just how bad the front really is.

 

Yessirree. Great description!

 

Ive been thinking about this upgrade for a while now. Sounds like the way to go. Thanks for the report.

 

It is pricey, no doubt. And as I came straight from stock, I couldn't tell you how the H-D upgrade (local dealer wanted $1000 for the parts and install!) or Progressive monotubes would fare as a substitute.

And I agree whole-heartedly about how ugly the front end is once you've improved the rear. Need to address 'em both if you mess with either one!