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Keep 748r Front Forks Or Switch To 1098r Forks

Discussion in 'Suspension help' started by MiKA7, Feb 1, 2020.

  1. Hi,

    Looking into getting radial calipers on my 02 748R and was pretty much set on swapping out my stock forks for the fgrt211 from the 1098R.
    But as I looked into it, it seems the stock 748R forks are so good that they might be worth keeping and instead try to change the lower fork legs instead.
    Anyone with with a clue what I should do? And are the 748R forks really that great?
    Fork legs will be around 1000euros and fork swap seems to cost about the same, so price is not a factor that I need to consider in this.

    Thanks for all input in advance!

    Best Regards,

    Michael
     
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  2. Given how much more modern the 1098r forks will be, that have to be lots better. But why radial? Tbf they look better but stopping power on p4s with good pads is more than enough.
     
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  3. Send the standard forks to k tech they can update and service the internals.
     
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  4. I don’t think 1098 forks are very pretty and don’t fit the look of a 748.
    I would go for 999/749R type as they are just as “good” as 1098 ones and look a bit more in keeping with the older bike style.
    In my opinion.
     
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  5. Half agree with above but I personally don’t like the look of the 999 forks on the older bikes. The mudguard mounting just looks wrong. Don’t think the 1098/1198 forks are any better then the older 748/998R forks, apart from being able to fit better callipers.
    If you could find a decent pair of ohlins R&T FG43’s and get radial feet on, that would be a much better option but obviously more expensive.
    If you do go radial, you would need the 15mm offset discs so might be worth checking what you have first as they are getting hard to find.
     
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  6. Or, like you said, just find some fork lowers. I fitted the moto Corse ones to mine but there are a couple more companies who supplied them. Either way, you’ll need the 15mm offsets.
     
  7. I'd agree with you but he's talking FGRT's though which are the horny aftermarket ones not the standard oem 1098 jobbies, unless he's got mixed up with his part numbers, which he could be as 1K euros is a hell of a good price for the RTs :bucktooth:
     
  8. Stopping power is great, but looking for more feel in the front!

    Good one! But only difference I´ve spotted so far is the length of the tubes I think!

    But thanks guys, appreciate the input!
     
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  9. Yeah I already have the 15mm offset discs!
    Maybe the route of switching the forklegs may be the way to go!

    Been looking to both, I do prefer to get the FGRT´s if I end up swapping!
     
  10. If you swap, I’d like to buy the original Öhlins forks of the 748R....
     
  11. I´ll keep that in mind!:)
     
  12. Nice!!!
     
  13. if you're going this and want the ohlins route I'd buy a set of older FG43's if you can find them or the FGRT range if you really want the radial look then.

    The OEM 1098 forks are horrible looking at the lowers as they're styled to work with the bikes design language - and that's debatable at best. I prefer the 999 oem ohlins as they've got a more industrial machined feel to them.

    If you're after an imporvement rather than the ohlins name you can't do a lot worse than have your stock 748r forks blessed with a new cartridge kit. You effectively then get all the benefits of a top set of forks whilst keeping your original look. :)
     
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  14. Shove an RCS radial brake pump on it, that will provide plenty more feel
     
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  15. Totally agree Joe. Those P4 calipers are superb and an RCS will make already great calipers utterly sublime.
     
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  16. First thing I fitted when I got it, did the clutch as well!:grinning:
     
  17. You could always go really rogue and find a set of late Gen 1 radial caliper Ohlins Aprilia forks haha probably a bit nuclear.

    I really rate the 748R forks, they seem to move so well and be really plush. I agree though the brakes aren’t the best, that said you need to think about the speedo pickup as the 1098 doesn’t have it, not sure if the 999 did either and your speedo cable needs to route down into the axle which it does between the caliper bolts currently!

    if it’s an update to the brakes you need, rather than simply look, you can put a radial master cylinder and maybe some thicker serie Oro discs and you would probably gain a lot more for less cost to messing around with fork swaps
     
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  18. Theres a set of ohlins fork cartridges for the 996 on the bay at the moment sitting at 300 quids.
     
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  19. Guilty in having a 848 engine in it with electronics so speedo pickup is already removed!
    But I´ll carefully consider my options and see which route I will pick:)
     
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