600 miles w/AirWave--PIX added

[BlueBlood]

Just got back from the U.P., and for once I didn't have a sore back. This thing just erases any bump I could find. The other guys in my group all noticed that mine was the only sled going through the nasty stuff that wasn't bouncing all over the place. I originally ordered mine with the hand pump, but then I changed that to the on board compressor. I mounted the switch on the left hand block, I can adjust it on the fly for the conditions. Compressor is definitely the way to go, very sweet. I doesn't take much of a pressure change to feel the difference, very nice not having to stop and make adjustments. I had the other guys in my group ride it and it just amazed them at how well this suspension works. I haven't tried an Expert suspension to compare it to, but I can't imagine anything better. Really plush, or super firm in a matter of seconds. The stock Monoshock transfers weight better, but this does EVERYTHING else better. If you have a chance to ride one, do it. Even if you don't, you won't be disappointed if you order one. I also have the Floats with a 13mm bar, set at 45psi, and this did wonders for the cornering. This sled just rails around corners, I didn't think that was possible until I got the 13mm bar. I'm running out of things to complain about with my Attak, which of course makes my wife happy!

 

[Indy]

Finally, I've been waiting for a mod report on this m10 upgrade.
No freezing problems?
Did you beat it up at high speed?
Install yourself?
What shocks on the skid?
More or Less travel?
Ice build up in skid?
Since the FRA on the skid is gone, can you add more boogies?

I wish I would have known more at the beginning of the season, but I wanted to wait for someone else to try it out.

 

[BlueBlood]

I didn't have any freezing problems with the skid, but I still have ice build up in the tunnel just like the Monoshock. That of course is caused by the sled, not the suspension. I did make sure to get rid of the ice where I needed to before I rode, again like the Mono. I beat the absolute crap out of it at high speeds, much faster than I would have tried to with the stocker. I did install myself, major PITA, but that was because I had the first one put in an Attak. I was in constant contact with FAST, telling them changes that needed to be made to make this work properly on an Attak. Installing one on an Attak shouldn't be a problem now. Doing the upgrade to an M-10 shouldn't be too bad and worth every penny. I don't know about adding more wheels, didn't consider it yet. Mine has Fox shocks, the rear being the PPS version. It has more travel, but with the sag it doesn't really sit much higher than the Mono. It took me a while to stop tensing up before I'd hit a big bump, because I'm used to getting hammered in really rough stuff. In all fairness to the Monoshock however, I didn't revalve my shock or change springs. It did a fantastic job with stutter bumps, but when I'd crank up the pre-load it would kick back too much and I really didn't like that. The AirWave does an amazing job in every bump there is. And if you do want to stick another rider with you for some reason, all it needs is a little more air and still rides awesome.

 

[Indy]

Thanks. I already have a M10, I've had it in and out many times. I have the Ohlins in the rear and the stock Fox in the front. Fast said I would have to send them my shocks, but not the Ohlins? I would have to buy a different rear shock from them. Another $150. I will order this summer and start the rebuild in October. I am putting the extra wheels on tonight. Fast said it can't be done because of the remote res. for the Ohlins. I just have to move it a little and drill a couple of new holes. No problem. I wonder what Hy-Gear thinks about the shock setup on these. I talked with them in Novi and they LOVED the airwave.

 

[MyOutdoors]

Awesome. I've watched a few threads in here and have been waiting for some feedback on that suspension. How heavylighter was it compared to Mono? Can you adjust the transfer on the airwave? How much total?

 

[BlueBlood]

Shipping weight on mine I believe was 72 lbs. Weight transfer is not adjustable. Different applications have blocks that give more or less transfer. Monoshock gets my vote for transfer, but that's it. The rear shock is different from what's in the standard M-10. I did find that I wanted the rebound slowed down, so I sent them back my rear shock after the first few rides and had them revalve it. I'll take pictures sometime, but I put the guage directly under where the reverse lever is. Other than making a bracket to mount to the handlebar, that's the only place I could put it. Couldn't mount it on anything that is removable because then I'd have to disconnect the air lines. I had a friend make me a shield where the fitting and air line comes out of the tunnel so I wouldn't kick it and lose my pressure out on the trail. Also made a bracket that I could place in the suspension if for some reason I did lose my pressure I could still ride it back. When I still had the hand pump version I was riding and decided I wanted to drop the pressure some, but I left the pump at home. So I took the cap off the valve and let a little air out, but the valve stuck sideways! I lost all my air and the sled was sitting on the ground. Had to ride it 4 miles standing as far foreward as I could to get the weight off the rear. The best part was when I pulled into the gas station with my Low Rider and filled it with the tire air hose. The four people that were in their cars dropped their jaws when it popped up. One of them said "Aint never seen that before". I just smiled and on my way I was.

 

[Traildemon]

suspension

What did you do with the monoshock? for sale ??

 

[Apsterbobed]

maybe this is a stupid question but can you hook up your compressor the the floats up front if you wanted to change them on the trail?

 

[MyOutdoors]

Fox Floats come with a small handpump with PSI guage on it. Question is, can you use a hand pump to play with AirWave shocks on trails?

 

[nate007]

I would love to see some pics of this setup. I guarantee you i would be in line to buy in if you could run the airpump from the Gt's EC control!
How does this setup handle the jumps?
Nate

 

[flyingpig]

How heavy is the AirWave suspension in comparison to the Mono suspension?

 

[BlueBlood]

Traildemon---I sold the Mono--

Apsterbobed---I've been looking into being able to adjust the Floats with the compressor, would be awesome to change them on the fly also. I think the hard part might be getting them both to accept the same amount of air, but I'm no genius. Doing some rough testing but have a few hurdles to jump first...

MyOutdoors---Actually, the same pump that came with my Floats is the same pump FAST includes with the hand pump version. The valve comes out of the tunnel midway down the right running board. Not too hard to adjust on the trail, but the compressor is the way to go. So now I have two Fox pumps.

nate007---It handles the jumps awesome. Never would have tried some of them with my Mono. As I stated before, I didn't revalve my Mono shock, or try different springs, and I know a lot of guys are happy with the results after doing so. I just love that AirWave though.

 

[nate007]

Do you think the factory switch could be made to operate the compressor?

 

[BlueBlood]

Someone smarter than me may be able to figure out how to adjust it with the factory switch, but I think it may be difficult.

 

[maim]

can i see a pic for the compressor?

the switch and gauge look the same as the firestone ride rite kits and it is possible to get those in a left/right separate setting one for rv so i cant see whay you couldnt adapt it for front/rear.