Suspension and throttle questions

[Joe Garfield]

Aloha,
I hope you all are well! I miss the forum and the mainland rides.

I was looking at a 2025 Triumph Street Triple. The one I like has Separate Function Forks. Everything I find online about SFF sounds positive, but it's only offered on the cheaper model which seems like a sign. As a mechanical engineer I understand the theory, but as a hands-on intuitive guy it doesn't seem ideal.

Does anyone have experience with SFF?



My other question is about the transition to electronic throttle control. So far I've only ridden bikes with a cable actuated intake valve, and the throttle feeling on the new bikes in the dealership seems 'fake' to me.

What was the transition like for you? Is there much room for adjustment or upgrade? Do you always notice the 'disconnect'? I'm pretty meticulous about adjusting throttles, throttle bodies, etc. and imagine not liking electronic throttles. They're used in MotoGP so it seems like maybe they can be good, but then guys like Jack Miller are switching back to cable actuated throttles so maybe not?

Cheers,
Joe G

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Don’t know anything about SFF. I’ll have to look it up. I’m intrigued.

As for throttle-by-wire: My 2015 Tiger has it and it’s great. I was leery of it at first. I believe as long as your throttle position sensor is set properly (haven’t had to monkey with that yet) and your throttle bodies are balanced, (made a minor correction on mine a few moths ago using digital diagnostic software DealerTool), it should be very reliable. I really notice no great difference between it and the cable-to-carb version on my 40+ year old GS, other than what you’d expect in the difference between 750 cc’s and 1200 cc’s.

Edit:
D’oh, after a quick google, I realize my Tiger does have SFF. I haven’t found the need to adjust either side since owning the bike. I’ll have to play with it sometime. I think many modern bikes, including many Triumph models have this.

Separate function forks, often referred to as SFF, are a type of motorcycle fork design where one leg handles the spring and preload adjustments, while the other leg manages damping and rebound control. This design provides greater control over suspension settings and allows for more precise tuning compared to traditional forks, where both functions are combined in a single leg​

 

[Nessism]

The RS triple uses Ohlins suspension. Not directly comparable to the less expensive model. Either way, unless you are racing at a high level, I doubt you will out-ride the regular fork.

Throttle by wire is pretty much the standard on cars and bikes (other than the cheap model bikes). That's what allows them to create ride modes, traction control, stuff like that. I wouldn't think twice about that either.

 

[JMHJ]

Throttle by wire is pretty much the standard on cars and bikes (other than the cheap model bikes). That's what allows them to create ride modes, traction control, stuff like that. I wouldn't think twice about that either.

Do you mean it's good? I have mixed opinion on the couple of cars I've driven with it (older Lexus, like over 20, and older Acura). Don't like it on the Lexus. There's something "different" about it. That car is so quiet there's not enough feedback anyway, so... Can't say I've noticed it on the Acura, so it must be good on that one, lol. Probably not very relevant, but I could imagine not liking it (right away, at least) if it didn't exactly mimic (the good aspects of) a cable.

 

[rphillips]

Riding with a guy on a throttle by wire Harley, a few yrs ago, appx, 75 mi. from home we stopped for gas and all was good. When we headed back out his Harley wouldn't go over appx. 40 mph. on flat road, with shifting to get over hills. Harley fixed it under warranty and said it was the throttle by wire messed up, I never heard if it was the transmitter or receiver end. Also for anybody that has it and don't like it, my first throttle by wire is my 2013 Toyota Tacoma. I knew it felt weak but just figured I'd get yus'ta it after a while, after nearly 3 yrs, I's still not happy at all with it, still felt really sluggish. A buddy talked me in to buying a throttle controller, and have been tickled to death ever since. Now all the sluggishness is gone, feels normal like it should feel.

 

[first timer]

SSF forks aren't to bad, KTM dirt bikes and street bikes and Beta dirt bikes have gone that route for their standard models which are their top sellers. It's a way for MFR's to cut costs and reduce parts by half. Plus you can make all the adjustments while seated on the bike and not on your knees fussing with fork bottoms.

People that really push their bike in competitive settings will usually upgrade their internals to a high level (more precisely machined and HQ internals and fancy coatings) cartridge which tends to go back to standard adjustment on both forks.

Generally Euro bike use SSF and Jap bikes use seperate controls. (WP and Sachs Vs KYB and Showa)

For your Triple, if you aren't racing it every weekend you will be fine, if you start racing it your going to need a fork revalve anyways.