Mudsling on a lowered R1200GS

[Sandman]

Hi All,

I have read that the Mudsling is not suitable for use on a bike with lowered suspension.

Has anyone used a Mudsling on their lowered bike of suffered damage when trying it?

Just lowered my GS 30mm with Hyperpro springs and dont want to waste £99 if the Mudsling will just be damaged or damage the bike.

Thanks in advance,

Sandman.

 

[Billywhizz]

I have a mudsling on a factory lowered GS with no problem - can't see how it would not be suitaable unless you had the preload set really soft and it touched the wheel. I've never had a problem with it, even fully loaded.

 

[Sandman]

I have a mudsling on a factory lowered GS with no problem - can't see how it would not be suitaable unless you had the preload set really soft and it touched the wheel. I've never had a problem with it, even fully loaded.

That's all I really needed to hear!!

Thanks

 

[Absturz]

I emailed the Mudsling people (Machineartmoto ?) as I have a lowered GS.
They wrote back that in SOME instances there might be adjustment needed,
mostly not. They said that the new Mudsling MAX (which I bought) has extra
clearance built in as part of a redesign ,so lack of clearance is no longer any problem.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[SMB]

Hi All,

I have read that the Mudsling is not suitable for use on a bike with lowered suspension.

Has anyone used a Mudsling on their lowered bike of suffered damage when trying it?

Just lowered my GS 30mm with Hyperpro springs and dont want to waste £99 if the Mudsling will just be damaged or damage the bike.

Thanks in advance,

Sandman.

I had an 08 factory lowered GS. With the ordinary mudsling - no problem at all. The first version did touch the swinging arm, but the mudslings were recalled and new ones issued that cured the problem (2 up + luggage), even though it was not recommended for the lowered frame.
However I was always careful to adjust the rear preload.
SMB

 

[Pukmeister]

2008 GSA with EWS, lowered by using 40mm Hyperpro lowering springs and fitted with a Machinart Mudsling and also a (trimmed down) Ilmberger carbon hugger that I had lying around.

No clearance issues whatsoever, although about to return to stock springs as I'm not keen on the way the progressive Hyperpro springs handle.

 

[Sandman]

2008 GSA with EWS, lowered by using 40mm Hyperpro lowering springs and fitted with a Machinart Mudsling and also a (trimmed down) Ilmberger carbon hugger that I had lying around.

No clearance issues whatsoever, although about to return to stock springs as I'm not keen on the way the progressive Hyperpro springs handle.

Pukmeister,

That is interesting....Have you found they affect the handling of the GS so much that they are worth getting rid???

 

[Pukmeister]

No, the handling issue is down to personal feel and ride comfort. I don't like the feel from the front end as it feels softer than I like and bounces on the softer wound coils over undulating road surfaces where the stock linear springs felt more controlled. The turn-in from the lowered rear has slowed, making the bike feel slower to change line unless the preload is set to rider and pillion to raise the rear, negating the lowering effect gained with lower springs. At a 40mm drop they are about 15mm lower (and softer) than I want, so going to strip and refit stock GSA springs.

 

[Lozza]

...fitted with a Machinart Mudsling and also a (trimmed down) Ilmberger carbon hugger...

Any chance you could post or PM me a few pics of both items fitted to your bike?

I have the Ilmberger hugger on mine and have often wondered if it were possible to also fit a Mudsling / Mudsling Max and what would need trimming.

Thanks in advance

 

[Pukmeister]

Sorry, missed your post as I've been in the garage all day removing shocks, swapping springs over and replacing, if I had seen it I could have taken a picture as I worked. I'll pop in the garage tomorrow and take a pic.

I had fitted the carbon hugger along with the mudsling prior to touring last spring, but every time I hit a bump with the bike loaded, the hugger was squashed onto the tyre and started to wear through. I removed it and trimmed about 2 or 3 inches from the front edge with a fine hacksaw then smoothed the cut line with fine emery/removed sharp corners. Since refitting, the back of the bike and my trouser legs stay nice and clean, and it looks pretty good.

 

[Pukmeister]

Apologies, didn't get time today to take a phot, had to visit the Apple store and see a "genius" to check my iPhone Bluetooth out instead.

 

[Lozza]

Ok, when you can. The Ilmberger hugger that I have sits very close to the head of the Allen bolt which secures the ESA plug on the bottom of the rear shock.
On occasion the two vibrate against one another which resulted in me placing a strip of a 3M anti abrasion film on the contact area to prevent damage to the hugger.

Would like to see how the Mudsling fits around this area and how best to accommodate the fitting if both items. I'd prefer to have to trim the black plastic of a Mudsling down rather than a carbon item, but I'll see!

Cheers!

 

[Sandman]

No, the handling issue is down to personal feel and ride comfort. I don't like the feel from the front end as it feels softer than I like and bounces on the softer wound coils over undulating road surfaces where the stock linear springs felt more controlled. The turn-in from the lowered rear has slowed, making the bike feel slower to change line unless the preload is set to rider and pillion to raise the rear, negating the lowering effect gained with lower springs. At a 40mm drop they are about 15mm lower (and softer) than I want, so going to strip and refit stock GSA springs.

Thanks, always interested in hearing others views on products.

Will see how mine feels now the springs are on.

Ride safe

 

[Pukmeister]

Pics as promised (I Hope) assuming they aren't too huge or blurred (taken with iPhone). You can see I have trimmed down the front edge of the carbon hugger by about two inches to prevent the hugger being pushed onto the tyre when the suspension is fully compressed. The hugger was old anyway and had worn through a bit so I didn't mind cutting it down a bit.

 

[Lozza]

Great, many thanks for posting them on the site.

Loz