Rear Suspension

[oldskiddy]

Hi all,

I have a 2006 GS1200, The majority of my riding will be 2 up with luggage. Combined weight with pillion will be about 28 Stone (plus Luggage).
What setup do i need on the rear shock, once im loaded up seems to sit very low.
Do i need to changed the spring? ( yes I know about the atkings diet )
No seriously any advice would be good,

Thanks,
Olds

 

[Fluffy Bridges]

Hi Olds,

I'll jump in...

Both my wife and I tour extensively on my '09 GSA. Neither of us are what you might call well covered. Both of us together weigh in at about 19 stone wet through. With both ally panniers and top box stuffed and with a monstrous tank bag I have to wind the rear pre load on nearly all the way and wind up the damping to just off fully stiff (!). The front pre load is up one notch.
Like this the Old Girl is still a bit saggy for me, but I like a firm ride (lets not go there!). Having said that, it's better for long distance touring to be a bit on the soft side for comfort.

With this in mind your 28 stone without luggage looks a bit on the high side for the standard spring in my experience, but then I haven't loaded her up that much...

I have no suggestions for stiffer springing but a google search will doubtless come up with something.

Fluff.

 

[oldskiddy]

Thanks Fluff,

A diet it is then
I shall have a look on the net for a strong spring and get the shock rebuilt, unless one comes available.

Olds

 

[pistolpete]

my rear shock shit its self at 26k, 50/50 1up/2up and prob around 22st of weight loaded, I went down the Wilber route, just the rear though as the front was dead on, I paid £300 for the shock (2nd hand) and around £100 for a service. The difference is unbelievable with loads of adjustment, the problem with the std shock is the spring rate is to low and the rebound adjustment rubbish, defo the best money spent on a GS, im sure you will hear the ' ive 60k on my rear shock and its still great ' those people either only ride 1up or have never ridden a GS with decent suspenders, get her sorted and enjoy, keep an eye on the for sale section and ebay, I might be trading up soon


Sorry to answer your question as fluffy says 1 turn hard on the front preload, turn the rear full hard (perload and rebound)

 

[Bendy toy]

As PP says go to Wilbers. You guess all you like and get something with a spring & damper or spend a few quid & do it properly.

 

[oldskiddy]

Thanks for the replies Chaps,
I have posted in the wanted section
I shall also ring Wilbers and see about a new one if no luck.


Olds