TT Hugger

[Mike_swe]

I cannot imagine why the weight of a hugger would really be a concern on a bike that weighs well over 500lbs

Not compared to the overall weight, but adding unsprung weight to the swingarm means that it will be harder for the suspension to keep the tire in contact with the road. Less unsprung weight means better traction, specially when riding fast on rough tarmac (which is what I do mostly).

 

[Emoto]

Not compared to the overall weight, but adding unsprung weight to the swingarm means that it will be harder for the suspension to keep the tire in contact with the road. Less unsprung weight means better traction, specially when riding fast on rough tarmac (which is what I do mostly).

Me too. The GS family of bikes may be the ultimate bumpy backroad tool, eh? I love it at the end of a hard day when the sportbike riders are all whining about their sore wrists and I am none the worse for wear.

Here in New England, the small roads (what you might call B roads or smaller) are often a mess from the freezing and thawing. I should check my logbook to see when I put the MC hugger on, but I imagine it is at least 20,000 miles ago, and I've yet to have any trouble from the added unsprung weight. Of course, your riding, weight, roads, etc., may turn out differently, but I have yet to feel my suspension act as though it is near the edge of its ability to cope. Of course, last year I switched over to Wilbers shocks late in the season, so I won't be able to comment on how severely worn OEM shock handle things.

Edied to add: Ah, I see you are from the North. I expect you know a thing or two about freezing and thawing!

 

[Mike_swe]

Edied to add: Ah, I see you are from the North. I expect you know a thing or two about freezing and thawing!

Oh yes, and this winter has been unusually long, first ride next week I hope.
I have also serious thoughts of upgrading the shocks to Wilbers or Ohlins, but it's alot of money to spend, and I have seen so many different views on the result. Some say it's fantastic, some say it's no improvement at all. Also it would be better for me to have the lighter alu wheels instead of the spoke wheels that's on my GS. Shame the spoke wheels look so good

 

[Skippy]

Update! News Flash!

Looks the muts but.................

as witnessed by the Shedracer(s) only last night, mine looks good but I took the zaust off to take a peak at the hugger cos it seemed to be a bit "flappy". It was! So I removed it only to find that the two strips of (rather pathetic) adhesive that help it stay in place had already become ineffective.

And worse, sand/grit had got in and acted as a harsh abrasive on the swingarm causing the paint to rub off (about the size of a pennt piece). Not good.

Only done 350 miles or so since fitting!

Re-assembled with chunky velcro to replace strips and put a small rubber washer on the inside of the moulding and a lock washer on the outside next to the hex bolt in an effort to stop the "rotational effect of a single fixing point.

Well I know what I mean.

Think TT will need to do a redesign and I would bet this is what happened to Swooper. Hugger rotated onto rear wheel which is turning towards the "lip" and bang! one snapped hugger.

Skip.

 

[shedracer]

Having had a good look at skippys yesterday, I think its well suited to the GS look. But as skip has found out, it looks as though TT will need to re-design its mounting. I am very tempted to buy one , but I think I may have to wait and see what TT do about it.

Hey Skip, bike is looking real nice, but there's still something missing! Can`t quite put my finger on it!












I know, a nice set of WP EDS shocks or Wilbers.

 

[Skippy]

This might help?

Fitting, in Englimerican as if it were needed. (hope it attaches anyway?)

BTW, anyone know the torque for the shock bolt?

Did mine "tight"

 

[Thunder]

Fitting, in Englimerican as if it were needed. (hope it attaches anyway?)

BTW, anyone know the torque for the shock bolt?

Did mine "tight"

Top of rear shock 50Nm 37 ft-lbs

Bottom of rear shock 58Nm 43 ft-lbs

 

[Mike_swe]

Took a closer look at my TT hugger installation. Pushing down on the rear and the shock makes contact with hugger.... why don't they test their products before they go on sale? There's sort of a recess in the hugger but the shock touches above that. I'm not taking any chanses, the MC hugger goes back on until this is sorted.