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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 6 Oct 2007
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Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Have you read that webpage that I posted? All the basics are in there.

I agree with your idea of hiring bikes, but if you can borrow your buddies bikes for nothing, so much the better!!
If you go to any bike shows, try the new models on display for their suspension movement - can't always do this depending on how they are supported, but if you can "bounce" the front or back of expensive new bikes, such as a Ducati, you will get an idea of what good suspension feels like, while static at least.

Ref the 20000 km Showa suspension, you don't say what kind of riding you expect to do, apart from 1 up, distances to be covered and what miles the bike/suspension have done but,

Don't worry, be happy, you are learning!!

Sorry, I hadn't before I jumped the gun and replied, but have now. It's definately the most informative article in terms symptoms. Are they the same for off road riding though (that's my kind of riding setup)? I find it hard to find articles on that.

I'm planning to set the bike up for a trip around South America next year, and Africa 2 years later. Between that I'll just use it for weekends away in Oz and some beach and dirt road riding. I'm planning to get some 250-450's for the more challenging stuff hopefully making some friends along the way. We're the only ones from our current group of mates who are into it at the moment, although that might change. So far they're all talk.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Yea, lot of weight. But you have to realize the OEM suspension rates are based on a stock bike including (perhaps) a few accessories and a passenger weighing 60 and 70 kgs. But in most cases, most OEM's optimize suspension rates to work best with a solo rider weighing between 70kg and 100kg. carrying maybe 10kgs. of gear.

Crash bars, racks, bags and tools are not stock fitment, so you have to figure that in within the grand scheme. Also figure fuel weight if running a much larger fuel tank (Tourtech).

Like Walkabout points out, if you're only ever riding roads, then you're suspension will not have to be so stiff or perfectly tuned. If you plan to ride in challenging off road environments....at speed... then firmer is better for that much weight. Hope you rear sub frame can hang in. Also, shock mounts have broken on the F650 on overloaded bikes.
What weight do you guys typically ride with on larger trips?

I'll have a look at those other brands, but I usually find it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other with this stuff, so usually go with what I see and hear around a lot. The F650.com guys usually talk about either Wilbers or Ohlins, and recently here from the Wilbers guys to go with Ohlins.
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  #17  
Old 6 Oct 2007
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Originally Posted by tmotten View Post
Sorry, I hadn't before I jumped the gun and replied, but have now. It's definately the most informative article in terms symptoms. Are they the same for off road riding though (that's my kind of riding setup)? I find it hard to find articles on that.

I'm planning to set the bike up for a trip around South America next year, and Africa 2 years later. Between that I'll just use it for weekends away in Oz and some beach and dirt road riding. I'm planning to get some 250-450's for the more challenging stuff hopefully making some friends along the way. We're the only ones from our current group of mates who are into it at the moment, although that might change. So far they're all talk.



What weight do you guys typically ride with on larger trips?

.
Well, it is not so much a case of "symptoms" - that article explains the basic principles and they are the same for any bike; as the author says here (quoted below), the whole subject has a lot of variables, so off-roading has some differences from road-racing but the principles don't change:-

"Setting the right amount of damping depends on the type of bike, how you ride the bike of bike, and shape and pressure of tyres you use. Also it depends on your riding style and how much suspension travel you want at any particular moment. This article will try to explain what to look out for and how to tweak it."

If you look for other explanations you will find them to be much the same; Ohlins have advice on setting up their suspensions for example.

Seems like you have lots of time to experiment and find the settings that work for you.

Weight: how long is that bit of string??!
I ride one up or two up, with and without luggage - the preload is my only recourse for this, but I don't ride off-road nowadays - not in the way that you are thinking of anyway.

You've got the basic information here, so don't worry, enjoy it!
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Old 6 Oct 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmotten View Post
Sorry, I hadn't before I jumped the gun and replied, but have now. It's definately the most informative article in terms symptoms. Are they the same for off road riding though (that's my kind of riding setup)? I find it hard to find articles on that.
It’s the same for offroad riding but since the sag-measurements are taken from a complete different bike (shorter travel) they might not fit your bike.

Typical for static sag is 10% and sag 30%. On bikes with “short” suspension travel it might be smart to decrease the numbers a bit.
Remember that this numbers are for guidance only, but usually they are pretty good.


With my newest Øhlins there was a good Owners Manual which describes tuning for MX/Enduro/off road. It might be somewhere on the net.
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Old 7 Oct 2007
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Originally Posted by tmotten View Post
What weight do you guys typically ride with on larger trips?

I'll have a look at those other brands, but I usually find it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other with this stuff, so usually go with what I see and hear around a lot. The F650.com guys usually talk about either Wilbers or Ohlins, and recently here from the Wilbers guys to go with Ohlins.
I've just been loading up my DR650 for a trip. I've weighed the GIVI bags (empty), side racks, rear rack, top Bag, and all contents (tools, clothes, tubes, locks, et al) I've even weighed fuel (five gallons when full).

I'm right around 100 lbs. (45 kgs) I've just resprung the bike. Go here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...g-haul-23847-7

Post #101

One thing about Ohlins, they have world wide service. Many many countries have Ohlins dealers who can rebuild your shock.

Don't know about the UK or Oz but in the USA you could have our stock
Showa totally rebuilt, re-valved and a new Spring for about $250 to $300 depending how fancy you want to go. (Nitride coatings, et al) Many shock/fork specialists with a lot of experience can custom build that shock for you.

The important thing is to have your stock shock with a heavier spring be able to have enough rebound damping to handle the force of the new spring and increased weight. A good Re-valve tech can do this via shim stack arrangement (adding or subtracting shims) drilling a few holes in the right places...et al.

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