I need a back mono shock that will keep the back end up with 500lbs on the bike, the stock shock is way to low with weight and breaks. Anyone have a super upgrade idea that will keep the back end up high with a lot of weight. Also, can heavy duty springs be put i the front, blew out two frount seals.

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paul

Hi; I just installed the Progressive 420 (Larry Roessler series) rear shock. Sorry, can't give you a report since I haven't ridden the bike with it yet.Sure hope it is better since it was about 600.00CDN. Progressive does offer a new spring to fit into the original shock. Maybe someone else can chime in on that. Good Luck. Neil

Once you've got a spring / suspension that can carry the 500lbs you will probably end up with other things breaking. Try to lose some weight!
As for suspensions: I have very good experience with Hyperpro and White Power front and rear. Both supply custom made springs as well as replacement shocks in different versions (adjustable compression / rebound, hydraulic preload etc...) Not sure about availability in the US.
Never ever use pressure preload on your forks. Be very careful with higher oil level to increase fork progression.

Can you tell me exactly which model you purchased as there web sire has many tp choose from. Thank you

your help is much appreciated

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paul

I used the Progressive Suspension shock, already mentioned, on my rtw trip last summer, and it served me well, being a major improvement over the stock unit. Progressive's fork springs might also help your fork seal problems, although I don't really know that, just surmising. But they do result in better handling on a loaded bike than the stock springs. However, I was not carrying anything like the load you are planning (I was loaded to only about 290 lb on my trip, including my own weight).

I, too, would have concerns loading a KLR that heavily. According to my owners manual, the maximum load capacity of a KLR 650 is 401 lb., including the rider, so you are almost 100 lb over that. A subframe mounting bolt upgrade would definitely be recommended. There are two types available, one being simply four higher grade bolts and sold by a variety of companies such as Happy Trails, and the other utilizing a single, very strong upper mounting bolt going completely across the subrame and requiring drilling out the bolt holes in the subframe slightly (and two stronger lower mounting bolts). The latter is sold by Dual Star, http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Bran...pgrade_kit.htm

With a few modifications the KLR 650 makes a great adventure travel bike, IMO, but I don't believe they are the best bike for carrying heavy loads. I know of two being ridden solo but with very heavy loads and over very rough terrain in South America, and both developed cracking of the welds along the main frame tube underneath the tank, and have heard of one that was being ridden two up in the US that also developed a cracked frame (no other details available).

Hope this is of some help.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

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Mike

I had a shock made up for an FJR1300. Called Hagon and gave them all the weights involved. They set one up and shipped it out - seems to be OK, but I have just fitted it out.

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.. no gods .. precious few heroes ...

PCM - I don't know if you've found a shock yet, but in regards to Big Macs comment about the Progressive 420 Series, I've also heard good reviews about them. www.dual-star.com seems to have the lowest price at about $380 USD.

Does anybody have a personal review about the 420 shock? The shock on my KLR blew out after 61.000 km, and I recently put in a used one (from a wrecked KLR) that I picked up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I'd like to get a 420 eventually...

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