Best shock for DL650 2 up
 

Hi guys , since my 1150 just died on me I bought a DL650 to replace the beast , I know Ohlins make good shock but also some private guy (sasquash in the USA ) make some good one . We will be two up with gear starting our trip by Central and South and then Africa (if political situation get a bit better), Need to buy it by June at the latest as our trip start in September.

Hi Hendi

I dont have a DL650 - but it may be my next bike after the DR650 - something wih ABS!

I know Elka do very good shocks - and do one for the DL - I used a Cogent Dynamics rebuild on my DR - Elka was an option too, but more expensive.

check out the threads here:

Maintenance, Tech and Farkles. - Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums

Cheers

Grif

DL shock
 

Here is what I will do , I found a DL1000 shock ( 5 MM taller than DL650) that I will will have a company rebuilt to my spec (arround) $500 to do so , it seems like a simple way to get a great shock rebuildable and I will keep my stock one home in case of need , Elka and ohlins are great but a bit $$$ for what you get (only my opinion )
Thanks

Hendi

Hey Hendi,

Sounds like a good solution. An additional alternative is to just ride the stock shock with the plan of replacing it at some predetermined point during the journey with another.

I rode down to Cape Town on a Vstrom and the stocker made it the whole way, not two up like you but pretty heavily loaded (spare tire(s)) and some rough routing like through Lake Turkhana. Once in CT, I just swapped out for another stock shock that I had purchased for cheap, many folks have them lying around after they have bought an expensive aftermarket one.

A custom shock should give you a better setup and performance for two up, but if it helps for your planning, you can go a long way on a stock shock if you have to. Happy riding.

I have 6 years experience with traveling on a storm and now my second strom. I bought an Elka rear shock after 20,000 km on the first strom. It is now on the second strom and has taken a pounding and still looks brand new. I am amazed at just how supple the Elka is over corrugations. I bought mine via stromtrooper.

Know this is an old thread, just wished to add that I also have an Elka shock and have over 30,000 km on my DL650 and find it a remarkable shock. I do everything from sport riding on it to having the bike heavily laden up. In reading this post it is good to hear one can ride the stock shock heavily laden up as well as the fellow did to CT, and then buy a stock shock, as everyone (like me) is replacing our stock shocks. I can just say though the performance of the Elka shock is quite noticable. Note, I also replaced the front springs as well. Cheers, Zarks.