Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Suzuki Tech
DL650 VStrom rear suspension upgrade for RTW DL650 VStrom rear suspension upgrade for RTW
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Suzuki Tech Suzuki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Suzuki riders only.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Apr 2010
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
DL650 VStrom rear suspension upgrade for RTW
Hi all!

My DL650 K9 has a standard suspension. I'm concerned that it won't be able to cope with the terrain and the extensive load on the bike. We're going 2 up and the anticipated load overall would be:

DL650 Dry - 190kgs
Fluids (Oil, petrol, water, additional petrol in jerry cans) - 45kgs
ME - 100kgs
HER - 50kgs
Gear - 50kgs

Overall: 435kgs

Problematic areas when it comes to the terrain in my opinion would be: South Amerca, Central America, South East Asia and Central Asia.

We'll cover 80k miles.

Should the suspension be upgraded? If so do you know any good manufacturers that would do it on the cheap?

All comments appreciated!
Andy
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Apr 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
depends what kind of person (people) you are. bits of your bike will probably fail, if you see that as part of the adventure then why waste money replacing stuff before it's failed ? some of the memorable parts of a trip like this are the times when you deal with adversity or a challenge.

expensive/upgraded shocks also fail. ride according to your weight and the terrain, ie slow down when it gets rough.

cheers
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Apr 2010
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
Good call! I do want to see dealing with these things a very important part of the trip. It's boring when everything goes well and there are no problems on the road - no real experience

I've just phoned a shock manufacturer called Hagon Shocks and they can build a custom shock for the DL650 provided I give them the exact loads on the bike (£345). They did say though that they are a road shock manufacturer not OFF Road and they won't give me a proper warranty for it. I think you might be right.
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Apr 2010
holodragon's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Back in Blighty
Posts: 171
I have a K7 DL650,I am going to upgrade my shocks later in the year (when I have saved enough pennies up!) however it will be a road shock as 95% of my riding is paved,main reason I am having the upgrade is because I often have a pillion & the standard suspension struggles a little 2up with luggage.
If you want some more info contact this lot,he does off road too,very helpful.

Reactive Suspension Motorcycle Suspension Specialists

By the way best things i have done to the Strom are a Fork Brace,handles so much better,feels much lighter at the front. Also Barkbuster handguards,since these have replaced the standard ones I no longer get shoulder buffeting no matter what the speed.

All the best,Andy
__________________
Andy L

From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Apr 2010
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
Quote:
Originally Posted by holodragon View Post
I have a K7 DL650,I am going to upgrade my shocks later in the year (when I have saved enough pennies up!) however it will be a road shock as 95% of my riding is paved,main reason I am having the upgrade is because I often have a pillion & the standard suspension struggles a little 2up with luggage.
If you want some more info contact this lot,he does off road too,very helpful.

Reactive Suspension Motorcycle Suspension Specialists

By the way best things i have done to the Strom are a Fork Brace,handles so much better,feels much lighter at the front. Also Barkbuster handguards,since these have replaced the standard ones I no longer get shoulder buffeting no matter what the speed.

All the best,Andy
Could you tell me how many pennies are we talking if you don't mind? I don't want to kill the trip budget

thanks Andy
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Apr 2010
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Maybe go for an Ohlins but get the heaviest spring fitted if you're going 2 up with luggage. I started on the standard spring but after bottoming out on crap roads, had to get the spring replaced with a heavier one. And that was solo, albeit on a heavy GS with too much luggage. I also blew the seals but the Ohlins can be serviced.
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 May 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Ladysmith BC Canada
Posts: 41
Shock Upgrade
I can tell you from experience, you know the test comes first then the lesson, that you don't want to go out 2 up on your Strom especially the 650 without a spring upgrade.

I have talked with Klaus at Wilbur and we reviewed my usage ( I have a DL1000). 2 up, without the weight you are carrying he recommended the Hyperpro progressive rear spring.

Uploaded it has the same value as the stock shock, but as soon as you start to load more stuff on it the spring preloads with the extra resistance keeping the ride in balance.

Since changing the spring, I have really enjoyed the improvement in handling and control.

Forget the idea of 'oooow, wouldn't it be nice to invite some adversity,' because you will get plenty uninvited adversity travelling the distances you are. Adversity should look like an unavoidable flat tire, no room in town, no money, etc. Not broken down on the side of the road with Costa RIcan gangs standing by.

IMHO
__________________
Brian & Sandra Smith
Visit us at:http://vstromadventures.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 May 2010
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian_Sandra_Smith View Post
Forget the idea of 'oooow, wouldn't it be nice to invite some adversity,' because you will get plenty uninvited adversity travelling the distances you are. Adversity should look like an unavoidable flat tire, no room in town, no money, etc. Not broken down on the side of the road with Costa RIcan gangs standing by.

IMHO
I think we're gonna listen to your experiences guys! I need to give Reactiv Suspension a phone and get the suspension beefed up - I'm not going with Ohlins as it's just too bloody expensive - about 750£ just for the rear shock. Reactiv Suspensio will do a custom made one for 495£ this in comparison leaves enough money to do the front forks as well. All in all I think it will be about 700£ altogether front and back using reactiv...

We'll go for it I think!

Unless you've got aome other garages in UK that could sort us out at a lower price?

Thanks a lot for the info guys!

Much appreciated!
Andy
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Jun 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Whitstable, Kent, UK
Posts: 5
Hia

If you can stretch to it, I would also ask Reactive to possibly re valve the front suspension and put in some lighter oil. Having done a fair bit of travelling on my DL 650 I often found the harshness of the front forks a biger issue than any weakness in the rear shock.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11 Jun 2010
holodragon's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Back in Blighty
Posts: 171
rear shock
recently returned from a trip round Ireland on the wee strom with the stock shock,some of the roads we travelled on were a little bumpy to put it mildly & I found that the rear suspension started to struggle after about 4 days,was two up with not a huge amount of gear & by the time we reached dingle I could only get the side stand down on a completely flat surface,any camber & it was a no go as the shock had compressed so much,it did recover after a few hours not being ridden.
I am still getting the money together for the replacement shocks from Reactive Suspension,am going to get 2 springs so I can set it up for general use for me & a touring spring set for weight with pillion & luggage.
Andy
__________________
Andy L

From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Rear shock/suspension for DL650 apapadop Suzuki Tech 3 15 Sep 2009 12:48
Vstrom DL650 Pannier Rack Solutions Duncan Donutz Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 4 26 Apr 2009 17:40
DL650 Vstrom Switched supply alan hopkins Suzuki Tech 13 18 May 2008 10:37
1100GS two up: rear suspension upgrade? MartijnP BMW Tech 1 1 Aug 2005 22:18

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:06.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top