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21 Jun 2011
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 287
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DR650 rear suspension upgrade
My DR650 still has her original stock suspension which is pretty good when travelling without luggage. For touring with luggage however I find the rear suspension a bit too soft. So I’m looking for an easy and affordable way to change this. Looking through the HUBB provided many pretty complex options of rebuilding the whole shock absorber which also sounds a bit expensive.
My idea was to replace only the rear spring. The original stock Suzuki one is apparently 80kg rated. I weigh 80kg already and will add around 30kg of luggage/tools/spares. Luggage etc will be mostly at the rear of the bike and so will put some extra leverage on the suspension. Also the long range tank will add some extra fuel weight.
So if I just replace the rear spring by a 120kg rated one without replacing anything else, would that be effective or is this approach just too simple?
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21 Jun 2011
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
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Hi Marco,
if you change the spring without upgrading the shock, the fairly weak stock shock will still not be able to fully control the compression/rebound damping - it will still 'pogo' quite badly, it will be an improvement in that it will not sag or bottom out as readily, but it will still ride like a dog on rough pistes at speed.
theres a multitude of options to improve the shock - if you want to do some work yourself or pay someone to do it ranging from $160 - $1000 usd
Id suggest considering something in the middle if funds allow, one of the many rebuilds available or buying a kit and getting a local shock/suspension specialist to install it unless you have a good idea on what you are doing:
Suzuki DR650 Parts, Performance, & Accessories - ProCycle
DR650ProdList.htm
Suzuki DR 650 Suspension
and some info on DIY:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...ostcount=35652
I went with a Cogent rebuild, not the cheapest, but its been great, however have a real good look on the ADV rider DR650 thread and also on DRRiders for more info.
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21 Jun 2011
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK but currently on the road RTW
Posts: 206
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Another vote for Cogent...
Not only a great product but a great company to deal with.
I've ridden 66k km with my Cogent now and have been very happy with it and the service I received from Rick and Joyce when I wanted it serviced prior to heading to Latin America.
I weigh 68kg butt naked and all my luggage, tools etc add up to 27kg + food, water and gas. My Safari tank holds 33l so there's a fair bit of weight there too. I chose to run a 7.6kg spring which is at the light end for the load I'm carrying but the bike rides well and is still good to ride unloaded.
Gipper is absolutely right when he says the stock damping won't be able to handle a heavier spring. The cheapest option would be to buy a spring and have a suspension technician re-valve it to suit.
The Cogent goes a step further by giving you adjustable rebound & compression damping.
Here's the link to my bike build - [url=http://shortwayround.co.uk/suzuki/]Suzuki DR650
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22 Jun 2011
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
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+1 for Cogent!
I had my stock shock rebuilt by Rick, its easily compareable to my previous Wilburs. Rick does excellent work and communication is top notch, and far cheaper than an Ohlins.
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22 Jun 2011
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 287
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Thanks guys, I had a feeling that it wasn't to be as easy as just replacing a spring. Cogent sounds good but I haven't heard of them here in Australia yet. So I would go for someone local instead.
What I am looking into now is to buy a 120kg rated spring and take it to a good suspension specialist to install it and to re-valve the shock absorber. That sounds like the best option.
Thanks for your replies!
__________________
no risk - no fun
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22 Jun 2011
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
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Marco,
the only problem with doing the back end is, that after youve ridden it - you will want to do the front end too......
.....at least its a lot cheaper!!!
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