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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
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Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 8 May 2004
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Soft suspension
I´ve been bottoming out on rear suspension. Why? I have spring tightened all the way, and damper set on max. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jon
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  #2  
Old 8 May 2004
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Incredibly overweight?

Only joking - would help if we knew what bike you were talking about?

If everything is set on maximum & you're still bottoming out, then it could be time for a new shock?

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  #3  
Old 8 May 2004
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Yes, we need more details:

Bike make model year, mileage

Standard shock?

Rider / passenger weights, luggage load, low speed, high speed, massive bumps only, every three minutes on the freeway...

you get the idea...

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  #4  
Old 14 May 2004
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Ah yes-details...sorry in reference to soft rear suspension on Suzuki 2001 DR650 with 26,000 mi., which is tightened all way- both spring and shock by book specs. No noticeable leaks. Have stopped at 2 bike shops, but no answers. It bottoms out going slow or fast over dips and low spots, or larger bumps. Only myself plus normal loaded luggage, similar to 2 up without luggage. Standard shock and spring came with bike. Acts like too overloaded, but book says bike can handle 2 persons. Why? Anything else I need to add? Thanks for your advice.
Jon
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  #5  
Old 14 May 2004
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Sounds to me like the spring is just way too soft. Remember what the bike was designed for - solo off-road and trail, as well as street. For that, a softer spring is needed than two-up. And who says that the spring was correct in the first place. Sometimes (read: often) the factory gets it wrong, and it's too hard - or too soft. Also, springs "sack out" - or go soft, with mileage. Some sooner some later. Factory shocks and springs are made to a price - a low one. Better quality shocks and springs last much longer. Used to be that we considered factory shocks a good way to hold the bike off the tires while it was in the crate. On uncrating at the dealership the "shocks" were tossed with the rest of the packaging garbage. They're a lot better than that now, but 25-50,000 miles and the standard shocks are usually done, along with the springs.

Talk to a knowledgeable dealer and either replace the spring with a stiffer one, or better yet get a good shock. Lots of discussion on shocks here on the HUBB.

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  #6  
Old 29 May 2004
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Thanks for great info. I agree...need new, stronger spring. Have talked to few shops in C. and S. Am., but no luck. Do I need to have one sent from USA? Or what´s best solution? I am in Columbia now. Will search more on web also. Jon
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  #7  
Old 30 May 2004
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US is probably the best place, find someone who specialises in Suzuki's or one of the aftermarket spring companies like Progressive Suspension, and give them lots of information to help figure out what's needed.

Enjoy ColOmbia, it's a fantastic country, but do be very careful where and when you ride.

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  #8  
Old 14 Jun 2004
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Norm Kouba packages up adapters and Eibach
(sp?) springs for the DR 650.
I'm very happy with mine.
Front and rear will be around $200, US
http://www.koubalink.com/dr650adapters.html


[This message has been edited by PeteSC (edited 13 June 2004).]
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