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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
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Message started by Rush-rks on 07/30/13 at 13:42:21

Title: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Rush-rks on 07/30/13 at 13:42:21

Is there a way to further stiffen the rear shocks for firmer 2-up riding? The adjustment is on 5 and I dont really want to replace them just wondering if there was a mod for that..

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by verslagen1 on 07/30/13 at 14:48:13

none that I know of.

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by sesamestreet on 07/30/13 at 17:38:15

I'm on 5 for single riding and any less i feel there's rubbing, and see physical sign of it on the tires. wondering how it'll fare with my gf, although at 100lbs i doubt there will be a problem.

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Rush-rks on 07/30/13 at 17:44:49

It seems fine just for me set at 5 I'm 210 lbs and if I get the Mrs on she is around 150 so that is why I am wondering we're both tall people me 6'1 she about 5'8 we haven't ridden 2 up on it yet just wondering if the stock shocks would be ok

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by B.J. or Jo on 07/30/13 at 18:20:44

5F787E653F3C3C3F0D0 wrote:

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Rush-rks on 07/31/13 at 06:46:42

66636E66636268630C0 wrote:

[quote author=5F787E653F3C3C3F0D0 link=1375216941/0#3 date=1375231489]It seems fine just for me set at 5 I'm 210 lbs and if I get the Mrs on she is around 150 so that is why I am wondering we're both tall people me 6'1 she about 5'8 we haven't ridden 2 up on it yet just wondering if the stock shocks would be ok

I'm 6 ft. 235 lb and the wife is 5 ft. 130 lb and we ride double up all the time, the shocks are on 5 but I figure at 4-5000 miles I'll have to get some better shocks. The ride is not bad but riding them maxed out doesn't leave much movement for bumps and dips :o[/quote]

I'm a new rider just finished MSF training course but they didn't train us on 2 up and I was just worried that my bike may bottom out or tire rubs on the bolt heads inside the rear fender I sat her on it and me and felt under the fender I can still put my fingers between bolt heads and the tire that was my concern.. :-?

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Charon on 07/31/13 at 07:19:04

You are not adjusting the shocks at all. There is no adjustment possible on them. You are adjusting the preload on the springs. The usual rule of thumb is to adjust the preload so the rear suspension compresses about one-third of its travel when you sit on the bike. For two-up, you increase the preload so the suspension compresses about one-third when both of you sit on the bike. Most bikes are only rated to carry about 330 pounds total. They won't break instantly if you overload them, but acceleration, handling, and braking suffer with increasing weight. And, of course, suspension on either or both ends will bottom more often.

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Super Thumper on 07/31/13 at 09:48:37

I got rid of my OEM rear shocks because I had to set them on the stiffest setting just for me to ride. I weigh 195 and two up riding the bike would bottom out on some bumps. The shocks checked out ok as far as dampening was concerned...they were not worn out, had 10,200 miles on them. I bought a pair of used Harley Sportster progressive shocks on ebay that were 2" longer than my Savage shocks at 12" bolt center to center. I had to drill the steel sleeves out from 1/2" to 9/16" to fit the savage shock mounts but that still leaves enough metal in the sleeves to protect the rubber bushings. They are on the softest spring setting for solo riding. The handling improvement was amazing...no more wallowing in the turns, much better at absorbing the bumps on these Vermont and New Hampshire mountain roads where I ride most of the time. If I want to take a passenger I just crank up the spring stiffness two notches and once again it is perfect. The slight change in the front fork rake due to the rear being raised up two inches is just what this bike needs...handling in corners is greatly improved, with the shocks set on the softest setting the back wheel now follows the road irregularities much better AND it no longer bottoms out over some of the worst bumps! The weight distribution now feels less tail heavy and more neutral...closer to 50/50. Overall this is the single best improvement I have made to this bike and the shocks only cost me $25.00 and the seller shipped them for free!! Better handling, smoother ride...what more could you ask for?

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Greg on 07/31/13 at 09:54:09

If your concern is damage to the tire, you shouldn't have any issues if it is the stock size. You should be able to bottom out all day and not damage the tire.

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Greg on 07/31/13 at 09:55:29

Oh, I forgot to mention. I only ride solo. I am a big guy. Nearly what you and your wife weigh together. I don't bottom out often.

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Rush-rks on 07/31/13 at 11:33:55

0500070C0B01620 wrote:

If your concern is damage to the tire, you shouldn't have any issues if it is the stock size. You should be able to bottom out all day and not damage the tire.

Yes rear tire is stocker...140/80-15 Have it aired up to max pressure 36lb like I said I'm a newbie rider little nervous about riding 2 up probably just find some little country road and take it easy ;)

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Dane Allen on 07/31/13 at 16:22:04

5770766D37343437050 wrote:

I did an almost 2.5 hour ride from Riverside out to Tarzana for a getaway with the Mrs. I'm at 250 (coff..coff) with the wife coming in around 120. We were 1 pound over the MVW not including the overnight backpack. We did pre-load 4 and I spent most of the ride on the freeway (conditions on most California freeways are probably considered off-road in other parts of the country). I'm 6'2" and the wife is 5'9" and we did fine.

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by WD on 07/31/13 at 16:33:23

With the heights and weights involved, you really need to swap the rear shocks out. A used set from a 700/750/800 Intruder is just right, and dirt cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-Suzuki-Intruder-VS800-800-REAR-SHOCK-SHOCKS-/130940945074?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e7cb042b2&vxp=mtr

I'm 6'2" and change, roughly 230#. My 98 Savage has 96 Intruder 800 rear shocks. My wife Lisa's 96 800 Intruder wears 98 Savage shocks (she's 5'6", kept hooking her boot on the pillion and/or backrest)... Both bikes were dramatically improved by swapping shocks.

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Super Thumper on 08/01/13 at 06:51:53

Here is a pic of my bike with the 12" Progressive Harley Sportster shocks on it.

Title: Re: Stiffening Rear Shocks S40
Post by Rush-rks on 08/01/13 at 12:36:11

130D04080609150E0F610 wrote:

Here is a pic of my bike with the 12" Progressive Harley Sportster shocks on it.

Looks good !

I was mistaken about the ajustment..looked a little closer and the adjustment was all the way in instead of out like I thought originally.

I adjusted them to the 3rd position (those are a bear to do by the way) but the shocks extended a good 3/8" out and it feels so much firmer now..just wish it would quite raining so I can go for a ride ! ;)