SuzukiSavage.com - Stock spring/shock rate?

Kris01

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Stock spring/shock rate?
07/20/15 at 19:19:06

I've been reading up on the Progressive shocks that everyone seems to use. I guess the most common rate is probably the 90/130 or the 115/155. Before I say definitely what would be best for me, I'd like to know the stock rate so I can see what kind of difference it would make.

I took some VERY ROUGH measurements today and guess the stockers rate around 90 lbs/inch.

I'm not looking for opinons, just numbers. Anyone ever found a spec or measured their shocks?

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2008 S40, Rotella T 15W-40 w/ZDDP added, Dyna, 140/90-15, Battery Tender Jr., Seat lift, #52.5/150/3 washers, Raptor

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Stock spring/shock rate? Reply #1 - 07/20/15 at 19:46:45 IDK the answer to your question I do know the 90/130 is too light for me (230 lbs) and the 115/155 is just right. my guess is the stockers are between those.
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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Stock spring/shock rate? Reply #2 - 07/20/15 at 19:50:30 Using your example, the 90/130 may be right for my 180-ish lbs. If my guesstimate of 90 lbs/in for the stockers is anywhere near correct then the added 130 lbs/in for the Progressives should actually be firmer under compression even though both start out at 90 lbs/in.
Back to top	There's no problem that a full tank of gas and a sunny day can't fix! 2008 S40, Rotella T 15W-40 w/ZDDP added, Dyna, 140/90-15, Battery Tender Jr., Seat lift, #52.5/150/3 washers, Raptor IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Stock spring/shock rate? Reply #3 - 07/20/15 at 20:11:29 the stockers at full hard are stiffer than the prog's at full.
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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Stock spring/shock rate? Reply #4 - 07/20/15 at 20:20:52 Speaking of... Can you explain the preload? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it. If you adjust the stockers all the way, it just raises the ride height. That shouldn't effect spring rate. Am I looking at it wrong?
Back to top	There's no problem that a full tank of gas and a sunny day can't fix! 2008 S40, Rotella T 15W-40 w/ZDDP added, Dyna, 140/90-15, Battery Tender Jr., Seat lift, #52.5/150/3 washers, Raptor IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Stock spring/shock rate? Reply #5 - 07/20/15 at 20:29:02 I'm guessing at the actual numbers, but 90/115 can't be the spring rate. so maybe those are the lbs at low preload and max preload.
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Boogie_with_Stu

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Re: Stock spring/shock rate?
Reply #6 - 07/20/15 at 23:57:03

Kris01 wrote on 07/20/15 at 20:20:52:
Speaking of... Can you explain the preload? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it. If you adjust the stockers all the way, it just raises the ride height. That shouldn't effect spring rate. Am I looking at it wrong?

I'm curious about this as well. At 195 lbs and 5' 11", the stock shocks at what I am assuming is the factory pre-load setting seem a bit "weak". By adjusting the pre-load setting higher, does it actually increase the height of the shock? Or does it just change the compression factor...

Any input, as usual...would be greatly appreciated.

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Dave

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Re: Stock spring/shock rate?
Reply #7 - 07/21/15 at 02:55:49

Kris01 wrote on 07/20/15 at 20:20:52:

Speaking of... Can you explain the preload? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it. If you adjust the stockers all the way, it just raises the ride height. That shouldn't effect spring rate. Am I looking at it wrong?

Well it raises the stock height initially.....but once the shock is fully extended and against the bump stop then the preload begins to compress the spring and require more weight/pressure to make it compress any more. When the bike is unloaded and on the kick stand it may be up against the bump stop.....but when you are seated and in the riding position I don't believe the shock should be up against the bump stop if you want the shock to absorb pavement ripples.

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dustystranger

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Re: Stock spring/shock rate?
Reply #8 - 07/22/15 at 20:43:51

I have an 07 with 11 1/2" Progrssives and I have an 03 with stock shocks. I think the progressives have a bit too much damping, but the overall handling is so sweet that it is not a big deal. The stock shocks I think are near perfect. But they should be an inch taller. Yeah I know, picky picky. Why would you want a gold star or an old Bonnie when you could have a Savage? A Velo is about the only English single I have not owned. A savage beats them all in my opinion. We are soo lucky!

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