-----Original Message-----
From: Krgrife@... [mailto:Krgrife@...]
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 12:54 PM
To:
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Re: Best Rear Shock/Spring?
In a message dated 11/12/04 8:42:43 AM Pacific Standard Time,
mwl_95623@... writes:
> Basically, you have four options that I know of:
>
> 1. Progressive 420 Series.
> 2. Rebuild OEM shock and get a stiffer spring.
> 3. Buy from Works Performance. They have a few options at various
> cost levels.
> 4. F-1 Engineering (maker of the Diesel KLR)
I've got about 7000 miles on F1 shocks and am very pleased. I did a short
article on the shock for the June issue of Dual Sport News. I've got a very
plush ride with good damping. I'm in the minority here on spring rate, I've
always thought that the 500# and heavier springs are way too stiff despite
my
being 280 lbs. The 400# spring on the F1 with the preload cranked up a bit
works
just fine for me. I have never bottomed the shock and the ride height seems
about right. Prior to getting the F1 I was using a rebuilt stock shock with
the Progressive 350/450 spring. With that I also used a 7mm thick preload
spacer (a local suspension shop measured the spring and said I could go that
far
without coil bind) which gave me a better preload adjustment, I ran it at
the
first click riding without luggage and went up two clicks with the bike
loaded,
damping was set at position #3. For the money that was a very good setup
for
me. I have no experience with the Works shock but have heard good things, I
have always felt the Progressive 420 was too stiff but again I seem to be in
the minority with that opinion. More info on the F1 shock is at
www.suspensionconceptsinc.com
Kurt Grife
--reply----------------
Hey Kurt. I can understand you preference on using a lighter spring with a
highly dampened shock, but I have found that with the way I ride off road
that even the 500/560 spring on my 420 shock is the bare minimum at 230
pounds (rider weight). I catch air on "Duster", sometimes to much air (Doh).
The dampening of the 420 is OK for slower riding but the only solution is
the heavier spring on that shock for us larger guys who catch air.
I know that 420 is not the best after-market solution, but w/ the 560
spring, it is doing pretty well, even with only 9" of travel and the high
weights and jumping around that I make it deal with.
I think the underrated issue is with the sag ratios some riders use. I like
my bike to only sag about 2" or a bit more when I "mount" it, which means my
bike is, "FIRM" suspension wise. Several dirt bike guys in Mexico ( KTM,
650R, etc) thought my KLR was balanced and sprung strongly enough to get
them to think that the KLR can be made into a well "sprung" bike
Dampening is a huge issue, and I do agree that the 420 could be "firmer" in
that area, especially in compression dampening, and if the F1 was around a
few years ago, I would probably be using it today. When my 420 dies, I'll
take a hard look at it as it appears to be the right shock, or so I have
heard on this list.
Mike Torst
A16
aka lasvegasrider