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[adriandscott99]

Hi - not sure if I posted my topic properly...so here goes..apologies if it's a double up. Last year I rode from Magadan (Siberia) to Istanbul on my KLR650. 20,000kms in 100 days (see www.users.bigpond.net.au/AdrianScott for details). I had many "mechanical challenges" which I learnt a lot from, but one thing I noticed was that the stock rear shock tended to bottom out a lot...I am six feet eight and 250 lbs and my bike was loaded with about the same in luggage again and I suspect it struggled under all that weight. I am planning another trip and even in riding around near my home the bikes sags a lot...I've got all the settings as hard as they will go and was wondering whether an aftermarket shock would make much difference? Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks, Adrian Scott

[Analog Aardvark]

Adrian-- If you're 250 w/ 250 pounds of gear you're WAY overloading the poor beast. What are you carrying, an anvil? No wonder you had mechanical challenges. Seriously though, yes, a different rear shock will make a huge difference. Check out the KLR FAQ (linked at the bottom of this, and all, list emails) but basically you have a few options: 1. Raising links, which physically raise the bike and increase the shock's leverage against the swingarm ($75) 2. Installing a stiffer spring and/or heavier oil onto a stock shock ($80-$125) 3. Buying a Progressive Suspension aftermarket shock ($400) 4. Getting a F1 shock (they make the shock for the military KLR) $475 4. Getting a nice unit built for you by Works Performance or similar ($500-$600+) With you and your gear, the bike should sag about 3" in the rear (from full extension, ie, wheel in the air): http://www.4strokes.com/tech/racesag.asp explains it simply, but note that KLRs want 3", not 4", of sag. I haven't run the progressive shock myself, but I've seen them fail numerous ways and wouldn't spend the money. To my wallet, in for a penny in for a pound--if I'm going to spend more than simply refurbishing the stocker, I want it done right. A consideration unique to your intended usage, too, is that ONLY Progressive can rebuild their shock. If you blow a seal in outer hockawackastan you'll have to mail the whole damn thing to Progressive. With most of the other options a decent moto shop could help you out... worst case you have a part or seal shipped to a future destination and ride there with no damping, but at least you keep the shock. Having said that, a lot of listers have and are happy with progressive shocks. I'm in the process of refurbishing a stock shock, myself. Good luck. -Luke --- adriandscott99 wrote:

> Hi - not sure if I posted my topic properly...so > here goes..apologies > if it's a double up. Last year I rode from Magadan > (Siberia) to > Istanbul on my KLR650. 20,000kms in 100 days (see > www.users.bigpond.net.au/AdrianScott for details). > I had > many "mechanical challenges" which I learnt a lot > from, but one thing I > noticed was that the stock rear shock tended to > bottom out a lot...I am > six feet eight and 250 lbs and my bike was loaded > with about the same > in luggage again and I suspect it struggled under > all that weight. I > am planning another trip and even in riding around > near my home the > bikes sags a lot...I've got all the settings as hard > as they will go > and was wondering whether an aftermarket shock would > make much > difference? Any advice greatly appreciated. > > Thanks, > Adrian Scott > > >

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[Samuel Hudson]

I'm at 280, with eagle mike r1 raising links the sag is 3" when cranked to 5 on the preload. I'd reccomend a stiffer spring for that kind of load. --samuelhudson

[Andrus Chesley]

:

> > Adrian-- > > If you're 250 w/ 250 pounds of gear you're WAY > overloading the poor beast. What are you carrying, an > anvil? No wonder you had mechanical challenges.

I'm at 240 and used to carry about 50 lbs of camping/etc gear on really ruff roads. I went to a 425 LR spring in the rear, Progressive in the front with the recomended spacer cut down an extra 1/2" which made it a little softer on the harsh lines, etc. Also filled with 10 weight oil. 14 tooth rear sprocket really eases the load on the engine in bad terrain and would surely help in your situation. By the way guys, my '00 KLR has just seen the 3 bike join it in the garage since I've had it. A new '06 DL1000 which replaced the '02 R1150GSa. Andy > 100 miles south of the Louiaiana coast.

[Norm Keller]

It sounds like some additional preparation might help you before your next trip. Have you done the basic KLR modifications like bowl vent "T" mod; safety switch by-pass (in the form of a carried jumper, or, permanent by-pass, or a by-pass switch- my preference) as this one seemed to have caused you a problem in China; replace the fuses with sealed ATO fuses relocated to be accessible without removing the seat; packing all wiring plugs with silicone dielectric grease or spraying with ignition sealer, etc.? Do you plan to use the same bike for the next trip? I recognize that you have a life outside answering my questions (VBG) but would very much like to hear more about how the bike performed, problems and how you resolved them. You size likely was an advantage for horsing the KLR through mud holes but would have been against you due to the extra load. Too bad you're in Oz as it would be a pleasure to give you a hand with preparation for the next run. It is better than nothing to live vicariously through someone we know. How can we help you to get ready? Norm Chilliwack, Canada [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[gaylonharbuck]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Analog Aardvark wrote:

> Do you happen to have a link to the place I can get those raising

links? I have read about them, but cant find them. Scott

> Adrian--. > > If you're 250 w/ 250 pounds of gear you're WAY > overloading the poor beast. What are you carrying, an > anvil? No wonder you had mechanical challenges. > > Seriously though, yes, a different rear shock will > make a huge difference. Check out the KLR FAQ (linked > at the bottom of this, and all, list emails) but > basically you have a few options: > 1. Raising links, which physically raise the bike and > increase the shock's leverage against the swingarm > ($75) > 2. Installing a stiffer spring and/or heavier oil onto > a stock shock ($80-$125) > 3. Buying a Progressive Suspension aftermarket shock > ($400) > 4. Getting a F1 shock (they make the shock for the > military KLR) $475 > 4. Getting a nice unit built for you by Works > Performance or similar ($500-$600+) > > With you and your gear, the bike should sag about 3" > in the rear (from full extension, ie, wheel in the > air): > http://www.4strokes.com/tech/racesag.asp explains it > simply, but note that KLRs want 3", not 4", of sag. > > I haven't run the progressive shock myself, but I've > seen them fail numerous ways and wouldn't spend the > money. To my wallet, in for a penny in for a > pound--if I'm going to spend more than simply > refurbishing the stocker, I want it done right. A > consideration unique to your intended usage, too, is > that ONLY Progressive can rebuild their shock. If you > blow a seal in outer hockawackastan you'll have to > mail the whole damn thing to Progressive. With most > of the other options a decent moto shop could help > you out... worst case you have a part or seal shipped > to a future destination and ride there with no > damping, but at least you keep the shock. Having said > that, a lot of listers have and are happy with > progressive shocks. > > I'm in the process of refurbishing a stock shock, > myself. > > Good luck. > > -Luke > > --- adriandscott99 wrote: > > > Hi - not sure if I posted my topic properly...so > > here goes..apologies > > if it's a double up. Last year I rode from Magadan > > (Siberia) to > > Istanbul on my KLR650. 20,000kms in 100 days (see > > www.users.bigpond.net.au/AdrianScott for details). > > I had > > many "mechanical challenges" which I learnt a lot > > from, but one thing I > > noticed was that the stock rear shock tended to > > bottom out a lot...I am > > six feet eight and 250 lbs and my bike was loaded > > with about the same > > in luggage again and I suspect it struggled under > > all that weight. I > > am planning another trip and even in riding around > > near my home the > > bikes sags a lot...I've got all the settings as hard > > as they will go > > and was wondering whether an aftermarket shock would > > make much > > difference? Any advice greatly appreciated. > > > > Thanks, > > Adrian Scott > > > > > > > > > > >

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> Sponsored Link > > $200,000 mortgage for $660/ mo - > 30/15 yr fixed, reduce debt - > http://yahoo.ratemarketplace.com >

[Adrian Scott]

Thanks guys. I didn't know about the raising links. Do they raise the seat height? Also, I have installed a centre stand and wondered whether they might change the way the bike sits on the stand? Appreciate your tips! Thanks Adrian -----Original Message----- From: Samuel Hudson [mailto:samuelhudson@...] Sent: Monday, 20 November 2006 1:01 AM To: Analog Aardvark; adriandscott99; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Rear Shock for Big Guy I'm at 280, with eagle mike r1 raising links the sag is 3" when cranked to 5 on the preload. I'd reccomend a stiffer spring for that kind of load. --samuelhudson

[Samuel Hudson]

They do raise the seat height some, perhaps 2 inches? --samuelhudson

[Analog Aardvark]

Adrian-- Mike's raising links will raise the seat height. IIRC, the RL1s raise things by 1 1/2", but that's strictly from memory. Keep in mind, though, that with ~500lbs on the poor thing you're WAYYYYY squatted down. If the RL1s manage to get you up to proper sag, you'll be 1 1/2" (or whatever it is) above where the bike normally OUGHT to sit, which is probably already several (yes) inches above where your loaded bike rests. I think you are a prime candidate for a stiffer spring as Devon suggested. Or maybe both. -Luke --- Adrian Scott wrote:

> Thanks guys. I didn't know about the raising links. > Do they raise the > seat height? Also, I have installed a centre stand > and wondered whether > they might change the way the bike sits on the > stand? > > Appreciate your tips! Thanks > > Adrian > -----Original Message----- > From: Samuel Hudson [mailto:samuelhudson@...] > Sent: Monday, 20 November 2006 1:01 AM > To: Analog Aardvark; adriandscott99; > DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Rear Shock for Big Guy > > I'm at 280, with eagle mike r1 raising links the sag > is 3" when cranked > to 5 on the preload. I'd reccomend a stiffer spring > for that kind of > load. > --samuelhudson > > >

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[Wayne]

Thank you all for the quick responce. Emulators and Do-hickey have been ordered. Wayne