2007 and 2008 deals - which is better?

[Brian Brunelle]

OK OK I know this has been addressed many times but I'm a new 2003 KLR650 owner. I ride my wife (no pun intended)two up. Should I spend the money for an entire shock or just buy the progressive spring and put it on the stock shock? I value you alls experience. Brian Brian Brunelle -- This message was sent using airstreamcomm.net WebMail.

[Devon Jarvis]

Brian Brunelle wrote:

>OK OK I know this has been addressed many times but I'm a new 2003 KLR650 owner. I ride my wife (no pun intended)two up. >

It's the two-up part that I wonder about.

>Should I spend the money for an entire shock or just buy the progressive spring and put it on the stock shock? I value you alls experience. > >Brian > >Brian Brunelle > >

So far I've used the stock shock, the stock shock with 500-560 spring, the stock shock with 500-560 spring and fresh oil and gas charge, Progressive 420 shock with 500-560 spring, and progressive 420 shock with 350-450 spring. Definitely the best value for the money would be the 500-560 shock, and maybe heavier oil. I am too light for the 500-560, but if you are a big guy and your wife is over 100lbs you'll like it. If your shock is fairly low mileage, you could just swap the spring. But you'll probably notice an improvement with heavier oil as well. Depends on your weight, terrain, and riding style. Devon A15-Z

[Lujo Bauer]

> Definitely the best value for the money would be the 500-560 shock, and > maybe heavier oil. I am too light for the 500-560, but if you are a big > guy and your wife is over 100lbs you'll like it.

I think you mean that the 500-560 spring on the stock shock is the best value, right? BTW, how's the rebuild with the aftermarket spring going? -Lujo [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Devon Jarvis]

Duh, yes that's what I meant. Thanks. 500-560 progressive spring over the stock shock is the cheapest upgrade, and pretty effective. Heavier oil in the stock shock (5w is stock) is also helpful for big people who ride aggressively, or two-up on rough surfaces. The shock rebuild is waiting for a part to come in, the bushing that fits around the valving piston. Once that's here I'm good to go. The setup will be 400lb/in straight rate spring, 10w Belray HVI shock fluid, 175psi nitrogen. I'll post photos when I get the chance. Devon Lujo Bauer wrote:

>I think you mean that the 500-560 spring on the stock shock is the best >value, right? > >BTW, how's the rebuild with the aftermarket spring going? > >-Lujo > > > >

[rrrocketron64]

Has any one used the 500/560 spring from 420 progressive suspension with the KLR650's stock damper? Is there any problem with the larger diameter?

[dumbazz650]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "rrrocketron64" wrote:

> Has any one used the 500/560 spring from 420 progressive suspension > with the KLR650's stock damper? Is there any problem with the

larger

> diameter?

Nope, no problem at all. The 500/560 is under significant preload and will improve hard off-road riding somewhat. Mostly eliminates the bottoming, probably on account of the doubled-up progressive rates from both the new spring and the unitrac suspension. Rebound is a bit out of whack as the damping there isn't designed for the 500/560 spring rate. But does let you ride harder. Devon has done a great deal of experimenting with KLR suspension and a gross paraphrase of his reports would be: swap to an aftermarket spring and get the shock rebuilt w/ heavier suspension oil and fresh nitro charge for ~$150 it's rougly equivalent to the $450 Progressive shock. Spring w/ progressive and straight rates are available. Check the FAQ. With appologies for any misquotes, Devon. MarkB

[Lujo Bauer]

In addition to what MarkB said, the 500/560 makes the KLR a much more pleasant road bike, especially in conjunction with the Progressive fork springs. -Lujo rrrocketron64 wrote:

> Has any one used the 500/560 spring from 420 progressive suspension > with the KLR650's stock damper? Is there any problem with the larger > diameter?

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[bigfatgreenbike]

MBAKARICH@... wrote:

>--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "rrrocketron64" > wrote: > > >>Has any one used the 500/560 spring from 420 progressive suspension >>with the KLR650's stock damper? >> >Nope, no problem at all. The 500/560 is under significant preload >and will improve hard off-road riding somewhat. Mostly eliminates >the bottoming, probably on account of the doubled-up progressive >rates from both the new spring and the unitrac suspension. Rebound >is a bit out of whack as the damping there isn't designed for the >500/560 spring rate. But does let you ride harder. > >Devon has done a great deal of experimenting with KLR suspension and >a gross paraphrase of his reports would be: swap to an aftermarket >spring and get the shock rebuilt w/ heavier suspension oil and fresh >nitro charge for ~$150 it's rougly equivalent to the $450 Progressive >shock. Spring w/ progressive and straight rates are available. Check >the FAQ. > >With appologies for any misquotes, Devon. >MarkB > >

Basically exactly what Mark said, except you should get a straight rate spring in the correct rate for your weight. The straight rate spring (depending on rider weight, a 400, 450, 500, 550lb/in etc) will work better offroad than the Progressive. The Progressive will allow you to vary the normal loading of the bike (ie passenger, no passenger etc). and keep the ride height a bit more consistent at the expense of handling on rough terrain. Devon

[dcweberklr650]

Looking for feedback on rear shock/spring upgrade. Any reviews on Progressive or Works shocks. Looking for enough adjustment for ridding with or without full camping gear (+/- 125lbs). Any help appriciated.

[Steve Green]

My Progressive Larry Roessler 420 series shock/spring combo works great for what you describe. No more bottoming and the rear is under control. Not something you can say for the stock shock. I rebuilt the 420 series after 20,000 miles of hard Colorado use and it keeps on ticking. I would buy another if I had too, but until then I will just rebuild this one after 15,000 more hard miles. Esteban

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "dcweberklr650" wrote: > > Looking for feedback on rear shock/spring upgrade. Any reviews on > Progressive or Works shocks. Looking for enough adjustment for > ridding with or without full camping gear (+/- 125lbs). Any help > appriciated.