2007 and 2008 deals - which is better?

[Bogdan Swider]

> > > 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. >

I sometimes carry a lot of gear - full up Givis, tank bag and tank panniers but I don't think it comes to 125lbs. The Progressive spring with the stock shock works well for me. It's a less expensive solution. I weigh in at 160lbs or so these days. Bogdan

[ryanmerrell]

I've got a dripping rear shock, and I'd like to get it fixed before I do too much more bouncing around. I've looked at the procedures for rebuilding the rear shock, and I really don't feel up to that right now. It doesn't seem cheap to replace, so I guess I'm looking for other suggestions, or maybe I need to just suck it up and rebuild the thing myself.

[Blake Sobiloff]

On Apr 13, 2007, at 6:01 PM, ryanmerrell wrote:

> I've got a dripping rear shock, and I'd like to get it fixed before I > do too much more bouncing around.

The folks at multisurfacemotorcycling will rebuild your rear shock for $425, including hard anodizing the body and a Race Tech gold valve w/ custom shim stack. Or, Gary at GPS Suspension will do a basic shock service for $70. Or, you can do your own rebuild at home; someone has posted on this list in the past about doing the rebuild. -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Eric Sumpter]

You can buy a zero mile take off rear shock on ebay for $105 + shipping. I bought one a year or so ago. Eric [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[rockiedog2]

I think I already know the answer... I am prepping for a 10000+ mile trip(all paved or gravel roads) and am to the point of making a decision on the rear suspension. I weigh 200 w/o the gear on and will of course be loaded as hell with everything under the sun but camping gear. (I would rather ride all night than camp). The question is can I get by on the stock rear suspension(bike is lowered 1.5 inches but I can raise it back up-if raising it will make the stock shock suffice I will do that) or do I have to spend 4 or 5 hundred on that Progressive stuff? Experienced advice here please. Thx Joe

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

At the least, I'd go as-is. At most, I'd respring the stock shock with a 400lb straight-rate spring and change the oil. Mark At 1:06 AM +0000 1/6/08, rockiedog2 wrote:

>I think I already know the answer... >I am prepping for a 10000+ mile trip(all paved or gravel roads) .... >The question is can I get by on the stock rear suspension... or do I >have to spend 4 or >5 hundred on that Progressive stuff? Experienced advice here please.

[rockiedog2]

That sounds encouraging. Is this 400# straight-rate spring commonly available? Joe --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> > At the least, I'd go as-is. At most, I'd respring the stock shock > with a 400lb straight-rate spring and change the oil. > > Mark > > > At 1:06 AM +0000 1/6/08, rockiedog2 wrote: > >I think I already know the answer... > >I am prepping for a 10000+ mile trip(all paved or gravel roads) .... > >The question is can I get by on the stock rear suspension... or do I > >have to spend 4 or > >5 hundred on that Progressive stuff? Experienced advice here please. >

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "rockiedog2" wrote:

> > I think I already know the answer... > I am prepping for a 10000+ mile trip(all paved or gravel roads) and am > to the point of making a decision on the rear suspension. I weigh 200 > w/o the gear on and will of course be loaded as hell with everything > under the sun but camping gear. (I would rather ride all night than > camp). The question is can I get by on the stock rear suspension(bike > is lowered 1.5 inches but I can raise it back up-if raising it will > make the stock shock suffice I will do that) or do I have to spend 4 or > 5 hundred on that Progressive stuff? Experienced advice here please. > Thx Joe >

A return to stock suspension geometry will improve your springing, but the stock spring will still be marginal, IMO. You can replace the spring on the stock shock for under a hundred bucks. I installed the progressive 500-560 spring on my shock, but you might be better served by a 400-450, or a straight rate 450/lb spring.

[Luke in Brooklyn]

rockiedog2 wrote: That sounds encouraging. Is this 400# straight-rate spring commonly available? Joe --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> > At the least, I'd go as-is. At most, I'd respring the stock shock > with a 400lb straight-rate spring and change the oil. > > Mark > > > At 1:06 AM +0000 1/6/08, rockiedog2 wrote: > >I think I already know the answer... > >I am prepping for a 10000+ mile trip(all paved or gravel roads) .... > >The question is can I get by on the stock rear suspension... or do I > >have to spend 4 or > >5 hundred on that Progressive stuff? Experienced advice here please.

Rockie-- The straight rate spring is available from eshocks.com for around $90. I made a post on advrider a year or two ago when I redid mine that details how to change the spring and fluid pretty well: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185101 For your original question, I wouldn't even *consider* going with the stock shock. I'd lose the raising links and put a 450 straight rate on, minimum. I would also encourage you to change your fluid, but that's just me. Luke Brooklyn NY 92 CB750 nighthawk--naked simpleton 03 KLR650--fat girl with a dirty mind --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Mike]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Luke in Brooklyn wrote:

> > Rockie-- > The straight rate spring is available from eshocks.com for around

$90. I made a post on advrider a year or two ago when I redid mine that details how to change the spring and fluid pretty well:

> http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185101 > > For your original question, I wouldn't even *consider* going with

the stock shock. I'd lose the raising links and put a 450 straight rate on, minimum. I would also encourage you to change your fluid, but that's just me.

> > Luke

Luke, If I read the original post correctly, he was losing the lowering links and raising the bike by putting stock links back on. Fred at www.arrowheadmotorsports.com sells the Progressive 350/450 spring. It's worked well for many people. I know there are some people that swear (or state strongly) that a progressive spring "can't" work on the "rising rate" linkage of the KLR650. If so - show me the tests.............. I know a lot of people that are happy with them. So - show me the tests......... BTW, I met a guy that worked for Kawasaki for a while. He tested the original rate linkage. It turned out to be a falling rate..... all the best, Mike all the best, Mike