2007 and 2008 deals - which is better?

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

At 8:10 PM +0000 1/6/08, Mike wrote:

>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.....

Kawasaki's sales literature states: "The Uni-Trak rear suspension action is initially soft, but becomes much firmer near full compression to prevent bottoming." Mark [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[rockiedog2]

Hmmm...well so far I am wondering does anybody know where to get a 400 or 450# 10 inch long straight rate spring? Thanks for the replies. If there is anymore advice out there please pass it along. So far it's a little conflicting... Joe 06KLR- Jackass 98 Valkyrie- Big Boy Joe --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> > At 8:10 PM +0000 1/6/08, Mike wrote: > >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..... > > Kawasaki's sales literature states: > "The Uni-Trak rear suspension action is initially soft, but becomes > much firmer near full compression to prevent bottoming." > > Mark > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

At 8:40 PM +0000 1/6/08, rockiedog2 wrote:

>Hmmm...well so far I am wondering does anybody know where to get a >400 or 450# 10 inch long straight rate spring?

The longest these guys make is 9", which is an exact fit with no built-in preload (unlike the stock spring, which is 10"). I added a..35" spacer ('cuz that's what I had on hand) to my shock when I installed the 400lb spring from them. A .5" spacer may be better, but I'm OK with my shock. http://www.eshocks.com/hyp_ind.asp?SubCheck=25+IDQ2%2E&Free_Length=Q9&SubChar=Q> Mark

[Jud Jones]

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

> > > Hmmm...well so far I am wondering does anybody know where to get a > 400 or 450# 10 inch long straight rate spring? > Thanks for the replies. If there is anymore advice out there please > pass it along. So far it's a little conflicting... >

You don't want a 10" spring. 9"x2.25" fits, works and isn't nearly as ornery as the stock spring, which is under a lot of preload.

[John Kokola]

BWAAAAAAAAAhaaaaaahaaaaaahahahaaahaaaaaaahahaaa *breathe* ... "prevent bottoming" ... Stop ... my stomach ... can't ... stop ... laughing ... --John Kokola Bwaaaaaaaaaahaaaaa ... Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> At 8:10 PM +0000 1/6/08, Mike wrote: > >> 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..... >> > > Kawasaki's sales literature states: > "The Uni-Trak rear suspension action is initially soft, but becomes > much firmer near full compression to prevent bottoming." > > Mar > >

[Mike]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> > At 8:10 PM +0000 1/6/08, Mike wrote: > >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..... > > Kawasaki's sales literature states: > "The Uni-Trak rear suspension action is initially soft, but becomes > much firmer near full compression to prevent bottoming." > > Mark > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

And we all know that makes it true, right? all the best, Mike

[Mike]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> > At 8:10 PM +0000 1/6/08, Mike wrote: > >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..... > > Kawasaki's sales literature states: > "The Uni-Trak rear suspension action is initially soft, but becomes > much firmer near full compression to prevent bottoming." > > Mark > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

Mark, To be more clear, I know that's what it says. I also know that sales literature can be "misleading,", to say the least. The first Uni-trak from Kawasaki (it might not have been called that) that was advertised as being "rising rate" was not. A friend of mine here in SoCal tested it when he worked for Kawasaki. This gentleman is an engineer by trade, and I've found him to be completely accurate and truthful. He also has an extensive motorcycle racing background. Regarding progressive spring and the current linkage, assuming that it is a rising rate. How you I (or you, or anyone else) know if the rising rate is correct for my style of riding? Say I try a straight rate spring, and a progressive spring, and a few different sets of links, and after some experimenting I get something that works for me. Maybe it includes a progressive spring, maybe a set of links shorter than stock, maybe both. I know a few people that have done this, including me. I know some people are happy with each combination of the above parts, some using an aftermarket shock. I'm going to share what I know works for me and others. That's what it's all about - to me, anyway. If I'm only speculating, I'll state that. Mike

[GMac999]

ROFLMAO Only for the 120lb Japanese Rider the bike suspension was built for. GregM -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John Kokola Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 6:27 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Rear Suspension BWAAAAAAAAAhaaaaaahaaaaaahahahaaahaaaaaaahahaaa *breathe* ... "prevent bottoming" ... Stop ... my stomach ... can't ... stop ... laughing ... --John Kokola Bwaaaaaaaaaahaaaaa ... Tengai Mark Van Horn wrote:

> At 8:10 PM +0000 1/6/08, Mike wrote: > >> 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..... >> > > Kawasaki's sales literature states: > "The Uni-Trak rear suspension action is initially soft, but becomes > much firmer near full compression to prevent bottoming." > > Mar > >

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[Alan L Henderson]

I think that it needs to be said again that there is a difference between buying Progressive Brand springs and buying a progressively wound spring. There are straight rate springs, dual rate springs, progressive rate springs and probably something that I don't know about. Alan Henderson A13 Iowa and why do they call saber saws jig saws now? And what do they call jig saws if saber saws are called--------- rockiedog2 wrote:

> I think I already know the answer...

[Ian Francisco]

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.

Some guys have reported better performance from the stock shock by installing 1 in. RAISING links. Gives the shock more preload naturally without reducing total travel and more leverage against the load. Cheap too compared to the cost of an aftermarket shock. I don't think height will be a huge issue with all the weight you're talking about, unless you are vertically challenged. I'm 50 yrs. old, 180lbs. 5'9" with a 31in. inseam and can manage my A14 in stock form. I can get the balls of both feet down at once or flat-foot on either side without sliding off the saddle much. Remember that the correct total sag with rider and gear is three inches bringing the 36in. seat height down to 33in. I've been watching eBay for shocks. A while back a comany in the Victorville/Hesperia area was selling new take-offs (stock shock practically unused) for $115 or so. Should have grabbed one 'cause that was a bargain BIN price. KLR shocks on eBay are in demand. There's a used Larry whats-his-name Progressive rear shock on auction now but bidding fever will undoubtedly push the price beyond reason. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ