2 up riding on stock (non-ES) suspension

ADKsuper10

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Jun 26, 2016
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286
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New York
How many of you out there have ridden extensively 2 up with the stock non-es suspension? i had a passenger yesterday for the first time (passenger was about 125lbs or so maybe a little more including gear) and the bike did okay.

I am about 240 with all my gear on, and to get race sag right i have my preload maxed out, so nowhere to go as far as further adjustment to the rear shock when I add a passenger.

Any 2 up riding I do will be relatively gentle and on good paved roads.

Just wondering if anyone else has done this extensively with the stock set up and been ok?

I will eventually upgrade to a stronger suspension just is not in the budget this year. Thanks.
 

RCinNC

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Aug 30, 2014
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I've done a lot of riding two-up, and a lot of that was loaded touring. I'd guess at least 25,000 miles of what's on my odometer has been with a passenger. In general riding on the highway it was no problem, but anyplace where the road got rough, I think the stock rear suspension was lacking for two up loaded riding. It's not like I thought it was dangerous or anything, and it wasn't that the handling was severely compromised, but the bumps could feel pretty harsh sometimes. Last year I bought a used shock from a guy on here and sent it out to Norwest Suspension to have it resprung and rebuilt so it would be better for me and a passenger. It was money well spent, especially when we were riding down Phantom Canyon Road and the Valley of the Gods Road this summer.
 

ADKsuper10

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Jun 26, 2016
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New York
Thanks RC. I guess I am unsure if the stock set up can handle me (@240), my passenger (@125) and two panniers with a light load for any meaningful length of time before something goes. If you dont mind me asking, do you think your loaded weight is similar to mine 2 up?
 

RCinNC

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As far as something "going". I wouldn't let that be a concern for you. The shock isn't going to break, or anything like that. In fact, the shock that's on my bike now is still an OEM shock, it's just been resprung and revalved to perform better for the load. I don't know what the spring rate is on the OEM shock, but at Norwest Suspension's recommendation, I had them install an 1100 pound one. I'm a little bigger than you, and my passenger's weight is similar to your passenger's.

What really drove me to getting a rebuilt shock were mainly a couple instances where we bottomed the bike out. One was pretty memorable; we crossed a railroad crossing that had a pretty steep slope on the off side, and we actually caught a little air. The landing was kind of harsh, which got me to thinking that maybe something a little better suited to our load would be in order.

The shock will handle you and your passenger. A better shock will give you better performance, but that's not saying that the OEM one isn't adequate for just going out and riding with a passenger and having fun.
 

ADKsuper10

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Jun 26, 2016
Messages
286
Location
New York
Ok thanks that is what I was wondering about.

I have a Corbin pillion seat and backrest, and she loved it. I don’t think it has the sliding forward issue.

Thanks everybody.
 
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