For the Electronic Suspension guys (upgrade) springs & oil

[~TABASCO~]

Hello,

Waned to simply pass along some info that might help someone in the future. My good friend and riding buddy that goes with me all around the US, and on the BDR adventures, upgraded his 'new' ES Tenere. This suspension had about 3500 miles (new) on it last summer when he and I headed out for the COBDR. On the ride he bottomed out the suspension about ten times a day and he complained about it all the time. He told me, and we spoke about it often that he had it on the stiffest settings possible. When he got home he made the decision to change it to be stiffer for the next BDR.

What I helped him do: After a lot of talking, measuring, looking, Etc. He put a new 850 Lb Eibach on the rear and we put 1.0 springs in the front. We changed the oil to a 7.5 and added an extra 1.5 oz per leg. The ES collar on the rear shock fit onto the spring and actually fits very well. The front springs are from Sonic Spring and are actually the non ES springs. I dont believe they make "ES" springs. But you dont need to use the gray plastic tube spacer. We took apart the whole leg, and just installed the spring. (Im really leaving out a lot of things we measured, looked at, and checked over) Everything went internally back together just fine and I have just received the first 'ride report'.

He mentioned that it sits quite a bit taller. The bike is more planted and way better on the highway, more responsive. As he rides it a bit more I will add his info to this section so others can gather more info........... BTW- he is about 200-205

I wanted to pass along this info incase others are looking for a stiffer ride. That stock ES seems pretty soft, and WAY to soft for off road use. Keep in mind that these springs that we used can be bought in other 'weight' configurations that should still work in your ES. And for you ES guys, getting that rear shock off and out of the frame is a total 'joy'... Gotta take half the bike apart ! LOL Because these springs are considerably stiffer, you will need a pretty serious spring compressor for the front and rear, no joke.

I don't own an ES, and I dont typically do a lot of homework on this setup. There might be lots of others that have performed this same thing. Im not sure. I recently came across a post with someone asking about ES mods. After we worked on my buddies bike I thought I would just pass along the info.

If you have any questions I'll be happy to try and help............

 

[holligl]

Good thread. Aren't all recent model years ES only?

So what was the cost of the upgraded springs? Did you mod the rear shock or take it to a suspension shop? So no valving was changed?

Links to the sources would be great!



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[holligl]

When you said "But you dont need to use the gray plastic tube spacer.", What part were you talking about?

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[SilverBullet]

... That stock ES seems pretty soft, and WAY to soft for off road use...

But all depends on rider weight and load carried. What is your buddy's geared up weight and load added to bike?

I would imagine the ES could be sprung correctly stock for many.

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[~TABASCO~]

Good thread. Aren't all recent model years ES only?

So what was the cost of the upgraded springs? Did you mod the rear shock or take it to a suspension shop? So no valving was changed?

Links to the sources would be great!



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OK, I’ll gather up some info-
We just changed the spring on the rear. It worked out to be a direct fit. No valving changed.

 

[~TABASCO~]

When you said "But you dont need to use the gray plastic tube spacer.", What part were you talking about?

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Sonic Springs sells after market springs for the non ES. Those springs are shorter than the stock springs and they include a gray heavy duty PVC type tube to cut down to add the prescribed pre load. With the use of there spring on the ES, there was no need to use there pvc tube.

 

[~TABASCO~]

But all depends on rider weight and load carried. What is your buddy's geared up weight and load added to bike?

I would imagine the ES could be sprung correctly stock for many.

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Your 100% correct. The stock ES is wonderful for the general average customer. He mentioned he was about 200-205 and I’m guessing 235’ish with gear. We go out and do the BDR’s and we have to be totally self sufficient. We have to carry everything we need to camp out in the back country for days on end. We are heavy, and you add in the terrain and sometimes high speed off road and it overwhelms the stock ES suspension. This scenario is a far cry from “riding to work on back roads”

 

[gv550]

Sonic Springs sells after market springs for the non ES. Those springs are shorter than the stock springs and they include a gray heavy duty PVC type tube to cut down to add the prescribed pre load. With the use of there spring on the ES, there was no need to use there pvc tube.

I have Sonic springs in my forks (2016 non-ES), no spacers are needed.

 

[Fennellg]

I am confused. Basically a friend who is a bmw rs ridder, and a very good one, taught me that a stiffer suspension makes the bike handle better. And he was right. From reading the forum and watching YouTube’s dirt, off road, does better with soft suspension and under inflated tires. Stiffer is not what is needed more travel? Or a more dirt off road orientated bike.

 

[nd4spdbh]

Do you have a model / part number of the spring that was used?

 

[~TABASCO~]

Do you have a model / part number of the spring that was used?

Front: Sonic spring - http://sonicsprings.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=27_255&osCsid=svfg1npk7ocjjni633hnbffu2no5nr5i

The particular ones are determined by your weight, oil weight, fork oil volume, and what type of riding you like to do.... Or mostly do........

 

[nd4spdbh]

Front: Sonic spring - http://sonicsprings.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=27_255&osCsid=svfg1npk7ocjjni633hnbffu2no5nr5i

The particular ones are determined by your weight, oil weight, fork oil volume, and what type of riding you like to do.... Or mostly do........

Was talking about the rear shock coil. But thanks for the link on the front.

 

[holligl]

@~TABASCO~ , Do you have the model number and source for the direct replacement rear spring? Another thread uses a Eibach 8x2.5" with a custom collar.

My Re-Spring of the S10 ES Shock

This is my write up on replacing the rear shock spring on a 2014 Super Tenere with electronic suspension. I am 6’2” and 250lbs, my Tenere has a tank bag, akro pipe, pannier frames and a Givi Trekker top box so far, apart from that it is stock. I do not ride two up (my Mrs has a Yamaha Tracer)...

www.yamahasupertenere.com

 

[~TABASCO~]

@~TABASCO~ , Do you have the model number and source for the direct replacement rear spring? Another thread uses a Eibach 8x2.5" with a custom collar.

My Re-Spring of the S10 ES Shock

This is my write up on replacing the rear shock spring on a 2014 Super Tenere with electronic suspension. I am 6’2” and 250lbs, my Tenere has a tank bag, akro pipe, pannier frames and a Givi Trekker top box so far, apart from that it is stock. I do not ride two up (my Mrs has a Yamaha Tracer)...

www.yamahasupertenere.com

I don't off hand.. The few I have picked up came out of California... Because each rider and needs are different the part numbers are different.

Side note: getting the ES rear shock out & back in the bike is a total bear (pain in the ass)... WOW

 

[WJBertrand]

Do you have a model / part number of the spring that was used?

I got mine from Summit racing, the PN is Eibach 0800.250.0550. the 0800 refers to the length, the 250 to the inside diameter and the 0550 to the spring rate. Looks like the closest they have now is the 0525 rate springs, but you could order direct from Eibach https://eibach.com/product/0800.250.0550

 

[holligl]

I don't off hand.. The few I have picked up came out of California... Because each rider and needs are different the part numbers are different.

Side note: getting the ES rear shock out & back in the bike is a total bear (pain in the ass)... WOW

I have had the ES shock out a few times lubing the linkage. You have to get it turned just right. I bought the Eibach 525 with collar that was posted elsewhere. A drop in replacement without a custom collar would be great for others if we all can find the specifics on it.

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[~TABASCO~]

I have had the ES shock out a few times lubing the linkage. You have to get it turned just right. I bought the Eibach 525 with collar that was posted elsewhere. A drop in replacement without a custom collar would be great for others if we all can find the specifics on it.

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I’ve never seen one. The OD / ID versus the load is probably an unlikely combo. Some special race shop might offer a Ti spring that would not need a collar, but obviously normal people would never buy it because of the cost.

(Out side of just the collar) There is all types of tickle down tech from motoGP and even closer to us - motocross. But all this gets expensive and requires more upkeep. Some of the suspension on factory motocross bikes I’ve been told is $10-15K for the suspension. The vast majority of folks don’t pony up $1000 for aftermarket.
No money to be made = no parts available.