Suspension for heavy guys

[Rockhopper]

I have a 2014 non-ES beauty that I think I'm going to keep for the foreseeable future so I've recently decided to invest more in it, starting with an ECU flash by Anthony to try to smooth out the throttle.

The next thing I want to tackle is suspension. I'm a big guy coming in at about 257 lbs. I ride with the preload one line short of the max and take it to the max when carrying boxes or my wife, who fortunately weighs A LOT less than I do.

I'm thinking about upgrading the suspension so that I'm not maxing it out and so the ride is more comfortable and I'm coming here looking for options. When people that know suspension say that suspension seems like a big mystery for some people, they're describing me.

I read that the stock springs are progressive which work not so well for heavy guys.

I want suspension that works for me, wether alone, with the wife, with luggage, or with everything. However, I want to keep it in a reasonable price range. I read some folks talk about just swapping the springs which would seem like a quick and cheap fix, but will it be enough?

I'm talking with RaceTech to see what they can do for me, but I wanted to get some opinions here as well to help me decide.

Any recommendations?

 

[Karl]

What is your budget?

 

[Rockhopper]

What is your budget?

Ideally, sub $500
Realistically, sub $800.

 

[Hungry Tiger]

To my neighbor, Rockhopper. I'm close at 230#, but lots of equipment strapped on. I went with a Touratech Expedition (middle grade) rear shock with max spring. Let's hook up soon and you can test drive my out dated 2012.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[EricV]

I'm 260 w/o gear and ride a loaded up 2012. Like you, the stock spring was woefully inadequate. I didn't have the budget for custom suspension, (which I have had in the past and is awesome if done right). I did a spring swap, going to a 1100 lb spring in the back on a non-ES bike, (no ES in '12 anyway). Is it super plush? No, it's not. Is it way better than the stock spring? Yes, it is. I have about 50k on the heavy spring, having ridden over 40k on the stocker before doing the upgrade. I'm still happy with the heavy re-spring. I worked with Lindemann Engineering to get me sorted based upon my weight, the crap I loaded the bike down with, (which included a 5 gal fuel cell, gal of water, full panniers, etc.), but was solo, not two up. A big issue is simply the large change from solo to two up riding. No custom shock or spring rate is going to solve that perfectly. Ed didn't try and sell me "the best" because I asked for "pretty good" and explained my needs. The spring, spacer and shipping ran me $135. That and some better forks springs should start you off to some better suspension if you don't want to drop the coin for full custom stuff. Contact info for Lindemann Engineering below. Hope that helps.

Ed Sorbo
Lindemann Engineering LLC
909 838-4587
ed@le-suspension.com
http://www.le-suspension.com/

 

[Rockhopper]

To my neighbor, Rockhopper. I'm close at 230#, but lots of equipment strapped on. I went with a Touratech Expedition (middle grade) rear shock with max spring. Let's hook up soon and you can test drive my out dated 2012.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Hey man! We keep putting this off! Let's do it sometime after the holidays. Right now Anthony has my ECU so I can't use mine

 

[Rockhopper]

I'm 260 w/o gear and ride a loaded up 2012. Like you, the stock spring was woefully inadequate. I didn't have the budget for custom suspension, (which I have had in the past and is awesome if done right). I did a spring swap, going to a 1100 lb spring in the back on a non-ES bike, (no ES in '12 anyway). Is it super plush? No, it's not. Is it way better than the stock spring? Yes, it is. I have about 50k on the heavy spring, having ridden over 40k on the stocker before doing the upgrade. I'm still happy with the heavy re-spring. I worked with Lindemann Engineering to get me sorted based upon my weight, the crap I loaded the bike down with, (which included a 5 gal fuel cell, gal of water, full panniers, etc.), but was solo, not two up. A big issue is simply the large change from solo to two up riding. No custom shock or spring rate is going to solve that perfectly. Ed didn't try and sell me "the best" because I asked for "pretty good" and explained my needs. The spring, spacer and shipping ran me $135. That and some better forks springs should start you off to some better suspension if you don't want to drop the coin for full custom stuff. Contact info for Lindemann Engineering below. Hope that helps.

Ed Sorbo
Lindemann Engineering LLC
909 838-4587
ed@le-suspension.com
http://www.le-suspension.com/

A big part of my issue is that I don't know what the difference is between upgrading springs only, upgrading springs+shock, etc. I like the adjustable preload and I wouldn't want to lose that feature, but I can't shell out over a grand for those really fancy ones.

I'd rather set it up for me+luggage and bite the bullet when I have a pillion (which isn't often anyway). I do a lot of solo riding though, without luggage, will this be a problem?

 

[EricV]

The stock shock will tolerate the heavier spring ok. At 50k on the oem shock, it's getting tired and probably worked harder with the heavier spring. This is my second oem shock, thanks to a forum member.

What your missing out w/o shock work is compliance over small to medium bumps, imho. Ed Sorbo can rebuild/re-valve your oem shock too, inside your budget outline. You keep the adjustable pre-load of the oem shock. But to quote Ed, "Pre load does not make a spring stronger it only changes the start load as far as sag is concerned. Once you overcome the load on the spring only the springs rate, (strength), matters."

Send him an email, outline your weights and load and needs/desires and he'll help sort out what is a workable solution or options for your stated needs. Knowing what you'd rather have it set up for is a good start. ::008::

 

[Rockhopper]

The stock shock will tolerate the heavier spring ok. At 50k on the oem shock, it's getting tired and probably worked harder with the heavier spring. This is my second oem shock, thanks to a forum member.

What your missing out w/o shock work is compliance over small to medium bumps, imho. Ed Sorbo can rebuild/re-valve your oem shock too, inside your budget outline. You keep the adjustable pre-load of the oem shock. But to quote Ed, "Pre load does not make a spring stronger it only changes the start load as far as sag is concerned. Once you overcome the load on the spring only the springs rate, (strength), matters."

Send him an email, outline your weights and load and needs/desires and he'll help sort out what is a workable solution or options for your stated needs. Knowing what you'd rather have it set up for is a good start. ::008::

Thanks! I emailed him. Let's see what comes back =)

 

[spam16v]

I've been talking with Alex at Konflict recently about my '14 base as well. I have a Penske I snagged used that needs a respring/valve as well as the forks. I'm probably going to send it all sometime after the 1st of the year to get straightened out. The dual rate front springs and high speed valving is damn near dangerous as-is.

 

[Buelligan]

I have a set of Stoltec #90 fork springs that would probably be ideal for your weight. They are a bit stiff for me at 200 lbs.
I will be posting them soon in the for sale section.

 

[Ramseybella]

Almost 40k stock I am 300+ and have loaded this bike and have to say it has the best stock shocks out of all the OEM's I have had on other bikes.
Never the less it is getting tired and as soon as a job comes around I need a rebuild, front and back.

 

[Rockhopper]

Almost 40k stock I am 300+ and have loaded this bike and have to say it has the best stock shocks out of all the OEM's I have had on other bikes.
Never the less it is getting tired and as soon as a job comes around I need a rebuild, front and back.

Did you change the springs?

 

[Defekticon]

I had Rick @ Cogent Dynamics setup a shock and spring combo for my '14 Non-es. He also cut the shock rod down one inch as well to help my 31 inch inseam. I'm 225, run full luggage and a pillion rider and the spring setup just works. It took me a few rides to get the preload and sag dialed in where I want it. It was right at $700 after the upgrade options I wanted. Considering some shops are charging twice that, but not getting anywhere near twice as much value I'm inclined to say it's not worth spending more. I haven't changed anything on the front end yet, I haven't really felt any wallowing or odd behavior from the front end that would warrant it after putting the new shock in place. I selected rick based off of his work with the KLR "Moab" Shocks that are highly regarded.

If you reach out to him he'll send you a worksheet for the build that takes your luggage, weight, riding style and pillion into account.

 

[Ramseybella]

Did you change the springs?

no..

 

[gaps]

I swapped the spring on my 2014 non-es for a 900lb. At about 260lbs in my gear, my sag with most of the preload is around 2.5". Note that I'm using almost max rebound damping to handle the spring. I would say the ride is good, not great. On road it's a bit harsh on choppy pavement but when you get to a big dip it is much more composed. On dirt roads I like that I'm higher in the stroke and have the extra travel available...not a bad setup if you're tight on coin....there's another thread around here on the spring swap..

 

[Rockhopper]

Thanks!

Can I change springs first and then decide if I want to change shock/forks using the same springs I just upgraded? Is this even a thing you can do?

 

[EricV]

Thanks!

Can I change springs first and then decide if I want to change shock/forks using the same springs I just upgraded? Is this even a thing you can do?

Swapping the spring on the shock is an easy thing. A custom spacer is required. If you then upgraded the oem shock, then the heavier spring would be re-used. Not all vendors will rebuild/re-valve the oem shock. It's not really designed to be rebuildable.

If you order a new custom shock, it will come with the spring weight you specify for your needs.