Suspension Upgrades?

[IanM]

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions, recommendations, links for a replacement spring 2018 DL1000, the standard one just doesn't have the adjustment for two up. Cheers

[Griff2]

Curious about that. Have they softened the rear spring on the 2017/2018 models ? Hearing some folks mention the rear spring I was fully expecting my 2016 not to be up to the job two up with gear etc, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it copes well with the spring preload turned up full.

[porter]

Cheap way to do it is a hyperpro spring. I found my 14 too soft too needing maximum preload. The hyperpro helps for two plus it OK when you're on your own. Yes a heavier linear spring would be better for two up but too firm then one up. It's worked for me this last two years but I'm now at 25k and my shock is going fast.  I've a Wilbers on order, we'll see how it performs.

[timangus]

I went for a hyperpro rear shock and spring set up which works fine on my overloaded Glee. They offer a special kit price for both and made one for me when I told them about the total weight I am putting on my Glee for my RTW trip.

[deecat]

I usually have an after market rear shock on most of my bikes ,put one on the previous Versys 1000 and have a Nitron shock on our NC750x .

On our 2018 V-strom 1000 we find the rear shock copes very well and as it is mostly used two up  the wife finds it very comfortable.

We resonantly had a week away in Northumberland and as usual overloaded the panniers and top box so I just turned up the adjuster by two notches and the bike took it all in its stride,so much so that coming back down on the A19 I almost forgot that I had the panniers on.

The other day I did have the Suzuki out on my own  for a change covering 300 miles using most of its power and I still found the shock to be fine.

As my bike has only done 4,000 miles it might be to new for the shock to start fading.

I only have one issue with this bike and it is why did I not buy one sooner!!

[IanM]

Our combined weight is around 176kg, we are at 1500 miles, the bike handles well but the preload is at maximum. Whilst it feels good, there is no way I can get the SAG to where it should be two up especially  with load. As we plan to do some adventures next year I really want to get the suspension right, hence the question, but otherwise I would probably leave it as it is and replace over time.

[porter]

Most bikes rear springs are rated for a max of 100 kg so your way over that,  even the hyperpro  replacement spring is only up to 110-120kg but I do find it better than the oe spring (our combined weight is about 150kg).
As your in England there are lots of companies that specialise in suspension work, Maxton, MTC etc, I'm sure they could help. This company said they could revalve and re spring my shock, firefoxracing.co.uk

[Griff2]

Personally I don't have an issue with ramping up spring preload to the max two up with gear. Even when I had a Wilbers shock put on my former Triumph it had to be preloaded to the max two up with gear. That was after supplying my weights etc. I mentioned it to the Tech and he explained that the springing is always a compromise for a bike that will be used both solo and carrying two up.  If he springs for two up then the springing will be too strong for solo and vice versa. That was OK with me and indeed the handbooks on a couple of my former bikes recommended full spring preload two up.

With regard to the spring settling I don't believe it happens over a long period of mileage. I have found that the spring settles as much as it is going to do during the first ride or two fully loaded with pillion and gear. That is my experience on the Strom which now has almost 9000kms on the odometer. As such I am still happy with the shock performance for two up touring.

[porter]

I've a Wilbers 640 with remoto perload in the post for my Veek, should be here this week. My shock was good till about the 20 thousand mile mark then it started to sit down as soon as I open the throttle. I'm hoping the spring wil not be to hard as I ride solo durin the week and two up at weekends, I know its a compromise.

[Gassoon]

Ian - a daft question maybe, but do you have the bike lowered?

[IanM]

For information I contacted Hyperpro with the information below and got a good response:

I have been recommended your spring on the UK V-strom forum.

I have a Suzuki DL1000, 2018, 1500miles on the clock, we ride mostly two up, combined weight around 176kg split 103 rider 73 pillion, we have 3 set Suzuki panniers.

I have the preload currently on maximum and I cannot achieve the desired SAG, so there is no chance of achieving this when fully loaded.

Will your spring achieve this? If so please let me know the code and I'll order. If not do you do a custom spring?

RESPONSE

Hello Ian,

 

Our spring is indeed stronger. So it will be an improvement over stock without a doubt.

Idealy I would have advised you a spring that would be a tad stronger, but I do not have this available. This is because the DL1000 uses a very specific spring on the rear shock.

Alternativly, you could add a 3mm spacer to our spring, so the range of the original hydraulic preload suits your weight.. But this is something you have to macine yourself then.

As said: our spring will be a big improvement, and with a little tweak (the spacer) will match perfectly.

 

With kind regards, 
Met vriendelijke groeten, 
  
John Troost 
Hyperpro Sales B.V. 
Tel: +31-(0)183-678867
www.hyperpro.com

[IanM]

Ian - a daft question maybe, but do you have the bike lowered?

No it's two months old.

[porter]

New Wilbers 640 emulsion shock fitted, got the remoto preload added too. Not got out to try it as weather wick here!

[bako]

As mentioned in my other thread. Check the pre load adjuster is working properly. Mine just stopped for no reason, then started again, wierd!

[porter]

Had a wee run out today with the new shock. Big big difference in the damping,  think my oe shock had been gone for some time now.
For me I think they have put to heavy a spring in, I was on my own today, bike sitting very tall at the back, no preload added. I'll try next weekend with the wife and topbox on and see how it feels
Think now its perfect for two but I ride sensible two up and fast solo and solo the bike is to stiff and steering to quick and feels a bit unstable but I know its just the spring. Some fine tuning needed.

[wurzel]

It may bed in a little Porter, keep me posted on how it goes, I will most likely go for one myself, and will pick your brains on spring weight when you get it dialed in if that's OK with yourself.

[porter]

Two up at the weekend with large topbox fitted. Better,  on way to the race didn't add any preload and bike was a bit soft and low. On the way home added 20 clicks of preload and bike was to firm, stopped and dropped it to 15 clicks and it was spot on. But there are 58 clicks of preload available so I think the spring is to heavy for my weight ( 90kg and 70 kg pillion)

[wurzel]

that's interesting Porter.