DL650 suspension sag with 2 up.

[FluffiestPond]

So I've recently managed to get my girlfriend to start riding pillion with me, however given the fact neither of us are catwalk models, the suspension sags far too much for me to be comfortable with.


I've tried messing around with the preload and though it did make a small difference, it wasn't enough for me to call safe. From the research I've done it seems that a reasonable easy fix would be to fit a stiffer spring onto the rear suspension(?). I would really like to try and find a solution for this as it would be nice to take a trip with the girlfriend, and some luggage would be nice too. 


Anyone got any answers / suggestions?

[greywolf]

If you can't get 40mm of sag with the load you are carrying, you need a stiffer spring. Also, make sure you aren't exceeding the gross vehicle weight rating of the bike or its tyres. Suspension stiffness is only part of the GVWR determination.

[FluffiestPond]

From what I've read there's no worry of overloading the bike weight wise, even with a fair amount of luggage on in my case,  it's mainly just a sag issue.

[Hondaman]

What bike?

[FluffiestPond]

DL650 AL3 - 2013

[porter]

Can't answer for the 650 but I fitted a hyperpro rear spring to my Veek 1000 2014.  This helped out a lot for two up use,  we're both about 80kg and even on max preload it wasn't enough for fast riding. Now I need only 15 clicks preload of a maximum of 25.
Sure a new shock is the right way to go but not the right price!

[Hondaman]

The oe glee spring is OK solo & with light luggage but is too soft for solo with camping gear or 2 up.

Search Faulkners springs for sensibly priced replacements, I have my oe spring removed if you want me to get the stock dimensions, I recall they are about 8.6kg/mm.

[FluffiestPond]

Yeah, although a rear shock would be the best solution, it's just way out of my price range at the moment.

I have been looking at the hyperpro springs, I've read on a few forums that using the DL1000 springs on the 650 is a good option too, but I don't know if they'd be the same dimensions?

Will be looking into Faulkners springs too, I think your dimensions are pretty dead on from what I've seen.

[greywolf]

From what I've read there's no worry of overloading the bike weight wise, even with a fair amount of luggage on in my case,  it's mainly just a sag issue.

Overdoing the GVWR on a V-Strom is well within the realm of possibility. I remember one model allowed 440lb beyond the bike weight. Others will probably be in that neighbourhood.

[FluffiestPond]

What I meant by that is, the combined weight of everything involved doesn't exceed in my case.

[Hondaman]

As above, gvw on a bike is often overlooked but lots of bikes (even 'touring' bikes) have quite modest weight limits which can approached with 2 reasonably proportioned people even before filling the luggage.

On one of our month long Euro trips, the poor Transalp was overloaded by some 40kg beyond its gvw. Heaven knows the insurance implications in the event of an accident!