2 Up Riders: A Question for You

[Mad German]

Hi guys. I have a line on a shock for my Gen II. It's set up for a rider & passenger that are nearly identical to me and my wife, within 5 lbs. for both of us. However...it doesn't have a hydraulic preload adjuster (HPA). When I've corresponded with the seller, he said that when he rides solo he really doesn't notice the extra stiffness and it's a non-issue. His riding style seems to mimic mine; a little bit of highway, but mostly country roads at a leisurely pace.
My question for the 2 up riders: Does this sound about right, that the extra stiffness won't really be that big of a deal for a leisurely solo ride? I know I can always have a HPA later if I feel I need it I suppose. I hate to miss out on this shock for "fear" that it'll be too stiff for solo riding.
My track days are behind me, I accept that. I ride my FJR at a slower pace than a lot of you guys, probably. I just cruise and take in the scenery and unwind.
Thanks in advance for your input.
MG

 

[RossKean]

Which shock is it? I assume it can be adjusted - just not instantly.
In any case, as long as it is a decent shock, I doubt that the extra stiffness will be a problem...
Full disclosure, I am not a 2-up rider, but I rarely change my settings when heavily loaded for an extended camping trip.

 

[roger dodger]

MG, Do yourself a favor and buy a Gen 3 /4 A shock. They are stiffer and last longer than the Gen 1/2 shocks. Also, it will fit, be adjustable and have the lever to 'quick adjust' the rear preload.

 

[Mad German]

MG, Do yourself a favor and buy a Gen 3 /4 A shock. They are stiffer and last longer than the Gen 1/2 shocks. Also, it will fit, be adjustable and have the lever to 'quick adjust' the rear preload.

I have a Gen 3 shock on it now, but when I ride 2 up, it feel undersprung.

 

[Mad German]

Which shock is it? I assume it can be adjusted - just not instantly.
In any case, as long as it is a decent shock, I doubt that the extra stiffness will be a problem...
Full disclosure, I am not a 2-up rider, but I rarely change my settings when heavily loaded for an extended camping trip.

It's a TFX 140. He bought it from Ted's Beemer Shop and only had it installed for a few months before he sold his bikes and quit riding.

 

[SkooterG]

Interesting. I've never heard of that brand of shock.

 

[escapefjrtist]

If the shock is properly sprung for two-up riding, it'll be way too stiff.

When I'm two-up traveling with luggage, I swap my Penske spring from a 6"- 850# to 6" - 950# to support the load and maintain chassis geometry. Riding solo I tired the 950# spring, but unless you're riding billiard-table smooth roads it's too much.

~G

 

[Mad German]

Interesting. I've never heard of that brand of shock.

They’re not as popular in the States as other brands but are well known in Europe. They’re out of the Netherlands.

 

[BkerChuck]

If the shock is properly sprung for two-up riding, it'll be way too stiff.

When I'm two-up traveling with luggage, I swap my Penske spring from a 6"- 850# to 6" - 950# to support the load and maintain chassis geometry. Riding solo I tired the 950# spring, but unless you're riding billiard-table smooth roads it's too much.

~G

How difficult is swapping the spring? Can it be done with the shock still on the bike?

 

[escapefjrtist]

How difficult is swapping the spring? Can it be done with the shock still on the bike?

Simple swap with shock in place. Completely back off preload and remove lower mount bolt and clevis so lower spring perch can be raised and keeper removed. Spring slides off. Biggest challenge, if you call it that, is cleaning dirt and debris from inside spring perch to enable removal.

~G

 

[DID]

They’re not as popular in the States as other brands but are well known in Europe. They’re out of the Netherlands.

I upgraded the suspension on my Gen3 at the end of the season here (November). Bike has 57k kms and I want to be able to ride comfortably 2 up. Together my wife and I are about 300 lbs. Also, I expect to ride the bike solo 80% of the time.
Up front, my mechanic installed a mid-valve in each fork, replaced 4 bushings and changed the oil to 5w. The rear shock was toast (as was the shock on my VFR when I changed that one at around 60k kms too). I chose a Bitubo with a remote preload adjuster. Seemed to me to be the best combination of a quality rebuildable unit at a reasonable price.
I found that with any high end shock the addition of the remote adjuster adds about $500 (CDN) to the cost of the shock. I can’t provide a full review of the handling difference but I can tell you this:
1. I found the front end of the FJR to be very soft; almost “wallowy” under firm braking or stopping. Much firmer but compliant over bumps, controlled and predictable now. Will simply add preload front and rear when I ride 2 up.
2. Same comment on the rear. My immediate impression was that the bike changed from a cruiser to a sport tourer.
3. For me, trying to access the rear preload and make adjustments without the remote each time we go 2 up is a major PITA. On a hot humid summer day it’s not going to happen.
4. If I bought a shock that seemed like a good deal and installed it, I would be very reluctant to swap it out for another due to the additional cost and installation. It’s a lot of work to replace the shock on these bikes. Do it right the first time.

 

[ReneV]

I've just had a Wilbers Nivomat installed. The shock aims to auto-nivellate, meaning to always default to the same height, no matter the load. More generally, it seems to more or less allow for the same interval of travel. More impression so far (1k km) is that not only does the auto-nivellation work but it's a highly capable shock, indeed.