The FJR's Stock Suspension SUCKS!

[Bungie]

I'm not saying shocks don't wear out, they do, they slowly allow the spring to move more freely, allowing a bouncing that doesn't stop soon enough.

This is the FJRForum, logic and reason have no place here.

It's technic, or lack there of.

This.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'm not saying shocks don't wear out, they do, they slowly allow the spring to move more freely, allowing a bouncing that doesn't stop soon enough.

This is the FJRForum, logic and reason have no place here.

It's technique, or lack there of.

This.

I agree

 

[John d]

I'm not saying shocks don't wear out, they do, they slowly allow the spring to move more freely, allowing a bouncing that doesn't stop soon enough.

This is the FJRForum, logic and reason have no place here.

It's technique, or lack there of.

This.

I agree

Then maybe I don't even need a shock absorber. It's all technique! I get it.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Then maybe I don't even need a shock absorber. It's all technique! I get it.

NOW yer getting it!

 

[extrememarine]

I've got a discussion about this I'll try to find for you.

Ok - I'll ask a question that probably doesn't need asking but can a noob rider benefit from an upgraded suspension? I sat through the Ohlin presentation at the fall MC show and liked what I heard.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Ok - I'll ask a question that probably doesn't need asking but can a noob rider benefit from an upgraded suspension? I sat through the Ohlin presentation at the fall MC show and liked what I heard.

I'd say it kinda depends on what type of riding your doing...If your riding alot of slab, I wouldn't bother...unless you've got a couple extra grand laying around.

 

[Old Guy]

It's technic, or lack there of. I was dragging hard parts all the time when I taught MSF. Then was "enlightened" by Mr. Code (as in Keith & Dillion Code), shown the path to smoother riding and body positioning, and now I rarely abuse a peg feeler. Food for thought...

It's kind of difficult to "ride too hard" at speeds of less than 30 mph.

It's often technique. I went on a ZRX ride a few years ago led by a very good endurance racer. The roads were in the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri, and he set a pace that I could stay with if I tried pretty hard -- ok, very hard.

When we stopped for a break, I noticed that my rear tire and another rider's rear tire were worn to the edge. But the ride leader still had a quarter inch of "chicken strip" on each side. The three of us were riding ZRXs, and the leader and I were both running Qualifiers. He had to be using better technique because I sure wasn't cornering any faster.

 

[Bungie]

The three of us were riding ZRXs, and the leader and I were both running Qualifiers. He had to be using better technique because I sure wasn't cornering any faster.

Yup. It's why you can't judge a rider by the chicken strips. Mmmm chicken strips.

Sorry, getting close to dinner time.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Poor Skooter. He wanted to upgrade his suspension and then he found out he just did not know how to ride his bike. I pity him if he ever decides to upgrade his helmet...

Seriously guys, technique counts for a great deal with regards to cornering clearances but there is more to a suspension upgrade than cornering clearance. I am willing to bet Skooter knows a couple things about riding technique.

 

[DragonflyTN]

Ok I'll take the bait... Obviously, you are riding too hard. How are you gonna smell the roses if you are starting fires out of every corner?

If he wants to smell the roses, he'll head over to the garden and set for a spell.

He happens to ride a sport tourer with 125 hp at the rear wheel. What kind of bike do you ride?

Hey WheatonFJR, no reason to get a stiffy. It was a joke. For the record, I ride the same bike as you only a year newer, and I understand the need for speed, so lighten up.

 

[Fred W]

Seriously guys, technique counts for a great deal with regards to cornering clearances but there is more to a suspension upgrade than cornering clearance. I am willing to bet Skooter knows a couple things about riding technique.

Oh hell yes. That's why I can't wait to get my Penske back from the GP suspensions refresh. By all means upgrade away.

My point was only that I don't think better damping will give you better cornering clearance by itself. And so a tired old shock won't reduce that clearance either. What an upgraded shock will do is give you the ability to set your ride height and adjust the spring preload more accurately than the stock two way lever can. And that can help.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I have my suspension set to the haulin ashe recomdations. I have to be on some serious ass kickin roads to scrape the pegs. It's hard for me to scrape pegs even when two up pushing hard through the corners. All I can say is they must have cut back on the shocks after 2008.

Dave

 

[Auron]

Does anyone know why manufacturers go to such great length to engineer these amazing bikes only to send them out the door with spring rates for a 130lb person? The stock rear spring on the FJR is hardly strong enough to support the bike alone. And then they toss in some tar for oil, overdamp the shim stack and call it a day. And all Japanese makers do it and it doesn't save them any money. Why?

 

[Redfish Hunter]

They can't build a suspension system to fit everyone for the same reason they can't build a seat to fit everyone. We all happen to be just a little different. Of course, some of us are more different than others.

 

[majicmaker]

They can't build a suspension system to fit everyone for the same reason they can't build a seat to fit everyone. We all happen to be just a little different. Of course, some of us are more different than others. :uhoh:

^^^^^^^^ Agree! ^^^^^^^^

 

[Old Guy]

They can't build a suspension system to fit everyone for the same reason they can't build a seat to fit everyone. We all happen to be just a little different. Of course, some of us are more different than others.

Very true. They do pretty well considering what we rode just a few, short years ago. I'm 185 pounds, and the spring rate feels pretty good to me on my FJR. I haven't actually checked the sag yet, but it feels right. It feels like it could use some more rebound damping on both ends, and I'm adding a click on the rear before each ride. I have absolutely no doubt that there's aftermarket suspension that would help the bike, but I'm cheap. I'll see if I can get this dialed in first.

 

[Auron]

Wrong. The average man weighs what 170lbs? The correct spring for the rear would be an 850. Instead they throw on what, a 650???

And the front! A 8.0kg.mm when it needs at the very least a 1,0? Those stock rates would work for someone in the 130-140lb range and that's without luggage or a passenger which is hardly catering to a broad spectrum of riders. So I'll as again, why so they chronically underspring their bikes?

 

[garyahouse]

Mebbee dem Japanese test riders don't eat enough Big Macs?? No wonder it seems like the FJR is set up for the lighter rider. Skoot, I'll tell ya what cher problem is. Everything started going down hill when you sold me those beautiful Staintunes last year. Yer bike's so quiet now, yer going much faster than you think.

There ya go.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Old Guy]

Wrong. The average man weighs what 170lbs? The correct spring for the rear would be an 850. Instead they throw on what, a 650???
And the front! A 8.0kg.mm when it needs at the very least a 1,0? Those stock rates would work for someone in the 130-140lb range and that's without luggage or a passenger which is hardly catering to a broad spectrum of riders. So I'll as again, why so they chronically underspring their bikes?

Well, it sure doesn't feel wrong to me. Like I said, I haven't actually measured the sag, but this is something like my 24th bike, so I know when one feels right.

 

[Auron]

Have you ever heard the saying "The best you know is the best you've ridden?"