What rear suspension are you running on your Gen II

[Benhur]

Hi there,

asking for a Vox Popoli here....I am pondering the need for aftermarket suspension on my low mileage 2008 GEN II...most common wisdom indicates that the stock suspension is sufficient if you are less than 200lbs...I would ask you to vote in the poll so that i can gauge the situation for other riders.

My basic problem is that I have no comparison...no bike to ride with aftermarket suspension so that I can see whether in fact I need the upgrade...I know that aftermarket suspension is better because of better damping etc, but everything costs money and I would rather keep my hard earned cash if I can...

R.

 

[BkerChuck]

Cast my vote. Little bit of detail to go with, under 25k miles so far. Stock front and rear suspension components. Always ride solo, wife rides her own bike. Occasional use of trunk when traveling.

 

[bgross]

Votes cast.

Tua te ipsum:

Lucille's first owner was 200+ and ran the OEM for 60k miles.

I'm also 200+ and later this week I will be replacing the Gen1 OEM with a Gen2 OEM.

Good enough is good enough when the price is right.

YMMV

 

[RaYzerman19]

It depends on what kind of riding you do, and if you're over 200 lbs..... if the soft setting isn't good enough for the twisties, put it on hard. If that seems too harsh after while, you need a better suspension..... I'd say stock will keep you OK for a couple of seasons......... tweak rebound damping as required.

 

[Benhur]

Votes cast.
Tua te ipsum:

Lucille's first owner was 200+ and ran the OEM for 60k miles.

I'm also 200+ and later this week I will be replacing the Gen1 OEM with a Gen2 OEM.

Good enough is good enough when the price is right.

YMMV

reassuring words....

 

[TomInPA]

Votes cast.
Tua te ipsum:

Lucille's first owner was 200+ and ran the OEM for 60k miles.

I'm also 200+ and later this week I will be replacing the Gen1 OEM with a Gen2 OEM.

Good enough is good enough when the price is right.

YMMV

Wow, king of understatement. That bike's suspension was shot by the time it got to you, and lightweight Bust can tell you about it.

I was happy with the OEM until I tried the Penske shock. I am also a member of Los Rosbustos, and the Penske gave me a lot better clearance on cornering and improved ride on rough roads. OEM is fine for the lighter rider, but all you have to do is try to keep up with a bike equipped with aftermarket suspension, on a twisty road, and the difference becomes a little more apparent. Some of that is rider skill, but the suspension does give an edge.

 

[TheZsdad]

Do you need to upgrade your suspension?

Do you really think it will make you a much faster rider?

Do you seriously think you can just upgrade the rear?

Is it going to break the bank?

I answered probably not to the above questions.

Then I upgraded my 09 with 16K on the clock by asking myself one question, Do I want it?

For me it was money well spent. 185 lbs. neckid.

 

[PhilJet09]

I'm a buck-forty and didn't think I really needed an upgrade until last summer. With 55,000 miles on it, it was shot and giving me some crazy feedback. I went with an Ohlins out back and GP split fork upgrade on the front. I'm just getting around to dialing it in, but the difference already is amazing.

 

[A41Billy]

Check how much free sag you have in the rear. Have the bike sitting on it's own weight and lift the back end. How much does it come up? My 06 shock was tired at 30k miles. I ride twisties often and at a fairly peppy pace and found the upgrade was one of the best things I have done to the bike. I weight 190 lbs.

 

[JT Pedersen]

The comparison may not be ideal... My ST1100 I rode stock suspension until about 60K. Early on, I'd ride with two clicks preload, bumping up 2, or 3, when fully loaded and/or with passenger. By 55K, I found I was on full pre-load for just me, all the time.

After changing, Works Performance in my case, to an aftermarket shock I was pleasantly amazed. The ride height did increase a tad. But more importantly the handling of the machine was better than I could ever recall it having been. It was like a whole new machine had been dropped underneath the bodywork in front of me. Well worth the money.

Having bought my GII new in '11, I'm something over 20K now and was already 'seeing the signs' toward end of last season. I expect to spend this year on the stock suspension then upgrade a year from now in the off-season. I have zero doubt it'll be worth the money. Only question will be exactly what solution and at what price point.

I love researching this stuff, so I'll enjoy the next year.

 

[Bokerfork]

215 lbs

60,000 on the OEM

I just keep it for two reasons.

1. I like to keep up or pass other riders who have made the upgrade. Puts a smile on my face.

2. I like the challenge of trying to control this beast with worn out suspension components. Puts a smile on my face.

Call me crazy. Others have.

Mark

 

[wheatonFJR]

215 lbs60,000 on the OEM

I just keep it for two reasons.

1. I like to keep up or pass other riders who have made the upgrade. Puts a smile on my face.

2. I like the challenge of trying to control this beast with worn out suspension components. Puts a smile on my face.

Call me crazy. Others have.

Mark

Man...you are like CRAZY!!!!!

 

[Chuck35]

I'm on the chubby side of 200. I thought the stock suspension worked ok...mine wasn't broken. I have Penske rear and Traxxion AK20's front. The difference is night and day.

I don't feel like I'm on a race bike, just that the suspension works like it should have from day 1.

Besides all the handling and clearance advantages the bike just performs better over bumps (esp mid turn).

 

[escapefjrtist]

Hard comparison to make since I'm running two-up more often now...Penske with GP forks, you won't be disappointed!

--G

 

[900gc]

At 175lb. clothed, I find the OEM shock passable for general solo riding (27K on it now). Better suspension is always a good thing but do you really need it for your typical riding. Echoing others; if you are over 2 bills and/or carry a passenger often, then a shock swap would be most beneficial or even a necessity.

Personally, I found the stock fork to be the worse offender and upgraded that first, but there is a Penske in my future when the $$ is there.

 

[RiderX]

215 lbs60,000 on the OEM

I just keep it for two reasons.

1. I like to keep up or pass other riders who have made the upgrade. Puts a smile on my face.

2. I like the challenge of trying to control this beast with worn out suspension components. Puts a smile on my face.

Call me crazy. Others have.

Mark

I like the challenge of using a typewriter for business correspondence and prefer an outhouse to Thomas Crapper. Love the challenge.

I contend a much bigger smile with proper suspension. I could go as far as safer too, but that would really stir the hornet's nest. I rode stock and had no idea what I was giving up. RaceTech front and back for me. Is it worth the investment? Only you can prevent forest fires.

 

[verranth]

I'm tipping the scales at 203lbs and my '09 has stock front and back. I rode 2-up for 5500miles 2 years ago with loaded side bags and bags on the sport rack behind the pillion. I have never been on a bike with upgraded suspension. Lately, I've been doing communiting (1hr each way) and have it set to soft. Good enough for me. I'm not trying to be faster than anyone out there. I just happen to go faster when there is room enough to do it.

Lately, traffic has afforded less opportunities...but I digress. All this to say, if it aint broke, dont fix it.

Now, if you are talking "want it" ? I'm definitely curious and interested. Sometimes, it's wiser to stay ignorant....or so my wallet would suggest.

YMMV.

 

[petey]

175 lbs and found the stock suspension on all of the FJR's so far, good/ok for (my riding style) ~ 20K-25K miles...

 

[John d]

200 lbs + with 60,000 on the clock, with stock suspenders. It's seems ok to me, but I like riding slow, and on superslabs, while imagining I'm driving an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser.

OK, so I'm in the market already. I'm just waiting for a screaming deal on something aftermarket.