First suspension mod?

RogerRZ

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My '13 is ripe for some suspension mods. It is amazingly enough properly sprung for my weight <160lbs, and the previous owner had treated it to straight rate front springs. I find it harsh over choppy paved road surfaces.

Which end will make the most significant difference to street ride quality, given a thousand dollar budget? Over the winter, I will do the other end, with a similar budget.

Thoughts?
 

Longdog Cymru

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I am certainly not an authority on suspension, but, assuming the springs, front and rear, are correct for your weight, then choppiness on paved roads could mean the front springs are too strong, or you could try a lighter weight oil, or, and this is easiest to try first, try reducing the damping, both compression and rebound, but it sounds as if your compression damping may be the cause.

But go back to the first line of my reply, I am not a suspension guru, but there are guys on here who are much more savvy than me. Let us know how you get along.
 

MattR

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I would take it to a suspension guy and get it serviced and set up. No point toying unless you know what your doing.
+1. Reworked OEM suspension is vastly different to stock. A good specialist will respring, re valve, change oil, modify air gap and reshim and get close to what a new setup would be.


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Oil weight and volume may be all you really need...............
 

Cycledude

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My '13 is ripe for some suspension mods. It is amazingly enough properly sprung for my weight <160lbs, and the previous owner had treated it to straight rate front springs. I find it harsh over choppy paved road surfaces.

Which end will make the most significant difference to street ride quality, given a thousand dollar budget? Over the winter, I will do the other end, with a similar budget.

Thoughts?
Sounds like the previous owners different front springs are what’s wrong with your bike. I did the same thing with my Goldwing many years ago, everyone was saying it would ride much better with different front springs so I bought stiffer front springs and installed them, in my opinion it rode much worse, after a year I took them out and put the stock springs back in and couldn’t believe how much better it rode !
 

RogerRZ

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The Sonic springs are the correct stiffness for my weight, as the correct amount of sag has the adjusters in the middle of the range. Would Racetech innards (comp/rebound) be a worthy first mod, or should I start at the back end (that also adequately sprung-I'm 160lbs)?
 

RogerRZ

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Went the RT gold valve route for the forks. I wouldn't say the difference is mind boggling, but it is noticeable on choppy pavement, in turns the front end tracks better. I didn't notice muck of a difference on sharp potholes on dirt roads, but I didn't mess with my baseline damping adjustments either.
 

RogerRZ

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So now that the front end is w pretty well, the next step is a rear shock. I find the stock one is kind of harsh now, compared to the front end. Is there anyone out there that makes a solid step up, comfort and quality wise for a middle aged long distance pavement guy, that explores the occasional two track at a gentlemanly speed? 8 don't even think I need remote preload adjustment, so fancystuff is nice, but not neede, I think.
 

Tenman

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I had my stock shock reworked by Norwest suspension. It was $370 with the spring. This was done 3/1/18. No complaints. Most companies will tell you the stock shock can't be revalved. I bought a used shock for $75 from a member to get by on until I got it back. https://norwestsuspension.com/
 

Highwayman

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I'd definitely do shock at this point. There's a few aftermarket options. Personally I never go through one end and not the other on any bike. The upgrade on the front will no doubt exaggerate the mediocre rear shock.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Personally, I would have started at the back and refurbished/upgraded or replaced the rear shock. Most handling issues start at the back but manifest themselves at the front.
 

RogerRZ

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Personally, I would have started at the back and refurbished/upgraded or replaced the rear shock. Most handling issues start at the back but manifest themselves at the front.
I only did the forks first as I had to rebuild them (seals, bushings) and figured while I had them apart, may as well treat them to something a little nicer. Now for the back.
 
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