My Re-Spring of the S10 ES Shock

[bimota]

i put a ohlins rear shock on mine for 2 up with panniers , the ohlins comes with a 130 spring as standard ended up with a 170 spring
my weight kitted is about 115 kg and my wife kitted is about 80kg plus panniers the 170 spring is perfect


rob

 

[Bart]

WJ, I was only talking about shocks in my first post on this, so bringing in forks just confuses things as the fork cartridges are mounted the opposite way to the shock.

As we know any damping only works when oil is forced under pressure through an orifice and on the shock rebound stroke the piston would be traveling downwards, but there is no adjustable circuit at the bottom of the shock. The rebound damping will be done in the piston valve/shim stack.

However, there are two types of shock that can have rebound adjustment at the top, one has a cylinder within a cylinder and the other a through shaft. Our shock body does not look wide enough for the first and there is no shaft or shaft housing at the top of the shock.
If you have access to Race Tech's Suspension Bible it shows the above on page 66, I would post a picture but the forum seems very hot on copyright issues.

It may also be that any perceived increased shock rebound damping is the result of increased compression damping.....so the shock has less distance to travel back to its static position.

It would be great if anyone has info/pictures of a ES shock disassembled so we would know for sure.

I not a professional suspension person only a enthusiastic amateur so the above could be just bo**ocks, but would still like to know.

 

[WJBertrand]

I see what you’re saying but manufacturers will usually provide rebound damping adjustment before including compression damping adjustments. So far I’ve not come across a shock with only compression damping adjustment. I guess I would be surprised if the Ténéré’s rear shock only provided compression damping adjustability. I too would like to see a disassembled rear shock.


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[bigbruce]

This section needs a kick start as it is not getting very much needed traction at this point

 

[WJBertrand]

I was looking at one of those Olins active suspension shocks. They appear to do both compression and rebound damping from the damper body end, so there’s a way to do that it seems.


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[bigbruce]

So I talked to Terry at Northwest Suspension and he does not work on the ES suspensions. What I am looking for is the stiffest spring set up that does not require re-valving just to hold the rear of the bike up higher in it's stroke. Does anyone know if RT sells a spring with or with out spacers for this bike? Any suggestions, Thanks, Bruce at 260 lbs

 

[Scrambler007]

Following, haven't seen much people with the ES having them revalved...

 

[Bart]

A short while ago I took apart my ES shock and found that only the compression side is adjustable. In the pictures below there is a standard looking piston with normal compression and rebound shim stacks and a hole at the top of the shock cylinder leading to the electronic adjuster. The only way for oil to flow on the rebound stroke is through the rebound shim stack.

 

[Scrambler007]

I'm having my entire ES suspensions rebuilt next month I'll report back.

 

[Scrambler007]

So at 190lbs, I had the rear spring replaced for a stiffer one, fork springs were fine for my weight. Front and back were revalved. In hindsight, I would have just put a stiffer spring on the rear for a fraction of the cost and hassle.

My most comfortable setting when riding solo and no luggage was 2 helmets + luggage and -3 soft. (Roads around here are pretty bad). But then when I ridded with a passenger and luggage, I had no more preload to add, I was maxed out.

Turns out with the stiffer spring, I get the same sag using the 1 helmet, as I did before when on 2 helmets + luggage. So clearly that was a right spring and now I have room to increase preload when fully loaded.

As for the valving, and all the rest that was done. Wasn't worth it, the linkage is also a limiting factor when you are trying to smooth out the bottom of the stroke, as it's progressively harsher, so the more travel you want to use, the harsher it gets, and if you don,t want to use the lower portion of the stroke, you have to stiffen it up to stay in the softer zone, but then you're still stiffer.

Conclusion: Until someone redesigns a linkage for this bike, I'd say just make sure you are able to get proper sag (by increasing the preload and if you can't get there, you know the spring is undersprung for you.)

PS: I know plenty are over the moon with the suspensions, and that's great, more money for you to put in the gas tank. Just sharing the experience for those who are considering getting some suspension work done.

 

[Super08]

So at 190lbs, I had the rear spring replaced for a stiffer one //snip//. getting some suspension work done.

That is exactly why I just went with a stiffer spring for the rear. It did all I needed at a reasonable cost.

 

[WJBertrand]

My ES has the best OEM suspension of any bike I’ve owned. Makes sense that improving it much would be difficult.


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[Scrambler007]

My ES has the best OEM suspension of any bike I’ve owned. Makes sense that improving it much would be difficult.
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Its undersprung if you're above 170lbs, but aside from that, its a pretty good setup indeed out of the box.

 

[bigbruce]

So where did you get the revalve done and what weight spring did they install for your weight? Thanks

 

[Scrambler007]

So where did you get the revalve done and what weight spring did they install for your weight? Thanks

I don't know what spring weight they used (and any suspension shop should be able to determine the right spring for you, by measuring your sag), and I'm still in the process of having the bike put back to what it was stock (I'll just keep the stiffer spring on it, as the sag was way off stock). I couldn't recommend (or give them bad publicity either) at this point. I was promised a magic carpet, and bike was better stock then it is now. They are willing to put it back to stock or try something else, but they are 7h away...so its quite problematic, time consuming and expensive. The best advice I can give you is wherever you go, don't waste your time energy and money on going through the entire suspensions, just have the rear spring replaced. The limitation on the rear shock is the linkage, so there's not much you can get out of revalving, you'll be limited in all directions. Stock was good but I was promised it would go from good to amazing and here I am, 2000$ later and I need to figure out how to go back there to have them put it back to how it was...

 

[WJBertrand]

Its undersprung if you're above 170lbs, but aside from that, its a pretty good setup indeed out of the box.

Indeed, I did fit a bit heavier spring. I don’t feel any need to further modify it for my riding.


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[Niterunnr]

So a year later, do I need to order a custom spacer kit like sblissner did, or does someone sell a ready made kit for that Magic Eibach spring?
I think everyone here would opt for $100 spring setup to correct this simple problem.
Personally I love my ES and use the stiffness setting all the time; soft for cruising, med for twisties and hard for off road when bottoming is a factor.
At 170, I’m good with 2 helmets (checked the sag), but with a passenger or bags I’m obviously too low in the stroke at full preload.

 

[Walters S10]

Im just seeing this in 2022. I just got a 2014 and right away i noticed it was very soft in the rear spring. i reset the ES and now have it as two riders +luggage and Hard +3. slightly better but barely. I dont have the ability to do what you guys are doing so im hoping my dealer has a solution. Thanks for the thread. great information !

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . two riders +luggage and Hard +3. slightly better but barely. . . .

Each helmet on the preload equals about 200lbs/ea. Luggage equals about 50lbs. I'm guessing you like a firm ride or have smooth roads. Of course, spring rate and such is very subjective. I'm 300lbs and have it set to one helmet and luggage, STD +3. Our roads suck.

 

[Walters S10]

The roads here are pretty good. i just find the rear end very mushy if ya know what i mean. im 260 lbs. i dont know maybe thats normal.