Raised dog bones easy install and way to get ground clearance

[Don T]

Im not sure, I'd install a little while ago.

Here's a olp pic comparison.

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Let me rephrase my question:

The +20 mm links for the non ES model seems to be much shorter than the +20 mm links for the ES model.
I aware that the links are shorter than the OEM ones they replace - I'm just curious about the difference in length between the ES and non ES model.

 

[Cycledude]

Let me rephrase my question:

The +20 mm links for the non ES model seems to be much shorter than the +20 mm links for the ES model.
I aware that the links are shorter than the OEM ones they replace - I'm just curious about the difference in length between the ES and non ES model.

sorry to see that no one has answered You question Don.
i am still considering ordering a set of the shorter links to raise my ES so it leans over a little farther when parked on the sidestand, that should also make it a little easier to get it up on the centerstand. So far my only real worry is the folks that say it rides a lot rougher with the shorter links.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-XTZ1200-Super-Tenere-XT1200Z-Jack-up-Kit-Links-2010-2018-Linkage-Dogbones/330784953817

 

[ballisticexchris]

sorry to see that no one has answered You question Don.
i am still considering ordering a set of the shorter links to raise my ES so it leans over a little farther when parked on the sidestand, that should also make it a little easier to get it up on the centerstand. So far my only real worry is the folks that say it rides a lot rougher with the shorter links.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-XTZ1200-Super-Tenere-XT1200Z-Jack-up-Kit-Links-2010-2018-Linkage-Dogbones/330784953817

Sorry I don't have a standard Super Tenere to see the difference in length.

As far as ride is concerned, don't be. It rides as smooth as the OEM links. I have to give a disclaimer and say I'm running knobby tires. Those might in part have something to do with being plush. In all honesty this suspension has so many adjustments I'm sure you will be able to get it dialed in to your liking. I do not like a stiff harsh ride.

When I go off pavement I'm full hard preload and soft valving between 0 to +3. The spring holds the bike up in stroke and the soft valving gives it a very controlled and plush ride through the rough terrain.

On the freeway I run the preload at full soft and valving soft -3 to +3. This gives it a very stable and soft ride.

In the twisty's I run it full hard preload and hard 0 to +3 valving. Unfortunately I can only take 20 miles or so of this. The bike handles great but just beats the crap out of me.

Best thing to do is play around with the settings every chance you get. I have yet to find a situation I can't adjust the suspension for.

 

[Cycledude]

Sorry I don't have a standard Super Tenere to see the difference in length.

As far as ride is concerned, don't be. It rides as smooth as the OEM links. I have to give a disclaimer and say I'm running knobby tires. Those might in part have something to do with being plush. In all honesty this suspension has so many adjustments I'm sure you will be able to get it dialed in to your liking. I do not like a stiff harsh ride.

When I go off pavement I'm full hard preload and soft valving between 0 to +3. The spring holds the bike up in stroke and the soft valving gives it a very controlled and plush ride through the rough terrain.

On the freeway I run the preload at full soft and valving soft -3 to +3. This gives it a very stable and soft ride.

In the twisty's I run it full hard preload and hard 0 to +3 valving. Unfortunately I can only take 20 miles or so of this. The bike handles great but just beats the crap out of me.

Best thing to do is play around with the settings every chance you get. I have yet to find a situation I can't adjust the suspension for.

My Tenere is also a ES just like yours only a 2018, the only ES setting I use is the softest, I’ve tried firmer a few times but with a hard Corbin seat it doesn’t take long and it becomes just to rough for me. A few minutes ago I sent Lusk Racing a few questions about possibly making some 13mm dog bones that would raise my Tenere about .51 inches Which seems like it would be plenty high enough to fix my side stand issues and also make it easier to get up on the center stand.

 

[MattR]

How often do you guys service your suspension, in particular the rear shock?


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[Don T]

sorry to see that no one has answered You question Don.
i am still considering ordering a set of the shorter links to raise my ES so it leans over a little farther when parked on the sidestand, that should also make it a little easier to get it up on the centerstand. So far my only real worry is the folks that say it rides a lot rougher with the shorter links.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-XTZ1200-Super-Tenere-XT1200Z-Jack-up-Kit-Links-2010-2018-Linkage-Dogbones/330784953817

I was just curious, so it's ok that no one have been able to answer yet.
Because of the season I haven't had a chance to ride my bike with the shorter dog bones yet, but as the suspension is fully adjustable, I'm sure I can dial it in to my liking.

 

[Don T]

How often do you guys service your suspension, in particular the rear shock?


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As the OEM rear shock isn't serviceable, I just check it for leakage ones a year during winter storage. If I reach a point where I'm not happy with how it perform, I'll replace it.

Front forks gets new oil every 80.000 km (which for me is approximately every 2nd year).

 

[ballisticexchris]

How often do you guys service your suspension, in particular the rear shock?


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When I brought my bike into Race Tech the service manager told me to bring it in at around 10,000 miles. That is the maximum you should go between oil service/bushing inspection. This is the first big "adventure bike" I have owned so I had no clue you could go that long. On my dirt bikes my suspension was serviced between 25-50 hrs when racing and 50-100hrs for trail riding. My Ninja I changed the rear shock and serviced the forks at close to 20,000 miles. It lasted until I sold it at about 35,000 miles.

As the OEM rear shock isn't serviceable, I just check it for leakage ones a year during winter storage. If I reach a point where I'm not happy with how it perform, I'll replace it.

Front forks gets new oil every 80.000 km (which for me is approximately every 2nd year).

Man Don, that is a lot of miles between servicing!! I'm willing to bet your fork bushings are in need of replacement. Both the ES and standard shock are fully serviceable. The standard one simply has to have a hole drilled and valve installed for recharging. The ES needs no modification to rebuild.

These dog bones are a fantastic modification to get some ground clearance. When I take my bike in for suspension service I'll let Race Tech decide what my best options are. I figure with a stiffer spring it will ride much higher in the stroke and the raising links won't be needed.

 

[Cycledude]

80,000 kilometers is about 49,000 miles, in my opinion the stock rear shock should easily last that long, but I’m sure many folks won’t agree with that.
On my 2013 at 25,000 both front shocks were leaking real bad so I took them apart and replaced the seals, bushings and oil. The bushings looked fine but as long as it was all apart I just replaced them.
The ONLY reason I’m interested in raising the rear of my Tenere is because the side stand is to long and that often makes it difficult to find a decent parking spot where it’s not in danger of falling over on the right side.

 

[Don T]

Man Don, that is a lot of miles between servicing!!

I know it's longer than any suspension company would recommend (partly because they make a living on servicing suspension), but as long as I'm happy with how the suspension performs I simply can't be bothered

 

[ballisticexchris]

The ONLY reason I’m interested in raising the rear of my Tenere is because the side stand is to long and that often makes it difficult to find a decent parking spot where it’s not in danger of falling over on the right side.

One thing you might try is to put the preload at full hard before parking it. My bike was tipping to the right as well before changing out the bones.

I know it's longer than any suspension company would recommend (partly because they make a living on servicing suspension), but as long as I'm happy with how the suspension performs I simply can't be bothered

If it works for you that's cool. Main thing is your happy with your personal setup.

 

[Fordf350]

I have a 2015 non es . Does anyone know center or center dimensions of dog bone holes ? Bought bike used and now working on suspension and a thorough service. Thanks

 

[jrusell]

I have a 2015 non es . Does anyone know center or center dimensions of dog bone holes ? Bought bike used and now working on suspension and a thorough service. Thanks

100mm

 

[Fordf350]

Thanks that means mine is stock good to know. Will leave it stock.

 

[One4Liberty]

Got my raised dogbones installed today. Took less than 30 minutes thanks to this thread.

 

[daniel1423]

Hello i have xt1200z 2012 model, i want to raise motor with 20, 25mm. How long from center to center links(dog bones)must to be

 

[daniel1423]

This is the spot on way to install the links. Thanks again rstrom!!

Reason for me doing this is to give me some time to get some miles on my bike (before suspension re spring/service and still have the needed ground clearance. I opted for a set of the shorter links. They raised the bike 20mm. Now my bike no longer stands up straight with the kickstand down.

I highly recommend this company for these links. From the time I placed the order it was 7 days to my doorstep from the UK!! With shipping and exchange rate it came out to just about 100 bucks. Just make sure you order the proper ones for your bike. The ES model is a different PN and does not have as many lowering/raising options as the standard Super Tenere.

http://www.lustracing.co.uk/suspension/yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-jackup-kit.html

View attachment 58190
As usual Yamaha is a bit light on the grease. It took more time to load the grease gun than install the dogbones!! In the last year I have switched over to marine grease for almost everything.

View attachment 58191View attachment 58192
I ended up breaking into my onboard toolbag and used my Eastbound tools "Wheel wedge" this is a back saver and super compact. Way easier than pry bar and it holds the wheel in place.
https://www.eastbound.shop/product/eastbound-wheel-wedge/
View attachment 58193

I'm very pleased with the outcome. The bike sits normal with the sidestand down instead of straight up. I have had more than a few close calls with the bike tipping over. And getting it up on the centerstand is way easier!!
View attachment 58194

How short the new links(dog bones) are from center to center, from original ones? The links is the same for all years NES super teneres or have a different sizes?

 

[Mak10]

Just spent some time riding more challenging trails with the raised links installed. Wow, what a difference. Didn't drag my skidplate once!

 

[Skytower]

Now my big issue is swinging the leg over when my back seat is loaded with camping gear

Cowboy Mount: Foot on peg, hands on bars, swing other leg over. Keep weight on side stand's side, whichever side you mount from.

 

[xtzpei]

Has anyone installed the dog bones from GB Motorcycle products? They are a fraction of the cost of any other links I have found. Just wondering if they are good..or to good to be true.