Rear shock

kenbike

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Has anyone had the stock rear shock upgraded and are you happy with the results.? Just do not want to put more than a few hundred into improving the ride quality so a replacement after market is to much cash.
 

avc8130

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How about some fancy gov't style math?

If you put "a few hundred" into your stock shock it will be worth virtually nothing and be a moderate improvement in ride.

If you put ~$900 into an aftermarket replacement, it will be a HUGE improvement in ride. When you are done enjoying it you can sell it for only "a few hundred" less than you paid...costing you "a few hundred". Plus, if you move on to another bike there is a good chance your aftermarket investment could be converted to work on that bike too!

ac
 

greg the pole

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::026:: to AVC's comment.

Mine started leaking at 22xxxkm.

went with a Yacugar (rem. preload, two way compression). amazing.

rode the beast to work like a supermoto today ::015::

You can swap the spring, for your weight, but your still stuck with the so so internals.
 

Mark R.

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kenbike said:
Has anyone had the stock rear shock upgraded and are you happy with the results.? Just do not want to put more than a few hundred into improving the ride quality so a replacement after market is to much cash.
There is no easy fix for the suspension. I bought a Cogent Dynamics Moab shock for about $600, and straight rate fork springs for $90. These two modifications will transform the bike in a very positive way. While you can spend significantly more money on suspension upgrades, I felt these mod were a lot of bang for the buck, and I am not seeking to upgrade further.
 

avc8130

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Mark R. said:
There is no easy fix for the suspension. I bought a Cogent Dynamics Moab shock for about $600, and straight rate fork springs for $90. These two modifications will transform the bike in a very positive way. While you can spend significantly more money on suspension upgrades, I felt these mod were a lot of bang for the buck, and I am not seeking to upgrade further.
Does that Cogent have separate compression and rebound adjustment?

Is there a remote reservoir?

I can't find any information about it online for the Tenere.

ac
 

Mark R.

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avc8130 said:
Does that Cogent have separate compression and rebound adjustment?

Is there a remote reservoir?

I can't find any information about it online for the Tenere.

ac
I believe it does have both adjustments, but not a remote reservoir. Give Rick or Joyce a call at Cogent. They are good people.
 

EricV

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kenbike said:
Has anyone had the stock rear shock upgraded and are you happy with the results.? Just do not want to put more than a few hundred into improving the ride quality so a replacement after market is to much cash.
Part of this depends on what it is that bothers you. As others have said, w/o spending the big money for a shock with better internals and more adjustability, about the only option is a re-spring. That will cure some issues concerning tail wag in the corners and sag if you're simply a bigger guy and/or have the bike loaded up, but will not make the bike more compliant.

I did re-spring my stock shock and have maybe ~20k on that, with 64k on the stock shock and it has worked well for my needs. No leaks or shock issues so far. I do ride mostly street, with some gravel/dirt fire roads thrown in, but am not an aggressive off pavement rider.

So what is it that you would like to improve? Or simply put, what bothers you now about the ride quality?
 

wfopete

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kenbike said:
Has anyone had the stock rear shock upgraded and are you happy with the results.? Just do not want to put more than a few hundred into improving the ride quality so a replacement after market is to much cash.
Like it has been said: There is no EZ fix. Thanks Yamaha! One cheap, quick and dirty method is to use rising links. This will result in a stiffer shock but also in a slightly higher ride height. Folks who just use their Tenere's for commuting like it.

If you plan to keep your Tenere' for over 15,000 miles you should start putting a little money aside (like $50-$100/month) above normal maintenance items (oil, filters, tires) because by the time you reach the 15-20K range you will likely need that money to keep the bike maintained. Or you can sell the bike when you reach around 12,000 miles and shop for another ride.
 

avc8130

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wfopete said:
One cheap, quick and dirty method is to use rising links. This will result in a stiffer shock but also in a slightly higher ride height.
/quote]

I'm pretty sure rising links don't change the shock.

Have you analyzed the linkage to prove the overall effect is "stiffer".

ac
 

Firefight911

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Where's the rolling eye, beating head on wall emo?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk which means there are more than likely spelling errors!
 

wfopete

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avc8130 said:
wfopete said:
One cheap, quick and dirty method is to use rising links. This will result in a stiffer shock but also in a slightly higher ride height.
/quote]

I'm pretty sure rising links don't change the shock.

Have you analyzed the linkage to prove the overall effect is "stiffer".

ac
No rising links do not change the shock, they change the leverage ratio on the shock resulting in a "stiffer" shock. KLR riders used this for years as they are some of the cheapest/dirty riders in the world even though they are not very quick. KLR riders do a lot of commuting too!
 

avc8130

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wfopete said:
No rising links do not change the shock, they change the leverage ratio on the shock resulting in a "stiffer" shock. KLR riders used this for years as they are some of the cheapest/dirty riders in the world even though they are not very quick. KLR riders do a lot of commuting too!
That might be true...if the Tenere has a progressive shock linkage.

Does the Tenere have a progressive shock linkage?

We all know comparing experiences from 1 type of bike to another can get us in trouble...

ac
 

avc8130

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wfopete said:
I stand corrected on the Tenere' linkage. So a Tenere' link just gives you a higher ride height but not a stiffer shock.
That wasn't what I meant.

I merely wondered if someone had sat down and actually figured it out.

Surely shortening the links will raise the ride height. What it does to the linkage and leverage ratios should also be known before arbitrarily raising the height.

There really is only 2 reasons to raise the height via suspension links:
1. Increased ground clearance.
2. Change the chassis geometry with a specific goal/purpose to change handling.

Here are some references:

http://www.promecha.com.au/leverage_linkages.htm

http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/designcafe/de/archive/archived-articles/index.aspx?view=article&id=442625

ac
 

Rasher

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avc8130 said:
How about some fancy gov't style math?

If you put "a few hundred" into your stock shock it will be worth virtually nothing and be a moderate improvement in ride.

If you put ~$900 into an aftermarket replacement, it will be a HUGE improvement in ride. When you are done enjoying it you can sell it for only "a few hundred" less than you paid...costing you "a few hundred". Plus, if you move on to another bike there is a good chance your aftermarket investment could be converted to work on that bike too!

ac
Perfect answer ::008::

There are many suspension topics, root around and you will see everyone who has done a proper job is 100% satisfied with the ROI.
 

EricV

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Counter point - You spend ~$900, then spend $100-200 more to rebuild it every year. When you're ready to move on to another bike, it needs a rebuild, ROI is zero and it goes with the bike to the next owner.

I mostly did rebuild every year, but that was also about 40k, and less frequent than suggested. Still, you're spending money to rebuild/refresh the custom shock, it's not just a one time cost.

The OP did not specify what his issues were. Until we have that data, the suggestions are addressing unknown complaints. Just suggesting they spend the big money, "because it's worth it", doesn't really answer the question.
 

avc8130

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EricV said:
Counter point - You spend ~$900, then spend $100-200 more to rebuild it every year. When you're ready to move on to another bike, it needs a rebuild, ROI is zero and it goes with the bike to the next owner.

I mostly did rebuild every year, but that was also about 40k, and less frequent than suggested. Still, you're spending money to rebuild/refresh the custom shock, it's not just a one time cost.

The OP did not specify what his issues were. Until we have that data, the suggestions are addressing unknown complaints. Just suggesting they spend the big money, "because it's worth it", doesn't really answer the question.
What makes you think the OEM shock requires rebuild any less often?

There are plenty of guys rolling around with high miles on aftermarket shocks with no rebuilds. The rebuild is only required if there is a failure or the owner requires the utmost performance. Since the obvious failure would be a seal leak, and the OEM shock uses a similar setup, I don't see that being a big worry. I have had my Penske for ~20k miles. It still feels as good today as it did the day I bought it.

I don't plan to rebuild the shock until I see a failure. At this point I am doing "endurance testing". LOL

ac
 

snakebitten

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wfopete said:
Like it has been said: There is no EZ fix. Thanks Yamaha!
I agree. It should have come with completely customized suspension for anyone from 150lb - fat-butt Americans like me. :)

And they could simply raise the price of the Tenere to say......$17-18K? (Or more)

Lol

Truth is, it IS a fantastic OEM suspension. (Other than the goofy dual rate fork springs)
But, OEM suspension can't really be perfect. Just like ergonomics can't be.
Unlike a car\truck, you can't push buttons and move seats, steering wheel, and pedals to accommodate each driver.

I'm one of the folks that really really appreciates AND notices suspension improvements. And I have it so dialed in now that I can make adjustments at a stop sign and feel it. (Reach down and click 1-2 clicks on compression on rear)

If I need bigger changes, it's up on the center stand and 1 allen wrench. Totally change the character of the bike.

But I bet if Yamaha had equipped the thing from the factory with the suspension pieces I have, most would balk at the price. AND, most would never even touch the adjusters.

Like you said, Thanks Yamaha. :)
 

Dallara

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avc8130 said:
What makes you think the OEM shock requires rebuild any less often?

There are plenty of guys rolling around with high miles on aftermarket shocks with no rebuilds. The rebuild is only required if there is a failure or the owner requires the utmost performance. Since the obvious failure would be a seal leak, and the OEM shock uses a similar setup, I don't see that being a big worry. I have had my Penske for ~20k miles. It still feels as good today as it did the day I bought it.

I don't plan to rebuild the shock until I see a failure. At this point I am doing "endurance testing". LOL

ac


You should know better by now than to get into this with Eric, AC... :D

Reality and logic are tow things that rarely enter into his arguments... ;)

Especially about suspension or tires!!! ::013::

Dallara





(don't worry, eric... I still like ya'!!! :) )
~
 
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