rear spring replacement on 2014 ES

[mrpete64]

I had several discussions, with various individuals, who suggested that I "upgrade" the rear spring on the new 2014 Tenere to match my weight. I weigh 220 but with TRAX boxes, all my gear, plus all the related stuff one tends to bring with them I figured that the total weight would be around 300+ pounds. I was told that the rear spring was never made for this kind of weight. The same issue I have with my 2012 Vstrom.
Any insight(s) you might offer would be helpful.
I did have one dealership offer to replace the spring, on the new ES, free of charge. I thought that was interesting.

Mr. Pete------->
aging hippie

 

[Don in Lodi]

Jumpin' the gun a little there. I'm 300 to start with. I'm only just now 35,000 miles in thinking of doing the rear coil, cause I'm getting the forks rebuilt. It's a balance thing I've been told. The bike has done fantastic up to now. If you're a former pro racer, or pro moto-x, you will feel what's missing. Just a normal Joe, have a former racer set the suspension best he can and ride with no issues.

 

[mrpete64]

I guess you made you point. I will not worry about the rear spring when I buy a new ES. Thanks for the response. I appreciate you taking the time to give me your insight(s).

 

[Wistrick]

everything suspension wise starts with the proper spring rate...and being able to get correct preload...All the ES stuff a nice gimmick but if the springs are to light or too stiff, your not getting the best out of it...the linear fork springs and the Penske on my 2012 have transformed the bike....if I bought a 2nd gen Tenere it would be with out the ES...

Dan

 

[Firefight911]

everything suspension wise starts with the proper spring rate...and being able to get correct preload...All the ES stuff a nice gimmick but if the springs are to light or too stiff, your not getting the best out of it...the linear fork springs and the Penske on my 2012 have transformed the bike....if I bought a 2nd gen Tenere it would be with out the ES...

Dan

Perfectly stated.

 

[mcbrien]

If you have a dealer offering to swap springs go for it.If you swap out for correct rear spring
and correct strait rate fork springs you will seriously improve ride with out spending a lot
of dough . Nick at Stoltec can tell you what your correct spring rates are .

 

[tomatocity]

I am no Joe Racer though a very average rider. Prefer backroads, rough backroads, so proper suspension makes a big difference. I do not do much off-road though when I do prefer gravel/hard pack.

IMO it comes to down to whether you can achieve proper SAG. At 220 I could NEVER achieve proper sag and my Tenere would noticeably understeer. First I went to a Eibach #850 spring and that helped with the sag but the ride is not what I wanted. Eventually went to a Ohlins YA 013 which has a better range of adjustment and a better ride.

I have test ridden the 2014ES twice and like the ride and handling. Don't know what the sag setting were but it handled and rode better than my 2012 with an Ohlins.

Ohlins has a lot of of preload adjustment.

 

[Wistrick]

If you have a dealer offering to swap springs go for it.If you swap out for correct rear spring
and correct strait rate fork springs you will seriously improve ride with out spending a lot
of dough . Nick at Stoltec can tell you what your correct spring rates are .

but can the valving in the stock ES shock handle the heavier spring, a Nick himself told me that if I go more than one spring size up or down on my Penkse it should be re valved...just food for thought...

Dan

 

[avc8130]

but can the valving in the stock ES shock handle the heavier spring, a Nick himself told me that if I go more than one spring size up or down on my Penkse it should be re valved...just food for thought...

Dan

Dan,

That's gonna depend. I just re-sprung a Ducati Multistrada S with the Ohlins gimmick. The rear damping was able to handle the spring, but the preload motor sounds like it might call it quits any moment. The front damping couldn't handle the stiffer springs. The compression couldn't get soft enough on low speed and the rebound can't get stiff enough to control the springs. I'll be re-shimming those.

It's a toss up. Until someone starts messing around with the ES components we just won't know.

At 300lbs I think the OP would be best served with a base model and some custom suspension.

ac

 

[Don in Lodi]

LOL, I'm the phat one in this thread... I wish I was 220.

 

[Karl]

Minor thread revival,

Has anyone replaced the spring on a stock ES shock yet? Advice, experience?

 

[scott123007]

Minor thread revival,

Has anyone replaced the spring on a stock ES shock yet? Advice, experience?

No. They all realized it was both cheaper and smarter to just go on a diet. )

 

[jimyamaha]

Why do most non ES owners think the ES is a gimmick ?
I was sceptical before but i got one.
Not anymore because there are plenty of settings there , its easy to find one that works for you if you understand how suspension works.
Like everything its all down to personal preference. This is the first bike i have not replaced or rebuilt the suspension. Works for me.

 

[WJBertrand]

Why do most non ES owners think the ES is a gimmick ?

Suspension envy?

 

[Karl]

I have an ES, I am reasonably happy with the performance of the suspension, however I am a firm believer in achieving the correct sag and spring rate for the load you are carrying. Sure I am 250lbs, but I am carrying very little gear typically. Anyone else carrying a pillion or a reasonable amount of gear will be in the same boat as me.

Nearly 50% sag with me on the bike in shorts and no luggage on 100% pre-load is a bit of a joke.

Anyway, I have re-sprung (and re shimmed) stock shocks before. I have a lathe and have made collars and spacers, I can sort this out (to the extent of the damping capabilities of the stock ES).

Just hoping that someone else on the planet had given it a go. If I do this, I will write it up here for future reference.

K

 

[Karl]

At the moment I am just trying to figure out why the ES spring tapers at each end. It is very hard to measure anything on the bike.

The ES spring is very close to the swing-arm so I want to make sure a 2.5" diameter spring with an increased coil diameter will fit. Or
The stock spring size of 2.25" inner diameter needs to be large enough diameter, particularly to fit over the inner lip on the preload adjuster.

Working on doing a 550lb/in spring (stock is about 425lb/in)

K

 

[fjrden]

+1

 

[JRE]

They were specifically asking about the ES spring replacement. Lots of ppl have done it on the non-ES

 

[Brick]

::026::

Why do most non ES owners think the ES is a gimmick ?
I was sceptical before but i got one.
Not anymore because there are plenty of settings there , its easy to find one that works for you if you understand how suspension works.
Like everything its all down to personal preference. This is the first bike i have not replaced or rebuilt the suspension. Works for me.

 

[Karl]

So I have an update,

I have my new spring and a design for the spacer/spring seat. I am just waiting on a piece of 101.6mm diameter aluminium bar to come in the post and I will pull the thing out. That is what worries me the most to be honest, getting the preload pump out of there, hoping you don't have to demolish the back of the bike to do it.

Racetech for my weight recommends a 50% increase in spring rate for the standard tenere. Increasing the ES spring rate by that much would be a mistake because the ES stroke is longer. At this stage I have gone for a 30% increase in rate to 550lb/in.

I will keep you posted.

K