B
ballisticexchris
Guest
Here are my sag numbers from a few pages back if it helps:I was just taking some measurements of my bike with the stock spring.
Static in 2 up plus luggage is 46mm. in one up it was about 74mm
With me on the bike it is in 2 up plus luggage it is about 77mm and in one up over 100mm. That is just me in street clothes and sandals. It makes me wonder if my spring is a lazy one.
That is with my bike the way it is when I ride most time. Both panniers on and the top case. All of which just have a few things in them. No wonder my bike blew over in some wind when it was loaded. I would hate to measure the sag with the bags loaded for a trip. I know I did have a hard time finding a spot to park that I felt it was safe.
So with these results and looking at the chart on page one the 2 up with bag setting with the stock spring is the same as the one up setting with the 8.5kg spring. This is telling me I would be better off with the 9 kg spring the way I have my bike equipped as going to 1 up with bags will not be enough preload. I would have to ride in the 2 rider setting. I am going to go back out and take the bags off and see what I get with the bike bare.
Edit: With the bike stripped of both panniers and the topcase in the two up plus bags setting I get 31mm static sag and 62mm sag with me sitting on bike without my gear on. That just confirms I best go with the 9 kg spring. Proper sag for this bike should be in the 53-58 mm range for 30-33% sag. I won't be able to do this with the 8.5 kg spring unless I ride light in higher settings. I want the settings to relate as close as possible to what I am actually doing.
I know this is a old thread. I'm really happy you guys have did this to the ES shock. I personally like Jeffs and Karls solution over the direct fit just for the fact it puts less preload on the spring. Of course the direct fit spring sure makes it easier to do the swap without the hassle of installing a spacer.
My biggest concern with the direct replacement is the fact you have to crank down the preload 25mm-36mm for the range of the ES shock. That's a lot of preload. Of course if the damn thing works then all is good!
A a comparison stock OEM or Karl and Jeffs spacer only requires 16-27mm preload.
Hmmm, either way not so bad. How are the bikes handling guys?
OTOH, after looking at the sag numbers it's apparent near the same results can be had with either way. These adventure bikes are really a challenge due to the frequent added and removed weight. I went through the same thing with my Beta. I must have changed at least three spring rates before I got a decent sag I could live with. I still can't believe I was using it for adventure riding!!! Trust me 800 miles on a dirt bike through Death Valley was torture!!
For the heck of it here are my OEM spring sag numbers with my bike stripped and me in my riding gear. I'm right at about 220-225 lbs geared up and ready to ride. Tank is full and crash protection installed.
1 helmet: 48mm free sag/87mm rider sag
1 helmet and luggage: 46mm free/82mm rider
2 helmets: 32mm free/72mm rider
2 helmets and luggage: 29mm free/68 rider