suspension for heavier guy

[Rizzo]

I'm about to pick up a leftover es or standard. My dealer has one of each leftover. Most likely I will do suspension work to either bike. The es would be nice and everybody seems to love theirs. However, I will need to at least re vale the forks and replace the spring in the shock. I saw a thread earlier about somebody replacing the spring in the es and it seems like a hassle. Would it be easier for me to save the money (less the heated grips) and get the standard and change the spring or entire shock? It ain't cheap (I put an Ohlins on my last bike and it was a great upgrade). I think the es uses a softer rate spring but the system works differently.
I've read so much over the past while that I've succeeded in confusing myself completely. I guess I'm maybe looking for the magical answer on what a 260lb guy (and still losing weight) should purchase and then upgrade from there.
The integrated heated grips seems to be more of an attraction to the es than the electronic suspension. Although, if the es works for me, it would be great to change on the fly.

 

[WJBertrand]

Changing the spring would by far be the cheapest option for the ES. I installed a 96 N/mm (550 in/lb)spring in place of the OEM 75 N/mm spring and the damping in the shock as well as the ES adjusting mechanism seem up to the task. I weigh a bit less than you though and the 96 N/mm spring is maybe a little stiffer than I need so I'm thinking about replacing it with a 91 N/mm (525 in/lb) spring instead. I can't seem to decide what to do, but if I do the swap I'll have a spring available that might better fit your needs. Either of these replacement springs will require a custom spacer due to their 10mm shorter overall length and slightly larger ID.

If you're leaning toward a total replacement go with the standard model. As yet there are no aftermarket replacements that will work with the ES system.

 

[Rizzo]

Thanks very much for the info. I read about the spacer needed to replace the spring for the es. It has to be custom made which makes things a bit harder. Unless, of course, someone comes up with a commercially available item which I would be all over. I am still unsure as to which model I will go for but I should decide soon as there aren't a lot of them left. As log as the solenoid in the es system is capable of dealing with a heavier spring, I guess I can confidently take a heavier spring into consideration.

Thanks again. Keep in touch regarding that spring. I may take you up on that.

 

[NickBrewer3]

Ride On Adv sells a spacer: http://www.rideonadv.com/Ride_On_Adv/spring_spacer.html

 

[regulator]

Ride On Adv sells a spacer: http://www.rideonadv.com/Ride_On_Adv/spring_spacer.html

I thought that spacer was only for Gen1 bikes, but I could be mistaken.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Just my $.02, I'd go for a standard bike with an aftermarket shock, sprung and valved for you.

I'm running a Penske on my '12 with a spare spring for loaded two-up riding. For the 90% of the time I'm solo, the bike is awesome, planted and handles the way it should. Simple spring swap and I've got my rough road, north of the border two-up adventure bike. No compromises with either set-up.

--G

 

[Buelligan]

I would go for the standard also.
I've upgraded my suspension front and rear, and love the results.
Jaxon at RideonAdv can point you in the right direction, and his customer service is second to none.

I'm running the Ohlins in the back, and Traxxion Dynamics in the front...

 

[becoyote]

Standard. I used to weigh over 3 bills and rode two up. Heavier front springs and an ohlins in the back. I never had the front re-valved and I don't think it was a problem.

Ohlins can also be rebuilt fairly cheap. Not sure what you need to do to an ES shock after some miles or if it leaks.

 

[bigbob]

I love my 14 ES. I am about 300 lbs and have no problems. Wife set on the Tenere once and said she will ride the Chrome Whore with the Top Box with padded back rest. I love being able to change between Hard/STD/Soft on the fly.

 

[Rizzo]

I love the integrated warmers on the es but I seem to be a "set it and forget it" kind of guy. I have an Ohlins on my KTM and once I got it set up correctly for me, I don't change it for different riding conditions. It seems to work well everywhere. I wonder if it would be the same for the S10. Since my wife has found greener pastures elsewhere, I don't think I'll be riding two up often, if ever. I've never liked having a pillion anyway.

Everyone who has an es seems to love it. Maybe these people are 170lbs suited up? I'll be very similar in price after all is said and done. Actually, I may be more than an es by the time my shock is done. Much more when my front end is done too.

 

[tuonodave]

I'm 225 without gear and find the settings fine. I normally have the setting at 2 up standard +1 as I
like a firm sporty ride. I have no problems with the wife (170#) and luggage on the back. I think you would
be fine on an E.S. as there is quite a range of adjustment unless you are a really hard core offroad type. If you feel you need a stiffer rear spring I don't think the front needs changing and will still work.

 

[Tyke]

I'm 220Lbs and don't think that you need any extra suspension on your ES/ZE

 

[rush2112]

240lbs here without gear. I've had the 2012 for a few years and 42k miles and always thought that with the preload all the way in, the bike was fine. UNTIL I just did the RaceTec Gold Valve Kit with new springs in the front, and Penske in the rear. ::015::WOW, was I wrong. This thing rides on rails now. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long. I can't imagine anything stock, ES or not, being as good as aftermarket. If it were me, I'd buy the standard and have the above done, immediately.

 

[Davesax36]

240lbs here without gear. I've had the 2012 for a few years and 42k miles and always thought that with the preload all the way in, the bike was fine. UNTIL I just did the RaceTec Gold Valve Kit with new springs in the front, and Penske in the rear. ::015::WOW, was I wrong. This thing rides on rails now. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long. I can't imagine anything stock, ES or not, being as good as aftermarket. If it were me, I'd buy the standard and have the above done, immediately.

This is not helping me decide...
I'm 245 w/of gear. Wife is 200. I'm tempted to just get a regular and upgrade the suspension. I already have other heated grips I can use, and I don't change my suspension much once it's setup right.

Lots to consider.

 

[demacagi]

Can someone post a link where to get the rear spring, besides Touratech?

WJBertrand, do you think a 91 N/mm (525lb) would be good enough for a 240lb naked guy? Or should I go 96?

Thank you.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Roge]

I'm 220Lbs and don't think that you need any extra suspension on your ES/ZE

I agree, unless you aim to race it, buy petrol .........................

 

[spam16v]

This is not helping me decide...
I'm 245 w/of gear. Wife is 200. I'm tempted to just get a regular and upgrade the suspension. I already have other heated grips I can use, and I don't change my suspension much once it's setup right.

Lots to consider.

Same weights, stock shock can't handle it. Maybe after Cogent... I got a Penske rear used and I'm sending it and my forks to Alex at Konflict.

 

[Davesax36]

Same weights, stock shock can't handle it. Maybe after Cogent... I got a Penske rear used and I'm sending it and my forks to Alex at Konflict.

So now do I go regular and update everything for my 70/30 1up/2up riding situation or go ES. I'll end up spending more than the ES to do that, but I'm thinking for me it might be worth it. I'm sort of a set it and forget it guy. I also read the other day about someone who swaps the rear shock out for 2-up. I'd rather have one setup that's a bit stiff for me and a bit soft when 2-up. I'll keep reading either way.

 

[WJBertrand]

Can someone post a link where to get the rear spring, besides Touratech?

WJBertrand, do you think a 91 N/mm (525lb) would be good enough for a 240lb naked guy? Or should I go 96?

Thank you.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I got the rear springs at Summit Racing:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/eib-08002250525/overview/ for the 525lb/in

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/eib-08002250550 for the 550 lb/in spring.

I weigh about 10lb less than you naked and I'm using the 550 lb spring. I almost always have the OEM side bags on and partially loaded and run the top box about 1/2 the time. If you only ride solo and don't have luggage, I think the 525 lb spring would work OK. I would make the spacer 11mm thick instead of 10mm though.

 

[demacagi]

Thank you for the info WJBertand.

I called Racetech.com today after going to their website and calculating the best spring for a 240lbs guy.

The resusts put me on one before the last from the list
SK SPRING 8.0 x 2.25" 19.6kg

(See on top of the page recommendation)

So...
(1) rear spring $125.oo
(2) spacer adp $23.oo (recommended)

I dont know the mm on the racetech spacers, if I go with the Eibach spring it means can I get the spacer from rideonadv?

Now the problem is thr spacer!

Thank you.