Rear shock and spring

[Roly]

New to VTR ownership so wondered what the advice is on rear shock/spring. Mine looks fine, damping ok, but up 2 clicks its VERY hard.

On a budget but appreciate advice. (apart from "bin it")

Thanks

[popkat]

Up two clicks on what, preload or rebound ?

The standard shock isn't very good, it feels hard, the spring is a bit hard but when pushing on there's not really enough rebound damping either so you get a wallow, you can't just wind it up as the shock could end up returning too slow and cause other problems. I don't know what you weigh or how you ride, but you could replace the standard spring with a slightly softer one, but initially I'd say if you've upped the preload take it off again. you can get the shock to work acceptably and if you have really smooth roads it works quite well. budget replacements are around £300, Hagon or YSS are popular.

[Roly]

Up two clicks on what, preload or rebound ?

The standard shock isn't very good, it feels hard, the spring is a bit hard but when pushing on there's not really enough rebound damping either so you get a wallow, you can't just wind it up as the shock could end up returning too slow and cause other problems. I don't know what you weigh or how you ride, but you could replace the standard spring with a slightly softer one, but initially I'd say if you've upped the preload take it off again. you can get the shock to work acceptably and if you have really smooth roads it works quite well. budget replacements are around £300, Hagon or YSS are popular.

Thanks popkat, 2 clicks on the spring. How do I ride? Er, fast.... Want to use it on trackdays too but not ready to spend much yet, I'd like to see how it goes 1st.

I had heard that the standard spring was a little hard. Im 13.5 Stone btw.

Built and driven lots of racecars so many things will translate but there is nothing like specific knowledge. Thanks again

[Roly]

2014 CRMC Post classic Superbike champion.
2014 CRMC Post classic senior production champion. On a Suzuki Katana 1100
My bikes, Honda RC24, Suzuki gsx1230EFE, a couple of popup Katana's and some XJ600's

?? Impressive!! Nice work

[popkat]

Cheers Roly

Just to clarify a bit, when I said not enough rebound I think from memory it's not got a fine enough range of adjustment.

[countrymick]

yes it is a rough adjustment.biggest improvement if you can stretch that far is getting your forks sorted by roger dichfield and a 6 mm spacer on standard shock.after that its down to budget.

[Roly]

Thanks guys

I'll push it around a bit more before I change anything then. I'd love to do Oulton before end of year. In cars I gave up counting at 5,000 laps (honest) on a bike?? er..... next question... 100 or so

[popkat]

A spacer works well but I've only ever fitted a 3mm spacer, worth remembering that raising the rear also takes weight off it, there will be no problem with grip but the spring will feel firmer. Rogered forks as I understand work well, I've never done that mod, just fitted correct rate springs (0.875) on my old one with a 140 air gap, for track 10 weight oil worked but road maybe 7.5 could be slightly better ?

[popkat]

Thanks guys

I'll push it around a bit more before I change anything then. I'd love to do Oulton before end of year. In cars I gave up counting at 5,000 laps (honest) on a bike?? er..... next question... 100 or so

Good call, see where your at with it then work out what you need to do to improve it.

[countrymick]

I found I was running wide chasing the front without the spacer on standard shock on no3,2 or 1 made it return.since fitted a nitron which eradicated the problem.