Rear Shock..Do I really need the triple clicker?

[thompsonian]

So...just looking for some general thoughts, comments, suggestions, razzing, whatever...

Last year I upgraded the front forks with Racetech springs correct for my weight. Been toying with the idea of upgrading the rear. But...we the genius that we know I am not, I'm looking for some guidance here. Not so much in the way of Penske, Ohlins, Hagon, Wilburs, Racetech, HyperPro, but as in do I really gain that much from going to a fully adjustable versus just getting an upgraded shock or even spring? Part of me says: Go big or go home. While the other part says: Be sensible. I'm aware that being of a larger dimension that I'm gonna need all I can get. And I also know that just myself and loaded bags are pushing the limit of the stocker. So with that said, lemme hear your recommendations form what you have done, how you decided, what were the deciding/limiting factors, and what setup you're running. I'm leaning YA707 Ohlins, but haven't seen much of anything else.

[raYzerman]

What kind of rider are you, e.g., aggressive twisty pusher, or mostly cruisin'... and do you carry Precious Cargo on the pillion seat much?

[thompsonian]

What kind of rider are you, e.g., aggressive twisty pusher, or mostly cruisin'... and do you carry Precious Cargo on the pillion seat much?

No cargo, just my fat arse. I'm no cruiser, but I'm not crazy like a certain Marine....

[raYzerman]

OK, so if you had a better stock shock, would that do you, e.g. 2016 shock is like $355 from Partzilla. Or, since no pillion, aftermarket made to your weight might be double that, but you get adjustable damping........ add ~$200 if you want adjustable preload.

Check out the suspension matrix viewtopic.php?f=60&t=2373

[thompsonian]

Well...is the 16 - 18 that much better than my 15?

I've glanced thru the matrix but I need THAT put into "Normal Peoplespeak". I get dizzy trying to understand suspension.

[wheatonFJR]

OK, so if you had a better stock shock, would that do you, e.g. 2016 shock is like $355 from Partzilla. Or, since no pillion, aftermarket made to your weight might be double that, but you get adjustable damping........ add ~$200 if you want adjustable preload.

Check out the suspension matrix viewtopic.php?f=60&t=2373

Ray, he's got a 15. he's already on the stock GEN3 shock.

If money is scarce, go with Cogent Dynamics in Hendersonville, NC - good shop.
If you are ready to purchase a standard - I will likely go with the AK-20 front fork kits, and an Ohlins rear shock....although for a good price I might just stick with a GEN 3 stock shock. It is good enough for my slow riding.

[raYzerman]

Oops, thought it was a Gen2..... Agree Cogent is a good shop..... busy as hell but they'll fit you in. You certainly won't go wrong putting in an aftermarket shock, it is an improvement over OEM. I thought the OEM was fine, but eventually put my RaceTech G3 on and it was definitely way better.
Where do you have the damping set on the OEM? You should be 6 clicks out to start.

AK-20's are kinda spendy. I think the stock fork valving is OK, and most that rave about aftermarket is because the original springs were weak (Gen1/2) and of course they saw a marvelous improvement! Kinda curious why you changed the springs on the '15, unless you're a heavyweight, all you had to do was crank down the preload to overcome some of the progressive part... the damping to me is fine. (ES guys should ignore this conversation).

[wheatonFJR]

Mr Thompsonian is blessed with great girth. I would be surprised if the stock shock worked with the bike fully loaded and running the twisties.

[thompsonian]

Mr Thompsonian is blessed with great girth. I would be surprised if the stock shock worked with the bike fully loaded and running the twisties.

What a polite way to say I'm a big feller.......

And I think I followed Warchild settings from many moons ago, but I can't swear to that.