Ok, so this winter im finally redoing a suspension for my weight. Ive always had my bikes set up as good as possible, but im WAY out of stock range. Im loosing weight, but I have a long way to go. Ive been 360 for a long time now, peak I ever saw was 368. Last I checked I was at 340. Most people dont believe me when I say how much I weigh, but it still doesnt change what the Dr scale says. I actually found out I have an intestinal problem and dont absorb key vitamins like B12 and D, and so on. So now I take a shot once a week, and starting to feel WAY better. Just wish I would of found out before I was 32. Oh well.

So anyway. I do long trips on my bike all the time, So I dont want it to ride like a rock, BUT Im also pretty damn aggressive on back roads. My knowledge of suspensions is sub par, but is it possible to have a soft ride, and still be properly set up for hard cornering?

I was looking at Racetechs website, and they have some springs that come close to holding my current weight. Im hoping to be well under the 300 mark come spring, so by then ill be fine. But besides springs, what do I need? It was looking to be about $500 for the 3 springs. What else would I need? Besides labor, is it possible to get a decent complete setup for under $1000? Im not a Pro, On my R1 I was scrubbing away the directional arrow on the Front tire. I still have a way to go on the 14, but I also dont plan on pushing it as hard as I did on that bike.

This is the only pic I can find. But just as a reference, this is me at about 365. Im 6'2

* Last updated by: Kolk1 on 7/24/2012 @ 10:42 PM *

I was checking into the same thing. I'm 6'2" and about 300. Besides the spring, according to Traxxion, if you want a better ride, you need to re-valve to compensate for the stiffer spring. Traxxion will rebuild your shock, and replace the spring according to your weight, and riding style for $300. I haven't looked into the fork yet, as my budget will only handle one, but Traxxion deals with them too.
Traxxion

Thanks for the help. $300 isnt bad at all if it has labor built into it. I raise and lower my bike all the time by myself, so I am considering removing everything off the bike to save on labor.

I spent probably 5 grand building my car last winter, and I feel its time my bike gets all the attention. BUT I dont plan on spending half that much. My plan of attack on the bike is Suspension, Brakes/Brake lines, Speedo healer, battery, and replace my cracked Puig. Suspension is the part I dont know much about, so thats why Im asking for help, and thats what im doing first/soon. Thanks again.

You send in the shock/spring. They replace the spring, replace the valving to match the new spring rate. The only labor for them is take apart the shock and rebuilding it. They also sell shock/springs to your spec, and their cheapest is about $700. There's a link in my last post.

if ur still tryin to work on ur suspension i hear the buss ( forgot what year) spring is alot stiffer and u can get it cheap on ebay. direct fit.

+1 on Traxxion Dynamics. More reasonable than Racetech and lots cheaper than Ohlins for a custom setup.

I just bought a rear shock off eBay and had it sent to Traxxion.
Much cheaper than shipping from Aus.
They will rebuild, re-spring and dyno test it for my weight (now 205, was 290!!)

I'll be adding the AK20 package and that should have the suspension totally sorted.

I was planning to take lots of photos and make a how-to of the fork upgrade if it isn't too bold for newb. Rook has inspired me.

Pics are always good.

I hear tons of good things about Traxxion over on the COG forum. Seems a darn good alternative for paying 3 times as much for gold Ohlins parts.

Eventually I need to do it for my Concours 14, it would make a world of difference.

EDIT: I talked to Dan Kyle (Kyle Racing) who is a big Ohlins reseller in the US, and he told me what springs etc. he would do in a fork/shock package of Ohlins parts. Basically the strongest springs available and revalving for more compression damping. LOL suspension for fat guys is right.

* Last updated by: privateer on 1/23/2013 @ 3:03 AM *

My order is in transit - can't wait

Rebuilt rear shock - Hyperco 7x750 Spring, revalve and dyno tested.
AK-20 Axxion Kit - omni 1.05 springs.
New OEM fork seals and some tools coming too.
I'm 207 lb (94kg) and Dan selected these spring rates for me.

I also ordered the HyperPro RSC steering damper at the same time.

Should all be here early next week.
I might start with the "un-boxing" experience.....

Well after some challenging moments the new suspension is on.
First initial impressions:
Traxxion kit is excellent. Well packaged (pics to follow) I got my rebuilt OEM Shock, AK 20 kit and tools.

I'll post a bit on the install process. Unfortunately my camera didn't have a smart card in it so I'll have to resort to some drawings and words.
I do have some pics from iPhone, but alas...

The Ride is simply an epiphany - think religious experience!

Before when I did a short (20m) test ride and tested the brakes, the nose would dive at least 50%.
You could feel the bike sag under my weight (I'm 205lb / 94kg). Small pot holes would bottom out, and in corners with some lean if it got rough, well you just hoped it wouldn't step out. Gutter steps like the servo (gas station for the US crowd) would be at a crawl or a complete thud of bottomed out forks.

Now. Climb aboard!. Sag is controlled, smooth but feels like you are just loading it enough to set it, not squash it.
Test ride, firm brakes, and the nose smoothly glides down a bit and the brakes actually work.
Well of course they always worked, but now you can feel them bite, and slow the bike.
Crank the gas, she no longer lurches up at front, down at back. It's like she just lifts those eyes and looks for the horizon. Hard to explain, but VERY different.

In corners now I want more lean, more speed and bring on those ripples and bumps. I swear the brakes work better now, it is a different bike. I love it. I thought it was ok before, but now....this machine ROCKS!

My three best upgrades have been Suspension, Tyres and Exhaust. The rest was just candy.

So you lost 135 lbs. in 7 months??!! Great job! That would be your best upgrade. By the end of summer you'll have to put the stock suspension back on because you'll weigh about 175. Let me know how much you want for the "fat man's" suspension.

* Last updated by: alg8er on 2/10/2013 @ 10:33 PM *

Not quite. I was 128kg (283lb) and now 94kg (207lb).

But yeah, I basically lost 76 lbs somewhere (and have no intention of finding them!!!)

King Size Men, on King Size Bikes

Gents, I am with you. This August I weighed in at 285 lbs. After lots and lots of work, giving up sugar, caffinated drinks, pop, aspartain, alcohol, and foods with perservatives I dropped down to 230. Now I am on the home stretch to 200. At 230lbs I thought of dialing the suspension to match, but I think now I am going to wait to make 200lbs.