DR650 static sag

[Bass]

This should perhaps be in the suspension thread, but I think it's more likely to reach someone who knows, over here.

I suspect the rear preload on my DR is too low. I have increased it once but with even a small amount of luggage on the back, the bike is still only just stable on the side stand.

Can anyone advise me as to what the rear end static sag should be for the stock suspension?

[Crisis management]

Bass, you know my bike and it's suspension....thats a stock spring wound up as hard as possible.
According to the manual, spring preload length (on the shock but out of the bike) is:
Soft: 253.5mm
Standard: 247.5mm
Stiff: 238.5mm

With my bike, unloaded but with the spring on the stiff setting, the static sag (bike only) is 30mm measured at the top of the rear guard behind the seat.
Now, I have always found that a hard setting for the road but I only weight 67kgs and the bike rides better with another 15kgs of luggage (less steering wander).
However, since my excursion off road on it I would say the springing is too soft as it almost bottomed over small whoops and I certainly wasn't going fast.

Sooo, if your loading it up, I'd look at a better spring. Nordie has fitted Eibach springs to his from Kientech engineering, I would look to his advice for reliable information.

[tri boy]

I'll have a guess at it mate.
Without a rider on board, and the bike unladen, I think the rear should sag approx 15-20mm.
With rider, and load, I'm guessing a sag of 40mm-60mm should be acceptable. RT would be one of the guys to correct these fiqures, but it sounds like the rear spring in your bike is struggling with it load.
Assuming all links etc are in good order, it may be service time for your shock.

[NordieBoy]

Assuming all links etc are in good order, it may be service time for your shock.

Nope, that's what the standard spring does.

I'm running about 5cm of static sag at the moment as the lack of rebound damping pogo's the back up too high for comfort with less sag.

[Bass]

I'll have a guess at it mate.
Without a rider on board, and the bike unladen, I think the rear should sag approx 15-20mm.
With rider, and load, I'm guessing a sag of 40mm-60mm should be acceptable. RT would be one of the guys to correct these fiqures, but it sounds like the rear spring in your bike is struggling with it load.
Assuming all links etc are in good order, it may be service time for your shock.

Mate, the bike has only done 1700 miles from new.

Ian's spring length measurements in the previous post may be of use as I suspect the original settings are well out. I haven't measured it yet but I will bet that the current static sag is about 70 mm and probably about 80 with some baggage aboard.

I will have a measure up tonight and tell all tomorrow.

RT is involved already and the bike will be getting a full Ohlins conversion early next month in preparation for the OZ trip and the much bigger load on the bike.

Your static sag unladen numbers are about what I would expect for a road bike with less travel than the DR. I have learned (to my cost) in recent times, that if the static sag is too low, then you can be forced to really crank up the rebound damping to stop the shock "Topping Out". I had thought that for an adventure bike, the numbers should be higher for the same reason. However, I certainly stand to be corrected and thanks for the input.

[Bass]

Bass, you know my bike and it's suspension....thats a stock spring wound up as hard as possible.
According to the manual, spring preload length (on the shock but out of the bike) is:
Soft: 253.5mm
Standard: 247.5mm
Stiff: 238.5mm

Thanks for that, but tell me, I would have thought that it is the shock which restricts the suspension travel. If so, then jacking the bike up should allow the shock to reach its maximum length. I am referring to your "on the shock but out of the bike" comment off course.
Have I got this wrong?
Is there something else which restricts suspension travel so that the shock cannot reach its max length when fitted?

[Bass]

Nope, that's what the standard spring does.

I'm running about 5cm of static sag at the moment as the lack of rebound damping pogo's the back up too high for comfort with less sag.

Thank you sir

I was kinda expecting to get answers in the 35 to 50 mm range, but thinking that it might be more because the shock response is average at best. As mentioned above, it should be a temporary situation and sorted next month.

[ducatijim]

I told u the stocker is typical; budget,mass produced jap-crap, like most things from japinc, made to a price not a purpose.

We both know the Ohlins will fix her.

[Bass]

I told u the stocker is typical; budget,mass produced jap-crap, like most things from japinc, made to a price not a purpose.

We both know the Ohlins will fix her.

True, but eight grand for a brand new bike is pretty good value and so I figure I can't moan too much.
The problem I have is a minor one - just an annoyance really, and I figure that if I can sort it with a minor adjustment, well why not?
Having said that, adjusting the preload is actually a bit of a pain.

[Crisis management]

Thanks for that, but tell me, I would have thought that it is the shock which restricts the suspension travel. If so, then jacking the bike up should allow the shock to reach its maximum length. I am referring to your "on the shock but out of the bike" comment off course.
Have I got this wrong?
Is there something else which restricts suspension travel so that the shock cannot reach its max length when fitted?

You are correct, the shock at full extension is the same as full extension of the bike suspension. I merely wanted to be clear that the measurement was of an unloaded shock, not an unloaded bike.
Clear, or would you like some muddy water with that? Obfustication is one of my middle names!
I'd love to try the bike when you get the Ohlins on, it'd be good to see a real comparison. Feel like a ride to Raglan?

[Bass]

You are correct, the shock at full extension is the same as full extension of the bike suspension. I merely wanted to be clear that the measurement was of an unloaded shock, not an unloaded bike.
Clear, or would you like some muddy water with that? Obfustication is one of my middle names!?

NO, that's just fine and it means I can do the measurement on the bike - I just need to make sure she's at full stretch.

I'd love to try the bike when you get the Ohlins on, it'd be good to see a real comparison. Feel like a ride to Raglan?

You're on, but be aware that it will be sprung for the "loaded for OZ" condition. This may mean that the springs are too stiff for ideal performance without that load. Reducing the preload may not entirely cure it if this turns out to be the case. Further, we will not be able to totally cure it by just adding load because the front will be sprung for the big safari tank which won't be fitted until we get to OZ.

Of course having said that, there will be times when the safari tank is close to empty and will weigh less than the standard one - so I would be disappointed if this turns out to be a problem.

[ducatijim]

True, but eight grand for a brand new bike is pretty good value and so I figure I can't moan too much.
The problem I have is a minor one - just an annoyance really, and I figure that if I can sort it with a minor adjustment, well why not?
Having said that, adjusting the preload is actually a bit of a pain.

And once u have tightened the preload, remember to increase the rebound damping........................................... ........................???

Boing...boing....boooing:......................... ...................

[Bass]

And once u have tightened the preload, remember to increase the rebound damping........................................... ........................???

Boing...boing....boooing:......................... ...................

Maybe.
I don't think that I have a problem with damping rates at the moment, just the ride height.

[cooneyr]

And once u have tightened the preload, remember to increase the rebound damping........................................... ........................???

Boing...boing....boooing:......................... ...................

Without a shock out revalve this cant be done on a DR650 which is a real pain as the standard rebound is to low (well I recon it is anyway).

Cheers R

[chris]

However, since my excursion off road on it I would say the springing is too soft as it almost bottomed over small whoops and I certainly wasn't going fast.

You can do what you want to the stock suspension before heading into the bush, it won't make a scrap of difference. My DR is no fan of the Woodhill whoops...