Shock advice for fat rider - Bandit

[smoky]

I got just over 8000 km’s from my Mitchellen Pilot Road rear tyre. It is worn evenly right across the tread.
A bit disappointing, I expected a few more k’s from it.
I ride a 1998 Bandit 1200S
I’m a big person, well over the 100kg’s, I read in KR mag that winding up the preload on the rear shock is not a good way to compensate – messing up ‘off-corner traction’ which will accelerate tyre wear.
So I should be looking for a suitable rear spring, with the correct spring rate for my size.
Questions are;
where from?
How do I know what is the correct spring rate for me?
What kind of $’s am I looking at?

[The Stranger:Me]

If you want the best advice on what to get, cost and where to get it, get hold of either Robert Taylor or TDC on here.

[TDC]

I got just over 8000 km’s from my Mitchellen Pilot Road rear tyre. It is worn evenly right across the tread.
A bit disappointing, I expected a few more k’s from it.
I ride a 1998 Bandit 1200S
I’m a big person, well over the 100kg’s, I read in KR mag that winding up the preload on the rear shock is not a good way to compensate – messing up ‘off-corner traction’ which will accelerate tyre wear.
So I should be looking for a suitable rear spring, with the correct spring rate for my size.
Questions are;
where from?
How do I know what is the correct spring rate for me?
What kind of $’s am I looking at?

Well Done! Winding up a spring that is too soft is not the way to get the rear end working correctly.

The correct spring is only part of the story, quality of damper response is the other half of the equation (there are some good explanations buried in this section if you want to have a look).

In the case of the Bandit the rear shock has been viciously attacked by the accounting dept. It is of a primitive design and not much in the way of adjustment or range of adjustment with an alarming short life span, before the damping performance begins to degrade noticeably. This also has an immediate effect on tyre life / traction / safety. Worse it only has a small quantity of oil which tends to heat up quickly and loose damping especially if you ride in a spirited manner. While it is possible to fit a larger (read correct for weight of rider etc) spring the extra work the shock has to do ensures that its life is further compromised. What I am trying to say is its a case of while it can be done its not a particularly good value for money option (approaching 30% the value of a premium after market replacement shock), and the results are a little disappointing.

An upgrade to a premium shock will see a significant increase in tyre life, traction etc, and can be valved to fully exploit the change of rear spring, optimized for rider weight height (which is easily accommodated in your case), and is fully rebuildable / servicable.

Like Robert i would strongly recommend the Ohlins product, PM me for pricing

On my own bike I get close to 8000k's out of 190 55 K2 Racetec rears with an Ohlins damper, I got only 1200k's out of the same tyre prior to fitting a TTX36 Ohlins rear damper, not to mention more traction, stability, etc

[TerminalAddict]

cheaper to buy another bike eh?

[TDC]

cheaper to buy another bike eh?

Not really you will still be in exactly the same position, just with another bike....

[TerminalAddict]

I'd be keen to hear prices etc for the back of my hornet actually .. since I reckon I might keep it for a year or 2

[TDC]

I'd be keen to hear prices etc for the back of my hornet actually .. since I reckon I might keep it for a year or 2

PM me with year and model

[Pixie]

I fully recommend upgrading the Bandit.
With a rebuilt used Ohlins on the rear and Traxxion spring in the forks from Robert Taylor and Racetech damper upgrade in the forks,the handling is vastly improved all for under $2000.
And the shock can be removed and rebuilt for other bikes when you sell.

[TDC]

I fully recommend upgrading the Bandit.
With a rebuilt used Ohlins on the rear and Traxxion spring in the forks from Robert Taylor and Racetech damper upgrade in the forks,the handling is vastly improved all for under $2000.
And the shock can be removed and rebuilt for other bikes when you sell.

Unfortunately pre owned shocks are not often available......

[Pussy]

I fully recommend upgrading the Bandit.
With a rebuilt used Ohlins on the rear and Traxxion spring in the forks from Robert Taylor and Racetech damper upgrade in the forks,the handling is vastly improved all for under $2000.
And the shock can be removed and rebuilt for other bikes when you sell.

Got to agree, Pixie! I've only really paid full price for two Ohlins shocks. Whenever Gassit Girl or myself gets a new bike, we trade our existing Ohlins shocks with Robert for ones for our new bikes. Works out VERY economical as well. Initially it looks expensive for a quality shock, but in the long run works out a/. safer, and b/. cheaper in the long run

[Jantar]

8000 kms on a Road Pilot? I would be thrilled as the best I ever achieved on my 1200SS was 6500.

["D" FZ1]

8000 kms on a Road Pilot? I would be thrilled as the best I ever achieved on my 1200SS was 6500.

I agree. I get 6-6500 kms out of mine and are more than happy with that. I ran a pilot sport when the roads were out of stock and only got 4000 kms out of it.

[Warr]

Would be cheaper to buy a new tyre

[Pixie]

Unfortunately pre owned shocks are not often available......

The market may have changed sinceI got the shock.
At the time Robert had used shocks available to both my brother and I.
It may pay to check what's available.

[smoky]

Would be cheaper to buy a new tyre

It's not only about tyre wear - It's about maintaining ground clearance in corners, instead of bashing the crap outa my bike keeping up with you and Terminal, and about the way my bike has got worse in the handling department over the last 6 months.
Remember I was moaning about the handling (grip outa the corner) last time we went around Kawhia, the bike was getting a bit loose - I think my rear shock may be a bit stuffed.
The way my tyre has worn (big curly lip on the tread edge) indicated a bit of sliding under power apparently.

I expected you would offer some more thoughtful advice than "buy a new tyre" - sheesh!

has your bike got standard suspension - or tweaked?