Rear Shock preload

[nd4spd]

I've seen on other forums where bikes w/ adjustable rear shocks have had a problem w/ the oil in the adjuster needing to be refilled...  Anyone heard of or have any experience w/ this on the tiger?  My rear shock (on an '05 w/ 31k miles) seems quite weak and sags quite a bit.  Wondering if this could be the same issue - a matter of refilling the resvoir in the adjuster....?

[Advwannabe]

nd,

At that mileage many of us have discovered our stock shock was toast. Girlies are big heavy beasts with long swingarms and no suspension linkage. The poor old shock has to work pretty hard.

I'm not sure how to tell if your adjuster needs more oil or your spring is sacked out, but it is probably time to get someone to take a look at your shock.

Some suspension specialists say the shock cannot be rebuilt, my local guy says it can be done, but I'd go with what Sasquach says.

If it turns out your shock is had it and cannot be rebuilt there are a number of options in aftermarket shocks.

I have a Hagon. I'm not impressed with the performance, on the gravel and fast road sections it gets hot and fades pretty quickly. However the after sales service has been great and my local guy (Moose racing) has gone above and beyond to make it as good for me as possible.

[Timbox2]

Watch the top of the spring as you wind the preload on and off, theres about an inch or so of adjustment, if you get that the springs  probably had it, which at the age and mileage it probably has. You could try going for a Hyperpro spring upgrade which my bike had, but in all honesty the damping circuits probably way past its best, which sorry, was never that good to start with.

Its a fact Im afraid that all OE shocks are at best OK, and if you fall outside of 11 to 12 stone, or do lots of carrying or pillion, pretty hopeless.

The people who will say my OE shock is perfectly OK, have probably never had a decent shock built for them, its chalk and cheese believe me.
Whats a real pain is, once youve had a decent shock, you will always have to have one, so expensive if you change bikes alot.

[jwray76]

ride on the stocker till you can't stand it and then upgrade. Don't worry with trying to rebuild/repair the stock unit.

This is your guy for everything suspension on the Tiger http://sasquatchrider.com/index.html

[Chris Canning]

Whats a real pain is, once youve had a decent shock, you will always have to have one

You will never read a truer word.

[nd4spd]

Thanks for the feedback guys...  'll touch base w/ Sasquatchrider to see if he can help out on the '05.  His site only addresses the Steamers and Roadies...

[jphish]

No rebuild generally on 2001-2006 stock rear shocks...at least that I'm aware of. Not enough to work with. He has Hyperpro for about $590. I'm thinking about it for my 06 Girly...after I recover a bit from recent  XC purchase. j

[Sasquatch]

So this is the thread that generated the rush of emails the last few days. :D

The 99-06 "Girly" shocks are not ones I can build.  The reason is the end cap is crimped then welded on.  I messed with mine for quite a while but could not come up with a solution I felt comfortable selling.

My suggestion is Hyperpro.  I have rebuilt a number of Hagons, and actually have one for the tiger sitting on my shelf.  As others have mentioned, I am not impressed with their quality, or design.  Their valving is pretty bad.

The Hyperpro shock is a custom shock.  They are built to your specifications at the time of order, so you are getting a personalized shock, something Ohlins does not even offer (I am an Ohlins shop as well).  The shock runs $590, and if you want to add a remote preload aduster, it adds $275.

I put that very shock on my 01 and the performance improvement is amazing.  I did not opt for the additional adjuster since I typically find a setting and just run with it.

Hope this clears up some of the questions.

[Chris Canning]

So this is the thread that generated the rush of emails the last few days. :D

The 99-06 "Girly" shocks are not ones I can build.  The reason is the end cap is crimped then welded on.  I messed with mine for quite a while but could not come up with a solution I felt comfortable selling.

My suggestion is Hyperpro.  I have rebuilt a number of Hagons, and actually have one for the tiger sitting on my shelf.  As others have mentioned, I am not impressed with their quality, or design.  Their valving is pretty bad.

The Hyperpro shock is a custom shock.  They are built to your specifications at the time of order, so you are getting a personalized shock, something Ohlins does not even offer (I am an Ohlins shop as well).  The shock runs $590, and if you want to add a remote preload aduster, it adds $275.

I put that very shock on my 01 and the performance improvement is amazing.  I did not opt for the additional adjuster since I typically find a setting and just run with it.

Hope this clears up some of the questions.

Just to clear a few things up,Ohlins only made a shock for the 2001/4 Tiger for 18 months and then stopped,I've met no end of folk who have bought an Ohlins from the cheapest source and ended up with a shock with a stock spring when they needed an upgraded spring which they'd have got free of charge going to a decent suspension outlet who would have asked the question weight etc,phone the UK Ohlins importer he will do the same.

Here in the UK,Wilbers have made tremendous inroads into the Ohlins market,because you can phone through to the importer give him you weight + passenger and gear you carry and it will come within two weeks ready to go.

My Tiger and 1100s have Ohlins,my K1200 has Wilbers.

Finally always cross referance a shock spec not just the price,no other shock(stock) comes at an Ohlins spec,you can have one but that costs extra!!!.