The Rear Shock Upgrade Thread

[PsychBiker]

After racking up 2000+ miles I think Im going to install the Daytona shock that has been sitting in a box.

I'm 155lbs and may ride a passenger down the line. Am I going to regret not swapping the spring to a 500lb rate?

[wobblyas]

Can anyone confirm if the R shock and Spring are identical to that found on the Daytona?

Same valving and spring rate?

[SpeedyR]

Originally Posted by wobblyas

Can anyone confirm if the R shock and Spring are identical to that found on the Daytona?

Same valving and spring rate?

I was in a shop this past week and was talking to the parts manager about the rear shocks on the Striple vs. the Daytona. the part numbers are different between the two parts, but he had talked to someone at Triumph at one point and was told that the springs are definitly different rates.

He didn't know (the PM) if the valving was different. I've read in some reviews that it was, and others said it was the same. go figure. I'm guessing that it's close enough to not matter.

I am probably picking up a new Street Triple R next week, and will probably post the rear shock for sale in the classifieds or on ebay shortly after that (if there is a Penske or Ohlins for the R). I'm assuming that might be a nice upgrade for a standard Street Triple?

[pretzel]

Originally Posted by AaronP220R

I'm 6'5, 275lbs (I know, I know). A friend of mine who's big into racing and the whole bike thing told me that my bike is probably WAY undersprung for my weight and size and I should look into upgrading the shocks and springs with something more customized to my weight.

FWIW, check out what the guy in the video in this thread has to say about the sag for heavier guys:

http://www.triumph675.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29740

Originally Posted by AaronP220R

It’s just, the two guys I’ve been riding with lately are riding a SV650 (I know it’s a lesser bike)

I wouldn't go that far...I own both bikes and with relatively inexpensive/easy modifications front and rear, my SV feels more composed on bumpy roads than my Street. I love my Street, but should a bike that inspires confidence be called "lesser?" They are both good engines, just different.

[pretzel]

Originally Posted by spiki-spikester

As for the front, I fitted slightly stiffer springs & heavier oil and that has made a difference. Not as much difference as changing the internals but a lot cheaper.

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but the one of the problems, as I understand it, is that there is too much compression damping. If this is the case, wouldn't lighter oil be beneficial?

BTW, does anyone know the stock fork oil weight and spring rate?

[srfjm]

I'm finding this thread very interesting, but a couple questions:

- how many people have actually adjusted the preload on the stock shock before upgrading and with what results? I just got around to tweaking mine for my 200 pound weight and found a considerable difference! (I'm not a track rider)

- how are you guys feeling about the forks after the shock swap or adjustment?

[Grug]

Out of interest, would anyone who's changed the suspension components of their Striple have bothered if the Striple R had been around at the time?

[srfjm]

I fitted a Daytona shock on my striple last week, got it dialed - and wow... the difference is astounding. I'm 200 pounds, so the stiffer spring is right for me. Now I need to deal with the forks...

Anyway I was wondering how many are using a lowering link... or not? Pros and cons of each? So far I am not, and I do notice the changed riding position - higher in the rear. It does seem to go into the turns nicer... but I still need to get used to it. I guess my main concern is that the higher rear may exacerbate the issues with the forks.

Any experience or thoughts on this?

[Diego]

Might want to read this thread in a little more detail. Lowering links have been mentioned a few times in it already.

[srfjm]

Thanks for the help Diego. I've read it from top to bottom a few times... just wondering how many people went through the Daytona shock upgrade process and decided they didn't need the lowering link or want it - or did. The rear end height difference has certain advantages and disadvantages.