Triumphrat

Jimbeamrye · 10-01-2006

All of our riding will mostly be two-up along with saddle bags and rear rack and sissy bar. This all will add around 400Lbs/183Kg to bike. Could anyone give some insite as to what kind of shocks should we be considering? Any information would be helpful. Thanks

TallRocket · 10-01-2006

Noticed no response to your question. Need a bit more information.

If you are riding stock shocks - then dial them up to 5. Do a couple of passes over bumps and see if you and Ms are being bucked off the seat. The ride should be smooth, really smooth and you should retain control, if your not getting a smooth ride at the 5 setting, then consider aftermarket shocks.

Progressives - 12.5 normal should be fine. If you are over say 200 lbs then consider the heavy duty option. But you really won't use all the shock the heavy duty option can offer, so if you are an average Joe don't buy the heavy duty.

Jimbeamrye · 10-01-2006

I'm sry if I wasn't clear. I weigh 230 lbs and the wife around 130lbs. After we fill up the bags with a cooler full of beverages and what not, I was assuming we would be adding about 400 lbs to the bike. I would say 275 lbs more to rear tire and 125 pounds to front. I don't have a good way of determining whether or not shocks are truly bottoming out or not. Just because it feels abrupt hitting a speed bump doesn't necessarily mean bottoming out. If I put more pressure onto stock shock springs by adjusting the setting to 5, I might get a little more shock travel, but wont the ride become very firm? I had thought that progressives shocks were made to be forgiving when low weight was added but react more aggressively once extra weight was applied.

Anyone know a procedure to check for true bottoming out shocks other than feel?

SteveRed · 10-01-2006

JBR... I am running on Progressive 440's 13.5 inch shocks. Soooo much better than standard on any setting! When I ride two up with luggage I am about your weight. I set the progressives on the 3rd ring. When I am solo I just dial it back to say the 2nd ring. The shocks are very easy to adjust though I do recommend you do it without your luggage attached. Happy riding

Setting the shocks a little harder does firm up the ride, but it also increases the dampening so helps prevent bottoming out. Especially when you load up the bike. (the extra weight tends to equalize things on this count). Trust me ... The progressives can be ridden a little firm without being uncomfortable... When I forget to to reset the shocks after riding two up it does get a little bouncy but it is still a better ride than the standard shocks!

[ This message was edited by: SteveRed on 2006-10-01 21:24 ]

RockIIIt · 10-01-2006

Jimbeamrye, have a read of the topic "shock pre load adjustment"
We have something in common ! ( we both like Beer and Good food and carry the missus around!)