Rear shock recommendation

ST1100Y

Site Supporter
Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
4,981
Age
59
Location
Vienna, AuSTria
Bike
ST1100Y, ST1100R
STOC #
637
As a larger guy (over 300 pounds in riding gear) I find the OEM even at max preload is undersprung for me, especially when the bags are loaded for a trip.
Checking title/specs this gets quite obvious: official max payload are 200kg/441lbs... quite a slim range for packing 2 plus luggage for a 2 week trip...

lets take my, rather average figures as example:

Rider in gear: 115kg/254lbs
pillion in gear: 95kg/210lbs (average airline passenger weight: 80kg/176lbs ;-) )
both panniers: 30kg/66lbs
top case: 15kg/33lbs
tank bag: 15kg/33lbs

total: 270kg/595lbs.... uoops... :eek::
 
Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
8,108
Location
Cleveland
Bike
2010 ST1300
I fitted a Wilbers, very pleased with the difference, then again it was bound to be a big difference because the oem shock was horsed.
Now I've heard of something being 'lunched' to indicate broken, or worn out or trashed, but horsed? I like it!
 
Joined
Jun 3, 2006
Messages
3,512
Location
British Columbia
Bike
2021 RE Meteor 350
lets take my, rather average figures as example:

Rider in gear: 115kg/254lbs
pillion in gear: 95kg/210lbs (average airline passenger weight: 80kg/176lbs )
both panniers: 30kg/66lbs
top case: 15kg/33lbs
tank bag: 15kg/33lbs

total: 270kg/595lbs.... uoops...

Are those your actual riding weights Martin? Hardly average I think! For one thing, the panniers are only rated to 20 pounds each max.:confused:
 

ST1100Y

Site Supporter
Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
4,981
Age
59
Location
Vienna, AuSTria
Bike
ST1100Y, ST1100R
STOC #
637
For one thing, the panniers are only rated to 20 pounds each max.:confused:
Yes... rated...
And what gets actually packed? The full 35ltrs RKA pannier liner *stuffed* with clothing, shoes, chargers, necessaries, etc... (when there is a missus, sometimes her bag is so crammed that I've to beat it like a punch-bag to get the lid closed... :roll:)

But start a poll to see what folks actually have on payload...
 
Joined
Jun 3, 2006
Messages
3,512
Location
British Columbia
Bike
2021 RE Meteor 350
Yes... rated...
And what gets actually packed? The full 35ltrs RKA pannier liner *stuffed* with clothing, shoes, chargers, necessaries, etc... (when there is a missus, sometimes her bag is so crammed that I've to beat it like a punch-bag to get the lid closed... :roll:)

But start a poll to see what folks actually have on payload...
:potstir1: :D Seems to me I remember a recent post of yours outlining how another poster, taking the missus along for the first time, should instruct her that it isn't a fashion show and to learn how to pack spartan-like.
 

ST1100Y

Site Supporter
Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
4,981
Age
59
Location
Vienna, AuSTria
Bike
ST1100Y, ST1100R
STOC #
637
...instruct her that it isn't a fashion show and to learn how to pack spartan-like.
Yes, but then they get really inventive on finding ways of compressing and increasing density of all that crap in there... :lol:
 

ST Gui

240Robert
Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
9,262
Location
SF-Oakland CA
Bike
ST1300, 2010
You guys who stick with the OEM shock as a replacement... Do you also use the factory spring or do you go aftermarket on that? ARE there aftermarket springs that fit the factory shock?
 

ST1100Y

Site Supporter
Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
4,981
Age
59
Location
Vienna, AuSTria
Bike
ST1100Y, ST1100R
STOC #
637
Do you also use the factory spring or do you go aftermarket on that?...
When refurbing the '94, I found the shock mounts/eyes badly worn out (and also the damping was pretty much gone) and simply threw a well preserved, low mileage shock from eBay at it... the cost efficient solution...

On the quick I found that Hyperpro offers replacement springs/kits for the ST1100 (page 9 on the *.pdf):
http://hyperpro.com/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2015/03/Hyperpro-Replacement-springs.pdf
http://hyperpro.com/en/springs/
(IMHO does a kit, consisting of fork and shock springs make a lot of sense, due the matching characteristics...)

And IIRC also Wilbers offers springs...
 
OP
OP
Afan

Afan

... and this is my real name.
Joined
Jun 2, 2014
Messages
521
Location
Urbandale, IA
Bike
1998 ST1100
STOC #
8832
I got an offer for a 6K-miles-old shock from 2001 ST1100 ABS. Looks like it's compatible with my 1998 ST1100 non-ABS, but I would like to check with you guys. :D
 

ST1100Y

Site Supporter
Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
4,981
Age
59
Location
Vienna, AuSTria
Bike
ST1100Y, ST1100R
STOC #
637
I got an offer for a 6K-miles-old shock from 2001 ST1100 ABS. Looks like it's compatible with my 1998 ST1100 non-ABS, but I would like to check with you guys. :D
The ABS-models (as well as the P-spec ones) have the black coil, which is a bit firmer then the blue one from the standard/non-ABS ones...
Despite that, it should physically fit without any issues; just check if the nylon-bushings inside the mounting points are OK.
 
OP
OP
Afan

Afan

... and this is my real name.
Joined
Jun 2, 2014
Messages
521
Location
Urbandale, IA
Bike
1998 ST1100
STOC #
8832
The ABS-models (as well as the P-spec ones) have the black coil, which is a bit firmer then the blue one from the standard/non-ABS ones...
Despite that, it should physically fit without any issues; just check if the nylon-bushings inside the mounting points are OK.

It'll work fine, Afan.
Thanks.
 
Joined
Jun 3, 2006
Messages
3,512
Location
British Columbia
Bike
2021 RE Meteor 350
The ABS-models (as well as the P-spec ones) have the black coil, which is a bit firmer then the blue one from the standard/non-ABS ones...
Despite that, it should physically fit without any issues; just check if the nylon-bushings inside the mounting points are OK.
So what was the rationale for a firmer spring on the ABS/police spec machines?
 

ST1100Y

Site Supporter
Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
4,981
Age
59
Location
Vienna, AuSTria
Bike
ST1100Y, ST1100R
STOC #
637
So what was the rationale for a firmer spring on the ABS/police spec machines?
ABS have more stuff in them, making them heavier, P-spec carrying all the flashy equipment with same result?
Dunno for sure though, only observed that they all have a black coil...
 
Joined
Apr 10, 2012
Messages
1,258
Location
Donegal, Ireland.
Bike
Vstrom 650
ABS have more stuff in them, making them heavier, P-spec carrying all the flashy equipment with same result?
Dunno for sure though, only observed that they all have a black coil...
Yes the abs bike is heavier,the suspension is set up based on the average Japanese test rider though as far as I know,put maybe a 250lb rider,plus passenger plus luggage and the stock suspension is well overloaded.
Since I upgraded the suspension the bike is totally different,it was expensive but the best money I've invested in the ST.
 

ST Gui

240Robert
Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
9,262
Location
SF-Oakland CA
Bike
ST1300, 2010
,the suspension is set up based on the average Japanese test rider
This has always been my belief! Every Honda I've ever owned was dreadfully under sprung and I've never been a heavy weight. OTOH my Duc's suspension felt supple and never bottomed out. Marzocchi shocks and springs?

You think they'd increase the spring rate for bikes headed outside of Asia. Or at least to the US.
 
Joined
Apr 10, 2012
Messages
1,258
Location
Donegal, Ireland.
Bike
Vstrom 650
The ST1100 was never intended for the Japanese market and fully designed by Honda Europe/Germany... ;-)
oops my bad:) softly sprung all the same, suppose when the shock and springs were brand new they were a lot better than they were on the 11 year old ST1100 I bought,new suspension is great though,corners on rails now.
 
Top Bottom