Has anyone run a 1” lower rear shock and Darkside together on ST1300 ?

PhotoDoctor

PhotoDoctor

Tampa Mike
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64
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Tampa, FL
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ST1100/ST1300/Norton
Has anyone actually run a rear darkside 205/50/17 along with a 1” lower rear shock? I’ve seen both options independently on the ST1300 but not both on the same bike………..
 
I do not think that would work. I run a 205/50/17 car tire in the back. It is a tight fit so there would be no room to lower the rear suspension of the bike. If you did the outer edges might rub on the inside top of the fender. I run stock suspension and have had no rubbing in the last 110k darkside miles....
 
You do not want to lower the rear suspension without a corresponding drop in the front. Shifting the weight to the rear tire makes the front end light and squirrelly, and you really won't be happy behind a semi.

The CT doesn't raise the rear of the bike at 205-50-17. As for clearance issues, tire profiles vary widely. Some are squared at the shoulder and others much rounder. Rounder is better.
 
jodog said:
You do not want to lower the rear suspension without a corresponding drop in the front. Shifting the weight to the rear tire makes the front end light and squirrelly, and you really won't be happy behind a semi.

The CT doesn't raise the rear of the bike at 205-50-17. As for clearance issues, tire profiles vary widely. Some are squared at the shoulder and others much rounder. Rounder is better.
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The normal effect of lowering the rear by itself is to effectively increase rake and trail which slows steering.
 
Stew1300 - wow that's a lot of lowering 2 1/4" , I'll have to check out the Wilbur shocks this is the first I've heard of them. What are you using for a rear tire?

On my 1300 I have a- Bridgestone run Flat Drive Gaurd 205/50/17 - with the stock shock. (It goes up on the center stand super easy )
 
PhotoDoctor said:
Stew1300 - wow that's a lot of lowering 2 1/4" , I'll have to check out the Wilbur shocks this is the first I've heard of them. What are you using for a rear tire?

On my 1300 I have a- Bridgestone run Flat Drive Gaurd 205/50/17 - with the stock shock. (It goes up on the center stand super easy )
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sorry I'm late, Tire is Hankook 205/50-17
The Wilbur shock is expensive, I got mine 7-8 years ago from a ST1300 guy who traded his bike on a Harley, he
also had the side stand cut and rewelded( looks orig), hard to get the 1300 up on the center stand though, I use a piece of 2 x 6 with a 1 x added .
 
Stew1300 said:
sorry I'm late, Tire is Hankook 205/50-17
The Wilbur shock is expensive, I got mine 7-8 years ago from a ST1300 guy who traded his bike on a Harley, he
also had the side stand cut and rewelded( looks orig), hard to get the 1300 up on the center stand though, I use a piece of 2 x 6 with a 1 x added .
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Mike, I'm across the state from you in Wabasso for the winter, I've stayed here for the past 5 years.
 
Stew - thanks for that info. I might like to come over and take a look at that.
 
The ST (1100 or 1300) is not blessed with a lot of ground clearance. Unless you're a real tip-toer around corners, you run a high risk of grounding hard parts which can lever tires up and cause a crash. To me cornering is the most fun aspect of riding a motorcycle, it'd be a sin to reduce that capability.
 
wjbertrand said:
The ST (1100 or 1300) is not blessed with a lot of ground clearance. Unless you're a real tip-toer around corners, you run a high risk of grounding hard parts which can lever tires up and cause a crash. To me cornering is the most fun aspect of riding a motorcycle, it'd be a sin to reduce that capability.
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On my 1100, the only thing that has touched the road is the tips of my boots.

Freaked me out the first time it happened; now I know to expect it.
 
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