Heavy duty, touring shock at the rear

[grenade]

I'm in Greece after riding from the UK through France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria. I'm travelling with 163 litres of storage (Trekker 33s on SW-Motech side carriers, Trekker 52 on top & a 45 litre tent bag across the rear seat).


My stock rear shock was tired before I set out (bike has 45k miles on the clock). Now, fully loaded, I can bottom out the shock just by wiggling around on the seat while stationary. I want to order a heavy duty shock/spring setup online and get a local mechanic here in Greece to fit it.


What should I buy? What will give me the best performance for my loaded riding? Happy to spend the money, for something that will see the bike through to 100k miles of loaded touring.


I ride fast. Often off-road (or on poorly paved roads) through places, I don't want to get stuck. Any advice appreciated.

[Tmation]

You will need to know the total weight of all that kit, plus the racks and side carriers, oh and yourself in your kit.


Then contact any of the suspension specialists (are there none in Greece?) and tell them what you want.


Ohlins, Wilbers, Nitron, Maxton, Devilsyam R6 shock conversion etc.


Best get one that can be rebuilt if you want to get it to 100K.


Good luck

[pilninggas]

Kudos on the ride down - Quite fancy riding to Greece at some point.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Bloody hell! I fitted a new shock to my last Fazer just before doing a 3000 mile UK tour, as the old one felt a bit tired, but bottoming out when just sitting on the bike?! Before setting off on such a long trip?!?!?! Loaded it up and just went anyway?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! 

I just went with a Hagon's jobbie. Cheap and cheerful, but was much better than the knackered original, and I was pretty loaded up for that one - all was fine, but whether it would have got the bike to 100k miles.......?

Trip sounds excellent. Hope you can get sorted (sorry, no real extra advice to add  ), look forward to a full report when finished 

[FuZzBoM]

As a stop gap you could have a heavier spring fitted to the shock. I have Hyperpro fork springs and shock spring fitted to mine, feels much better than stock.
Stock spring used to be on max preload setting and I felt it was too soft. Hyperpro half way preload is firmer than the stock.

[Falcon 269]

Fitting a much stronger spring to the original shock isn't the answer because the damping - especially rebound - isn't good enough to cope with the uprated spring.

Nitro are very good value for money and would be my choice for what you need.

[devilsyam]

R6 shock will work as already compared to fazer heavier spring and it's a better shock in build quality not ohlins but much better than stock
I have done loads in touring mode with nothing but good comments

[grenade]

Thanks for all the advice and banter. I may have found a solution a little ways down the road in Athens: http://dulaveris-performance.car.gr/parts/view/3779263/
I got the impression from this and other threads, that my best bet, is to get something customised for the weight. Second best, just get good quality (ohlins, wilbers, r6). Since I'm starting to doubt my current setup will last the 2 weeks custom will take, I'm leaning towards using what I've found. Any last minute advice?