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+--- Thread: Rear end feels 'floaty' (/showthread.php?tid=63467)
Rear end feels 'floaty' - jenic - 16-05-13
I've noticed the back end feels a little 'floaty' for want of a better word.
I've checked pressures and they are fine, I'm wondering if it could use a new rear shock? The current one looks in good condition though, they can't be adjusted can they?
I've come from a cbr600rr so maybe it is just a characteristic of the fazer and I am used to a more stable rear end.
I've not been caught out yet, but I just don't have full confidence in the rear.
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - richfzs - 16-05-13
If it's on the standard shock, it's almost definitely worn out. They were only ever good for 20k miles at best.
I went hagon on mine, other options are available (search option is your friend here)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - darrsi - 16-05-13
Is there any particular way to know if they're knackered other than a bad feeling?
I would imagine mine's still got an original on, but not really noticed anything iffy?
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - richfzs - 16-05-13
Lack of damping, iirc - don't quote me though!
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Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - darrsi - 16-05-13
I'm wondering if the fact that i like firm suspension is why i'm not really noticing any issues?
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - Fuzzy - 16-05-13
Sounds like it might be past it's best - could be worth getting it rebuilt. There are places that will rebuild the oem shock despite it being officially non-rebuildable. Usually costs about £100. A better alternative is to buy an aftermarket shock but the downside to this is the cost a decent shock will set you back £300+ unless you get a Hagon which is slightly less (I wouldn't personally).
I think I'll start a thread with information about shock options including rebuilds so keep an eye out in the next couple of days.
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - Fuzzy - 16-05-13
(16-05-13, 01:47 PM)darrsi link Wrote: I'm wondering if the fact that i like firm suspension is why i'm not really noticing any issues?
Could be - to be honest I didn't until I did some fast riding on crappy country roads where the rear wheel seemed to skip a bit because I had the preload wound down so much. In most situations, in town etc, the suspension wasn't actually too bad.
I had a Wilbers (built to my spec) fitted afterwards and that was quite a bit softer and made for a much more controlled ride whatever the speed even on bad roads. Told me that firmer suspension is not necessarily better.
I then had the oem one rebuilt, fitted that recently and whereas I used to have it on the 6th notch before, I now have it on the 4th notch and the ride is much improved. Too early to comment on how close a rebuilt shock is to a quality aftermarket one in terms of performance though - more riding needed!
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - Fuzzy - 16-05-13
(16-05-13, 11:07 AM)jenic link Wrote: I'm wondering if it could use a new rear shock? The current one looks in good condition though, they can't be adjusted can they?
The only thing you can adjust is the preload - if you haven't already, it might be worth adjusting that to suit your weight. Sounds like increasing the preload might help?
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - jenic - 16-05-13
Thanks for the replies, I'm thinking it is most likely the shock now. It is still original as far as I know and the bike has done about 18k miles so would seem about right.
I'll try adjusting the preload first, where is the adjuster for this?
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - CharlieDee - 16-05-13
Could try doing the fazer thou shock conversion... best 60 quid I have ever spent on bike suspension!! :lol
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - Fuzzy - 16-05-13
Fazer thou shock conversion sounds good. Would like to try it but I'm always changing the preload to suit solo, 2-up + luggage weight etc so was put off when I heard it's more of a fiddle than the 600's shock.
Talking of which, how to adjust preload. First find a suitable c-spanner, there should be one in the toolbag under the seat. Stick the tubular handle thingy on the end of the c-spanner (should be in the toolbag as well). Put bike on centrestand. Hook the c-spanner into one of the holes found at the top of the shock and move it left or right depending on whether you want more or less. There are 9 different settings, notch 5 or something midway might be a good place to start if you're average weight. Can require quite a bit of muscle but you'll soon get the knack. A bit of grease/lube on the notches (at the top of the shock) can help if it's being stubborn.
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - Slaninar - 20-05-13
TYRES! Tyres first. Check. Which tyre you're using at the rear? Model and year of production?
Make sure you mount a decend, grippy sport (or sport-touring) model, under 5 years of age, at 2.2 bars cold. Give it a try. If it's still floating, then change/rebuild the shock.
P.S. Oh, the rebound damping on the OEM shock is good for about half the preload. If you make it firmer, it gets bouncier than it should. That's the case on mine and 2 mates fazers at least. Or the shocks are past their best.
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - darrsi - 20-05-13
(20-05-13, 05:15 AM)Slaninar link Wrote: TYRES! Tyres first. Check. Which tyre you're using at the rear? Model and year of production?
Make sure you mount a decend, grippy sport (or sport-touring) model, under 5 years of age, at 2.2 bars cold. Give it a try. If it's still floating, then change/rebuild the shock.
P.S. Oh, the rebound damping on the OEM shock is good for about half the preload. If you make it firmer, it gets bouncier than it should. That's the case on mine and 2 mates fazers at least. Or the shocks are past their best.
2.2 bar is 32psi, that's way off for the rear and would actually add to a floaty feeling???
Re: Rear end feels 'floaty' - Slaninar - 20-05-13
(20-05-13, 06:44 AM)darrsi link Wrote: 2.2 bar is 32psi, that's way off for the rear and would actually add to a floaty feeling???
Depending how you ride and warm the tyres up. I'd try both 2.2 and higher 2.5 bars. See how it feels. Lower pressure in tyres makes suspension work a bit less hard. Up to a point.
I'm no expert, so correct me if I'm wrong and take it all with a grain of salt. But I'd start from good tyres, only then change suspension.