[joevano]

With 35K on the LT, I would like to beef up the rear shock. At this point, I can't swing complete shocks so am thinking of springs only. My front end has no problems as far as I'm concerned. The rear only is undersprung, and has no symptoms of the shock itself being worn out.

I would like to hear from those who have replaced springs only and what their experience is. Do new higher rate springs work well with the stock shock damping?

Thanks!

 

[coug66]

I swapped springs and its a whole new bike. Hyper Pro

I was inspired by Kellenbenz who PM'd me after I proposed the same question a long time ago. He jumped in first and with his success I gave it a try.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37485

http://www.hyperprousa.com/catalog....W+K+1200+LT+COMBIKIT+2+MONO+SPRINS&ordertype=


Its interesting the front shock is the most challenging to remove from the bike but the easiest to replace the spring.

The back is the opposite. I found a suspension shop which had a wall mounted spring compressor which the owner accommodated me with trying it.

I know Les schwab wouldn't allow this to happen.

I am happy I replaced the springs only saved a bunch of money and am very happy with the result.

Ian

 

[pushin9s]

I just had my rear shock rebuilt and resprung at GMD Computrac. (No affiliation , no reward for new customers, no remuneration, etc.). I went with a heavier spring because I am heavier than the average bear. Kent, the gentleman I worked with, explained to me that with a heavier spring I would need to go with new valving because 1) the old valving would be worn and 2) the heavier spring would be too much for the stock valving. I went up 18% on the spring rate and it made a huge difference. I am going from memory here, but I believe Kent told me the stock spring was in the neighborhood of 950 lbs. He also told me that the springs on our shocks loose very little "spring" over the years. It is the breakdown of the oil and valves (which are nothing more than extremely thing washers acting like reed valves in a 2 stroke engine) that causes us to become unhappy with our shock's performance.

Kent did the respring, revalve, and rebuild of my shock for $453.00. Total cost. I am very happy with the results and will use him again and again. If you are interested, he is in Jasper, GA.

BTW, I don't in any way mean to obfuscate the results of those who resprung without rebuilding. I haven't tried respringing alone, and it may have worked out just as good. Our front shocks are not serviceable, so who knows, I may try it just to see. It certainly is cheaper than a new shock and well worth a try.

 

[kellenbenz]

I too, am very pleased with the results.

I would recommend that you do both shocks. You are looking at $239 for both springs and the rear really should be off when you do the front anyway. I think that Ian and I both found that the front change made more difference than we thought it would.

When I park near other LT's with stock shocks I can see a marked difference in the distance between the front fender and the lower portion of the nose cone.

Hope that helps,

Ron

 

[pushin9s]

I too, am very pleased with the results.

I would recommend that you do both shocks. You are looking at $239 for both springs and the rear really should be off when you do the front anyway. I think that Ian and I both found that the front change made more difference than we thought it would.

When I park near other LT's with stock shocks I can see a marked difference in the distance between the front fender and the lower portion of the nose cone.

Hope that helps,

Ron

Ron,

Do you notice any harsh rebound with the heavier springs on the stock front shock? And, how much heavier did you go?

My stock shock has 73,000 on it and I don't have any ground clearance at all, even with the newly rebuilt rear shock. I'm thinking if I resprung my front shock now, I'd just be going down the road on a pogo stick.

I'm very interested in getting some help for the front of my LT. Perhaps a low mileage used shock and a new spring would do it for me too. I don't ride the LT as much as the RT, but when I do, it's usually loaded to the max and for long duration. (We're in the middle of a 6K trip now)

 

[DavidTaylor]

I had the stock rear shock revalved and resprung on my 99 LT. It cost about $300, which is cheaper than going to Ohlins or other aftermarket (although I highly recommend Ohlins if you can swing it, made my 02 and 05 LTs awesome). You will need to find a good suspension shop that know show to work on motorcycle shocks and can set it up the way you want it. I use Lindemann Race Suspensions here in San Jose.

HTH

 

[coug66]

The front shock gave 75% of the overall suspension improvement the back was probably 25% or less. I do like that the adjuster now is set on the rear at about half. Before the preload was all the way in.

The front shock is a pain to get to but well worth the effort for stock suspension improvement.

perhaps its the progressive function of the springs that doesn't create the rebound issues but I have not had issues with rebound.

I weigh about 340 lbs so I generally ride on the lower end of most suspensions but the bike feels very capable with the new springs.
Ian

 

[kellenbenz]

Ron,

Do you notice any harsh rebound with the heavier springs on the stock front shock? And, how much heavier did you go?

My stock shock has 73,000 on it and I don't have any ground clearance at all, even with the newly rebuilt rear shock. I'm thinking if I resprung my front shock now, I'd just be going down the road on a pogo stick.

I'm very interested in getting some help for the front of my LT. Perhaps a low mileage used shock and a new spring would do it for me too. I don't ride the LT as much as the RT, but when I do, it's usually loaded to the max and for long duration. (We're in the middle of a 6K trip now)

Sorry I didnt see your question earlier. Absolutlely no harshness on the front or rear. I would call the ride more solid but not harsh. Hyperpro only offers the one replacement set of springs for the LT. They are heavier and are rising rate springs. They are specific to and made for our LT's.


Ron