I'm having difficulty finding options for a replacement rear suspension. I'm going to need a stiffer spring than the stock one, I'm 5'11" and about 205lbs. Would I need to change out the entire suspension system back there, or would I just be able to get a stiffer spring than the stock one?
I'm so ignorant on suspension, I need to attend a suspension clinic this summer.
In my humble opinion, the most critical part is the spring.
The damper itself isn't really really bad. At least not as bad as the stock spring.
I think you may find that a stiffer spring, which is almost cheap, will fit your upgraded damper should you decide to get that as well later on. Maybe try that first and see what happens. You'll need to adjust the rebound to match a stiffer spring, but that's easy.
When you decide what to do, make a budget that includes a little for the forks as well - they need it even more.
I did more, but I've heard nice stories about new springs and heavier oil.
I do want to swap out the forks for something adjustable. I'd probably look to find forks that fit the dimensions of my triples. Would GSX forks be the best option in this case?
forks from a monster S4, S2R1000, or ST2/ST4 will all bolt in with no modifications, are adjustable and are way better than the stock forks, which completely suck. The S4 forks are the best as they have linear springs and are fully adjustable. I have them on my 695. For the rear, find a shock from an early ST2 with the remote reservoir. I put one in mine, it bolted right in and works quite well.
A proper linear spring for your weight will help an awful lot and only set you back a little over $100.
+1 for what Howie said cheapest fix + heavier weight oil in the forks [thumbsup]
My 695 was awful with my weight of 90kg scraping pipes wallowing and all that.
Put a heavier wieght Ohlins spring on it = ^ above was solved.
But gone even further now with same spring on a piggy back shock from (I think it was a 749/999)
had to put a crankcase breather on and bend the frame tab for wires for it to fit wires up under the seat now.
and forks from a ST2 new seals and 10 w oil fully adjustable front and back
The bike rails corners and soooo much safer at speed
I was going to get rid of the bike now I love it.
Thanks guys. I just finished some a month of modifications, and now that I'm riding with clipons I feel the suspension issues more than before. I think I'll be looking around for S4 forks and a new shock absorber spring very soon.
By the way, anyone have a source for an Ohlins spring? I'm having a hard time finding anything other than full shock absorbers.
Quote from: howie on February 13, 2010, 03:04:44 AM
A proper linear spring for your weight will help an awful lot and only set you back a little over $100.
Howie, what would be the proper weight for a new spring? I'm about 220# and want to swap the rear spring on my 800 Dark, same frame and suspension as the 695 I think. It seems if you've got Marzocchi non-adjustable forks and the stock rear no one wants to talk to you about anything but a complete refit and you have to find the solution yourself.
I swapped my front springs and oil and the front is so much better now. Any idea what weight spring I need for the rear? I should probably mention that I seem to prefer stiff springs and light damping.
Scott
here's some forks that will work...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Monster-S4-S4R-900-SHOWA-INVERTED-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c1043ac28QQitemZ120531954728QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Monster-S4-S4R-900-SHOWA-INVERTED-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c1043ac28QQitemZ120531954728QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Monster-S2R1000-3-way-Adjustable-Showa-forks_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eab28ac60QQitemZ200440065120QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Monster-S2R1000-3-way-Adjustable-Showa-forks_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eab28ac60QQitemZ200440065120QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-MONSTER-S2R-1000-S4R-695-ADJ-SHOWA-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27aeeb210cQQitemZ170438369548QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-MONSTER-S2R-1000-S4R-695-ADJ-SHOWA-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27aeeb210cQQitemZ170438369548QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
http://cgi.ebay.com/01-02-03-Ducati-Monster-900-S4-Front-Forks-Showa-Str8_W0QQitemZ260538117826QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca9482ec2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/01-02-03-Ducati-Monster-900-S4-Front-Forks-Showa-Str8_W0QQitemZ260538117826QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca9482ec2)
Quote from: scott_araujo on February 16, 2010, 08:52:02 PM
Howie, what would be the proper weight for a new spring? I'm about 220# and want to swap the rear spring on my 800 Dark, same frame and suspension as the 695 I think. It seems if you've got Marzocchi non-adjustable forks and the stock rear no one wants to talk to you about anything but a complete refit and you have to find the solution yourself.
I swapped my front springs and oil and the front is so much better now. Any idea what weight spring I need for the rear? I should probably mention that I seem to prefer stiff springs and light damping.
Scott
I don't know what spring you need. Race Tech has a chart, but I would not go with what they recommend. Speeddog or ducvet would be the folks to ask. Tell them what springs and oil you are running in the front and your riding style and preferences are. Oh, if you send ducvet your shock he can do magic with it.
Quote from: NoisyDante on February 13, 2010, 02:17:17 PM
By the way, anyone have a source for an Ohlins spring? I'm having a hard time finding anything other than full shock absorbers.
www.clubhousemotorsports.com (//http://) He's a sponsor.
He doesn't have an online store. Call him.
Thanks Howie.
Thanks guys, much appreciated
Quote from: cduarte on February 17, 2010, 02:13:57 AM
here's some forks that will work...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Monster-S4-S4R-900-SHOWA-INVERTED-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c1043ac28QQitemZ120531954728QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Monster-S4-S4R-900-SHOWA-INVERTED-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c1043ac28QQitemZ120531954728QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Monster-S2R1000-3-way-Adjustable-Showa-forks_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eab28ac60QQitemZ200440065120QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Monster-S2R1000-3-way-Adjustable-Showa-forks_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eab28ac60QQitemZ200440065120QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-MONSTER-S2R-1000-S4R-695-ADJ-SHOWA-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27aeeb210cQQitemZ170438369548QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-MONSTER-S2R-1000-S4R-695-ADJ-SHOWA-FRONT-FORKS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27aeeb210cQQitemZ170438369548QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
http://cgi.ebay.com/01-02-03-Ducati-Monster-900-S4-Front-Forks-Showa-Str8_W0QQitemZ260538117826QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca9482ec2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/01-02-03-Ducati-Monster-900-S4-Front-Forks-Showa-Str8_W0QQitemZ260538117826QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca9482ec2)
Nice, thanks. Is there a pair here that might be considered more desireable than the others?
S4 forks have straight-rate springs, but the valving is pretty harsh.
S2R1000 forks have better valving, but the progressive springs are junk.
@ Dante, to be set up correctly, you would need new springs with either fork.
So with new spring needed regardless, the S2R1000 forks might be the better item to look around for?
Regardless if I nab a pair or I modify my stock forks, we'll be doing some suspension work soon. [thumbsup]
Speeddog,
Any guesstimate on what spring rate would be good for the stock rear shock on my '03 800 Dark? I'm about 220#, RaceTech .95 springs up front with 5W fork oil in Marzocchis, and I want to keep the stock rear shock but get a better spring.
Scott
Quote from: NoisyDante on February 17, 2010, 09:08:49 AM
So with new spring needed regardless, the S2R1000 forks might be the better item to look around for?
Regardless if I nab a pair or I modify my stock forks, we'll be doing some suspension work soon. [thumbsup]
Well, not limited to S2R1000 forks, but any 43mm Monster adjustable Showas.
Quote from: scott_araujo on February 17, 2010, 09:32:06 AM
Speeddog,
Any guesstimate on what spring rate would be good for the stock rear shock on my '03 800 Dark? I'm about 220#, RaceTech .95 springs up front with 5W fork oil in Marzocchis, and I want to keep the stock rear shock but get a better spring.
Scott
I'd say a 650 lb/in (11.6 kg/mm) spring.
Quote from: Speeddog on February 17, 2010, 12:45:56 PM
I'd say a 650 lb/in (11.6 kg/mm) spring.
Or an 850 ;) (that's because I'm spesscial)
I'm still wondering how my sag numbers got to 12/36mm with that spring. Only difference from a usual spring is that mine is much longer. Or that someone uses/remembers/measures things in an interesting way. Not important though, it works well...
Sorry if I'm confusing anyone - just blabbering :)
Quote from: Speeddog on February 17, 2010, 08:02:20 AM
S4 forks have straight-rate springs, but the valving is pretty harsh.
S2R1000 forks have better valving, but the progressive springs are junk.
@ Dante, to be set up correctly, you would need new springs with either fork.
interesting. I have S4 forks on my 695, and find the damping works quite well... The forks are in great shape, I won't touch the springs, but I may get them revalved at some point.
Quote from: NoisyDante on February 17, 2010, 06:22:41 AM
Nice, thanks. Is there a pair here that might be considered more desireable than the others?
any of them will work, I'd probably go for the first set if you can get them for $400 or less. Little hint, don't bid until the last 2 minutes or so... ;-)
Quote from: cduarte on February 17, 2010, 03:45:44 PM
interesting. I have S4 forks on my 695, and find the damping works quite well... The forks are in great shape, I won't touch the springs, but I may get them revalved at some point.
Probably don't need to revalve them. ;)
probably not, but you never know. BTW, they are orders of magnitude better than the junk marzochis that the bike came with.
Quote from: Speeddog on February 17, 2010, 12:40:21 PM
Well, not limited to S2R1000 forks, but any 43mm Monster adjustable Showas.
don't forget ST2/4 forks, they work great in a monster as well.
I messed around with my non-stock rear shock spring and eventually ended up with a 625lb spring (180lb rider weight with gear):
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=18054.msg321904#msg321904 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=18054.msg321904#msg321904)
BK
Speeddog, BK, thanks :)
Thanks once again for the suspension advice guys, I'm finalizing the purchase of a pair of S4 forks now.
Noisy Dante, let me know what spring you need (i have a spring that might fit you that ive been trying to get rid of). It might too short for you, or too stiff. im not sure yet
Quote from: He Man on February 23, 2010, 05:49:26 PM
Noisy Dante, let me know what spring you need (i have a spring that might fit you that ive been trying to get rid of). It might too short for you, or too stiff. im not sure yet
Hey HeMan, I did see you have that black PC'd spring in the Parts FS section. Probably wouldn't be too stiff, I'm a solid Italian dude, but it's shorter than the stock spring right? How would that affect the setup?
Don't wait on me though if you've got a buyer, I might need to wait for a couple other jobs to get completed before I can get more toys to play with.
the 1098 shock is shorter than your shock. But i bought the spring a tad bit longer than stock, so you can play with the preload to compensate.
i dont have a buyer since its a very specific spring.
Thanks, I'll definitely let you know when I'm getting ready to tackle the rear suspension issue.