Is the 999 shock an decent upgrade over the stock S2R 800 shock?

[jim_0068]

I am 5'11" and about 225lbs w/o gear on and am losing some weight but i know the S2R needs to be resprung for my weight. I don't want to get into anything exotic suspension wise as i'm not a track day guy but something that works well and supports my weight is something i'd like to achieve.

Is the 999 shock a good replacement? I know if i do this change i will have to modify my coil bracket to get it to fit but i'm ok with that. Just want to make sure it's worth my time/money/effort to make the change.

Thanks

[pennyrobber]

It would be a good upgrade as you would be getting adjustability and a better overall shock. You would still need to respring the 999 shock though. Also, I could be wrong but the piggy back reservoir might cause clearance issues with the swing arm.

[jim_0068]

I know I still need to respring just seeing if the swap is worth it. I think I only have to relocate the coil bracket.

[pennyrobber]

Whether it would be worth it or not depends on how much the 999 shock is going for. If you could get a used unit with low miles at a descent price, then I say go for it. I know a guy who upgraded his stock monster shock for a unit of a 749 and is happy with the upgrade.

[jim_0068]

Less than a hundo an ok price?

[Speeddog]

You'll need a new spring either way, so it's cheaper to just respring your existing shock.

Speculation:
AFAIK, the 999 shock is shorter.
If that's the case, you would need to lengthen the pushrod to regain the ride height.
That changes the geometry of the linkage, probably for the worse.

I've not seen anyone document their switch to a 999 shock, or maybe I've missed it...

[jim_0068]

Someone hear did one on an S2R 1000. I pm'd him but don't have a response yet.

[rule62]

<snip>I know a guy who upgraded his stock monster shock for a unit of a 749 and is happy with the upgrade.

"That guy" is me.  The swap was on a DSS model, but I don't think the piggyback will be a problem on the SSS either.  Crankcase breather catch-box, coil mount relocation is simple.  The shock is the same length, but I opted to add some ride height while I was in there anyway.  (Don't add too much or you'll need to modify/lengthen your kickstand. AMHIK)  I got the shock for about $50 bones.  It's a Sachs unit. 

Overall, the compression and rebound damping are great to have.  The stock 749/999 springs are even softer than the Monster's.  I've just been riding with some pre-load cranked in for about 4 years.  It's not ideal, but it's better than the stocker.  Just picked up a spring compressor from Harbor Freight.  Gonna swap springs real soon.

[jim_0068]

the person I was referring to was a s2r 1000 owner. Put the vi up on YouTube too of the swap. EITHER WAY thank you for the input.

[El Matador]

the person I was referring to was a s2r 1000 owner. Put the vi up on YouTube too of the swap. EITHER WAY thank you for the input.

That would be He-man.

[rule62]

the person I was referring to was a s2r 1000 owner. Put the vi up on YouTube too of the swap. EITHER WAY thank you for the input.

Oops, I was referring to the "that guy" pennyrobber's post. I've got no FHE with the single-sided jobs.  Hope I helped a little bit nonetheless.  Good luck.  Just be patient and wait until you can get a real bargain on the 749/999 unit.  then, if you don't like it, it's no harm / no foul.  See if you can get a Showa.  Some say the valving is superior to the Sachs.

[He Man]

i rememebr responding to your PM 2 days after i got it.... lol

the 999 shock is the same length as the stock shock. Its a lot better than stock. smoother overall. but the valving is for 7.8kg/mm. for your weight it might just be better to just get a spring on your stock shock because your way way out of the valves range anyway.

the 1098 shock is shorter by i think 20mm. You need to crank up your ride height bar to account for the lost in shock height. Im not sure if the stock ride height has enough thread for that though.


But if you do want to install it, you have to chop the coil bracket and relocate the breather.

[jim_0068]

ok, i'm confused.

I 100% understand that i have to respring no matter what. I'm good with that BUT is the 999 showa a "worthy" upgrade over the S2R 800 stocker? I have no issues with the minor wrenching to get it to fit.

[He Man]

it is. but what im trying to say is, if you dont replace the valve to match, it wont be much better than a sachs. if you were really ballsy, you could open up the shock and port the valves.

[jim_0068]

ok, that makes more sense.