xt660z spring rates?
 

Hi guys, just installed a new spring for the rear shock with a spring weight of 9kg, to suite a rider weight of 105 kg. The weights were worked out by a suspension tuner, for a mix of offroad day trips based on 100kg rider weight (me + riding gear) and touring every so often based on 130kg rider weight (me + riding gear + camping gear etc:), with 105kg being a compromise to cover all my riding,however after I installed it I found i now have no static or rider sag based on the 105kg rider weight! The suspension tuner is a reputable company, have they messed up the weights? I don't think there's any binding in the shock/linkage bolts and i have the preload set at the softest position. It would be great to here what spring rate other Tenere's are running!

9Kg (or 90N I assume) is quite "stiff" spring, but not unreasonable I suppose for a 130KG load and you definitely should see some sag to speak of with your rider weight 105Kg.

Most up-rated springs I've heard of people using tend to be 80N, and the odd rider using 90N, but that's with a new shock, such as Ohlins for example. Most people who change out the OE spring go for a progressive like Hyperpro, not heard of anyone changing for a linear rate? I think a 90N spring would ask too much of the already suspect OE Sachs' shocks damping ability!

What spring did they fit?

The other catch is that a 90N spring might have been calculated correctly and be fine for your weight, but if it was longer than stock, then you could end up with no sag even with no preload as you have found (because it would have been excessively preloaded when fitted to the shock body). Are you sure your suspension chaps fitted the correct length spring?

Oh, by the way... :006: Hi and welcome to the forum! ;)

Thanks for the reply, after some inquiries to the supplier of the springs I found out the wrong spring was sent, as you mentioned it was too long, hence it had preload from the start!!! As a result I decided to get things done properly and sent my shock and forks to them for a full rebuild including a revalve.

The shock spring was quoted as being 9kg/mm and fork springs at .60kg/mm so probably on the firm side, but as I come from an off road back ground I hope I can skip over trail trash (water bars/ruts) and know the suspension can handle it.

Guess I should go to newbie lounge and introduce my self now!

Cheers

Glad you got it sorted, simple mistake by the supplier. What springs are you using out of interest?

I run 6.0N linear springs (Ohlins) on the front and a 72N-86N progressive (Yacugar shock) at the rear, which isn't that far off your spring rates (and you're heavier than me ;) ), so I reckon it probably won't be overly firm.