What is the expected life of the Wee suspension under normal on-road use? I hear a lot about folks switching to new springs or a new shock to improve the suspension, but never hear about making a switch because the old springs or shock are worn out. Do they basically last forever?

Look at it this way: Why not upgade now and spread the cost of the new suspension over a longer period of time. Otherwise you risk replacing the suspention just before you replace the bike.

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Sent from my Hewlett-Packard 75C, using the Flying Merkel motorcycle app.

Stromin'Nroman NC28729, USA

DL650A K7 (Greywolf Moto Lab's R&D test mule) June 1, 2012 - present
DL650A K7 April 23, 2007 - January 6, 2012, RIP

"Look here brother, who you jivin' with that cosmik debris?" Frank Zappa, 1975

I am happy with the current suspension after 10,000 miles. If you are happy too, don't worry, just ride.

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1972 CB350 (gold)
1983 CB750 Nighthawk (black)
2012 DL650/EXP (orange)

I ride my Wee pretty much every day. Could the suspension be made better? Of course. Would I love riding it more? Maybe a little. I've got 74K mi on mine. Rear damping is a bit softer than new; the front is pretty much what its always been. I haven't worried about it and probably won't until something breaks. I ride mostly pavement, but I've done a lot of fire roads in the last couple of years.

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09 DL650 ABS

MadStad + stock shield, JCW large topbox, Tuturo chain oiler, Heaterz grips, Suzuki hand guards, GIVI side guards, Aprilia Tuono mirrors, 36l Givi panniers, Richland Rick fork brace, Pipercross Air Filter

http://www.aldntn.bravejournal.com/

Another point of view: I rarely change the suspension on my bikes. Only once did I find that I had to replace suspension components because they were worn out and that was on a 1979 GoldWing that I bought in 2007 (original rear shocks had no damping).

Lots of people are heavier than the average designed-for weight of a production bike and find some benefit in changing the suspension. However, in one case, an acquaintence who had custom suspension done and then lost 60 lbs, finds that the suspension now needs retuning because it is too harsh.

In addition, I know of people who have spent big bucks on aftermarket rear shocks, and then find that they need rebuilding after as little as one season.

Personally, I can't justify the expense of aftermarket shocks on premium bikes. And I sure wouldn't be able to justify the expense on my wee.

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2009 DL650 ABS (with touring kit)
2004 Honda ST1300

The shock is probably good for something like 50,000 miles, plus or minus a lot. In the front you'll eventually get bushing and seal wear. And, the front will feel better if the crud in the old oil is drained and new oil added.

I don't think I've heard of these springs fatiguing, but for any vehicle, the suspension does best when the springs are matched to the load.

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Rooster today
Feather duster tomorrow

plus or minus a lot, I like that

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It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

DL650 (love it)
BMW R100RS (20 years and 100,000k)
Honda XL185S (chases sheep around the farm)
Yamaha YF400 (feeds the sheep, pulls trailers, great up river beds)
Yamaha YB50 (crossed the Southern Alps on that one)
Velosolex S3800 (a blonde moment, please excuse me)
And gone are: Raleigh Runabout (x 2), Yamaha FS1E, Honda CD175, MZ Trophy, Suzuki SP370, Yamaha RD 350, Suzuki GT 750, Triumph 5TA, BSA B40, Honda 400/4, James Cadet, Honda XL 185 (but bought another one), Suzuki YF500?, Honda S90 (which I wish wish wish I still had) and a few more which the grey matter won't release at the present.

When I was a boy my parents said 'you are NOT having a motorcycle'. So I had lots.

I just passed 53,000 miles, suspension is just fine. No problems, real or imaginary, worth spending money on. This bike rides and handles great.

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2008 Suzuki V-Strom 650: 54,000 miles as of Jan 2013
http://www.suzuki2strokes.com/forum/.../site_logo.gif
Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

An easy rider isn't really missing that much. To a go-fast rider the difference is bigger. You won't realize what you were missing until after you upgrade.

Bill

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64 Hon cub 50, 67 Hon trail 90, 68 Yam 180 twin, 66 Hon 305 dream, 71 Yam 175 enduro, 73 Yam tx500, 70 Hon sl100, 75 Hon xl250, 79 Yam sr500 , 95 Kaw en500, 98 Hon cb750, 02 Yam fz1, 06 Suz dl650, 07 Hon ST1300



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Rte 630 in New Brunswick (dirt road) took out the shock on my '07. Bike had about 40K miles on it.

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-Tom (DL650AL2) (KA1TOX) (E-I-E-I-O)

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