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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through July 09, 2007 » Pro Series Shocks for Big guys only? « Previous Next »

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Xbullet
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

ok... my friendly neighborhood parts guy says that the Buell Pro Series suspension kit is NOT a "performance upgrade" at all, but a kit neccessary for riders 210lbs or heavier.

Not that i don't trust my friendly neighborhood parts guy... i just don't trust his sources. : )

what do you guys think? I'm at 10K and i'm about to do the fork service. i'd like to upgrade my suspension, and i'd like to go factory, however...

(where's the horse's mouth when you need it...): )
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 01:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's both really, and in a way, neither.



A spring is by another name is just a spring, isn't it?

If you are an average weight rider,( 160#), the Pro Spring kit is a performance upgrade.

If you weigh over 210, ( my unhappy situation), it is more of a necessity to get the proper amount of sag.

If you are a aggressive rider AND over 210#, you will need a heavier spring than the Buell Kit springs.

As shocks are valved according to spring weight, the aggressive rider who weighs over 210# will benefit from both heavier springs and re-valved shocks.

The heavier aggressive rider who wants the best out of his motor cycle might investigate replacing the rear shock with an aftermarket item, and getting heavier springs and new shock internals for the front fork, or replacing the front forks with competition grade items.

Might be cheaper to just join Weight Watchers.

Got it?
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Barker
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 01:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I lost 50 lbs in 6 months, for some reason the bike hauls a$$ now.

Any ready to go kits for 03 XB's?

(Message edited by barker on July 06, 2007)
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Swordsman
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 01:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Dude! Lay off the meth!

~SM
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 02:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Barker

Nice going on losing the 50. I did the same. Real life saver.

As far as the '03's are concerned, Buell no longer supplies a spring that will work on the front forks. The rear spring will work.

Some suspension specialists, like Ed Kwaterski of Trackside Engineering, can fit another aftermarket spring to the front fork, and revalve the shock at the same time.

Upgraded and properly tuned suspension, is more important than engine mods for going fast in the tight stuff.
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Sweatmark
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 04:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As Jon mentions, spring choice depends... and recommend you apply the funds required for the 10k fork service towards custom upgrades (spring and revalve, new seals) with a moto suspension specialist.

Did something similar to my XB forks (have 2 sets, 41 and 43mm): 0.95 kg/mm springs and the suspension shop's custom bottom end magic. For my weight (>210), the difference is front end stability - especially controlled fork compression under hard braking - has been worth every penny. Fork mods cost $400+ in parts and labor per set.

For reference - I asked my suspension shop to measure fork spring rates of OE Showa (43mm 2005+) and Buell's Pro kit springs:

OE XB9/12 R/S regular height forks - 0.85 kg/mm

Buell Pro kit fork springs - 0.90 kg/mm

I went with 0.95 as best fit for my weight and riding style.

In case anyone's interested, I have the 43mm Buell ProRace springs, new & unused.
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07xb12scg
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 05:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

ok... my friendly neighborhood parts guy says that the Buell Pro Series suspension kit is NOT a "performance upgrade" at all, but a kit neccessary for riders 210lbs or heavier.
Tell him you feel your Buell is unsafe with the current suspension and that you should get this free suspension upgrade so that a guy of your size is safe on Buells. Tell him to consider it warranty work or a recall to adapt the Buell to your size! I'm sure that won't work, but if he believes his own theory that the Pro Suspension kit is necessary for larger guys he would work something out for you. Will he? Probably not. He was doing what a salesman does best...lying to make a sale!
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Olinxb12r
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 05:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Interesting read. I never really considered that manufacturers would consider the average rider to be 160 lbs.... I don't consider myself to be a big guy at all, and I'm running 200 lbs in boxers, and probably close to 210 with gear on... I would think the average rider is much closer to 200 lbs than 160 lbs..
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Mikef5000
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 05:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You're gear only weights in at 10 lb's? No Fair!
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Cochise
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Brian, do you need a bigger spring? I have one in the box, if you want it. It retails for $114.95. I'll give it to you for $50 plus shipping.
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Fmaxwell
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Nice going on losing the 50. I did the same. Real life saver.

Last year, I went from 305 pounds to under 190. At 6'2", I'm okay with my new weight. Before that weight loss, the XB12Ss would have been too small a bike for me and a passenger.
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Dtx
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I was bummed when I read that the Pro Series Springs only fit the 43mm forks. My 04 has the 41mm forks.
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

thanks for the spring rates, Sweat.

Every little bit of information is an important piece of the puzzle.
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

DTX -

You still have a couple of options:

1. Get Trackside Engineering or other suspension specialist to fit an aftermarket spring to your existing 41mm forks. This worked well for me. I had them re-valve the dampers at the same time.

2. Sell your forks, and get the 43mm ones and fit the Pro kit. You will also need a new lower triple clamp.
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Teddagreek
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 07:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I love mine... Had mine done on the 10K.. Also change over to Diablo Corsa III..

Like a whole other bike.. Think about your tank bag as well.. I'm sure mine can be 20LB's on certain days.

I'm 6'1" and 260 with all my gear, not including my tank bag or My back pack I tote to work..




Fat guy on a little buell...
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Xbullet
Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 03:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

lol.

thanks guys. i withheld my own weight on this, but i'm 160 plus gear. my parts guy was actually talking himself OUT OF a sale. looks like i might go ahead and make him order them anyway.

i'm one of those little bastards that the bike doesn't notice. : )
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