F650 Dakar rear shock
 

currently planning my trip London to Tokyo via Mongolia. Will the standard OEM shock be up to it? If so, should I get it serviced before I go (I'm still to purchase the bike)... I'm travelling one up, weight 79kg and am going lightweight with soft panniers etc.

Will OEM make it? Probably :thumbup1:

Of the 100-200 dakars that do Mongolia, Siberia et al every year, probably 85-90% are on stock suspension. Many of those will even have metal boxes. If you are going lighter then you have less risk. Most of those people on stock shocks have absolutely no suspension problems at all.

Not sure what it will cost to service / overhaul a OEM shock, but for the money involved I would think about an aftermarket one ... much better performance than stock and can be easily custom set up to suit your weight and luggage.

In my opinion, the stock shock will "probably" make it. If you have any doubts or worries about the stock shock, then get one of these ... Hyperpro 3D

http://www.suspensionshop.org/img_hp...gable-Body.jpg

If you want to go aftermarket, I would avoid Ohlins ... they make great racing shocks ... lightweight and high performance (like KTM pistons) but they are not famed for their longevity (just like KTMs 150 hour pistons).

+1 on Ohlins but going aftermarket. I've seen a few examples on ride reports of the cast alloy bottom mounting bracket breaking off on those.

OEM are not servicable AFAIK. I couldn't find a stiffer spring for them either. Keep in mind that when you load them up with luggage (soft is best to keep it a manageable bike) you go well past their performance and design spec.

Weigh all the stuff you want to bring along with all the racks and crash bars etc, and you'll be surprised how much it'll add up to. Most OEM shocks will break because they're overworked I reckon. My mates have dakar's but never load it up, and it's on OEM after a fair few km's. That's mostly dirt roads.

Dakar Shocks
 

Good website Panomoto * Around The World by motorcycle motorbike (see his story on Dakar shock) DC

i will give one for the wilbers, had them recomended to me by few other bmw owners and from a ohlins/wilbers dealer said he says they are better made and built

HyperPro 3D - I checked into those at Colebatch's recommendation- sadly I was told they do not exist for the F650 Dakar.
Wilbers get my vote - taylor made to your weight & needs:thumbup1: