I've done about 6000 miles on the stock shock with 2 aliminium side panniers and a waterproof bag bungeed at the back of the seat. I'm quite heavy too. The manual recommends not to put more than 182kg on the bike including the driver and I reckon I must be 30-40kg more than that. I cant figure what else I can chuck out at this stage. Now even when I'm not fully loaded (ie dont have water or extra fuel on board) I find the bike low and when I stop I have to lean the bike to the right a bit to extend the side stand and then I have to pull the bike over onto the stand. Of course it's also a real pain when there's a flat in the rear tyre as you lose that height provided by an inflated tyre and cant get the stand down at all!!! However, the bike hasnt bottomed out but then I've been on tarred US roads and the odd minor section of reasonable washboard.

So, I took the plunge and bought a complete Progressive 420 series rear monoshock from DualStar. I'm gonna have it fitted in a couple of days time.

Anyone have experience of this shock and know if it really will help me as DualStar "promise"?

Also - anyone have any advice on how to set the shock. (Note that I obviously had the stock shock maxed out on preload and dampening)

The Progressive preload is two rings mounted on a thread on the top of the shock. One ring is used to compress the spring - the other locks the former in place. There is a dampening adjuster that you use an allen key to change.

Talking to Progressive they said that the bike should be fully loaded with rider and that the "sag" when the rider puts his weight on the bike should not be more than one inch.

This "sag" means the movement/compression between the swingarm and the frame of the bike.

Anyone any advice or info on this?

[This message has been edited by gmarch (edited 22 March 2002).]

Well the stock mono is pretty much garbage, from what I'v heard the 420 is MUCH MUCH more durable and performs better.

[This message has been edited by c0_re (edited 07 May 2002).]

Oddly enough, I've had pretty good luck with the stock shock. Bad roads, good roads, no roads, with and without a heavy load. 'Course maybe if I rode a bike with a better suspension I'd know what I was missing: Ingorance is bliss!

Kurt