Adjust suspension or not?
 

Hi!

I can't decide: should I make a change in the suspension or not? (if yes, how)
I'm gonna travel through Africa on my XT600E ('95). I already tried the motor fully loaded for 3 weeks (also some dirt) and I thought there was no problem with the suspension. But 3 weeks is a bit different then a whole year!
But (1), I weigh only 64 kilos, so I'm not that heavy, and I already had so many expenses!
But (2) I read often that the suspension of this model is bad and you should change it.

I can't decide!!! What do you think?

Marianne

Hello Marianne, it all depends in what state the rear damper is. If it's not damping enough anymore or if the gas has leaked out you can have it rebuilt by Jan Droog in Pijnacker. If you don't have WP progressive springs in the front yet, buy them ! Hein Gericke has new multigrade front fork oil [very good for extreme conditions].



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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

Ha Marianne,

You're the one from the Dutch Tenere forum?

During our trip in Africa one overhauled standard rear shock lost all the oil and was replaced by Technoflex. On the other bike the rear shock (also standard and overhauled) just made it to RSA. The nitrogen has already disappeared, oil will follow after some more off-road.

The endless coorugations are the worst for the shock: we had one shock with a sticker on it that caught flame because the shock heated up so much.

Advice would be to at least change the spring to heavier, better would be (pain for the wallet) to have a good after market one.
Driving off-road with a broken shock is a serious challenge!

Auke

hi,

yes, a good rear shock absorber is expensive (WP, Oehlins, Technoflex)

maybe someone here on the forum, in holland, can borough you his for the trip and after the trip you return it after you got a service on it.

I am riding a tenere around the world. I left with the standard shock. In Istanbul after only 12.000km it started to leak oil. I got an Oehlins and used it for 85.000km, for more than 20.000kms two up. I got it rebuild twice, but here in south america it is difficult to get it done right. So I got a new Technoflex. My advise. Get a good one in Holland, this will save you trouble along the way, don´t try to save money with rebuilding the standard or putting another spring.

I would give you my Oehlins, but I dont think it fits into the 95 xt, and it is in Chile without a spring and you would have to get it rebuild right. So I guess this would not safe you any money.

I don´t know if you have to upgrate the front suspension, I traveled 120.000km with the standard springs, but than changed to Technoflex and new oil.

Enjoy Africa

MIKA from Bogota Colombia

My answer is : YES !

The standard XTE shock is even worse than the older ones (no damping regulation) and 7 yrs means that probabily is already leaking.
Logically , the heavier the weight, bigger the problem, but a "finished" monoshock on rough terrain represent more fatigue, less control and more risks..Good advice also to change the springs with progressive ones,
for cheaper but good alternatives to Ohlins & WP you may look to www.bitubo.com (good shocks and lot of models also for old models) or Koni (have not a link.)

On your bike I also would change the carburettor with a TeikeiY27PV (the model mounted on older teneré and XT's) to regain the original power (and low-down punch so good and useful) and alloy rims - all these peices is possible to find very cheap from uesde parts and wreckages..

Hello Giorgio,

can you send us in Holland a container of wheels from your second hand source? We're especially looking for XT600Z and XTZ660, but also some XTZ750 and XT600.
Saluti,

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

Thanx for all your advise. I'm sure now I'm gonna change the suspension. Now, I'm looking for the best option.

O, and yes Auke, I'm the one who wrote something on the Tenere-site. Thanx for your answer there too.

Marianne

www.motorbikes2africa.nl