surlyman Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 I just purchased fj with the idea of riding mostly solo with some 2 up with my wife. Unfortunately I didn't realize the max capacity was 397. Solo is cool but with wife and our gear we are at about 50 lbs over. Should I be super concerned being 12% over weight? I figured I might have to upgrade/replace rear shock. BuilderBob suggested I try just replacing rear spring. I really love this bike and my wife, I just need to figure out how to safely keep both. Question is do I just need a beefier spring or beefier tires, or replacement of rear/front shocks and springs or just max out pre-load and go on with my life? Any and all input or suggestions would really be appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbr600 Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 I had a similar conversation during a Horizons Unlimited workshop. I was told suspension and tire load are the things to worry about. I was worried about swing arm, bearings, etc.. For tires, check pressure will not increase more than 10% after a 30 min ride. More air is required if it does. And since the tire has a maximum pressure, different tires may come into play. I think for 50 lb, builderbob's advise is reasonable. But you may want to check sag front/rear fully loaded to make sure. I am no suspension expert but that seems to be a common recommendation as a starting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member wessie Posted May 13, 2016 Premium Member Share Posted May 13, 2016 can't be that hard to shed 25lbs each with a combination of a diet and ditching unnecessary luggage This signature is left blank as the poster writes enough pretentious bollocks as it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traceroz Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 I've never regarded this bike as a 2-up machine. I'm 6' and 220lbs, so throw on some leathers, luggage and a rack of gear, and I'm nearing the 300lbs+ mark. IMHO, this is pushing the limits of the OEM suspension. You need to really look at the gear that you are carrying, if you at topping 2-up at 450lbs! That is a hell of a lot of weight to hang over the rear of the bike. There is always a sidecar to consider........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjuster Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 It handles it fine. Better than the FZ09 did, but they say the rates are the same? I don't agree. The FJ09 is much firmer, and I'm a big dude working on becoming a smaller dude again. But I'm not going to limit my riding fun just because I'm a fan of food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norwest Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 It handles it fine. Better than the FZ09 did, but they say the rates are the same? I don't agree. The FJ09 is much firmer, and I'm a big dude working on becoming a smaller dude again. But I'm not going to limit my riding fun just because I'm a fan of food. So are you saying that an opinion is more accurate then a calibrated spring rate tester? Interesting theory. Yes I said the rates were the same but the FJ09 does have a longer spring so a bit more preload assuming the same ramp position. Also the valving is night and day comparing the FZ09 to the FJ09 so yeah it would feel firmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justplainbill Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 I just purchased fj with the idea of riding mostly solo with some 2 up with my wife. Unfortunately I didn't realize the max capacity was 397. Solo is cool but with wife and our gear we are at about 50 lbs over. Should I be super concerned being 12% over weight? I figured I might have to upgrade/replace rear shock. BuilderBob suggested I try just replacing rear spring. I really love this bike and my wife, I just need to figure out how to safely keep both. Question is do I just need a beefier spring or beefier tires, or replacement of rear/front shocks and springs or just max out pre-load and go on with my life? Any and all input or suggestions would really be appreciated! Not sure if this will help surlyman, but I listed a used shock spring rated 13.1 Kg./mm (733 lb./in) for sale in the classified section. That will handle a 280 pound rider or rider/pillion (without gear). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxr Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 I weigh 270 lbs in gear. Stock shock spring was too soft and used up a lot of travel. There is no way I would try two up with stock suspension. Race Tech gave me 650 lb/in shock spring. Ohlins has me with 625 lb/in shock spring and NX-30 fork inserts with (I think) 57 lb/in springs. I did a short ride with my wife with Ohlins. She weighs 100 lbs in gear, so 370 lbs two up and bike handled pretty good considering that much weight, used barely 1/2" extra shock travel with her. A few qualifications, shock and fork valving varies considerable between different brands and can make relevant comparisons of spring rates difficult. Next, I put on a back rest (taken off another bike and mounted with home made brackets) which kept her, and me, as far forward at practical. She was comfortable, but I would not be comfortable to ride more than an hour, which is the most she will ride at any one time anyway. Lastly, I never went over 50 mph, only city driving. That is all she will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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