Tracer rear shock change to GT

[Sqbydoo]

Hello,

I recently bought a used Tracer 900 2018, and I am thinking that maybe I made a mistake and should have gotten the GT. I know little on how suspension is important to ridding with a passenger and language. So I am hunting for parts to make my non GT to GT ;]

My questions:

• will changing a stock rear shock to a stock rear GT shock will help me out. I found a used one and considering buying it.
• If I change the back one do I need to change the front to be fully adjustable as well?
• will 2020 GT rear shock fit my 2018 Tracer?

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

[quaxum]

It should fit. but why would u want to? just get after market shocks. I have the GT. i changed mine to after-market shocks as well. wayyyyyy better.

[Sqbydoo]

Well at this point I don't think I can afford new after market shocks. So I saw a deal that is good in my opinion and thought it could be a good small upgrade for my ride. I usually ride in a city with a passenger, but we often go to short camping trips and etc, although I never adjusted suspension before ( mostly because it's tricky and takes time ), but I thought I should help me to ride smoother if I can adjust it on a fly. 

[betoney]

I don't think the internal damping is different, the GT just has a remote preload knob vs adjusting it with a spanner.  I don't think the "ride quality" will change at all.  If you were going to change anything relatively cheap, I would suggest the correct spring rate for your cargo weight.

[Sqbydoo]

Hey. Thanks for the input, I was thinking because I will be able to adjust it on a fly it would help me to set my suspension correctly for the weight I would carry at that time. In other words it would make it easier to got from single rider to 2 riders to 2 riders with luggage. 

I am very noob in mechanics so are you suggesting "correct spring rate" as in changing just the spring on a stock sock?

thanks

[betoney]

19 minutes ago, Sqbydoo said:

Hey. Thanks for the input, I was thinking because I will be able to adjust it on a fly it would help me to set my suspension correctly for the weight I would carry at that time. In other words it would make it easier to got from single rider to 2 riders to 2 riders with luggage. 

I am very noob in mechanics so are you suggesting "correct spring rate" as in changing just the spring on a stock sock?

thanks

Setting your spring preload doesn't in any way change the internal damping of the shock or forks.  Both the Tracer and GT have rebound damping adjustment on the shock.

Springs are classified by 'spring-rate' (and I am generalizing here just to make an example) springs are rated for a specific rider weight or load, a .95 spring might be good for a rider 180-220lbs, a 1.0 spring might be rated for 220-250lbs. again, just an example, talk to a suspension specialist to get exact recommendations for your needs.

The correct spring can have a huge effect on handling, especially with a passenger and camping gear.  If the stock bike is rated for a 170lb rider and you and your cargo are 370lbs, that excess cargo weight is going to make a difference on handling since most of it is on the rear of the bike.

[Sqbydoo]

3 minutes ago, betoney said:

Setting your spring preload doesn't in any way change the internal damping of the shock or forks.  Both the Tracer and GT have rebound damping adjustment on the shock.

Springs are classified by 'spring-rate' (and I am generalizing here just to make an example) springs are rated for a specific rider weight or load, a .95 spring might be good for a rider 180-220lbs, a 1.0 spring might be rated for 220-250lbs. again, just an example, talk to a suspension specialist to get exact recommendations for your needs.

The correct spring can have a huge effect on handling, especially with a passenger and camping gear.  If the stock bike is rated for a 170lb rider and you and your cargo are 370lbs, that excess cargo weight is going to make a difference on handling since most of it is on the rear of the bike.

Thanks a lot for taking your time to help me. That is shinning some light for me. So I don't understand then what are the benefits of the remote preload? I was under the impression that you adjust it depending how much wight you put on the bike.

p.s. how to I know what spring I have? 

[thewrenchbender]

59 minutes ago, Sqbydoo said:

Thanks a lot for taking your time to help me. That is shinning some light for me. So I don't understand then what are the benefits of the remote preload? I was under the impression that you adjust it depending how much wight you put on the bike.

p.s. how to I know what spring I have? 

From what I’ve read, at 195 lbs dressed I need to have the remote control dialed almost all the way in to get the proper amount of sag for the stock shock.

Which means the remote is relatively useless for adjusting for 2-up. If it was re-“sprung” I could have more range of adjustment left for adding a rider.

With regard to going aftermarket vs OEM, could maybe find an slightly used OEM GT from someone that swapped it out.

Guessing someone could help you with the spring replacement recommendation-def beyond my experience level. 

[SKYFLIX]

I put about 800 miles on my new GT before swapping out the shock for a Penske. Would I love to get some money back by selling my GT shock? Absolutely. Would I ever do anyone a disservice by suggesting they replace their shock with this one? Not a chance. Honestly, don't even consider it. Just my $0.02. I'm keeping it just so I can put it back on the bike when and if I ever sell it.

[Sqbydoo]

Great thank you all for your support. I guess I will be hunting for a deal on aftermarket shock. The person selling the OEM GT shock actually was super nice and basically told me that he changed it because ridding 2-up with stuff OEM was not enough. He also mentioned that respiring would almost cost the same as buying after market. 

Thanks again for all the tips.

[betoney]

1 hour ago, Sqbydoo said:

So I don't understand then what are the benefits of the remote preload? I was under the impression that you adjust it depending how much wight you put on the bike

Correct.  The only difference between the remote adjustment of the GT and manual adjustment on the Tracer is convenience.  You turn a knob vs using a spanner wrench to make the adjustment. 

[Sqbydoo]

2 hours ago, thewrenchbender said:

From what I’ve read, at 195 lbs dressed I need to have the remote control dialed almost all the way in to get the proper amount of sag for the stock shock.

Which means the remote is relatively useless for adjusting for 2-up. If it was re-“sprung” I could have more range of adjustment left for adding a rider.

With regard to going aftermarket vs OEM, could maybe find an slightly used OEM GT from someone that swapped it out.

Guessing someone could help you with the spring replacement recommendation-def beyond my experience level. 

Yes that's what I found and it was 300$ so thought its a great deal, but if it doesn't help me apart from being convenient to adjust I should probably look for better options.

Thanks

[johnmark101]

Another option is to have your stock components rebuilt for your weight.  I have two bikes.  The Tracer and a Ninja 1000.  For the Ninja I had my stock fork rebuilt which was basically new springs and valves and the same for the rear shock.  On the Tracer I bought a Penske rear shock and AK-20 fork cartridges.  The rebuilt suspension for the Ninja was half the cost and gave me about 70 percent of the performance by comparison.  Yes, the Penske / AK-20 set up is better but the rebuild on the Ninja was a lot of bang for the buck!!

[lospsi]

Hi guys,

wonder if anyone knows if the GT rear shock could be installed on a 2015 Tracer 900?