Advise please?

[alquimista]

I have 2 bikes,  an fj-09 2016, and a Honda xre 300 multipurpose. The FJ09  It's my second bike of use. On the Honda,  the suspension is very comfortable for me. I used to have a Tenere xt660z, and same, very soft and comfortable. I'm 1.91mts, 130 kgms. The suspension of the FJ-09 is just too stiff for me on secondary roads; here in Mexico, these roads are bad quality...and after a while of riding there on the FJ-09, you just get tired and fun fades away. 

I use the FJ-09 maybe once or twice a month, with a long distance travel maybe once a year, hence I would not invest much in a sophisticated suspension upgrade. The specialist recommends :

 

1. Springs upgrade in the front bars, and rear shock with Racetech springs. Only springs, not oil valves. 

2. If I want more, then change the oil system in the front, and replace the back shock.

 

Based on this background, would you think the only change of springs, can be bring a happy difference? I just want to be more comfortable on the bike. 

Edited December 20, 2020 by alquimista

[betoney]

18 minutes ago, alquimista said:

The suspension of the FJ-09 is just too stiff for me on secondary roads ;here in Mexico, these roads are bad quality...and after a while of riding on those on the FJ-09, you just get tired and fun fades away. 

1. Springs upgrade in the front bars, and rear shock with Racetech springs. Only springs, not oil valves. 

2. If I want more, then change the oil system in the front, and replace the back shock.

Based on this background, would you think the only change of springs, can be bring a happy difference? I just want to be more comfortable on the bike. 

Before having a suspension shop change things, have you adjusted the stock suspension?  (spring preload and rebound damping)

Setting the sag (hundreds of online articles and youtube videos available to you) will tell you if you have the correct spring rate but at 130kg (over 285lbs) I think you would benefit from a higher rate springs. 

[alquimista]

2 hours ago, betoney said:

Before having a suspension shop change things, have you adjusted the stock suspension?  (spring preload and rebound damping)

Setting the sag (hundreds of online articles and youtube videos available to you) will tell you if you have the correct spring rate but at 130kg (over 285lbs) I think you would benefit from a higher rate springs. 

Thank you 

 

When I got the bike 4 years ago, indeed I did some adjustments on the front and back suspension. Maybe my body changed or I'm getting older, as those adjustments are not being effective any more. As you said, maybe will be good to change the springs, front and back. 

 

For the front bars, I'm being recommended Race Tech FRSP S3627100 springs + Spacers 

 

For the back shock spring, Race Tech SRSP 5815125

For the back, not sure if with the new spring will be enough to get the comfort I'm looking for, or I should aim to a full shock replacement by the Wilbers or the Hagon. 

 

Any advise will be wellcome and appreciated 

Edited December 21, 2020 by alquimista

[betoney]

4 minutes ago, alquimista said:

When I got the bike 4 years ago, indeed I did some adjustments on the front and back suspension. Maybe my body changed or I'm getting older, as those adjustments are not working any more. As you said, maybe will be good to change the springs, front and back. 

For the front bars, I'm being recommended Race Tech FRSP S3627100 springs + Spacers 

For the back shock spring, Race Tech SRSP 5815125

For the back, not sure if with the new spring will be enough to get the comfort I'm looking for, or I should aim to a full replacement by the Wilbers of Hagon shock. 

Any advise will be wellcome and appreciated 

Depending on how truly terrible the roads are where you ride, an adventure bike or a dual sport with 9"-10" suspension travel might give you a more comfortable ride, there is only so much you can do with street bike suspension travel of 5".

[WKE002]

been reading a lot on the forum, indeed many have upgrades front and back spring/shock. our OEM is actually not bad, just need to adjust to fit your style of riding, however our tracer seat is not exactly comfy in the first place. on my last week long distant ride, i use AIR HAWK cushion (now plenty in the market with many cheaper brand) and it suits me, no backache pain. however if i do have the budget, sure, i would upgrade.