N1ghtr0d Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 What should I be looking for to upgrade my rear suspension on my 2016 MT-09 Tracer? Like, what would be a sliding scale of replacements, cost wise? Sorry if I'm being picky but I just know very little about suspension tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted January 22, 2021 Supporting Member Share Posted January 22, 2021 23 minutes ago, N1ghtr0d said: What should I be looking for to upgrade my rear suspension on my 2016 MT-09 Tracer? Like, what would be a sliding scale of replacements, cost wise? Sorry if I'm being picky but I just know very little about suspension tbh. At a very minimum, get the correct spring rate for your weight, you would want the correct springs in front as well so that the bike is balanced. The next step up would be a basic emulsion shock (nitrogen and oil are integrated in the shock body) After that the 'top shelf' option is a fully adjustable 'double clicker' or higher - adjustable rebound and compression damping with a separate remote nitrogen canister. Nitron, Penske, K-Tech, Ohlins, take your pick but choose a brand that your local suspension shop services so they have the parts readily available. Most important, call or visit a suspension shop and discuss your wants and needs, ask dozens of questions and ask for recommendations. 5 ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1ghtr0d Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 OK, the good news is it's already in the shop overnight getting the ecu dynoed and flashed and they set up the suspension for my weight, which is what prompted this post, lol. When I get it back tomorrow morning I'll have plenty to discuss with them. I know they are Ohlins specialists. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member texscottyd Posted January 22, 2021 Supporting Member Share Posted January 22, 2021 20 minutes ago, N1ghtr0d said: I know they are Ohlins specialists. Pricey, but worth it. I have an Ohlins 535 shock on my FJ, and it’s stellar. May I ask what you weigh? Anything north of about 200 pounds (realistically even less) is getting outside the range where the stock spring rate works its best. That applies to the forks too... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1ghtr0d Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 Yeah, I'm a good 245lbs, hoping to drop that this year though. How much was your Ohlins rear shock, if you don't mind me asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member texscottyd Posted January 23, 2021 Supporting Member Share Posted January 23, 2021 Hi @N1ghtr0d - I paid $920 for the YA535 shock a few years back, and paired it with the fork upgrades (Race Tech springs & Gold Valve damping). Not cheap, but for me it was worth every penny. Suspension upgrades are a very subjective thing. I would see how your bike feels with the stock suspension after the shop does their set up, and then decide from there what additional you might want to explore. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebruv Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Look at ebay, that's where my Ohlins shock came from with correct spring rate required Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riding_tall Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 I would agree with @betoney on the steps for upgrading the rear shock. However I would consider starting with the forks and then the rear shock. It's a similar progression with the forks. The stock forks are far worse than the stock rear shock. both are bad but the forks are worse. I rode stock for a few years and then went all in and did AK-20's cartridges in the front. It was a night and day difference. No dive, no hammering over bumps. Fair warning though. Once the front was fixed I quickly became annoyed by the rear hopping all over, I had never noticed before as the whole bike was jumping around and I didn't even realize it. After 2 months with the new forks I did a pensky double clicker in the rear and both setup to my weight. MAGIC .. it makes it a new bike or to put it a different way, it makes the handling match the motor. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clegg78 Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 On 1/23/2021 at 11:22 AM, littlebruv said: Look at ebay, that's where my Ohlins shock came from with correct spring rate required So one thing I havent been clear on is the weight settings for the Ohlins shocks, are they for just the rider, or Rider+ Gear, or Rider + Gear + Luggage? I am looking at getting a YA535 but the spring rate has me concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebruv Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 1 minute ago, Clegg78 said: So one thing I haven't been clear on is the weight settings for the Ohlins shocks, are they for just the rider, or Rider+ Gear, or Rider + Gear + Luggage? I am looking at getting a YA535 but the spring rate has me concerned. Hi Clegg78 Once you have chosen the shock you require you will be asked what weight you are for the correct spring to be fitted, this is usually approx weight with all the bike gear you wear. Any questions just ask the supplier, they are pretty helpful in these matters 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoAl Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Good advice there, and good first steps @N1ghtr0d I'm pretty happy with my stock setup after adjusting it. But! Yes but, I weigh 175 wo gear and I talking about riding bike with empty sidecases or no sidecases. However when I go on a long trip will have full (crammed full) sidecases and a 58 liter waterproof duffle on the rear seat and an empty 39L top case. Guessing an extra 75 to 80 pounds. Empty top case is for stowing helmet when I stop. Will have to see but my plan is to bump up preload front and rear and tighten compression and rebound a bit and see how it goes. Don't ride as spirited when loaded and nice to have it a bit softer. I've got a 2020 Tracer GT which I think has a marginally better stock suspension. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lospsi Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 For my 2015 MT09 Tracer, I found that stock rear shock (the recalled unit) is OK for my weight (110kg) regarding spring rate. It's the front that seems undersprung. Personally I have set rear preload at 6 and front at almost full and I got the sag I wanted, in my opinion it's the hydralics that give a harsh and bumpy at times ride. I ride solo and without luggage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebruv Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 12 hours ago, lospsi said: For my 2015 MT09 Tracer, I found that stock rear shock (the recalled unit) is OK for my weight (110kg) regarding spring rate. It's the front that seems undersprung. Personally I have set rear preload at 6 and front at almost full and I got the sag I wanted, in my opinion it's the hydralics that give a harsh and bumpy at times ride. I ride solo and without luggage. I ditched the original fork oil for a good grade 10 to help stiffen the front end a bit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wintersdark Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) So, as it's tax time and I'm gonna have some extra cash, I'm looking back at this. We don't have local suspension shops, so that's not an option for me, and I'm finding looking through various vendors it's very difficult to figure out exactly what I need. I'd like to keep the cost down - don't need a remote adjuster, for example - but it's hard to see what I'm looking for - particularly when I'm not really familiar with brands. Fortnine is usually my go-to for finding parts, but they've got *thousands* of shocks without any useful fitment information or spring rate choice, so... less than useful, if I don't already know exactly what I want. Edit: Thankfully, Racetech has their spring rate calculator, so I can at least figure that out. Edited March 3, 2021 by Wintersdark 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member piotrek Posted March 3, 2021 Supporting Member Share Posted March 3, 2021 59 minutes ago, Wintersdark said: We don't have local suspension shops, so that's not an option for me, and I'm finding looking through various vendors it's very difficult to figure out exactly what I need. I don't think you need a walk-in service to do this. Call a reputable shop that supports the right brands and tell them what bugs you about the suspension. They will ask a bunch of questions and the fog will begin to clear. I bought a unit from the UK and it's worked out great. Some emails and a couple of calls... done. These guys carry/support most brands that you might want to consider. Street Motorcycle Products - Accelerated Technologies Street Motorcycle Products Ohlins K-Tech Hyperpro Traxxion Dynamics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now