Rear Shocks Upgrade Opinions?

Bratster

Bratster

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Hey everyone! Hope all is well! I'm in the process of starting my first xs650 project/build. As a helpful reference, I'm looking to build a brat that's something in the same realm as the xs in my profile picture. I've been scouring websites and forums posts for all sorts of different things, trying to gather as much information as I can, before I get into the bike very far, since it is my first go round. It looks like most of the posts I'm finding on here don't answer my questions, or are a decade old, in regards to suspension upgrades. So I thought I'd start a new thread and gather some opinions! My plan is a daily rider that's mildly sport inspired (again see profile picture for idea). No race intentions for the bike. I may lower it a little, may not, or may just lower the front an inch or so for handling's sake. Haven't decided yet. SO, all that said: Tell me about your favorites for rear shocks! There's a billion options out there and it's a little overwhelming haha. Looking for a good balance of comfort and performance (again, a daily rider that's mildly sport inspired).

(ps: I already have my front suspension setup picked out, only looking for opinions on rear shocks. Doing Race Tech cartridge emulators and race tech single rate springs in the front)

Thanks in advance for advice!
 
Buy your shocks from someone who will ask the right questions and get the correct spring rate. As an example, my XS1100 is set up for the mountains of North Georgia. That means smooth pavement and lots of hard cornering, plus I ride sporty. Now, I lost 50 lbs and if I run over a dime, I can tell if it's heads or tails. Since I'm now in Mississippi, where the pavement isn't so good, this is often not ideal.
I have personal experience with Traxxion Dynamics and I don't have any reservations about them. They sell Bitubo shocks.
My XS11 is equipped with Progressive Suspension shocks. They have proven durable, but I got no help from them with correct springs. Michael Morse at 650 Central got me the right springs. So, I ended up spending too much for what I consider a lesser product. Also, I'm not crazy about progressive wound springs. RaceTech emulators are up front.
 
Raising the rear slightly is an oft stated improvement I have 1/2" longer progressive brand rear shocks and am quite happy. Gotta be careful about chaingard,chain clearance on the left, a fat shock is going to be a problem.
 
Last edited:
jetmechmarty said:
Buy your shocks from someone who will ask the right questions and get the correct spring rate. As an example, my XS1100 is set up for the mountains of North Georgia. That means smooth pavement and lots of hard cornering, plus I ride sporty. Now, I lost 50 lbs and if I run over a dime, I can tell if it's heads or tails. Since I'm now in Mississippi, where the pavement isn't so good, this is often not ideal.
I have personal experience with Traxxion Dynamics and I don't have any reservations about them. They sell Bitubo shocks.
My XS11 is equipped with Progressive Suspension shocks. They have proven durable, but I got no help from them with correct springs. Michael Morse at 650 Central got me the right springs. So, I ended up spending too much for what I consider a lesser product. Also, I'm not crazy about progressive wound springs. RaceTech emulators are up front.
Click to expand...

Ill reach out to traxxion and 650central and see what theyre thoughts are based on my preferences, weight, riding style, etc.. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
gggGary said:
Raising hte rear slightly is an oft stated improvement I have 1/2" longer progressive brand rear shocks and am quite happy. Gotta be careful about chaingard,chain clearance on the left, a fat shock is going to be a problem.
Click to expand...


Yeah I'm more likely to bring the front down a touch, than to raise the rear. I'm only 5'6", so I don't want to make it any taller haha
 
Bratster you live in MI so keeping on the cushy side of suspension compliance only makes sense for both comfort and control on rough(er) surfaces. Don't be tempted to reduce travel would be my recommendation. I can't run what the "southern guys are happy with" round here. Madness runs on low profile 18" tires front and rear. The back burned Ywain has 17's front and rear.
 
I don't mean to give offense, Bratster, but you need to hear this before you waste a lot of time and money. When it comes to suspension, you'll either prioritize style or prioritize performance; you can't have your cake and eat it. I'm also 5'6" and have no trouble with taller rear shocks (13-1/4").
 
grizld1 said:
I don't mean to give offense, Bratster, but you need to hear this before you waste a lot of time and money. When it comes to suspension, you'll either prioritize style or prioritize performance; you can't have your cake and eat it. I'm also 5'6" and have no trouble with taller rear shocks (13-1/4").
Click to expand...

No, thats good to know on the length youre using! Thanks! and yeah thats sort of my reasoning for not wanting to drop the whole bike. Thats why i'm thinking I may just lower the front a short bit, with the racetech springs and emulators and run stock height in the rear.
 
ThatXS650Guy said:
On the lowering spacers... I went with the 2" drop at first but later replaced them with the 1" versions. 2" was way too low.[/QU

Good to know. I was of the mindset that 2" was likely going to be lower than I wanted to go. I was thinking I may just go down an inch in the front and leave it at that
Click to expand...
 
I’m running Ikon shocks on my bike and am very happy with them. I wrote a little review of them here,

http://www.xs650.com/threads/product-review-ikon-shock-absorbers-76-series-basic.56477/#post-627358

37EE84F9-F007-4C7F-8C95-8FE32A4F3FA6.jpeg
 
Lifting the rear and dropping the nose helps these machines quite a lot, but you have to be sensible about what you do. Bear in mind that there's no one right way to proceed. Shocks 13-1/4" eye-to-eye will lift the rear 1/2", and a 1/2" drop in front won't make things twitchy or give you grief with bottoming out. You'll feel the difference right away--steering becomes much quicker and more linear. That's just one guy's recipe, there are many more.
 
When I bought my XS, I replaced the worn out shocks with standard length Hagons, with their XS 650 setup, I believe 330 mm long. I was not at all impressed with those either, so ended up with the Øhlins shocks listed in my signature below this post. Much better! Although the stock chain guard had to go.
 
You can lower the front slightly by raising the fork tubes in the trees, but you can't go much, maybe 1/2" at most, or you run the risk of the lowers hitting the bottom tree at full compression, possibly the fender hitting too. I drop mine about 1/4" .....

drxitXO.jpg


..... and combined with longer rear shocks, my Standard has a very solid feel to it. I also have a fork brace and a TX750 swingarm. I did the same mods to my Special, along with swapping in an 18" rear wheel, but it doesn't feel quite as solid. It actually felt a bit better while I still had the stock 16" wheel on there so I may try it again. The Special's slightly different frame geometry due to it's more laid down rear shocks may very well have been designed to work best with that 16" wheel. I've only had it a few years now so it's still a work in progress, but it's been fun and interesting so far.
 
Mailman: Thanks for the suggestion! Ill give your review a look-see

Grizld: Noted! Thank you:cheers:

ArcticXS: I've heard nothing but good things about ohlins and have certainly considered them. But I thought it wise for me to see what other suggestions people may have before I spend my life savings on shocks :yikes::laugh2:

5twins: Also noted! I will do that as well just to give the front that tiny bit of extra dip:thumbsup:
 
One other (better?) way to drop height is a smaller diameter lower profile tire.
I'm running 3x18 rims front and rear with 80 series tires, the handling cornering is noticeably improved. Take a look at the madness thread lots of things changed from stock so it's a bit difficult to pick a single item as making the difference.
 

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