Rear springs
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 618
From: WA state
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i'd put thew stock links back in, the 09 is already lowered. having the back end low from links or not enough spring will make the front end push out in the dirt. If anything do it for your safety.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 653
From: Vista, CA
1st Gear Member
Just started to look into getting a new rear spring. My chain roller can't take much more bottoming out. I'm 185 in my shorts. The Moto-Pro site has a nice tool to help set up the front and rear based on your weight and riding style. ( Moto-Pro Suspension ) The tool says that 2007 and older have a 5.8 stock rear spring and the 2009 and newer have a 5.5 stock rear spring.
The stock parts descriptions don't match up with that though.
2007 92145-1161-8V SPRING,SHOCK,K=54N/MM,I.SILVER
54N/MM = 5.5KG/MM according to my calculator.
The 2009 only shows the whole shock assembly. No breakout for the spring.
2009 45014-0246-23F SHOCKABSORBER,SPG WHT+BODY BLK
Not sure who or what to believe, but I can confirm my 2009 spring is indeed white and too light for me.
So if you play with the Moto-Pro tool, weights, riding style, and switch beween the 2007 and 2009 models you'll learn that the springs they list are the same for both model years.
MPS Part #: MPSP622856 = 5.6 spring
MPS Part #: MPSP622858 = 5.8 spring
MPS Part #: MPSP622860 = 6.0 spring
MPS Part #: MPSP622862 = 6.2 spring
The tool says I should go with a 5.8 spring (for up to 204lbs)... which is what you 2007 and older guys are pulling off your stock rides. I'd love to take one off your hands for test and comparison purposes for the good of the 2009 and newer owners to confirm fitment, but only if it's really a 5.8kg/mm spring.
Anyone have any insight?
The stock parts descriptions don't match up with that though.
2007 92145-1161-8V SPRING,SHOCK,K=54N/MM,I.SILVER
54N/MM = 5.5KG/MM according to my calculator.
The 2009 only shows the whole shock assembly. No breakout for the spring.
2009 45014-0246-23F SHOCKABSORBER,SPG WHT+BODY BLK
Not sure who or what to believe, but I can confirm my 2009 spring is indeed white and too light for me.
So if you play with the Moto-Pro tool, weights, riding style, and switch beween the 2007 and 2009 models you'll learn that the springs they list are the same for both model years.
MPS Part #: MPSP622856 = 5.6 spring
MPS Part #: MPSP622858 = 5.8 spring
MPS Part #: MPSP622860 = 6.0 spring
MPS Part #: MPSP622862 = 6.2 spring
The tool says I should go with a 5.8 spring (for up to 204lbs)... which is what you 2007 and older guys are pulling off your stock rides. I'd love to take one off your hands for test and comparison purposes for the good of the 2009 and newer owners to confirm fitment, but only if it's really a 5.8kg/mm spring.
Anyone have any insight?
Spring preload: 114mm
Bike sag: 25mm (min recommended)
Rider sag: 85mm (Range is 90-110)(I'm 190 lbs)(+ 2" lowering links)
I pulled the old spring and put the new one in. I set the spring pre-load to where it was when I started (114mm). I figured that would show me how stiff the new (older) spring is.
Bike sag: 25mm
Rider sag: 85mm
I couldn't believe it. It's the exact same spring just different colors.
I would have expected a stiffer spring to show better numbers. Looks like the numbers on the Moto-Pro website are wrong. In any event, I'm convinced that the springs are the same. I think the older 2007 and older bikes really have a 5.5 spring based on the Kawi description calling it a "SPRING,SHOCK,K=54N/MM,I.SILVER" and 54N/MM = 5.5KG/MM.
Well, that ends my experiment and I still need a spring...
Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 69
From: Whidbey Island, WA
Question, if you screw the rear spring preload adjuster up half inch, will that lower the bike a half inch?
Also, if you don't have the proper spanners for those adjusters, has anyone just used a hammer and punch?
Also, if you don't have the proper spanners for those adjusters, has anyone just used a hammer and punch?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 653
From: Vista, CA
1st Gear Member
I use a big screwdriver on the top lock nut and then I turn the spring by hand to adjust the bottom nut. It spins with the spring.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,050
From: Abilene, TX
1st Gear Member
That's interesting on the experiment, Lotrat. My '06 OEM rear spring was definitely a 5.8, and I went to a 6.0. It ended up with about a perfect 13mm of preload on the collar, accompanied by excellent race sag and static sag numbers. I'm sure you know that 114mm of preload puts way too much "stored energy" into the spring.
Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 69
From: Whidbey Island, WA
Nope, its not one to one. You don't want to set it up that way anyway. You want to set it up for your weight. There are other methods you use to lower it. Like lowering links or shaving the seat.
I use a big screwdriver on the top lock nut and then I turn the spring by hand to adjust the bottom nut. It spins with the spring.
I use a big screwdriver on the top lock nut and then I turn the spring by hand to adjust the bottom nut. It spins with the spring.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 653
From: Vista, CA
1st Gear Member
That's interesting on the experiment, Lotrat. My '06 OEM rear spring was definitely a 5.8, and I went to a 6.0. It ended up with about a perfect 13mm of preload on the collar, accompanied by excellent race sag and static sag numbers. I'm sure you know that 114mm of preload puts way too much "stored energy" into the spring.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,050
From: Abilene, TX
1st Gear Member
I don't think we're measuring the same way. I'm measuring from the center of the top shock to the top of the spring like the shop manual shows. I'm still in the range. With my gear on I'm at 97mm sag. The bike did fine today without the lowering links. I only almost fell over once. Ok maybe twice.
kb6
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 653
From: Vista, CA
1st Gear Member
No, from the top shock mount bolt center to the top of the spring. See attached image from the manual.
I got rid of the lowering links and reduced the preload by 2mm. Gotta get use to the height. Didn't bottom out today. 112mm spring preload (in the range per the manual), 25mm bike sag, 95mm rider sag is good enough for me. Once I learn to out ride that, I'll go to the bigger spring. I hope I don't gain any weight.
Measuring actual compression is the right way, it's just harder to measure. It would take into account different spring lengths.
I got rid of the lowering links and reduced the preload by 2mm. Gotta get use to the height. Didn't bottom out today. 112mm spring preload (in the range per the manual), 25mm bike sag, 95mm rider sag is good enough for me. Once I learn to out ride that, I'll go to the bigger spring. I hope I don't gain any weight.
Measuring actual compression is the right way, it's just harder to measure. It would take into account different spring lengths.
Last edited by Lotrat; Sep 1, 2012 at 08:04 PM.
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