Has anyone changed their rear shock. The std on had pretty poor square bump performance. Is the shock interchangeable with the BMW 650 single. Prefer White Power, Ohlins, wilbers or Nitron but open to suggestions. Can't seem to find much in the respective sites.
+1 This winter's project is revalving the forks or looking for other 46mm replacements. Terra is so good-- real suspension would put it over the top! Consider me interested as well.
As I. The front suspension on this bike meets my expectations, but since day 1 the rear has disappointed me. I know zilch about adjusting suspension or revalving, so I can't help out with this.
i'm 118 lbs. I'm also interested in this, because of the whole sag thing (which I still dont undersand, but whatev, i guess it makes the bike do better on bumby roads)
Abby The spring rate for my weight I found not too bad. I am not racing it so ballpark is good enough. My problem is with the damping structure. In your case you may actually be able to get a BIG improvement by backing down the spring preload and matching softening the damping.. It probably won't end up ideal but will be a bit more comfortable if you haven't done it already. If you are not confident doing it yourself , find someone with genuine suspension knowledge to adjust it to min preload. I suspect at you weight that will be where it ends up but it may need a LITTLE more. This isn't a high tech solution and basic tools will do it but needs the back wheel off the ground, and a sensitive touch to get the spring collars just touching enough, to stop the spring rattling. Then adjust the damping down to match as closely as possible. If you can't do it yourself,don't just take it to a local shop. My experience is that most shops know lots about motors and almost nothing about suspension. If at all possible take it to a proper motorcycle suspension place or a shop where they are good with suspension ( ask around). This is a pretty basic adjustment so doesn't have to be a Husky shop. There may be a post on this or other forums that show you how to do it. A full solution for you would prob. have to be a whole shock/spring set, as I suspect the damping for the spring rate you would need would be way outside the adjustment range of the stock shock. Try the min preload and min damping option first. You can always adjust it upwards again with no loss if too soft (unlikely).
Been researching as well and trying to find a used GS shock. Winter project as well for me. For the front, I have a new set of Ohlins front forks from the Cannodale bike era and doing some quick measurements, found that they should graft on the front with not too much effort. There are several reputable suspension places around here so I should be able to set up for the heavier Terra and will have to shorten a tad so not to make the bike too tall. Rear shock wise it is for sure one of the GS single shocks. Need to see if it is off the DAKAR or the standard height one. There are several aftermarket shocks for the GS's. Hyper pro, Wilbers and of course Ohlins. I will post if I can tell which BMW one is being used.
Rear suspension travel: The Terra has approximately 1" more travel than a F650GS/G650GS, and approximately 1" less travel than the Dakar/Sertao. So not sure if the TR650 uses the suspension from either.
Our rear shock is not a BMW parts bin item. The GS, Serato & Dakar all have remote preload adjusters on their shocks. The Sertao & Dakar also have remote reservoirs. It "might" however be made with the same mounts. They are at least similar in that they are an eye at top and a fork at the bottom.
If the mounts are the same, you could probably use the Sertao/Dakar shock and gain an inch of suspension... ...or use the F/GS shock and lower your bike 1". The remote preload is handy.
Greg Jetnikoff there is a local Australian distributor for Mupo Suspension. SW Racing in Victoria https://www.facebook.com/swracingsuspension?ref=ts&fref=ts They may be able to help with some more details.
I saved the link and will try and contact them today. It is a racing shock manufacturer though. Road shocks require a broarder range of damping velocities ( especially on our local roads) so these may not be suitable. But worth a try. I will see what they are like to deal with. People often put shocks on their bikes on the basis that they are good racing shocks and wonder why their bike now is aweful to ride. Hope my Safari tank gets here soon.
