Suspension with a passenger

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  • Anonymous
    #1

    Suspension with a passenger

    I finally broke down and bought the spousal unit a helmet so she can accompany me on my '83 GS650GL road trips. My question is this; with a passenger the front tire seems to produce a "wobble" affect and in general when turning, the front seems extremely loose.

    Is this normal with bikes with passengers, or do I need to look into possible suspension problems.
    Tags: None
    • lhanscom
      #2
      Most likely you just need to crank up the preload a bit on the rear. The extra weight is changing the geometry of the bike, and unweighting the front tire.

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        • Anonymous
          #3
          My preload is at its max

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            • Billy Ricks
              #4
              Time for stiffer springs.

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                • Anonymous
                  #5
                  ...or a bigger bike! An 850, 1000, or 1100 shaftie has a larger frame, dual front discs, and a more powerful engine that's not as stressed on longer, two-up trips with the kitchen sink -- particularly going on long uphills.

                  Nick

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                    • Anonymous
                      #6
                      The engine on my 650 handles the load great, even up the big hills :twisted: Does any one know if the shocks from an 850 or possibly 1000/1100 could fit on a 650 :roll: I just got my 650 and I would hate to trade her up so quickly. It's a great bike, just needs to be a little more firm in the ass-end, I guess

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                        • KGB
                          Forum Guru
                          • Nov 2002
                          • 7146
                          • Wilmington ma
                          #7
                          Originally posted by Billy Ricks
                          Time for stiffer springs.
                          Or a smaller riding partner
                          Keith
                          -------------------------------------------
                          1980 GS1000S, blue and white
                          2015Triumph Trophy SE

                          Ever notice you never see a motorcycle parked in front of a psychiatrist office?

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                            • Anonymous
                              #8
                              The engine on my 650 handles the load great, even up the big hills

                              No, it doesn't. Don't delude yourself.

                              As far as shocks from the bigger GS's, I don't know if they'll fit.

                              The 650 is indeed a fine bike, but believe me, for long-distance two-up riding, you're much better off with an 850 on up. It was not designed for that; the 850 and 1100 were.

                              Nick

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                                • Anonymous
                                  #9
                                  I had a coworker passenger last summer on my little 400 and it handled it just fine. I'm at least 250lbs and the passenger was prolly 150 or so and I didn't notice any shakes or wobble. We only did highway twice I think. The only difference was I had to push forward a bit and that put the controls in almost a bad spot, but no lack of power or wobble. Of course the trips weren't long and would have been better handled by an 850 or so, (especially with 50lbs of office supplies thrown in there too, but hey, what can you do. I'd measure your rear suspension and ask one of the members with a larger bike to do the same, best of luck.

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