Longest GS OEM Shock???

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  • UKPR1
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    Longest GS OEM Shock???

    Being 6'-2" and 220lbs, my issues are contrary to those who are looking to lower their bikes. Looking to have the bike not sag when sitting on it. Knowing that what I do to the back I have to do to the front...what is the longest GS shock (or any other shock that fits) that this forum knows of? I want to stick to the OEM shock (just a fan of the stock look) even though I may probably replace the coil portion depending on the coil condition of what I get in. One would say that the heavier GS' would be the shocks to get...but I just want to make sure. Something in the 340mm (13.5") range is what I'm looking for.

    Thanks in Advance,

    Geoff
  • hannibal
    Forum Sage
    • Jun 2015
    • 1033
    • Washington DC

    #2
    I'm still riding around on the crappy shocks that came with the bike. I imagine new shocks in the original length would be much firmer and eliminate most of the sagging. If your shocks are old, this may be the cause.
    Jordan

    1977 Suzuki GS750 (My first bike)
    2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
    1973 BMW R75/5

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    • posplayr
      Forum LongTimer
      GSResource Superstar
      Past Site Supporter
      • Dec 2007
      • 23673
      • Tucson Az

      #3
      I'm somewhat hesitant to recommend these, but this is another option.

      There maybe some better one around.



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      • Big T
        Forum LongTimer
        Past Site Supporter
        Super Site Supporter
        • Mar 2005
        • 12401
        • West Slope, OR

        #4
        I hate to state the obvious, but have you adjusted the pre load?
        1978 GS 1000 (since new)
        1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
        1978 GS 1000 (parts)
        1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
        1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
        1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
        2007 DRz 400S
        1999 ATK 490ES
        1994 DR 350SES

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        • UKPR1

          #5
          Indeed I have...in this case: rider weight trumps pre load...anyone seen my box of Girl Scout Cookies?

          Comment

          • UKPR1

            #6
            Had initially thought of the "dog-bones" Pos, but I read somewhere (...maybe even in this Forum) to avoid them at all costs...

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            • posplayr
              Forum LongTimer
              GSResource Superstar
              Past Site Supporter
              • Dec 2007
              • 23673
              • Tucson Az

              #7
              They make steel ones for cars.

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              • Guest

                #8
                i would seriously consider updating, I know you want to keep the stock look, but there are shocks out there (ikon, hagon, heck, given the weight issue here, even the ebay cheapies might work ok...)that look perty close to stock but will transform the bike in an almost miraculous manner. you should at least consider your options before slapping another 35 year old blown out pair of turds on there. Just my .02.

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                • storm 64
                  Forum Sage
                  Past Site Supporter
                  Super Site Supporter
                  • May 2012
                  • 4587
                  • Youngstown,Ohio

                  #9
                  I made a few sets of 1 inch shock extensions about four years ago. Remember when Nick Ienatsch was trying to make a set out of some pieces of flat stock (very shady)? I didn't want him to get hurt riding when his parts broke. So I made him and a couple members a set of custom one piece extensions. Here is the only picture I can find of them.
                  Yeah, Nick might be a great rider and editor, but he wasn't to good of a fabricator.☺ In return for the parts I made him he sent me a signed book "Sport Riding Techniques" It's really cool.👍
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                  • posplayr
                    Forum LongTimer
                    GSResource Superstar
                    Past Site Supporter
                    • Dec 2007
                    • 23673
                    • Tucson Az

                    #10
                    Originally posted by storm 64
                    I made a few sets of 1 inch shock extensions about four years ago. Remember when Nick Ienatsch was trying to make a set out of some pieces of flat stock (very shady)? I didn't want him to get hurt riding when his parts broke. So I made him and a couple members a set of custom one piece extensions. Here is the only picture I can find of them.


                    Yeah, Nick might be a great rider and editor, but he wasn't to good of a fabricator.☺ In return for the parts I made him he sent me a signed book "Sport Riding Techniques" It's really cool.
                    Those should be plenty strong enough.

                    Comment

                    • Big T
                      Forum LongTimer
                      Past Site Supporter
                      Super Site Supporter
                      • Mar 2005
                      • 12401
                      • West Slope, OR

                      #11
                      Really,what you're looking for is a stronger spring, not a longer shock.
                      You could use a 850/1000/1100 G model shock if yours are eye to eye

                      Or. as some suggest, upgrade to a modern shock. Shocks don't last forever.
                      1978 GS 1000 (since new)
                      1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
                      1978 GS 1000 (parts)
                      1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
                      1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
                      1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
                      2007 DRz 400S
                      1999 ATK 490ES
                      1994 DR 350SES

                      Comment

                      • Steve
                        GS Whisperer
                        • Jun 2005
                        • 35925
                        • southwest oHIo

                        #12
                        You short, light-weight guys just need to suck it up and admit that you need NEW shocks in the proper length, with PROPER springs on them and have proper damping.

                        Yes, I'm taller and have a little more gravitational attraction. Stock shocks were barely adequate when they were new, and they didn't last all that long. The springs were basically set up for the average Japanese rider, who might have weighed 140-150 pounds. Toss in his occasional 100-pound companion, you get to the weight where many Americans are. And then we add our companions.

                        Hagon shocks are good. They look a lot like the stockers, but work a LOT better. Call Dave Quinn Motorcycles, he will get some information about you, your bike and your riding style. He will then select the shock body with the proper damping and install springs with the proper rate. $214, plus shipping. If you really insist, you can still get diffferent lengths, but be aware that the bike was designed to use shocks of a certain length, taking spring compression into account. Changing the ride height will affect handling. If you have springs that are strong enough to keep your spring "sag" in the 20-25% range (about 1 inch), you will be better off.

                        .
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                        • bwringer
                          Forum LongTimer
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                          • Oct 2003
                          • 17066
                          • Indianapolis

                          #13
                          What Steve said.

                          If you gotta have that stock look, order up a set of Hagons in chrome and peel off the sticker.

                          The old stock shocks are suitable only for art projects or recycling.
                          1983 GS850G, Cosmos Blue.
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                          • limeex2
                            Forum Sage
                            Past Site Supporter
                            • Dec 2012
                            • 1498
                            • Stillwater, Mn.

                            #14
                            As mentioned, longer shocks will not help. 220 lbs is not that heavy. Ones off of a different model may have a stiffer spring but there still 35+ y/o and wore out. That's a nice price on a set of Hagons and if they set them up for weight it will make a huge difference. Lots of people have gone with a longer shock and it has helped the slow turning issues that are common on all old bikes. It sounds as though the gentleman at hagon may be able to put in a longer shaft? At 6-2 you will not have trouble touching the ground or pegs
                            Current Rides: 82 GS1100E, 00 Triumph 955 Speed Triple:twistedevil:, 03 Kawasaki ZRX1200, 01 Honda GL1800, '15 Kawasaki 1000 Versys
                            Past Rides: 72 Honda SL-125, Kawasaki KE-175, 77 GS750 with total yosh stage 1 kit, 79 GS1000s, 80 GS1000S, 82 GS750e,82 GS1000S, 84 VF500f, 86 FZR600, 95 Triumph Sprint 900,96 Triumph Sprint, 97 Triumph Sprint, 01 Kawasaki ZRX1200, 07 Triumph Tiger 1050, 01 Yam YFZ250F
                            Work in progress: 78 GS1000, unknown year GS1100ES

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                            • UKPR1

                              #15
                              Storm - that's some SERIOUS fabrication quality.

                              Steve, et. al: I hear what you're all saying. For $214, consider the bullet bitten...

                              Thanks for your participation in my question.

                              Geoff

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