You don't have to spend anything on the '09suspension (except maybe the cost of a longer screwdriver) if you fit its design parameters
Another GS was on my shortlist but didn't make it because of the weight and problems getting on the thing.
So you can't have anything more than a 32" inside leg measurement, weigh less than 13&half stone and have billiard table smooth roads where you live.
The 800GS sure is a tall bike, it's higher than the 1200's but much lighter. The MT is seriously light but hard to manhandle around because of the lack of contact points to grab hold of.
I also like getting 75mpg a lot
Roll on Yamaha getting their adventure frame ready for the 09's engine. That will be a belter of a bike.
Now that Akrapovič race is a nice looking system !
The higher flow rate through the tubeing loop instead of being fed into the OEM back box will be very beneficial
Well the leg and weight bit are right, but weight loss due to life saving medication and a recent unwanted increase in metabolism means I'm currently hovering under 70Kgs and worried. I'm carrying some extra weight in a pack to maintain the status quo.
However being within what seems to be a very small design parameter for the '09 rider weight means I can get away with keeping the stock suspension - Sure it's not as good as an aftermarket unit but it's adequate.
Unfortuantely the stock unit is not really suitable for the heavier rider. The OEM spring weight is matched to a damping rate which is not particularly good to begin with, but swapping out the spring to compensate for extra rider weight means that the damping will end up totally useless at best.
However after a lot of mileage up and down a number of local roads and having finally discovered a damping/preload combo that works for me which keeps the bike steady yet comfortable enough that the uneven road surfaces do not unduly upset the throttle position at lower speeds seems close to miraculous considering what has been given to work with.
I'd have liked another new Beemer and it was certainly up near the top of my shortlist but the MT ticked more of the important boxes. Purchase cost and MPG weren't even on the list
Centre stand was on the list but I knew I could get a Hepko&Becker from Motobins which ticked that particular box. Fitted shortly after getting the bike
) and the the rebound is 1.5 out from full hard.
Just been reading the Bike Magazine. The tester seems to be going against the general feeling of most of the Forum for the Front Suspension settings. He has set the Front Preload at 6 1/2 rings and rebound at 1 turn from fully out. He took it round Snetterton like that and was pretty happy. Has anybody tried anything similar. I've scanned the page but you will have to zoom in to read it. Apologies if somebody has already cited it.
