Aftermarket rear shock and a passenger?

n20civicb18 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 07:56 PM

Well I noticed that my bike seemed to be handling pretty bad lately so I checked some bolts and set the tire pressure but was still doing it. Anyway I was parked on my painted floor for a few days and noticed a small puddle of oil under my bike - turns out to be from the rear shock. Not sure what caused it, maybe the hot titanium header? maybe I put a fat chick on the back? not sure but its blown.

ANYWAY

I am about 175lbs dry, I ride a lot but never really push my bike hard in corners. I will never track it, except for maybe to the drag strip once or twice a year. I do often have a rear passenger on it

I hear that a aftermarket rear shock is one of the best upgrades for these bikes. I would hate to put another stock shock back in and be missing out on all the benefits of a good shock but how will it be with a passenger? Will it drastically decrease its life? Will the liner spring rate be way off? How much weight should I set it up for?

Kyle

n20civicb18 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 08:19 PM

Also is a Penske rear shock the same from a SP1 to a SP2?

Darkest · #3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 09:59 PM

You have to date really skinny chicks....

n20civicb18 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 10:11 PM

haha.

Ohio Hawk · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 10:41 PM

Yes a aftermarket rear shock is one of the best upgrades for a RC51

I also ride two-up fairly often and I'm 220lb but the GF is only 100lb... I have a penske set up for me and I did have a aftermarket link but I did not like how the bike handled two-up with the link... But with the stock link and the Penske it rides great.

ccs70 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 10:54 PM

Are you sure the shock is shot? I thought so too, but it turned out it was a leaking fuel tank. Got suspicious when I found out the "oil" from the shock smelled like gasoline... It´s worth checking.

If you ride with a passenger often, you should go for a progressive spring and drop any fancy aftermarket link. The purpose of those link is to make the rear shock more linear.

Progressive or not, any of the reputable aftermarket shocks will be a huge improvement. Swap out the fork springs when you are at it.

n20civicb18 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2009, 07:34 PM

It is the shock, it is covered in oil

Is there a difference between the Penske Sp1 and the Sp2 shocks? only asking because there is a used one forsale for a good price.

ffbigrig · #8 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 01:33 AM

Just my 2cents, but it sounds like the biggest benefit "you" might get out of an aftermarket shock is rebuild-ability. You mentioned that you mainly ride on the street and two up at that and don't go to the track. I use a Fox shock and have had a very decent experience with it. IMHO any of the aftermarkets would probably do well for you and I would look at what gets you the most bang for your buck. The Fox I have was a new unit that my mechanics supplier had on his shelves and wanted to get rid of. I have run it on the street and at the track. I am most definetly not in the petite flower category and it has stood up to the challenge quite well.