virago xv535 replace rear shocks? Advice needed

 Hi. I have a 1996 XV535 that has done about 5k miles. I find the
suspension harsh over small bumps, typical of urban streets, these
aggravate my back something rotten. I recently rode 170 miles around
Samos in Greece on a 125cc scooter, on some very rough roads with no
problem at all, I doubt I would have lasted a quarter of that on the
virago. I'm about 6 ft tall, and weigh about 75 kg and am thinking
about changing the rear shocks having already tried setting the
preload to the softest setting. Hagon seem a good choice as they are
reasonably priced and can do custom jobs to order. I am thinking of
slightly softer shocks as I only take a pillion occasionally, and
longer ones to both extend the travel of the shock, and height of the
saddle slightly. Standard shock length is I think 11.25", and am
thinking of extending to say 12.5". Is this sensible? Opinions/
suggestions gratefully received.

 

Hagon are good, yes.


That's quite a change. It will almost certainly result in quicker
steering, which may or may not be a good thing. It will also increase
ground clearance, which is no bad thing on a cruiser. However, I would
not make that radical a change if it was my bike.

Sounds silly, but have you tried adjuster the standard shocks to a
softer setting?


--
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 On 9 Oct, 14:15, chateau.murrayTAKETHIS...@dsl.pipex.com (The Older
Gentleman) wrote:

Hi, thanks for advice. Yes, have already set them to the softest
setting.

 seabreeze wrote:

No, you need slight soft *springs*. The first thing you need to do is depaint
an area of your current spring so you can measure the diameter of the wire
with a
vernier caliper.

Then you can use this calculator to determine the spring rate. It will give
you the rate of one spring.
http://www.engineersedge.com/spring_comp_calc_k.htm

Coil springs do not work by bending, they work by twisting so the modulus of
rigidity is about 11,000,000, the number in the right hand column of the page
hyperlinked to the first URL.

The springs you need should be able to support about 2.5 times the static
weight
on them before contacting the rubber damper that keeps them from bottoming
out.

You also need to study spring natural frequency and how it relates to ride
comfort. I wrote an article called "Good Vibrations" and posted it on alt.
motorcycle.sportbike about five years ago. Only a few of the engineering
types even began to understand the subject.


Sure, and you could also buy some really long shocks about 13.5 inches long
and lay them down at an angle so the effective spring rate is lower and you
get a softer ride that way.

But suspension modifications is not an area to get into lightly, you need to
understand spring rates and mechanical advantage and spring natural frequency
and how it relates to the motorcycle's wheelbase.

You have to understand static sag and operating sag too.

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 seabreeze wrote:


Typical tale of OEM suspension units. Most of my bikes have had their
suspension units replaced with Hagon. Do it, you won't regret it. They are
a good compromise between price and performance. On the Virago, before you
go fitting longer units, trawl the owners forums for posts relating to any
issues.