Best Shocks for heavyset rider 2015 F3S

Hello All,

I am new to the forums and new to Spyder's, I just recently picked up a 2015 Spyder F3S I believe it has the stock shocks installed and it runs/rides great, however I am 6 foot 5 and about 380 lbs my GF is only about 110 lbs so riding with her is totally fine, But when a friend jumped on to try it out I could tell it was running low/not liking it very much.

I know there are a lot of different options for Shocks, are there any specific ones that will help up the max weight capacity and if so, what are the best ones?

Thanks everyone.

~ Morgan

Check out M2 shocks.
https://www.globuya.com/US/Rolla/479...-Manufacturing

I have them, you should too. https://www.m2shocks.com/
We have a 20% SPYDER LOVERS Discount
T.P.

Total vehicle load for the 2015 F3 series is 438 lb.; pg 134 of the operator's guide.

When you order from M2 you input your weight and driving preferences and they get made based on what information they require from you.

I have the M2 shocks and like the way you can dial them in for your riding preference.

No complaints on the M2 shocks. I really like the ride on my Spyder now.

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Originally Posted by JayBros

Total vehicle load for the 2015 F3 series is 438 lb.; pg 134 of the operator's guide.

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That's legalese speak from corporate attorney's. I'm sure they're just fine..

Tall and stocky guy here. I have a set of M2 shocks on order. Marcus matches the spring rates to your weight and builds the shocks from there. There is a wait time, but everyone seems very happy with them. You biggesr issue is the weak spring on the rear shock. Its made for a 180# rider at most. You can up the spring pressure on the front, but it raises your ride height..contact M2 and use the spyderlovers discount code..fixed..look at the bajaron swaybar next to really dial in the ride.

See that's going to be the hard part, he's saying that with him and his girl the ride ok, it's when he's got a different rider on it go's south on him!! Hopefully the shock builder can some how install a over load spring in the mix! So that his times when he's riding solo it not like riding a saw horse!! A good shock man can do some crazy stuff, keep us posted!!:popcorn:

Buy the M2, and if needed, keep sending it in for changes if needed until correct.

Another thing I liked about my M2 shocks is my compressor has never turned on yet since I installed them. The shock is doing its job and I dont think there is any air left in the system. So the shock is doing all the work.

Thank you all for the thoughts and advice, I will definitely work on getting the M2 shocks......it may be a little bit before I can place the order (I just bought a house that's closing on Monday) But I will try and get them as soon as I can.

Marcus will take care of you and answer any questions.

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Originally Posted by trikermutha

Marcus will take care of you and answer any questions.

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My buddy bought shocks from him for his drag bike. Took a few times sending back but finally got them good enough.

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Originally Posted by trikermutha

Another thing I liked about my M2 shocks is my compressor has never turned on yet since I installed them. The shock is doing its job and I dont think there is any air left in the system. So the shock is doing all the work.

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Sorry Triker, I don’t quite understand that..... the airbag is separate from the shock. (I have Wilbers shocks all round). It is my understanding that the airbag is there, above the shock, simply to maintain ride height, to ensure lights etc remain level when a passenger or heavy load is on the rear seat. Am I misreading what you are saying?
My airbag has been running at whatever is left in it (around 5psi.....it’s a manually adjustable bag on the 16 F3-L) for several years now. I don’t carry a passenger.

Pete

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Originally Posted by Peteoz

Sorry Triker, I don’t quite understand that..... the airbag is separate from the shock. (I have Wilbers shocks all round). It is my understanding that the airbag is there, above the shock, simply to maintain ride height, to ensure lights etc remain level when a passenger or heavy load is on the rear seat. Am I misreading what you are saying?
My airbag has been running at whatever is left in it (around 5psi.....it’s a manually adjustable bag on the 16 F3-L) for several years now. I don’t carry a passenger.

Pete

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Yes you are correct shock is separate from the airbag assist. With the M2 setup I dont need the air bag assist as the M2 can take the weight we put on it.

My airbag is in-between the frame and rear swing arm.

The switch on the swing arm to activate the compressor never drops enough to turn on the compressor.

Hope that helps.

Air ride system is actually part of the suspension design. It serves as an addendum spring. Adding pressure, or removing pressure to set ride height also changes peak pressure at full compression. This effectively alters the combined spring rate.

Ahhhhh. Gotcha.....thanks Triker, I was reading too much into your post :thumbup:
Yeah, same here. I don’t even check its psi any more (except I did this morning and it’s 3psi, and probably has been for two years...)

Pete

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trikermutha

Yes you are correct shock is separate from the airbag assist. With the M2 setup I dont need the air bag assist as the M2 can take the weight we put on it.

My airbag is in-between the frame and rear swing arm.

The switch on the swing arm to activate the compressor never drops enough to turn on the compressor.

Hope that helps.

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I'm afraid you'll find the best shocks are installed on the 2020 RT Limited.

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Originally Posted by ThreeWheels

I'm afraid you'll find the best shocks are installed on the 2020 RT Limited.

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I was unaware that BRP is installing Ohlins on the 2020 RT. Thought they were still Sucks as in previous years, oops, I meant Sachs.

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Originally Posted by PMK

I was unaware that BRP is installing Ohlins on the 2020 RT. Thought they were still Sucks as in previous years, oops, I meant Sachs.

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:roflblack: LOVE it!!! But true!!

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Originally Posted by ThreeWheels

I'm afraid you'll find the best shocks are installed on the 2020 RT Limited.

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Can am really missed the mark with the spyder's rear shock. Even the ryker get an adjustable one..i would trust a properly rated spring over a compressor/bag setup.

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Originally Posted by Bottomline2000

Can am really missed the mark with the spyder's rear shock. Even the ryker get an adjustable one..i would trust a properly rated spring over a compressor/bag setup.

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Yeah, the stock shocks are pretty ordinary, Bottomline, but that compressor/bag has nothing to do with your shock. It’s just a ride height adjustment ;)

Pete

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Originally Posted by Peteoz

Yeah, the stock shocks are pretty ordinary, Bottomline, but that compressor/bag has nothing to do with your shock. It’s just a ride height adjustment ;)

Pete

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the compressor/bag has everything to do with the shock and i understand it's purpose. If the shock is under sprung the shock gets overworked and aerates. It then becomes useless in handling bumps. I know this because my F3s doesn't have a helper bag and starts out riding fine although lower than ideal ride height and after a while i can feel the shock being less effective. Guys with limiteds or RTs with bags have proven you don't really need the bag if the shock has the proper amount of spring was my point and i'd rather keep simple.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bottomline2000

the compressor/bag has everything to do with the shock and i understand it's purpose. If the shock is under sprung the shock gets overworked and aerates. It then becomes useless in handling bumps. I know this because my F3s doesn't have a helper bag and starts out riding fine although lower than ideal ride height and after a while i can feel the shock being less effective. Guys with limiteds or RTs with bags have proven you don't really need the bag if the shock has the proper amount of spring was my point and i'd rather keep simple.

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You are very right on this one!!!! If you ever lose your air in that bag and have to ride any distance at all home with just the cheap shock you have under your butt, you'll find out your air bag is doing more than just leveling the load!! Sorry Pete For my money I would invest in a good adjustable shock and do away with the air bag system hands down! Keep it simple and dependable!!! More miles, less wrench turning!!

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Originally Posted by Mikey

You are very right on this one!!!! If you ever lose your air in that bag and have to ride any distance at all home with just the cheap shock you have under your butt, you'll find out your air bag is doing more than just leveling the load!! Sorry Pete For my money I would invest in a good adjustable shock and do away with the air bag system hands down! Keep it simple and dependable!!! More miles, less wrench turning!!

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Mikey, we are effectively in agreement. The bag contains air in a confined space. It is not going to compress as you bump up and down on your rear shock. If you set it to 90psi the Spyder rear will be say 1” higher than 20psi at .5” high. The bottom of the bag is sitting above your shock. Even if you have a great shock, you still need to have the bag if you occasionally ride two up, or are much heavier than normal, to keep your lights aligned and not blinding oncoming traffic from your weight at the rear lifting the front end. Yes, you can remove the bag completely if you have a great shock that absorbs bumps effectively, but you should ensure the shock is set to allow for a level ride.:thumbup:

This was not just a made up story on my part. It came from a well respected wrench who specialises in shocks and Spyders. He supplied the Wilbers all round for me;)

Pete