BajaRon swaybar/longer shocks - test ryde up to 13.000 feet

[chris56]

made my first service now (11,500 miles), still no real problems with my 900. The only handicap I see is the Installation of the cooler on the lowest point of the front, specially when you have to brake she goes down to two inch over the floor, impossible for a touring bike...

First I changed the red BRP swaybar to the one from BajaRon, made a test and it really feels much better than before. I decided to change to longer (400 instead of 380mm) shocks which bring up the front one inch, they are also stiffer than the standard ones, on the back we use the FOX in the hardest position.

We made a 300 miles trip in the mountains (8 hours) and finally the performance is fantastic, also on higher speeds!!
We are faster uphill and downhill, the handling is now much better than on our Spyders, would not change back..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMlDtJwZDv0&t=7s

 

[SportsterDoc]

1. Which affected height the most, the sway bar or shocks?
2. What was source on shocks?
For the 900, non-rally, clearance is reported in the 2020 manual to be 4 inches or 102 mm
3.What is yours, now?
Stock Rally is 4.4 inches or 112 mm.

 

[chris56]

1. Which affected height the most, the sway bar or shocks?
2. What was source on shocks?
For the 900, non-rally, clearance is reported in the 2020 manual to be 4 inches or 102 mm
3.What is yours, now?
Stock Rally is 4.4 inches or 112 mm.

1. Only the longer shocks 400mm instead of 380mm
2. RFY shocks 400 - complet in black
3. its a non Rally now I have around 150mm - 5,7 inches (unloaded!)

 

[SportsterDoc]

That is great clearance.
1. Which RFY 400 mm?
2. Purchased from?
3. Price?

Pls post photos of the installation.

I like many of the rally features, but preferred the blackout standard 900 and not interested in Max Mount.

So a clearance upgrade is very much of interest.

4. How much did it affect alignment?

In 1982, I put a 350 Chevrolet V8 in a 1973 Datsun PL620 pickup.
To compensate for the weight (not only engine, but GM 350 trans), I cranked up the torsion bars (adjusted alignment) and added KYB Gas-a-just shocks. Ended up with a clearance gain.

 

[old Timer]

Chris, your videos are always great. Tell us about that place that you and loads of other motorcyclists and Spyders that stopped on the top.

 

[chris56]

That is great clearance.
1. Which RFY 400 mm?
2. Purchased from?
3. Price?
4. How much did it affect alignment?
.[/B]

I testet it 2up for 350 miles now - didn`t feel any problems with the alignment, if you touch a curb with the front it costs around 1.500,- and 2-3 weeks to get the parts - (happend to a friend with his rally) ..sorry but for me it is not logical to mount the cooler like this - the installation is easy - 4 screws - you need the right adapters M12 to M10
I would have preferred if ELKA or so to offer a solution for that problem.. but had to take this "cheap" china solution (took them in black - was more expensive)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/RFY-Universal-Motorcycle-Absorber-Suspension/dp/B07VJ1XWY8

 

[tbohman56]

made my first service now (11,500 miles), still no real problems with my 900. The only handicap I see is the Installation of the cooler on the lowest point of the front, specially when you have to brake she goes down to two inch over the floor, impossible for a touring bike...

First I changed the red BRP swaybar to the one from BajaRon, made a test and it really feels much better than before. I decided to change to longer (400 instead of 380mm) shocks which bring up the front one inch, they are also stiffer than the standard ones, on the back we use the FOX in the hardest position.

We made a 300 miles trip in the mountains (8 hours) and finally the performance is fantastic, also on higher speeds!!
We are faster uphill and downhill, the handling is now much better than on our Spyders, would not change back..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMlDtJwZDv0&t=7s

I am most interested in your comment about handling better than your Spyders. I am trying to decide between a Ryker and an F3-S and would appreciate your thoughts.

 

[SportsterDoc]

Confirm that shock eyes are different size than stock, regarding your M12 vs M10 reference?

 

[chris56]

the Ryker needs an M10 screw for the shock - there are sockets to reduce from M12 to M10 if you order shocks ..
I would say you can use each brand .. maximum load around 700lbs - 400 mm (15 3/4 Zoll) eye to eye (this length is standard by many motorcycles..)
(maybe ELKA or FOX is offering longer versions in the Future ?!? - I do normally not buy chinese stuff if its possible)
I use the the softest adjustment - she is still comfortable on the front (the FOX on the rear is on hardest postion)
Also on really hard brakes 2up downhill the shocks are not on the limit - it feels more secure now ..
I don`t understand, why BRP uses such short shocks, specially on the "Rally" ???

and this is the "Grossglockner - Event" in Austria - was cancelled this year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa52jYfIZiU

 

[Tslepebull]

What is the standard length for the KYB front shocks on the Rally? Would a 400 mm shock lift the front end of the rally model?

 

[chris56]

What is the standard length for the KYB front shocks on the Rally? Would a 400 mm shock lift the front end of the rally model?

YES - both are 380 mm (eye-eye).. I think there is no difference on the height of the rally unloaded - maybe full loaded when the shock is in the hardest position ..
(should be easy to sell used KYB shocks .. I wanted to install them on my Ryker before I saw the first one who lifted her up)

 

[Tslepebull]

Thanks Chris, I am tempted to do some experimentation with my Rally. there are a bunch of options on Amazon for heavier capacity shocks in 400 mm

 

[SportsterDoc]

Thanks to posts by Chris56 and emails from Tslepebull on his installation, 400 mm shocks made a huge difference on mine.
400 mm is the limit of the lower control arm travel.
Raised front ground clearance to 6.5"
Made bumps, such as manhole covers, almost not noticeable
Made bumps during aggressive cornering a non-issue.
No loss in cornering noticed.

 

[Gcclubs]

which 400mm shocks did you use? Can you post a link from where you bought them? Thanks

 

[chris56]

which 400mm shocks did you use? Can you post a link from where you bought them? Thanks

they are offered in different colors - could have a longer working stroke - if you order them you need 4 pieces of adapters 12mm to 10 mm !!!!

https://www.amazon.com/GZYF-Motorcycle-Absorbers-Universal-Kawasaki/dp/B00XVH4NVG