HyperPro upgrade: need advice

[CT_Ron]

Hey guys,

I bought a HyperPro suspension kit for my previously owned CRF1000. It transformed the bike a lot, despite the front forks being the culprit of my half year of suffering on the road (anodised layer inside was all gone, long story short). In the end, I got tired of it's problens despite the AT being my dream bike. I felt betrayed by Honda, but being my second choice after the AT, I went for the Crosstourer due to that lovely drive shaft and long traveling opportunity which I plan to do the coming years.

Already dwelling off topic, back to my question:

I want to invest in my Crosstourer and obviously HyperPro springs are needed if the CT wants to survive my weight of 110kg. Two things:

1. Get the rear spring upgraded with the heavy duty version, instead of the standard HP upgrade.

Or

2. Get a whole new rear shock installed + a heavy duty spring.

The thing is, when I checked my static sag on my Africa Twin, I noticed I was only two clicks away from max with the correct sag settings. Meaning that with the HyperPro installed, riding two-up (another 70kg added) would never be possible with correct sag settings.

My panniers weigh 5kg each, the rack 4kg my riding uniform another 8-10kg etc. etc. The guys over at HP told me the heavy version was mainly for police motorcycles with a lot of permanent added equipment. But since I'm already fat and ride with panniers and occasionally with the wife, I might qualify for being police-equipped heavy?? Also, I don't want to be 1 click away from max preload like the Africa Twin, this leaves no buffer for added weight.

Also, and this is my main concern: my bike now has 90K's on the clock and even though it's been imported from Germany and previously owned by a German motorcycle lover, hasn't seen a drop of rain, has no rust, and has had every 12k maintenance interval done by German Honda mechanics, the rear shock itself might be needing a rebuild due to the traveled kilometres. I can't tell myself because I have no reference on how the CT's rear shock should perform other than a terrible AT suspension setup or my other previously owned bikes which were all floppy and saggy bikes bending to the will of my aggressive right hand.

On their website, HyperPro writes that it's better to replace or rebuild because of the high 'milage', but they obviously also have their own agenda, despite HP being friendly and helpful. This bike has done a lot of Autobahn highway travels (averaging 21.000km a year) and hasn't been offroad until I bought it a few months ago. I just don't want to buy a rear spring and then find out the shock is actually not working correctly.

...help?!

[Wavey Dave]

Hi CT_Ron
1/ How does the bike ride for you? If you are happy with the ride leave it be. Take some time to ride and see for yourself. Some people on here think the suspension is not good, some people think it just needs setting up (changes within the range that Honda built in) still others think it's ok without change. Ride it for a time and think for yourself. If you are really not sure let someone you trust (& who has some knowledge) have a ride or two and see what they have to say.

2/ Any good suspension specialist will be able to help you make the right decision. I much prefer face to face conversations than telephones or e-mail. So have a ride over and a conversation with a specialist (more than 1 if you can)

3/ In my humble opinion if you feel the need to make changes then you have two choices
1st is simply upgrading springs and a face to face with a specialist will help to determine cost and what would be best for you. Incidentally if you use a specialist they should change the springs out and set the bike up for you. It's a bit more expensive than DIY but suspension is a dark art and I think that having it set up will pay dividends and will also enhance your own skills if you ask the right questions.
2nd would be to spend as much as you can afford on a new rear spring and fork internals as well as spring. Again, having this done for you, the specialist will set up the bike.

3/ just remember that simply throwing money at it is not necessarily the best option. As said suspension is a bit of a dark art and also very subjective (just like tyres) so..........

4/ keep riding, keep thinking, talk to different people and make an informed decision for you. Then you will make the right decision.

Hope that helps.
P.S don't have a CT yet but I do have over 35 years riding experience.

[CT_Ron]

Thank you Wavey Dave for taking the time and write your reply. HyperPro is a Dutch company, about 150 km away from where I live. I can come by the shop and get a free checkup & setup after you installed their products. I think I should indeed, as you said, come by prior to buying one and just ask them to check sag and handling based on my weight/riding preference.

Maximum weight capacity, including rider and 1 passenger = 194 kg (428 lb)

I'm about 110kg
Riding gear: 12kg
Accessories: +/- 25 kg such as aluminum panniers, steel luggage rack, skid plate, PalmerProducts Windshield Riser, which makes up a total of 145 kg (74% of max). My rear spring preload atm is 2 clicks from max.

This leaves 49 kg (108 lbs): My wife in full armor weighing 65 kg already makes for a negative weight and I haven't even included luggage. So theoretically I should be good riding solo on the CT, but I have a feeling the weight limit is not the spring weight limit, but rather the bike's mechanic limit (wear and tear on seals, rubbers, joints, tyres, steering capability etc.)

I just can't find that sweet spot. Having to increase the preload to counter too much sag, raises the back upward, making for a twitchy front end. I lowered the preload again and all I got were wheelies LOL... Boy, this CT has just too much torque and power...

[Wavey Dave]

It's good that hyper pro are not too far. They are the best of the budget stuff, and for everyday riders like you and me plenty good enough.

I am going out on limb here as I am not sure of my grounding but. You could put the CT engine inn a car and it would still run fine. I suspect strongly the weight limit is about what the suspension can take and/Or what the sub-frame can take before failure. If the sub-frame would be an issue (Though I doubt it) it can be beefed up fairly easily. In the long way round I think two of the three Beemers had issues with their sub-frames but they were all loaded to the gunnels and were doing a lot of off roading. I seem to remember problems only occurred over time and when off road. I imagine that road touring for a few weeks would not present an issue. In terms of kit it is always wise to get stuff as light and small as reasonably practicable. I reckon once you sort your suspension for your weight needs you shoudn't have any weight issues. (Touch wood)

[GADGET]

I wouldn’t mess around with upgrading your OE shock, with that mileage on it, just get a replacement built up to your weight requirements, just looked at EBay the YSS ones look good value, but don’t know what they are like.

[CT_Ron]

Can you rebuild a shock to match the riders weight? I thought that was done by using a thicker spring?

[mzflorida]

Originally Posted by GADGET

I wouldn’t mess around with upgrading your OE shock, with that mileage on it, just get a replacement built up to your weight requirements, just looked at EBay the YSS ones look good value, but don’t know what they are like.

Agreed completely on the shcok.  Hyperspro springs improve the ride, absolutely improve the handling, but they are not perfect.  I have an OEM shock for a 2016 VFR1200X.  It has about 10 K on it.  If you want it I'll sell it to you cheap.  It is sitting in my garage.  I know shipping might be pricey.  But, we'll make it work if you are interested.  This forum has helped me a lot.  If I can return the favor, happy to do so.  Check out shipping form US Zipcode 33913 and see if it would work for you if you are interested. 

[CT_Ron]

Hey Mzflorida, thanks for the offer, but shipping costs are already near the 70usd mark due to the weight of the shock and then there's the price of the shock itself and import charges, so I'll have to politely pass on your offer!

Ron