Worth modding cruiser suspension (suzuki m50)?

MariusD · 03-11-2013, 02:35 PM

I'm wanting to improve the road absorbtion of the front suspension of my suzuki m50 for a smoother ride. Right now the bike has 12k miles and riding it for consecutive days tends to beat me up a bit. The front end seems to bounce a bit from all the small road imperfections, so I'd like to somehow mod it to soak it up better and get a smoother ride. I'm sure going to a better shock oil might help, maybe it's low or something anyway. But I wonder if anyone has done suspension mods on a cruiser? Where did you get the parts or who did the work and how did it turn out?

I did e-mail Race Tech this morning, will see what suggestions they have, if any.

I'm looking to get an adv bike at the moment, but I would like to keep this one as well as I really do enjoy it.

das ist gut · 03-11-2013, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MariusD

I'm wanting to improve the road absorbtion of the front suspension of my suzuki m50 for a smoother ride. Right now the bike has 12k miles and riding it for consecutive days tends to beat me up a bit. The front end seems to bounce a bit from all the small road imperfections, so I'd like to somehow mod it to soak it up better and get a smoother ride. I'm sure going to a better shock oil might help, maybe it's low or something anyway. But I wonder if anyone has done suspension mods on a cruiser? Where did you get the parts or who did the work and how did it turn out?

I did e-mail Race Tech this morning, will see what suggestions they have, if any.

I'm looking to get an adv bike at the moment, but I would like to keep this one as well as I really do enjoy it.

If you really like the bike, make some mods.

Damping adjustment and maybe spring change will improve any ride.
This really is one of the changes most riders should make.

Way cheaper than getting another bike, which will be asking you for suspension help too!

jearnshaw · 03-11-2013, 07:16 PM

I hear ya my Shadow has the same problem and if I keep her I am looking into Progressive springs.

From what I have read it supposed to help a lot.

MariusD · 03-11-2013, 07:52 PM

All the searching Ive done so far has been for my specific bike and didn't find much of anything useful. I'll try searching for cruisers in general.

I hope Race Tech gets back to me with something useful. I'll also try to e-mail Progressive and Ohlins next.

I agree though, most stock bikes have minimalistic suspensions that leave much to be desired and hopefully improved.

Good article here:
Why Upgrading Your Motorcycle Suspension is Important for Motorcycle Safety.
http://bikerlawblog.com/2009/02/18/w...82165527343750

" For cruisers there are plenty of choices – Progressive Suspension, Works Performance, Race Tech to name a few."

MariusD · 03-11-2013, 08:17 PM

Worls performance looks really cool. Here's their price list for all the different models, except they don't list my m50, need to call them, prices seem reasonable:

http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/...ide/street.pdf

MariusD · 03-12-2013, 08:20 AM

Progressive replied to my email saying they have no solutions for the M50... boo...

B.Curvin · 03-12-2013, 05:49 PM

http://www.motocd.com/

MariusD · 03-13-2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.Curvin

http://www.motocd.com/

Looks promissing, thanks, I'll give them a call.

Tenni126 · 03-15-2013, 09:43 AM

I've used Works stuff on my less sporty rides (no reason other than it just worked out that way)...a BMW r90/6 and a Guzzi California and they made a huge difference for not a ton of dough. I'm sure all the other companies have stuff in similar price ranges. Front springs are around $100 or so, rear shocks were like $500 I think for the basic "these don't suck" model. If you like the bike I'd say it's worth the money.

MariusD · 03-20-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenni126

I've used Works stuff on my less sporty rides (no reason other than it just worked out that way)...a BMW r90/6 and a Guzzi California and they made a huge difference for not a ton of dough. I'm sure all the other companies have stuff in similar price ranges. Front springs are around $100 or so, rear shocks were like $500 I think for the basic "these don't suck" model. If you like the bike I'd say it's worth the money.

Cool, thanks, that's very good to know. I appreciate your input. The works I think is the last one of the bunch of companies that I have not emailed yet. Will do that now.

03-11-2013, 02:35 PM	#1
MariusD ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2012 Oddometer: 147	Worth modding cruiser suspension (suzuki m50)? I'm wanting to improve the road absorbtion of the front suspension of my suzuki m50 for a smoother ride. Right now the bike has 12k miles and riding it for consecutive days tends to beat me up a bit. The front end seems to bounce a bit from all the small road imperfections, so I'd like to somehow mod it to soak it up better and get a smoother ride. I'm sure going to a better shock oil might help, maybe it's low or something anyway. But I wonder if anyone has done suspension mods on a cruiser? Where did you get the parts or who did the work and how did it turn out? I did e-mail Race Tech this morning, will see what suggestions they have, if any. I'm looking to get an adv bike at the moment, but I would like to keep this one as well as I really do enjoy it.

03-11-2013, 07:52 PM	#4
MariusD ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2012 Oddometer: 147	All the searching Ive done so far has been for my specific bike and didn't find much of anything useful. I'll try searching for cruisers in general. I hope Race Tech gets back to me with something useful. I'll also try to e-mail Progressive and Ohlins next. I agree though, most stock bikes have minimalistic suspensions that leave much to be desired and hopefully improved. Good article here: Why Upgrading Your Motorcycle Suspension is Important for Motorcycle Safety. http://bikerlawblog.com/2009/02/18/w...82165527343750 " For cruisers there are plenty of choices – Progressive Suspension, Works Performance, Race Tech to name a few." MariusD screwed with this post 03-11-2013 at 08:04 PM

03-12-2013, 05:49 PM	#7
B.Curvin Feral Chia tamer Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Left of the dial. Canton, NC Oddometer: 2,596	http://www.motocd.com/ __________________ Mutt'n the custard. On the outside with my back turned.

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03-11-2013, 07:16 PM	#3
jearnshaw Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Jefferson, NC Oddometer: 91	I hear ya my Shadow has the same problem and if I keep her I am looking into Progressive springs. From what I have read it supposed to help a lot.

03-11-2013, 08:17 PM	#5
MariusD ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2012 Oddometer: 147	Worls performance looks really cool. Here's their price list for all the different models, except they don't list my m50, need to call them, prices seem reasonable: http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/...ide/street.pdf

03-12-2013, 08:20 AM	#6
MariusD ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2012 Oddometer: 147	Progressive replied to my email saying they have no solutions for the M50... boo...

03-15-2013, 09:43 AM	#9
Tenni126 Adventurer Joined: Feb 2011 Location: San Diego CA Oddometer: 30	I've used Works stuff on my less sporty rides (no reason other than it just worked out that way)...a BMW r90/6 and a Guzzi California and they made a huge difference for not a ton of dough. I'm sure all the other companies have stuff in similar price ranges. Front springs are around $100 or so, rear shocks were like $500 I think for the basic "these don't suck" model. If you like the bike I'd say it's worth the money.