The spring is black if I remember correctly. sub 200 lbs riders seems a bit of a low limit for a touring bike meant to carry some gear and a rider, way to go Honda lol. I mean anyone that is tall and works out like myself is going to be north of 200. I don't know what my official birthday suit weight is but at work with my boots on I'm 286 according to the shipping scale give or take a lunch haha
Handling concerns?
- Thread starter valleyguy98
- Start date
Just tested the preload adjuster. Is 12 turns before you get any resistance bad? Lmao. Guess I'm doing that this weekend.
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2006
- Messages
- 3,169
- Location
- Ilkley, W Yorkshire, UK
- Bike
- 2013 ST1300 A9
- 2025 Miles
- 002293
12 clicks isnt too bad, but 12 x 360 degree turns is 24 clicks which is a lot. I doubt thst you will be able to stop it bottoming out.
Also have a look at the hydraulic piston "jack" on top the shock, that compresses down (preloads) the spring.
If the area is oily, the piston seal may be leaking and would need replacement before replenishing the remote adjuster.
It was 100% 12 full turn hahaha. I smirked when I got to 8 then starting laughing at 10.
Unfortunately the ideal Japanese rider of 150 lbs is what factory fresh suspension was set up for. Get rider and static sag measurements for confirmation. When it starts resisting effort is the 0 preload datum and 36 clicks is max preload travel. The allowed payload of rider & cargo for a stock non ABS ST1300 is 401 lbs, ABS 392 lbs.
Bike passed safety inspection no problem. I fixed the preload adjuster and changed the final drive fluid. After an actual good ride I have discovered two things coolant smell but nothing under the bike and a knock coming from the engine. I will create a new post for these issues. Thank you everyone for the advice for the handling concerns. Seems to be better now after the preload fix and I put some more lean into it for the corners and it was fine.
Thanks for that hard data. I know that the bike is "optimized for" a single fit or even underweight rider but it should be made to hold two normal sized adults-- a husband and wife touring across state lines.
I'm 300 lbs myself so if I have 20 pounds worth of extra clothing and tools in one of the side cases and top box, that means I could only carry a passenger up to 80 pounds. A kid!
But I think that I could carry an adult passenger twice that weight, assuming the passenger fits in the available space behind me, at the cost of sacrificing some handling and emergency breaking capability.