Suspension question and options

[david_s]

Afternoon all.

I have a 2015 XR SE Sport with 22k on the clock which has D-ESA. I've had it about 4 months now but I can't help but think there's something wrong with the suspension or maybe that's just how it is. 

Firstly the suspension is too hard for my liking and you feel every little bump in the road and secondly I cannot feel any difference whatsoever between Road and Dynamic. Is this normal?

I rode my mates R1250GS on Friday and yes I know it's a newer generation of D-ESA but the ride was more compliant on his bike in dynamic than mine is on road. Does anyone find their XR suspension too firm and do you feel a difference between the two modes?

Also, other than having the D-ESA checked to ensure everything is working properly, what other options, if any, are there to improve the ride?

[david_s]

Ok so I've just seen the other thread in the appearance & mods forum regarding aftermarket suspension, so that covers other options.

I suppose what I want to know is, should my D-ESA be like it is and can it be made better? (Without spending £1000s on aftermarket options).

[Antares]

The gen 1 is just inherently hard, it's harder than the Gen 2 in it's hardest mode which i personally disliked. Not much you can do to make it softer if you're already in road and 1 rider preload, only thing you might be able to do cheaply is springs.

The difference in Road and dynamic don't really show themselves when ridden leisurely, dynamic gives more support on acceleration and braking to stop squat under acceleration and fishtailing under braking, but general response to bumps and undulations, there is hardly a difference.

[david_s]

Ok thanks, might as well just ride it in dynamic then as the diving under hard braking is frustrating too and if it helps with that yet doesn't feel any harsher over the bumps then it makes road mode redundant to me.

[RyanGTXR]

David, is your bike std height or factory low?
My std height suspension (with soupys lowering kit) even in Dynamic, is on the softer side of things, nice for general riding on our shite roads, only showing it' limitations when pushing on. I do switch to road when on bumpier roads if going steadier (riding with friend on her MT07) or if it's wet or just have a drag on duel c/way / M/way as it does soften things up to be more compliant over the rougher stuff. For me the difference between road - dynamic is subtle but noticeable.

However, my mate has the factory low and has always thought his to be too stiff even in road. OK when having a play but if going steadier or on a bumpy road he feels things much more than I do on mine. I can see it too when following him. Nothing too bad but certainly stiffer than my bike.
It seems general coconscious from reading posts etc. over time is that the factory low sus is firmer as it has the same job to do but with less travel to do so. Good for sporty times but not so good for the touring side.

One other thing to look at is making sure all linkages etc. are nice and free (clean and grease?).

I have also over the years read of some rear shocks being well past their best quite early on. others last for many more miles.

[david_s]

Thanks Ryan.

I think my bike is standard, it certainly doesn't look low and I'm 6ft tall with long legs and can only just flat foot it at a push.

Some good points around checking that the rear suspension is working as it should though. Luckily the bike is under warranty so I'll get it booked in and checked out I think.

[david_s]

So to give an update on this - I took my bike back to where I bought it. They've had it nearly a week and I got a call today to say their senior technician has been looking at it, he's taken it out and agreed it doesn't feel right but they can't see what's wrong with it. They've hooked it up to a diagnostic system and everything seems fine. They're now going to strip it down and send the shock to a specialist to be dismantled and rebuilt to eliminate any issues with the mechanical side of the shock being the problem. Luckily my bike is under warranty with them and they said it will cover it. So far their service has been exemplary so fingers crossed they can get to the bottom of the issue.