BIG Rider Suspension travel search continues.....

[Stig / Major Tom]

Well, it seems that only the Kymco manual for the Yager lists the shock travel.
Us big guys with LIKEs will have to keep looking to solve our issue ...... the Yager has 70mm of travel UNLOADED. Sit on it and I bet you have a whopping 1/4 to 1/2 of that  three inches left.
 100mm is about  4 inches.
The LIKE has a 13" shock.
I've seen 14" and 14.50" shocks for sale. I will look to see what might fit  our LIKEs, and try to learn if there is one of these longer shocks avail. for bigger scooters from Kymco (seems to make sense that if the scooter is heavier than the LIKE, this bigger shock might be an improvement for bigger LIKE riders.)

Will a slightly longer, heavier-duty shock upset the handling of the LIKE?......Well, it does not exactly handle like a Porsche or ride like a Buick when you put a big guy on it right now.

Who do you ask these questions of......? Parts folks, dealers, riders....?

Love the scoot - but it beats up a big guy on all but smooth roads, and that seat is good for 40 mins max.
I know others share these 2 issues with their LIKEs.
So, jump in here folks with your ideas, comments.

[big blue]

Stig So even with the Michelin City Grips the ride is still rough? I have found that the seat does "break-in" a bit, but the ride is pretty stiff. I had decided to try replacing the stock fork oil with a lighter synthetic when I replaced the tires. It seems to me that the front dampers are at fault for the stiff ride.  I weigh about 200 lbs...  Len

[Stig / Major Tom]

Stig So even with the Michelin City Grips the ride is still rough? I have found that the seat does "break-in" a bit, but the ride is pretty stiff. I had decided to try replacing the stock fork oil with a lighter synthetic when I replaced the tires. It seems to me that the front dampers are at fault for the stiff ride.  I weigh about 200 lbs...  Len

Hello Len,
Yes, but I think it has more to do with my 250 sitting over those rear shocks. The tires are fine, I love them. Had to make 2 rain runs today - they sure add confidence under there.  ( as with all my vehicles I set the air in them as stated by vehicle  manufacturer - makes a big difference to me in ride quality)
I saw a photo of me riding away from the camera - there is very little suspension remaining when I'm in the saddle! The exhaust is nearly touching the body panel. The aircleaner must be doing the same on the other side! Yes, it's on stiff setting.

Tried to fit the shock extenders this morning, the right was a bear, but it fit perfectly and raised the scoot just as I hoped - but not so much the tire touched on the center stand,  but the left side bracket is fouled by the slope in front  of the attachment point - it is not the simple knob as found on the right side,  it came within a 1/4 inch of fitting - and I'm not going to grind anything away in that area. Looking at some titanium shock lifts now, but not sure they will fit.
.
I can and will live with this ride quality , but would like to try to find a fix, with a longer shock or thicker set of springs, better shock extender.

I'm thinking my best bet is to visit the dealer floor and look at the larger engined, heavier Kymcos in there. If I can get an idea what will help/work,
I'll order the pair for that scooter and install them!

Surely a shock from a  bigger scooter will be more supportive, stronger, yes?

[big blue]

Stig

I wonder if there are air shocks available which could fit. That way you could customize the ride to weight simple by adding pressure. I am riding on the lowest shock setting and the suspension on the rear does not bottom unless I hit a BIG rut or pothole.

Len

[MotoRandy123]

I've only ever had one bike with good suspension. It was a Ducati with the factory Ohlin's
stuff one it. It was perfect! You basically never thought about it as it worked.

I have tweaked the suspension on many bikes. They usually come with soft springs and
stiff oil damping. You can stiffen up the spring by cutting some off. I've done this to fork
springs. Cut off 10% and gain 10% stiffer.

The oil damping is best fixed by using something like the RaceTech emulators. These allow
settings for small hits and large hits. The stock ones are setup for one setting so stiffen up
too much on bigger hits.

My Yager seams to work OK in the back at one particular setting but the front seems harsh.
I've tried drilling out the damper holes by 1mm and using different oil but it's still not great.

The amount of travel isn't always the problem it's how compliant it is. A scooter is tough as there is
a lot of weight on the swing arm that has to be moved to soak up the bumps. I noticed on my bike
they have a double hinge to isolate it somewhat.

I think the back would be OK at the stock height and travel if it had the correct spring and damping...

[91cavgt]

I think the back would be OK at the stock height and travel if it had the correct spring and damping...

You hit the nail on the head.  For me, the stock setup is acceptable, but I'm a smaller guy at 170 pounds.  Just like a car though, if you go trying to put a shock extender on, the ride will still be the same, it MIGHT not bottom out as quickly, but it more than likely will still bottom out.  A taller shock designed for a different vehicle will work, but you WILL be sacrificing something.  Either it will be too stiff on the small bumps in order to not bottom out on the big bumps, or vice versa.  The key is to get the proper damping and spring combo for the weight of the scoot and rider.  Unfourtuantely, I do not have an answer that would be affordable.