Topic: 16" shocks on a K8....way too long?

[HedNut]

I'm not near my bike right now...so can't measure the ol' tired stock shocks until tonight. But I found these and want them....think it would make the stance truely wicked with the arse end up higher...and they'd fit my bike perfectly! (color wise)

The only question.... I was definately thinking of installing 14 1/2" shocks... but would 16" shocks be way too long for my K8?  (they're only available in that length)

I would love the look!  But how would it change the riding characteristics? (more aggresive steering?)

Also... How much would I have to lengthen the side kickstand to make sure my bike still "stands"?  Or what have other people done?

CHEERS! and thanks for all comments!



Here's a pic of them:

[bollingball]

I would double check my oil pick up with that stance.

[Skunk Stripe]

I think the 16s would throw things off quite a bit and could adversely affect handling. I am also not sure if the swingarm will even drop that far.

[Syscrush]

No specific advice about these shocks, but on most bikes a 1" rise in the rear results in about 1° decrease in rake.  Less rake = more twitch, but the stock setup is so conservative you could take out a lot of rake and still have a rideable bike.  I'd also be concerned about more flex & stiction in the forks under braking, though.

FWIW, it's not particularly hard or expensive to get the correct-fitting shocks & springs painted to suit your bike.

[HedNut]

Thanks guys... all very true...and I figured as much (rideability would change a lot I'm sure)  I was maybe hoping somebody would jump on and scream "I have some 16's on mine and she rides good!" haha

About painting...I am not afraid of doing that myself.. Only most "my price range" shocks at a height I want (14.5") come with chrome springs...which add another level of fun to getting paint to stick good under flex.

That said... I did a quick 3 minute layout (very rough scaling from pictures of my bike... so don't beat me up over them not being bang on)  But it gives me a bit of an idea of what I could expect going to 16" shocks.

Cheers!
And thanks so much for the comments!

[Syscrush]

The 25° rake doesn't seem like a problem to me, but that 15° angle on the swinger does.

[754]

Extend swingarm 3-4 inches.