Can I use longer rear shocks.

Can I install longer rear shocks to compensate for driver/passenger weight. I know that I can use heavier springs but most heavy duty shocks are still not designed for 300+pound riders. I thought that if I used a 1/2 " or 1" longer shock I would be able to compensate for the sag when I sit on the bike and have more useable travel.

This would allow me to not use the highest preload setting and have a second plan for driving 2 up.

Would the longer shock cause any problems when the bike is sitting unloaded?

 

??? I dunno! Good question as I've seen lots of heavy duty shocks for Viragos but the Max is neglected. How hard would it be to convert the Max to use Virago shocks or convert the shocks anyway?

 

Maxim700 I have been thinking about putting ½ inch longer shocks on my bike when I get new shocks. From what I have read at the XS1100 site the subject they say it should bike the bike handle better. This magazine article was written in the early 1980s. I think this is what you where searching for

If you don't mind denting the left muffler a bit to clear the axle, I recommend you install 13-inch rear dampers rather than the stock 12.5-inch units. One of the problems of the stock bike is rear suspension that does not have enough travel to allow the low spring preloads so important to ride quality and bumpy-road traction. Yamaha increased the spring's preload so the XS11 would not bottom too often with the three-inch travel rear dampers. This tends to make the bike hop over rough roads, be excessively reactive to the torque input of the shaft drive, and helps "pump" the bike's suspension while cornering with the throttle shut off (as most of us do).

The longer damper will have more travel (the Fox has the most) and permits less preload and less bottoming. The length of the 13- inch shock allows lower spring preload without sacrificing ground clearance; it also results in a better ride. The longer stroke of the 13-inch shocks requires that the springs be compressed farther before the suspension is bottomed, thus allowing a greater load capacity and smoother ride. If you select the S&Ws, ask for the lowest compression damping and the heaviest rebound damping. Fox Shox work best on the XS if the damping selected is firm.