Hey boner owners, I'm going on a trip soon with the wife for the first time. I installed a very cushy mustang for her so that I don't have to listen to her whine the whole time. Question is, do I need to adjust the suspension on the bike? I'm 200lbs, she's 120ish. maybe 20lbs of gear. Any suggestions. I looked in the service manual and it says I need a special spanner wrench, is there another way to do it? Thanks in advance.

 

I am 230lbs and my wife is about 140. We rode 2 up all the time when I had my xbones with no issues. I did adjust the tire pressure though.

 

The spanner wrench from a Harbor Freight angle grinder fits perfect. Just loosen the lock nut on the shocks (now that may be near impossible) then just turn the shocks out. I would suggest a couple of turns. Good luck.

My bike rode terrible with the stock seat and stock shock settings. I changed the seat and increased the preload, and a totally different ride. Way better!

 

It depends where they are set now.

Ride around 2 up a little on some rough roads and see if it bottoms out.
If so they U need to adjust for heaiver load.

There's a bunch of threads on how to, in here, a quick search will get U the HOW to do it.


Or read below, as I saved this from another post.

Instructions:
1. Determine whether your suspension is too stiff or too soft for your liking. Take into consideration whether or not you will be riding solo or 2-up most of the time.
2. With a white paint pen, put a mark on the face of your adjuster plate at the 6 o’clock position. This will be your starting position. Do this to both shocks
3. While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner wrench, break the adjuster nut free from the adjuster plate by turning the nut counterclockwise

If you are adjusting for a heavier weight (stiffer ride):
A. Continue to turn the adjuster nut counterclockwise (the nut will move towards the front of the bike) until it stops.
B. Now using the spanner wrench, turn the adjuster plate counterclockwise no more than 4 complete turns. Count the number of times the white mark crosses the 6 o’clock position.
C. While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner, tighten the adjuster nut up against the adjuster plate by turning the nut clockwise.
D. Now repeat the exact process with the other shock.

If you are adjusting for a lighter weight (softer ride) :
A. Now using the spanner wrench, turn the adjuster plate clockwise no more than 4 complete turns. Count the number of times the white mark crosses the 6 o’clock position.
B. While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner, tighten the adjuster nut up against the adjuster plate by turning the nut clockwise.
C. Now repeat the exact process with the other shock.

Note: - When you turn the adjuster nut - only the adjuster nut should turn.
- When you turn the front nut - only the front nut should turn.
- When you turn the adjuster plate - the canister might turn too. Some people find it easier to turn the adjuster plate and the canister at the same time.
- If the canister turns or not - it doesn't matter - the canister does not affect the outcome.
There are a limited number of threads. Count the number of threads visible
Use the "rule of thumb" chart below:
- 4 threads = Preloaded for a softest spring (<180 lbs)
- 3 threads = Preloaded for a softer spring (181-237 lbs)
- 2 threads = Preloaded for a softer spring (238-293 lbs)
- 1 threads = Preloaded for a stiffer spring (294-349 lbs)
- 0 threads = Preloaded for a stiffest spring (>350 lbs)

 

Unless the dealer setup mine different, I'm a little bigger and so is my wife & we've rode with an extra 50+ lbs with no adjustment from the factory and had no issues. Just make sure the tire pressure is a little higher, or your tire will wear more because of heat.

 

Thanks guys for all the details!