2017 Versys 650 Grand Tourer - ongoing review

[Blade]

28k is very good for the oem chain

[Kwacky]

It wasn't

I change the chain and sprockets once a year. This is set number 3.

[D6]

JT self cleaning front sprocket fitted.

What's that? Do they do other self cleaning bike parts?

[Kwacky]

It's supposed to stop a lot of the gunk building up around the front sprocket. They use them on off-road bikes. I've no idea if it'll be effective on the Versys but for £15 and the funky noise it makes it's worth trying out.

[Kwacky]

I'm not having much luck

The rear shock has failed this morning. I just got into work and noticed some fluid from the bike, then some smoke coming up. I had just filled up so thought I had overfilled and spilled some.

Checked the fuel, that was fine. Smelt the fluid and couldn't work out what it was. The coolant was fine, the fuel pump was priming. So I got the tool kit out and started to trace backwards. I found the fluid coming from the end of the main unit of the rear shock.

It's a YSS aftermarket one. They come with a 2 year warranty but that's not the point. You don't expect a shock to fail like that. Now I've got to somehow get the bike home and then swap the shock over.

Do you reckon I could ride it or is it a recovery job?

[StMarks]

.......Do you reckon I could ride it or is it a recovery job?

Imo it's rideable.
Worst case scenario I can think of is that the damping effect will fail altogether.? -If so, it will simply be bouncy & therefore handle badly & be less controllable. So isn't it simply a question of riding it slowly & carefully.?

[Kwacky]

That was my thinking. It's A road and motorway home so provided I stick to sensible speeds I should be able to get it back.

[Blade]

If you think about it you've already ridden it leaking you just were nt aware till you stopped and all was fine.

As long of no risk of oil getting on tyres or brakes I would ride it home. Maybe stop occasionally to check the integrity and proceed with caution and use extended braking distances etc...

[Kwacky]

I think it's only just sprung the leak. I've walked back through the car park and up to the barrier and there's no oil. The amount that's spat out under the bike suggests that the leak sprung there. I've had a look and there's nothing on the rear tyre.

I'm going to leave it for a bit to allow the oil to drain out then I'll take it home. I can swap it over at the weekend.

[Cav]

IMO I don't think it's worth riding home on it, get a lift home then bring the replacement shock to the bike and fit it in the evening.

You don't want oil getting on your tyre especially if it's damp on the road

[Rossgo]

Had this happen before with my rear shock. I rode it to the garage and back again and that was enough. It felt horrible. Oil won't get on your tyre if it all leaks out before riding it. Can't remember if I got oil on my tyre to be honest

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[Kwacky]

Cheers Rossgo. How was it horrible? I expect it to be bouncy but what was the handling like?

I can't leave it at work. I can't get a lift home, it's almost 40 miles away and my wife is at work. I'm not allowed to work on the bike in the car park(insurance issues at work!).

So it's either recovery to a garage or ride it home. I've been out to check and it's stopped leaking so the risk of oil on the rear is very low

[Blade]

Any temporary repair possible to assist getting home safely?

[duke63]

Can you wrap a carrier bag around the shock and tape it up to prevent oil escaping onto the tyre ?

I would have thought a shock with no oil would be very bouncy as there is no damping, as long as the preload is set so the spring doesn’t top or bottom out.

[duke63]

Is it worth ringing a suspension specialist Revs racing at Halesowen?) for some basic advice on how safe it is?

[Kwacky]

I've wrapped a load of kitchen tissue around the base and taped it up. The last lot of tissue was dry so it looks like the oil is all out.

I'll call the guy who sold me the shock and ask him for advice.

[Kwacky]

Typical. His shop is shut on Mondays.

[D6Nutz]

Go for a big dump before you ride home to reduce the load on the suspension. HTH.




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[kiwikrasher]

I’d be warying of higher speeds. You have no dampening and the chance of an increasing oscillation that gets out of control is far greater at higher speeds (higher loads etc) and will be messier if it goes pear shaped.

[Blade]

Kwacky, if it still has damping and feels ok I would consider riding it steadily in an emergency situation if you have too.

If all damping has gone which it now seems it may have as you say you think it s lost all its oil, if you can arrange recovery I would do that to play safe.
With no damping you could cause excessive wear in bearings etc as they cope with higher loads and vibration but more importantly your ability to emergency stop should it be needed may be effect with a failed shock absorber.

An inconvenience, yes but better than an accident or more severe damage / wear to the bike