How Do You Know If Your Motorcycle Shocks Are Bad?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Symptoms:

The ride will feel soft or vague

and as speed increases, the rear end will want to wallow and/or weave over bumpy surfaces and traction suffers. Loss of traction will cause rear end to pogo or chatter due to shock returning too fast on exiting a corner.

How do I know if my bike shocks are bad?

Weird noises coming from the shocks or forks that sound like

grinding, clunking, and slurping

. This is a sign that it may need to be replaced or in need of a service. All so if the rear shocks are swishing or slurping means that the damper oil is cavitated, in which case it needs to be replaced.

How do I know when my shocks need to be replaced?

  1. Bumpy ride. The most obvious sign of a problem with your shocks or struts is that your car is giving you a much more uncomfortable ride than normal. …
  2. Steering problems. …
  3. Braking problems. …
  4. Fluid leaks. …
  5. Unusual tire tread wear. …
  6. Mileage.

How long do motorcycle shocks last?

Some shock absorber manufacturers say you should replace them at

50,000 miles

, but that’s more for their benefit than yours. Having the shocks and suspension parts inspected at 40,000 or 50,000 miles, then annually after that, is a better idea.

What does it sound like when shocks go bad?


Knocking Sound

: When you head over some bumps in the road, especially potholes, speed bumps, things like that and you hear a metallic knocking sound then that’s a good sign that your shocks are worn out.

How much does it cost to replace shocks?

A typical shock and strut replacement can set you back anywhere

between $450 and $1,100

on parts and labor combined. An individual shock and strut assembly costs around $150 to $900, while estimated labor costs for replacing a shock and strut assembly can range anywhere from $150 to $300 per assembly.

Can I put longer shocks on my motorcycle?

If you leave the forks stock and just add longer shocks, it

will lessen your fork rake

, making the steering quicker but less stable at higher speeds. It will slightly alter your center of gravity and put more weight on the front tire as well, which means less wheelies and, again, quicker steering.

How do I check motorcycle suspension?

Symptoms:

The ride will feel soft or vague

and as speed increases, the rear end will want to wallow and/or weave over bumpy surfaces and traction suffers. Loss of traction will cause rear end to pogo or chatter due to shock returning too fast on exiting a corner.

What is the best motorcycle suspension?

  • Öhlins STX Street Shock Absorber. …
  • Savage Motorcycle Rear Suspension Lowering Link Kit. …
  • Progressive Suspension 10-2210 Drop-In Fork Lowering Kit. …
  • Laser 4946 Motorcycle Fork Oil Level Adjuster. …
  • BELEY Motorcycle Adjustable Fork Seal Driver Tool. …
  • Hyperpro Rear Shock.

How hard is it to replace shocks?

The most difficult part of the job is removing the old shocks, which can have a tendency to be really gunky with both age and road-grit, making the bushings and bolts

somewhat difficult to remove

.

How do you know if your shocks are leaking?

If the fluid in the shock absorber is getting past the seal,

it will leak out when you turn or stop the car

, causing the piston to move in extremes. This will mean that your vehicle may swerve and sometimes lurch forward when using your brakes.

Should I replace all 4 shocks at the same time?

Shocks and struts

should always be replaced in pairs or, better yet, all four

, for even, predictable handling and control. After all, all four have been on the vehicle for the same number of miles and worked under the same conditions.

Can I replace struts myself?

Replacing struts used to be a dangerous job for a DIYer. … But these days you can buy

a complete strut assembly

that eliminates the strut/spring/mount disassembly process. These assemblies allow you to replace both of your front struts yourself in less than two hours.

How long do shock absorbers typically last?

On average, if your car has been “babied,” you can expect your shocks/struts to last

about 10 years

. If you have really used your car like a workhorse, 5 years is probably all you can expect. This means that for the average driver, 7 or 8 years is the maximum life expectancy of most shocks and struts.

What is the difference between shocks and struts?

Struts serve multiple purpose : the internal shock absorber will dampen the movement of the spring as it compresses and rebounds itself while the vehicle is travelling and with its spring it will support the weight of the vehicle while it is moving so that it can adapt to road irregularities In sum, while the shocks …

How do I raise my motorcycle suspension?


Start by fully extending the rear suspension

. You can do this by lifting the bike by hand if it is light enough, tipping it onto the side stand or by using a lift. With the suspension fully extended, use your tape to measure from the center of the axle to some fixed point directly above, like on the subframe or fender.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.