Rear Shock Replacement Options

[radare]

When the Seca II débuted, a common complaint amongst reviewers was the soft suspension. From the factory, the rear shock was a good match to the softly sprung front fork and contributed to the bikes balance, but 20 years of wear and tear on the rear suspension tend to leave them worse for wear.

Through the past several years, XJRiders have tried a multitude of rear shocks. There are currently two that are considered suitable replacements. Criteria for suitability includes such things as direct bolt-on installation, predictable handling improvements, minimal ride-height changes, availability, cost, etc.:

2009+ FZ6R Shock:
The ideal replacement shock for spirited riders, those over 130lbs and those who ride two up is the FZ6R shock. Used on the FZ6R from 2009 to present, this shock is stiffer and more responsive than the stock Seca 2 shock is. The downside to this shock is that it tends to be more expensive at an average price of $60 - $80 USD.

1998-2013 VStar650 Shock:
The runner-up for shock replacement is the VStar 650 shock. This shock was used on the VStar 650 from 1998 to 2012. This shock tends to be slightly stiffer than the stock Seca II shock and comparable in responsiveness. These shocks are the cheaper replacement option at an average cost of $35USD.


For more information and to read the discussion on the topic, check out the Rear Shock Replacement Thread.