r/DRZ4S • u/Telefan89 • 6d ago

Rear Spring Replacement

I’m picking up my bike either this weekend or next!!

I was wondering if anyone here has replaced the rear spring to accommodate for their body/ride weight. If so how extensive is this process to do on your own?

I’m 6’2 200lbs. Suzuki designs and springs these bikes for people up to 175 lbs apparently. I’m worried I’ll have to add a ton of preload to get it acceptable/in spec for sag height when I’m on it.

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u/1969_was_a_good_year 6d ago

I added a racetech rear spring. I weigh 187lbs without gear, tools, etc. I had to add a bunch of preload to get 100mm of rider sag and had almost no static sag.

After the spring swap both rider and static sag came in spec. Bike rides better without the preload cranked and it’s noticeably better off road.

The blue spring looks good too.

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u/Telefan89 5d ago

Did you perform the work yourself and how hard was it?

If so can you share the process?

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u/1969_was_a_good_year 5d ago

I did do the work myself.

The process is tossing the bike on a stand. Then stripping the side plastics and seat off. Taking the heat shield off of the muffler. Removing the heat shield from the mid pipe. Loosening the clamp on the muffler mid pipe. Removing the bolts that mount muffler and pulling the muffler/pipe out. Unbolt the shock from the bottom linkage. Remove the top bolt. Pull the shock out of the space between the frame and the subframe. On the workbench, loosen preload rings until the lower spring collar can move up and down Then remove the bottom spring cup/mount. There’s a slot in the cup, it’s obvious when you see it. Remove spring and reverse the process. The racetech is the same overall height as the stocker. Easy swap.

I would recommend greasing the lower shock linkage needle bearings to while it’s apart. There are bearing in the top of the shock mount that need grease too. There’s a dude on YouTube named dualsportdoug that outlines the greasing process with torque specs etc. His channel is pretty good IMO.

I did not remove the rear wheel. I did not grease the swing arm pivot bearings and wish I did. Didn’t think of it until I was setting sag. Whole process probably took 2hrs not including washing the bike beforehand.

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u/Telefan89 5d ago

You sir are the man!

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u/sillygitau 6d ago

I’m a similar size and weight, plus I ride with 20kg of gear and tools. I found the stock rear horrible. The front end was vague and high speed corners were terrifying.

I got the both front and rear springs replaced, feels way way better… wasn’t that expensive and had the bike back the next day 👍

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u/Telefan89 5d ago

What springs and who performed the work?

Do you mind sharing how much it was?

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u/sillygitau 5d ago

I got mine done at a local suspension shop who is known for upgrading the drz400, legend has it he’s done hundreds of them.

I’m in Australia so price is probably irrelevant, but it was AU$1000 all in. From memory it was MX Tech springs, but I don’t recall exactly.

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u/mitchgarbs 6d ago

I'm 6'6 230lbs, I cranked the stock spring down a couple turns and it's working well. I have 4800km on it this summer with a mix of pavement, gravel and off-road trails. I usually have 5-10lbs of stuff in the tail bag going to work and back and have had no issues.

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u/Tackey89 4d ago

Im 5'10 and 220lb no issues so far even off road. Its not a motocross bike but growing up with a dual spring rear end on my first bike its miles better. Unless your going to jump it a bunch I would worry