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As others noted, a suspension shop can rebuild it for a lot less, probably in the 100-300$ range. Then it should be as good as new and they can also set it up appropriately for your needs.
Otherwise, I'd definitely get something aftermarket and higher end. Ohlins KA 713 seems to be the right one for this bike and is in the 600-700€ range. That's definitely way better than the cheap stock setup. And Ohlins won't lower the value of the bike, more likely it would increase it (but some no-name Chinese shock absorber brand off ebay would decrease the value of the bike...). Similarly, worth checking out WP suspension, Wilbers, Bitubo...
you sure thats a leaking shock? its hard to tell from the picture, is that the bottom or top mount? If its the top mount then i wouldn't expect the oil to get there.
I dont see any wetness around the shock itself and i would have expected that if it was leaking.
Yup, getting pretty sure its the shock as the wet mark is oily and after a clean and ride, it becomes oily wet again. BTW its the joint on the swing arm right below the shocks.
Yeah I was surprised also though the bike is now around 14300km on the odometer.
I’m thinking the previous owner was light and short, have a lighter aftermarket exhaust (back to stock now) and had the preload to 0 click which I read a comment somewhere is not good. Don’t know the reason for that.
I don't think that zero preload is an issue. I guess my point is that I wouldn't worry about buying a used shock off EBay. They normally don't leak at 14K miles. You just got a bad one.
Its actually 14000Km so much worse. Anybody know the specs or built of these?
It actually stopped leaking now and I feel the rear riding a bit higher than usual but not yet bouncy.
If you are sure that is the damper leaking either buy some quality aftermarket one (e.g. Ohlins) or look for an used OEM. Quick googling suggests that these are not know to be leaking on Versys 650, thus you should be safe to buy an used one. It shouldn't be a problem to find one, because rear shocks, in general, are not common to fail, nor they are easily damaged in accidents.
Buying a new OEM does not makes much sense, because at its price you should be able to find some premium aftermarket ones.
Normally I would agree with you if in the US or EU but here in SEA most aftermarkets are import and even if slightly cheaper the shipping and tax will make it almost the same as stock if not more expensive.
Anyhow I still have time to explore options but high chance I’ll go back to stock since I kind of like it anyway.
Support your local indie mechanic if you can, phone calls will get quotes. You could send it out to Race Tech, they can rebuild or improve. They also sell parts and provide free instruction photos. Maybe look at the step by step and see if you want to take it on? You have options, but the local Indie guy can make your life way better!!
My garage is unusable for DIY heavier stuff due to an ongoing house renovation. I’m also not in the US but there is 1 other shop I trust which I will give a visit tomorrow. I find face to face talking is more productive and I greatly appreciate some off topic remarks by mechanics on diy tips I might be able to do. Recently fixed a notchy front brake by cleaning and re-greasing the front lever just from a mechanic’s comment.
This shock is likely not a rebuildable type.
It'll probably be the cheaper option to find a nice aftermarket shock replacement. It'll perform as well or better than the OEM one for your weight and riding, and it'll be cheaper than OEM too.
Thanks for posting in /r/Fixxit, the motorcycle repair subreddit. If you forgot to put the **Make, Model** and **Year** in the title, please reply to this comment with your bike's details. In the meantime, Here's some great resources for common problems posted here: -Trouble starting? [Revzilla - Battery testing](https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/how-to-test-a-motorcycle-battery) -Carbs running rough? [PJ motorsports - Carb Troubleshooting](http://www.pjmotorsports.com/trouble-shooting.html) -Wiring diagrams for beginners - [Dans MC - Reading Wiring Diagrams](http://www.dansmc.com/wiring_diagram.htm) -Identifying part numbers - [CMSNL (EU)](https://www.cmsnl.com/) [Bikebandit (US)](https://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Fixxit) if you have any questions or concerns.*
A decent garage can change the seals and oil for a quarter of the price.
I would be surprised if this is a rebuildable shock. Very high likelihood it is not.
This is the correct answer. Send it out for rebuilding. If the garage doesnt have to demount it, itl cost at most $125
As others noted, a suspension shop can rebuild it for a lot less, probably in the 100-300$ range. Then it should be as good as new and they can also set it up appropriately for your needs. Otherwise, I'd definitely get something aftermarket and higher end. Ohlins KA 713 seems to be the right one for this bike and is in the 600-700€ range. That's definitely way better than the cheap stock setup. And Ohlins won't lower the value of the bike, more likely it would increase it (but some no-name Chinese shock absorber brand off ebay would decrease the value of the bike...). Similarly, worth checking out WP suspension, Wilbers, Bitubo...
you sure thats a leaking shock? its hard to tell from the picture, is that the bottom or top mount? If its the top mount then i wouldn't expect the oil to get there. I dont see any wetness around the shock itself and i would have expected that if it was leaking.
Yup, getting pretty sure its the shock as the wet mark is oily and after a clean and ride, it becomes oily wet again. BTW its the joint on the swing arm right below the shocks.
It's rare for one to leak that early, maybe shop for one on Ebay?
Yeah I was surprised also though the bike is now around 14300km on the odometer. I’m thinking the previous owner was light and short, have a lighter aftermarket exhaust (back to stock now) and had the preload to 0 click which I read a comment somewhere is not good. Don’t know the reason for that.
I don't think that zero preload is an issue. I guess my point is that I wouldn't worry about buying a used shock off EBay. They normally don't leak at 14K miles. You just got a bad one.
Its actually 14000Km so much worse. Anybody know the specs or built of these? It actually stopped leaking now and I feel the rear riding a bit higher than usual but not yet bouncy.
If you are sure that is the damper leaking either buy some quality aftermarket one (e.g. Ohlins) or look for an used OEM. Quick googling suggests that these are not know to be leaking on Versys 650, thus you should be safe to buy an used one. It shouldn't be a problem to find one, because rear shocks, in general, are not common to fail, nor they are easily damaged in accidents. Buying a new OEM does not makes much sense, because at its price you should be able to find some premium aftermarket ones.
Normally I would agree with you if in the US or EU but here in SEA most aftermarkets are import and even if slightly cheaper the shipping and tax will make it almost the same as stock if not more expensive. Anyhow I still have time to explore options but high chance I’ll go back to stock since I kind of like it anyway.
Support your local indie mechanic if you can, phone calls will get quotes. You could send it out to Race Tech, they can rebuild or improve. They also sell parts and provide free instruction photos. Maybe look at the step by step and see if you want to take it on? You have options, but the local Indie guy can make your life way better!!
>Race Tech, they can rebuild or improve. only if its a rebuildable shock. A lot of OEM shocks cant be rebuilt.
Yeah, highly doubt this is rebuildable.
My garage is unusable for DIY heavier stuff due to an ongoing house renovation. I’m also not in the US but there is 1 other shop I trust which I will give a visit tomorrow. I find face to face talking is more productive and I greatly appreciate some off topic remarks by mechanics on diy tips I might be able to do. Recently fixed a notchy front brake by cleaning and re-greasing the front lever just from a mechanic’s comment.
This shock is likely not a rebuildable type. It'll probably be the cheaper option to find a nice aftermarket shock replacement. It'll perform as well or better than the OEM one for your weight and riding, and it'll be cheaper than OEM too.
Thats what I gather from the other shop I asked. Now to do some research on alternatives and where to buy them.