Rear Shocks vs Fronts

[moondustka]

Anyone know why the dampening rod on a front shock is larger than on the rear?

Now I know that the front has the engine and shares some front passenger weight, but it's not really that much. The rear will share some front passenger weight, the potential for two more passengers, full fuel tank and a boot full! My calculations make the rear taking just as much if not more.. Perhaps the weight in the rear is considered transient enough not to warrant the larger dampening rods?

Couldn't find any specific info through google.

 

[tuonokid]

Hi Ben
More steering and braking forces, weight transference etc? Every car and bike I've had have had larger damping rods on the front than the rear. Front wheel drive cars definitely have more weight on the front than RWD.
Hope that helps.
Barry
PS
Just come to me, Sevens have similar shocks back to front but the weight distribution is 50/50 and the shocks are not part of the steering at the front.

 

[moondustka]

Thanks Barry.

Must be the steering I guess, and weight forces under braking perhaps...