So I was in the process of contemplating selling my 97 GS...I took it out for a long ride a bit ago, trying to decide whether to keep or sell it.

I brought it back, put it up on the center stand, adjusted the chain, then put it back down. On the way down I hear a "PSSHHHH" sound coming from under the seat. I knew what it was, but I wasn't exactly sure why.

If I sit on the bike and bounce around a bit, I can hear the shock making a hissing sound every time it rebounds - it sounds similar to a screen door hydraulic arm.

I thought maybe it felt a little bouncy on the highway when I was riding...

So the $1M question is...is this an indication of a bad rear shock?

Oh...and if the above wasn't bad enough, I'm also about 200 miles from home. The only tools I've got are what came with the bike. Is it even safe to ride it if the rear shock has bit the dust?

Quote from: Kijona on March 07, 2012, 03:32:34 PM
I hear a "PSSHHHH" sound coming from under the seat. I knew what it was, but I wasn't exactly sure why.
I thought maybe it felt a little bouncy on the highway when I was riding...

Did you check your underpants? Something in there could explain the bouncy feeling.
I think we know where the PSSHHHHH came from

Quote from: adidasguy on March 07, 2012, 03:46:32 PM

Quote from: Kijona on March 07, 2012, 03:32:34 PM
I hear a "PSSHHHH" sound coming from under the seat. I knew what it was, but I wasn't exactly sure why.
I thought maybe it felt a little bouncy on the highway when I was riding...

Did you check your underpants? Something in there could explain the bouncy feeling.
I think we know where the PSSHHHHH came from

While that is funny, Adidas, I don't think I'm in the mood to laugh right now.

I don't know - it sounds like a screen door. I'm assuming it's developed a leak. It's never made that sound before.

Well now I feel stupid. I just did a search on google and found several people describing the same noise on different bikes.

It's just weird...I've never heard any of the 5 different bikes I've owned make a sound like that.

I can look in the Cave for a decent shock, if you want. Might have a good spare. Sounds like its going bad.

My brand new aftermarket shock on my dual sport makes that noise.

btw, you can limp a bike home with a blown shock. Just don't try any Valentino Rossi antics. Believe me, I rode on one for months waiting for my powder coated kat shock from Buddha. 

The GS shock is a sealed unit. If air is wooshing out, it's beyond done. You can check by bouncing the bike... If it doesn't appear to be controlled (E.g. springy, little resistance to movement), the shock is gone.

You can ride it home like that if you're gentle. Increased tire wear, lack of traction are going to be issues. Bike will try to bounce you out of the seat when you hit big bumps. Just take it easy till you get home.

and dont get discouraged.
if its a stock shock or even a Katana shock, its a cheap replacement and VERY easy to do.

if you're looking to replace stock.
im sure there is a TON of ppl here with ones laying around from upgrading theirs.
I am one of those as well, my stock shocks in my parts bin from goin with a Kat 600 shock.

I got my Kat shock for like $25 I think it was only.

If you have any sloped cobblestone "roads" around you, you can test the shock by driving quickly up it. If the shock is bad, it will feel like you are loosing traction every second or two -- almost like the bike is lurching. Thats because you are actually loosing traction because your spring is not being dampened. At least, thats the way it was for me.

Well, I read the posts here and it made me worry again.

I had a friend hold the handlebars while I lifted the rear up about a foot or so and then just dropped it. The bike did not bounce at all and settled immediately. I'm not a suspension expert but to me that says the shock absorber is doing its job.

Today was the warmest it's ever been since I've owned the bike, and I went on a very spirited ride before I adjusted the chain. Perhaps it's just that the heat made it make that noise.