suspension settings

[ejy712]

I will answer this by charging you to perform and experiment.

It is widely accepted that proper rider sag for a street motorcycle is approximately 1/3 of total suspension travel.

Get 2 people, attempt to set your front and rear sag. Come back with accurate numbers and we will talk from there.

For fun, grab your significant other or a few bags of sand and pop them on the passenger seat, get up to 460lbs if you can. Take the sag numbers again.

I have a feeling you will be AMAZED.

ac

I did sort of run this experiment (but didn't measure sag). My wife and I road the S10 to Chincoteague, VA for the weekend. Between us, farkles, and luggage (complete with hair drier) I'm sure we were pushing the 460 lb. limit. Handling was good on the four lanes at freeway speeds and the back country bumpy lanes. No bouncing, bottoming, porpoising, or wobbles. I did have the rear spring precompressed to max. And we were sitting noticeably low in the back. I was absolutely AMAZED at how well the S10 handled this!

 

[avc8130]

I did sort of run this experiment (but didn't measure sag). My wife and I road the S10 to Chincoteague, VA for the weekend. Between us, farkles, and luggage (complete with hair drier) I'm sure we were pushing the 460 lb. limit. Handling was good on the four lanes at freeway speeds and the back country bumpy lanes. No bouncing, bottoming, porpoising, or wobbles. I did have the rear spring precompressed to max. And we were sitting noticeably low in the back. I was absolutely AMAZED at how well the S10 handled this!

You must be lucky...or both of you featherweights. Is your hair dryer the "lightweight" model?

The one time I had my wife on the back, the bike was downright DANGEROUS. There was so much weight over the back that the front simply did not work. It was less precise than trying to steer a waverunner. I hit a few bumps while leaned over turning and the front end literally danced across the road. I was terrified.

ac

 

[Firefight911]

You must be lucky...or both of you featherweights. Is your hair dryer the "lightweight" model?

The one time I had my wife on the back, the bike was downright DANGEROUS. There was so much weight over the back that the front simply did not work. It was less precise than trying to steer a waverunner. I hit a few bumps while leaned over turning and the front end literally danced across the road. I was terrified.

ac

How's that ac, the best they know is the best they've ridden? ::26::

I like to add, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink it.

::002::

 

[avc8130]

How's that ac, the best they know is the best they've ridden? ::26::

I like to add, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink it.

::002::

Thanks for reminding me. Here I am wading back in! I just can't help myself some times.

ac

 

[Rasher]

Mine will be going straight over to MCT here in the UK, they have setup my last few bikes and really know their stuff.

I tend to know what I want and can normally get a bike better, bt have found having these guys measure everything up and then re-spring / re-valve / fit aftermarket shocks gets the bike perfect.

I am sure the bike will benefit from more ride height (especially for my road biased riding) so have already discussed a Wilburs shock with 3 way damping, remote pre-load and ride height adjustment, plus a check of front springs and valving.

They are a good honest bunch and well worth a call to UK based folk:-

http://www.mctsuspension.com/contact.htm

 

[avc8130]

Mine will be going straight over to MCT here in the UK, they have setup my last few bikes and really know their stuff.

I tend to know what I want and can normally get a bike better, bt have found having these guys measure everything up and then re-spring / re-valve / fit aftermarket shocks gets the bike perfect.

I am sure the bike will benefit from more ride height (especially for my road biased riding) so have already discussed a Wilburs shock with 3 way damping, remote pre-load and ride height adjustment, plus a check of front springs and valving.

They are a good honest bunch and well worth a call to UK based folk:-

http://www.mctsuspension.com/contact.htm

No clue about that shop in particular...but prepare to be AMAZED. This bike with aftermarket goodies will have those GSXR hooligans shaking in the twisties.

ac

 

[snakebitten]

Riding a rental S10 with the wife and all 3 luggage containers packed. Very near the 460lb limit. The bike has stock suspension. I thought it had been lowered and asked about it, but was told with 50,000 miles on it that it has just settled that much. (very noticeable compared to my own S10 with about 13,000 miles)

Now I have absolutely no argument with the vast improvement in handling that a proper suspension setup can afford you. I have "Ohlins-ed" a couple of my bikes and it is worth every penny.

Having said that, I have not found this rental bike "difficult" or "dangerous" to ride fully loaded. If I did, there would be no way I would risk my wife's life.

Honestly, I am impressed with this machines 2-up capabilities while still bone stock. I don't push it as hard fully loaded, obviously, but we have enjoyed 3000 kilometers of the fantastic roads across Australia without a single scary moment associated with ill handling.

But it would be SO much better if it were actually optimally sprung for the full load.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[AVGeek]

Timely topic...I was on a washboard road the other day, and the front end felt very harsh. I know that aftermarket components would be an ideal solution, but for budgetary reasons, I need to maximize the capability of the stock suspension. I did get my quad set where it works well back in the day, but it was so close from the factory, that it didn't need much. Where I need help on this is in determining which settings to change, and how much...

 

[avc8130]

Timely topic...I was on a washboard road the other day, and the front end felt very harsh. I know that aftermarket components would be an ideal solution, but for budgetary reasons, I need to maximize the capability of the stock suspension. I did get my quad set where it works well back in the day, but it was so close from the factory, that it didn't need much. Where I need help on this is in determining which settings to change, and how much...

The front isn't TERRIBLE in stock trim, but there are some serious improvements available in the aftermarket.

One of the main problems is your 2-rate spring. You are most likely transitioning from the soft and plush rate to the harsh and stiff rate during these washboards. You are also probably over-damped on high speed comp and rebound.

If you MUST stay with stock, do the following:

Set front sag to ~50-55mm.

Set comp and rebound to stock settings per the owners manual.

Then go back to that same road and ride back and forth. Keep reducing damping (counter clockwise on adjusters) until you are as happy as you can get. Then go ride a curvy road and make sure you didn't create a wallowing death-trap.

Aftermarket fork parts are on their way. There should be an affordable option soon.

ac

 

[Buelligan]

"The one time I had my wife on the back, the bike was downright DANGEROUS. There was so much weight over the back that the front simply did not work. It was less precise than trying to steer a waverunner. I hit a few bumps while leaned over turning and the front end literally danced across the road. I was terrified."

reminds me of my my '08 ULY, the XT model. Wife and I rode it to the '08 homecoming/25th anniversary up in Troy. Loaded, that bike handled horribly. Front end was light, popping wheelies leaving red lights, and wallowing in the turns. Unloaded, the bike was a dream to ride.
My Tenere isn't as bad as the ULY was, but I can see that the suspension needs tweaking, and am keeping a close eye on your work with Penske, and what you've done to your front.

Keep up the R&D !!!

 

[avc8130]

"The one time I had my wife on the back, the bike was downright DANGEROUS. There was so much weight over the back that the front simply did not work. It was less precise than trying to steer a waverunner. I hit a few bumps while leaned over turning and the front end literally danced across the road. I was terrified."

reminds me of my my '08 ULY, the XT model. Wife and I rode it to the '08 homecoming/25th anniversary up in Troy. Loaded, that bike handled horribly. Front end was light, popping wheelies leaving red lights, and wallowing in the turns. Unloaded, the bike was a dream to ride.
My Tenere isn't as bad as the ULY was, but I can see that the suspension needs tweaking, and am keeping a close eye on your work with Penske, and what you've done to your front.

Keep up the R&D !!!

Check the thread. The shock is "GO!!!".

ac

 

[Milekone]

Most areas have local bike shops that can help with initial setups. I could suggest 2 in the NJ/PA area. Unfortunately that doesn't really help you in Colorado.

ac

I happen to Live in Ewing, Nj. Where would you go to get your suspension set up? Thanks