Xt1200z suspension settings

Cycledude

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Just to make sure I am clear, riding alone on my 2014 ES, I should adjust the rear preload to two helmets? What setting do I do for the front?
With ES i believe both the front and rear are adjusted automatically at the same time. You have to have the bike in neutral in order to adjust the preload .
i actually prefer the 1 helmet setting but because my bike stands up to straight when parked on side-stand making it difficult to park i usually ride with it set on 2 helmets.
 
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Nikolajsen

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I'm not sure what adjustment is not there.
But I know that a ES don't have the same adjustment as the none ES. (That's one (of many) reason I don't have the ES model
And I think it is the front fork that is not fully adjustable.
So I guess that gv550 is correct.
 

Sierra1

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Just to make sure I am clear, riding alone on my 2014 ES, I should adjust the rear preload to two helmets? What setting do I do for the front?
JRussell on his initial post suggested if you’re over 180 pounds, to change the setting to two helmets.
Let me start by saying that a suspension thread is almost an oil thread. Everybody has their preferences, but I don't feel the bike is under sprung. The max load for the bike is 450lbs. To me, a rough break down is that each helmet equates to 200lbs, and the luggage equates to 50lbs. I weigh 300lbs, so I use two helmets. (two 150lb riders) My rebound/compression (R/C) is std/0. When my wife rides with me, I add the luggage. The only time I change the R/C is when the road changes. We were riding on a city street, that had weird dips. The bike wallowed when I hit them. Changed to hard/3, and it fixed it perfectly. If I ride on a road that is tore up. . . . I change it to soft.

Matt, you didn't specify ES or not. Obviously my info is only good for the ES. I have to ass-sume that the ES changes both front, and back simultaneously since there are wires connected to the each fork tube. If you don't have an ES, jrusell's post will be your point of refference.

My wife says the ride is fine, but she doesn't like the seat matterial/padding.
 
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fac191

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I believe they used an open ended spring on the rear or something like that not sure really. But does that have some bearing on why it feels soft. Im 95kg ready to ride and the ES is perfect for me. I did experiment riding with one helmet plus luggage but with no luggage to see how it felt. It steered faster etc but i did get the feeling i was sitting on top of the spring and it was not using its travel properly. I guess thats why if your a heavy rider a respring is almost a must do to get it right for you.
 

WJBertrand

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With ES, I believe there is no adjustment for front preload.
Yup, that's correct. Only the damping is changed at the front on the ES model. I replaced the rear spring on mine with a stiffer one and now the dash settings actually work well for the loadiing conditions depicted. Having said that, the OEM front springs feel fine to me.
 

jrusell

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JRussell on his initial post suggested if you’re over 180 pounds, to change the setting to two helmets.
All my comment are towards Non es bikes.
That being said the ES is as bad as the normal bike in terms of spring rate.
Sag measurement with different loads have been posted before for the es model. If I remember correctly none of the adjustments were able to get proper sag with the electronic settings for someone over 200lbs. With a passenger and luggage not likely.
Don't believe me, get out your Tape measure and see for yourself.

If I had an ES model I would set it on the max setting and check my sag first. If you are lighter, 160-180lbs it might get you close.
 

Kruzzin5

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All my comment are towards Non es bikes.
That being said the ES is as bad as the normal bike in terms of spring rate.
Sag measurement with different loads have been posted before for the es model. If I remember correctly none of the adjustments were able to get proper sag with the electronic settings for someone over 200lbs. With a passenger and luggage not likely.
Don't believe me, get out your Tape measure and see for yourself.

If I had an ES model I would set it on the max setting and check my sag first. If you are lighter, 160-180lbs it might get you close.
I am 200 pounds so I’ll be going to two helmet setting.
 

Sierra1

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I am 200 pounds so I’ll be going to two helmet setting.
Like I said, everybody has their preferences. I don't know a damn thing about sag. A bike either feels "right", or it handles like shit. I'm 300lbs, and have ridden several bikes very hard in the real world. The Tenere can/will hold with the best of them. But, here is Chris's portion of a conversation we had the other day:


Ain't that the truth Robert!! I measured my sag right after taking delivery of this bike. What a mistake I made. The numbers show that this machine should be one of the worst handling bikes made. I don't like to admit it, but I even got caught up in the "internet buzz" of how under sprung this bike is. At this point I had hardly any miles at all on it.

I ended up buying 2 different rear springs to match my weight. The first one did not even fit without the springs hitting at full compression. The second one fit but required too much preload to install. I ended up very disappointed thinking I was going to have to send it in for a full re-valve and spring change.

The Race Tech service manager suggested I wait until I get around 10,000 miles on it then bring it in. I'm so happy I decided to just ride the damn thing. I did a lot of the first 1,000 miles or so on a bunch of local loops. I tried it at full soft and full hard, with and without luggage. I have pleasantly discovered this bike has amazing suspension. I cannot outride the capability of what it can do.
 

MattR

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Sorry, I didn’t specify that my bike is a 2017 non Es. I’ve currently got it on the softest rear setting which is fine for me at 95 kilos. When High Command is on the back it doesn’t bottom out and is still comfortable for me but she says it’s very uncomfortable for her. I’m thinking too much compression damping and too little preload to start with. So I’ll start with that.


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ballisticexchris

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Sorry, I didn’t specify that my bike is a 2017 non Es. I’ve currently got it on the softest rear setting which is fine for me at 95 kilos. When High Command is on the back it doesn’t bottom out and is still comfortable for me but she says it’s very uncomfortable for her. I’m thinking too much compression damping and too little preload to start with. So I’ll start with that.


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Hi there Matt, My suggestion is to stiffen the preload to max and soften the damping about halfway.

The fork compression damping has 13 clicks adjustment from all the way in. Rebound has 10 clicks from all the way in. Standard from factory is 8 clicks out on rebound and 6 clicks out on compression.

The shock has rebound damping only. 20 click adjustment from all the way in. 10 clicks out is standard.
 

pooh and xtine

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Sorry, I didn’t specify that my bike is a 2017 non Es. I’ve currently got it on the softest rear setting which is fine for me at 95 kilos. When High Command is on the back it doesn’t bottom out and is still comfortable for me but she says it’s very uncomfortable for her. I’m thinking too much compression damping and too little preload to start with. So I’ll start with that.


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I found that 2-up with luggage the standard shock wasn’t up to it, so I got a Hagon with one of their “stiffer” springs (don’t know the rate!) and it solved the problem for £300. I moved the shock from my 2014 to a 2017 and it’ll be on the next one as well!
 

MattR

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I’ve now wound up the preload to half way and softened rebound by 2 clicks from standard and then 2 clicks softer on both rebound and comp in the front. High command says it’s better but is still not impressed.

I’m convinced the S10 should be more comfortable for her than the Zx14r so I’m going to persevere and probably end up giving it to MCT to sort out.


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kevinh

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Jun 29, 2020
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so without totally replacing the stock rear shock , does anyone know the best replacement spring to replace the crap stock one ?
 

yoyo

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I'd like to know that too, don't have the funds for a new shock but have a trip coming up with the Mrs and luggage and I'm sure the stock rear is too soft.

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