Suspension settings? What do you use.

[PowerhouseS3]

My first bike didn't really have suspension settings to adjust . So my 04' triple has more than i know what to do with. So i'm taking one step at a time. Pre-load setting is still at stock setting. I pulled the compression damping out one more turn( so a total of two turns out). Felt like the bike was boucing around on rough roads. And havn't touched the rebound damping yet. I was wondering what other people are running for a 200# rider.

[MonkeyHanger]

Bog standard for me.
MH

[rat]

Too many variables to give a definitive answer; it's simply trial and error and there's no magic formula. Do you carry a passenger? Often? How hard do you ride? What kind of roads? etc.

Reset everything to stock and try from there. If the front's too soft it'll tuck under but you'll get the same effect with a stock front and a rear that's too hard. Tyre pressure makes a big difference too.

Find a curvy bit of road you know well and run it a few times. Make 1 adjustment and run the road again. Take your time to get used to the new settings. There's plenty of bullsh1t in magazines and on the web that promise the ideal setting, but it is really a subjective thing.

[DarkSkies]

Speaking of damper settings ...

On page 85 of the owner's handbook it states the rear rebound adjuster is on the right of the bike on the bottom of the rear suspension unit.

There is indeed a slotted screw on that side but it appears to be permanently staked in place. Directly on the opposite side there is a screw that backs in and out with a noticeble notchy sensation when turned. Am I right in thinking the manual is wrong and the adjustment is made on the left hand side?

[ This message was edited by: DarkSkies on 2005-08-07 04:10 ]

[mookieblaylock]

yes manual is wrong-soft works for me until it breaks in more and it absorbs urban road bumps better

[PowerhouseS3]

I was reading the suspension article in Motorcyclist about setting the correct amount of suspension sag. I was going to adjust the rear could'nt budget it. Finnally read the manual and never realized your not allowed to adjust it.

[LEDGERJIM]

IT WILL BUDGE, I ADJUSTED MINE SLIGHTLY HARDER AS I AM A FAT GIT!

I USED A BRASS DRIFT WITH A THOR NYLON HAMMER TO TAP THE LOCK RING LOOSE, THEN USED A C SPANNER TO ADJUST, THEN TAPPED IT TIGHT AGAIN.

I HAVE TRIED ALL THE VARIATIONS OF ADJUSTMENT ON MINE, AND I FIND THESE SETTINGS WORK FOR ME

NORMAL DAY TO DAY

LEAVE STOCK

FAST ROAD

FRONT PRELOAD 4 RINGS SHOWING / REAR TWEAK HARDER
FRONT COMPRESSION 3/4 TURN OUT / 3/4 TURN OUT
FRONT REBOUND 3/4 TURN OUT / 3/4 TURN OUT

TRACK DAY

FRONT PRELOAD 2 RINGS SHOWING / REAR TWEAK AGAIN
FRONT COMPRESSION 1/2 TURN OUR / 1/2 TURN OUT
FRONT REBOUND 1/4 TURN OUT / 1/4 TURN OUT

REMEMBER, I DON'T WORK FOR OHLINS SO DON'T SUE ME IF YOU CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hammer:

[kevf]

I fiddled with mine but could never get it just right. Then i saw settings posted for a 03 S3 on sportrider.com. I set it up like they did and feels like a new bike havent touched it since. Im 155lbs.