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2013 Street Triple R Suspension Adjustment

99K views 93 replies 43 participants last post by  Szaki11 
#1 ·
What are folks on the forum doing in the suspension adjustment department? Anyone played with the preload setting on the front and rear?

The ride on my 2013 Striple R has been a bit harsh. Today I finally took the time to check the adjustment of the preload and damping.

The preload on the front forks was according to the manual, 7 turns counter clockwise from fully compressed clockwise.

Rebound damping was also spot on for a solo rider (10 clicks out). I set to to the manual's "comfort" setting recommendation (12 clicks out).

Compression damping was off by one click under on the left fork. I set them both to 12 clicks out.

When I checked the preload compression on the rear shock I noticed that the shock supplied does not have the 5-step ramp as described in the owner's manual. Instead, it is a continuous thread with a ring to adjust preload and lock ring. Since the front fork preload was the same for all recommended settings, I decided to leave the rear shock preload alone.

The rebound damping on the rear shocks was properly adjusted for a solo rider, according to the manual. I opened it up 12 clicks (comfort setting according to the manual).

Compression damping was off -- set between race and single rider (8 clicks). I opened it up to the comfort setting.

I'm not a heavy rider, 155 lb nekkid. I prefer a stiff, compliant suspension over a soft pogo setting and expect I'll be stiffening up the compression and rebound damping from the comfort setting after testing things out.

I'd love to hear what other's are doing on the suspension side of things.

Love my Striple!

Mike
 
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#2 ·
I would also be interested in hearing this feedback. My wife and I just picked up ours today, and our impression was about the same. Just slightly harsh, mostly on big bumps. We figured we would tweak it a little more toward the comfort setting for around town use, and would also be interested in hearing what others have done.

Thanks for asking the question mjblotzer!
 
#3 ·
First thing I did was the preload to my weight, then set the compression and rebound one click harder than normal settings. Its been a good year or so since my last major fiddle and since then the bikes lost a bit of weight and I've gained some (15lbs). The plan is to watch a few more Dave Moss videos on YouTube and rope a friend into helping me set the bike up again before next track day. Once I have some sort of baseline settings that work for me, I'll probably pay the suspension people at the track to have a go then write them all down to see how far off I was.

Unless you're triumphs ideal average weight (whatever that may be), I wouldn't take the manual settings as gospel
 
#5 ·
Thanks for mentioning Dave Moss. I looked him up on YouTube and watched the sag adjustment video. Very interesting. But now I need to buy a sport bike chock. Found one on Amazon <http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Sports-Stand-Sportbike-Locking/dp/B009XGPM6E>, but any other suggestions for sources?

Mike
 
#6 ·
I wouldn't think being 10 pounds under that you would need new springs. Keep fiddling with the settings. Maybe a little less preload. I like a lot of preload to keep the bike riding higher in the stroke( I hate too much front end dive ). And don't be afraid to go past the comfort settings. It's better to make 1 adjustment at a time then see how it rides. My settings are more towards the aggressive side, but I weight about 230 pounds with gear.


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#7 ·
Took the Street Triple R out for a ride after adjusting the rebound and compression damping to the "comfort" settings in the owner's manual. The "comfort" settings reduced the ride harshness I was feeling. Still not sure the preload is right but need to get the front wheel chock before I start playing around.

Mike
 
#8 ·
What are folks on the forum doing in the suspension adjustment department? Anyone played with the preload setting on the front and rear?

When I checked the preload compression on the rear shock I noticed that the shock supplied does not have the 5-step ramp as described in the owner's manual. Instead, it is a continuous thread with a ring to adjust preload and lock ring. Since the front fork preload was the same for all recommended settings, I decided to leave the rear shock preload alone.

Mike
Mike....just about to go outside and check the adjustments, re-set to the comfort settings and go from there. I found the same on the shock preload as well (2013 STR)........no "ramp", just the continuous thread with adjustment and lock rings. FYI, mine came from the dealer showing 5 threads above the top ring. About the same weight as you (+ 5 lbs or so)
 
#9 ·
FYI, mine came from the dealer showing 5 threads above the top ring.
ernie_h - Thanks for the info on the rear shock. Just checked mine and it also has 5 threads showing. I think I see a trend here. :)

Ordered my front wheel chock from Revzilla today. Hoping to be able to properly check the front and rear sag by the coming weekend.

Mike
 
#11 ·
The front has felt a bit harsh so I went over each setting. Everything was set to factory specs with the exception of the front rebound damping. Triumph had it set to 7 so I backed it out to 10. Will give that a shot this week and see how it feels.

For those of you who have not checked your settings, I recommend doing so. Takes only a few minutes but at least you will know if the factory got it right.
 
#13 ·
Went out yesterday to do some adjusting the suspension.....left the preloads as they were from the dealer [will wait until it's a bit more broken in, and I don't have the equipment set up yet to do static sag], but I did adjust the rebound and compression damping both front and rear......all were set to 9 clicks out, added 2 clicks all around. Not perfect, but rides much better and don't feel like I'm bouncing "over" bumps. [weight ~160 lbs w/o gear].
 
#15 ·
I weigh 175# and found the stock settings on my 2012 STR to be too harsh for some of the rough roads I ride, causing wheel hope in extreme cases. I adjusted the rebound and compression out 2 clicks to the comfort position on both wheels and it is now much better on the bumps, but has maintained the sharp handling on the smooth surface twisties. That was easy enough!
 
#17 ·
We have played with my suspension quite a bit. I am heavier than average and ended up liking the comfort setting on the rear wheel which took out the harshness commuting on poorly maintained roads. I HATED the comfort setting on the front. It completely changed the handling and felt sloppy at best. Switched the front back to sport. It is amazing what a couple of clicks can do.
 
#21 ·
The "today" comment just had kind of a short shelf life hahaha. I found the rear wheel bounced a bit off of bumps and ripples in the road. So I adjusted the rear compression dampening from the default of 9 to 11 clicks.

That is the only thing I have changed so far.
 
#22 · (Edited)
'Someday' has it right; the problem with most sport-bikes is that they accommodate a passenger which means the rear shock and linkage must be designed for a 400 lb + payload. This means a steep 'rising rate' linkage which keeps the shock from bottoming out over big bumps with a heavy passenger load. A solo rider can use a bit softer spring but once the shock gets past the half-way mark the rising rate linkage will cause you to pogo or buck out of the saddle over a big bump.
-IMO short wheelbase sport-bikes should not be designed for a passenger; the vast majority of sport-bike riders never carry a passenger for obvious reasons. The solution is a more linear shock linkage designed for a solo rider 250 lbs payload max and no passenger pegs, and get a Ninja 300 for the significant other. I ordered mine (and the recommended Ohlins 95 spring for my 160 lb weight) from here;
http://www.shop.kyleusa.com/product.sc?productId=724&categoryId=91
I'll report on the results when I get it installed in a week. - Wayne
 
#24 ·
I've never done any suspension work. Do you have to take the handle bars off in order to click the front suspension. Again I haven't ever messed with the suspension and don't want to brake anything. I'm 185 pounds and feel as if my bike is a bit too firm. Is there a tool that I can use rather then taking off the handle bars?
 
#26 ·
I took mine to a suspension shop for a set up.
They said that there is too much rebound , so they backed it off and balanced it up front and rear.
I'm about 210 lb in gear. The recommendation was a stiffer spring up front and rear and a front revalve, as the damping is a bit harsh. The adjustments have smoothed things out for the most part, but still a little jumpy.
I know I do not fall into the average rider category, so I always budget a suspension se up with new sprongs every time I get a new bike.
 
#30 ·
How should I go about finding a good suspension shop within a day's ride of the Raleigh, NC area? I sure would like to have a professional touch.

Mike
 
#38 ·
I believe the 2013 has a slightly softer rear spring than the 2011. At 230lbs I was hoping the weight specs from the earlier bikes applied to the 2013, but I have found out different. There is no way for me to get 35-40 mm of sag in the rear of my 2013R without topping out the suspension. Race tech has told me to go up to a 135 spring, which I'll do as soon as I get some disposable income! So I have to believe that at 290, stock 2013 spring in the rear will not allow you to truly get a proper setup.
 
#43 · (Edited)
dehydratedH2O, Were you able to get a decent setup with the stock equipment? If so, I'd be interested in the settings as I'm about your weight. I recently got a 2013 Street Triple R and have made some progress from its delivered settings. In the front, I have not changed the preload but have set the damping to comfort (12 clicks out) for both compression and rebound. In the rear, I started with five threads showing and now have about 12 threads showing with damping 12 clicks out. These cumulatively are a significant improvement but I believe there is more to be had. I'm looking for a smooth controlled ride for long days on the bike. No track days for me.
 
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