Triumphrat

RockIIIt · 09-27-2006

OK so I have the bike and the factory set the suspension at #1 ( 1 person less than 90 kg or 180 lbs).

Now I'm a large 6 foot 2 inches tall and 260 + lbs ( 130 KGs) and mainly go out and about with a pillion ( + 80 kgs or 160 lbs) so I need to adjust my suspension to at least setting 4.

Can anyone advise how I can do this?

I've had the first service and the staff said you just turn to the required setting and it can be a bit stiff!!!!, ,,,,but I have tried and cannot move the setting !.
I have read the manual, but not sure how much "force" I should apply to move the unit (s) or do I have to push the pin right it to release something?

Any help you guy's could give would be appreciated.

ps. I have rear "dresser " bars and saddle bags which restrict access somewhat, so any smart moves would be great (save removing bits)

TallRocket · 09-27-2006

Hey there little fella....

My dealer sent me out on my new rocket with the stock shock set to 2. For the first 500 miles or so I rode, as you are now, without benefit of any rear suspension - other than the tire. Move the stock setting to 5, skip 2-4. You will begin to notice that the seat can remain motionless while the rear tire moves.

If you like that feeling, buy any after market shock. I went with the 13.5 Heavy Duty Progressives, to raise the seat height and support my 320 lbs. I have them set on the very low side and can't imagine having to dial more shock in. The normal progressives might be just right.

I also recommend the taller windscreen that can add up to 5 inches of height, Clearview Shields. I have 8 inches of height on you. Just like the shocks, having the right screen to fit you makes the bike extremely comfortable.

Shame on Triumph for setting up a new rider with the shocks set to 1 unless that person is under 150 lbs. The same goes for their clothing line, they just haven't got that building a bike this big would attract very tall and big people.

dougl · 09-27-2006

Quote:

On 2006-09-27 08:05, TallRocket wrote:
Shame on Triumph for setting up a new rider with the shocks set to 1 unless that person is under 150 lbs. The same goes for their clothing line, they just haven't got that building a bike this big would attract very tall and big people.

Why would a 150 lb rider not want a suspension?

I have my shocks set on 3, mainly because I wasn't sure which way to turn them. On the right side, the "3" faces outward. On the left side, the 3 faces inward on the middle setting.

It's still a bit bumpy. What setting should I put it on to cushion the bumps but not sacrifice handling?

When you're looking at the shock, turning in which direction makes it softer?

[ This message was edited by: dougl on 2006-09-27 10:04 ]

dougl · 09-27-2006

Quote:

On 2006-09-27 10:16, davidhp57 wrote:
Facing the shock, turning to the left lowers or softens the shock. If you wanted you could take the left shock off, rotate it 180 degrees and have the 3 facing out. That's the way my shocks were set up.

Cheers, David

Thanks for the instructions and the good suggestion. If the bike is parked with the stand down, will I be able to take the left shock off and put it back on without assistance?

dougl · 09-27-2006

Quote:

On 2006-09-27 12:14, davidhp57 wrote:
Probably not. I jacked mine up with a floor jack and a 2 x 4.

Thanks again.

Rocketime · 09-27-2006

You might want to consider the Progressives. Takes all the gress work out.

RockIIIt · 09-28-2006

Thanks TallRocket, some good advice,if I can move them I'll go straight to 5 to see the difference.

The problem is how to move them, without removing the rear dresser bars and saddlebags.

Will read the book again to make sure I strain in the right direction!, or perhaps jacking the bike makes it easier to turn the shock ???, that way the weight is off it.

TallRocket · 09-28-2006

I think the time invested in removing the bars and bags will be GREATLY rewarded by moving the shock to 5 or replacing the shocks. ( I don't own them so from your post I assume you have to remove something to gain access.)

The really good upside is how much better your bike is about to feel. No more getting bucked off the seat on bumps and your bike seat will feel much much better probably able to ride over 150 miles without having a stretch break. I bet 50 miles is your current limit, it was for me.

Find you favorite road bump and do a before and after ride. If you are still getting bucked (after setting the stock shock to 5) then you really should consider an after market shock. You can also replace the spring on the stock shock so you do have options. The important thing is to realize that this bike is not a hard tail. There is plenty of rear suspension travel available.

IronMike · 09-28-2006

I was taking the advice here to set the shocks to position 5 and wondering if it is possible to go too far to 5.5 and if so is there a problem riding it like that.

dougl · 09-28-2006

Quote:

On 2006-09-28 19:47, IronMike wrote:
I was taking the advice here to set the shocks to position 5 and wondering if it is possible to go too far to 5.5 and if so is there a problem riding it like that.

The stock shocks adjust with a cam going up 5 steps inside the shock. You can't go past 5.

OK, so today I moved mine from 3 to 5. It's hard to tell if it softens the bumps.

The Triumph manual says setting 1 is for a single rider and 5 is for 2 up plus luggage.

I totally don't get this. If 5 is with the spring most elongated, the spring should move more and give more cushioning. Supposedly, this is the "softest" setting. It should also be more likely to bottom out with a lot of weight since it's boinging up and down. How is 5 the setting with the most weight?

Could someone 'splain how this shock works at settings 1 and 5?