How Do You Feel About Suspension Setup

[bobpeckham]

I am curious who really knows what suspension is all about. Also I would like to see if this is something we can all learn from.

 

Enjoy

Bob

[Srider]

A well tuned suspension can make a world of difference. Put in the time and effort and you'll think you've got a newer and faster machine!

[AndyIbbott]

Keith has a Suspension set up program that I have used to brilliant effect in the last 7 years. It helps because it shows you exactly what the different suspension setting do to the handling of the bike and once armed with that knowledge you adjust the right knob the right way so much easier!

[stuman]

Keith has a Suspension set up program that I have used to brilliant effect in the last 7 years. It helps because it shows you exactly what the different suspension setting do to the handling of the bike and once armed with that knowledge you adjust the right knob the right way so much easier!

I have th second that! I did this myself at a trackday and I learned more in a few sessions about setup then I had in years of riding.

 

The program is in the booklet you get when you attend level 3 at the school.

[bobpeckham]

Does this mean that people will be sharing some of this information or will I have to go to level 2 and 3 first?

 

Even though I loved the class I took at Watkins Glen I will never be a racer I will hopefully just be a good street rider.

 

If you could say some of the things you learn in the classes I think that would help alot of people once this gets going.

 

 

Thanks for any input

Bob

[Kevin Kane]

Bob,

I am still searching for answers to my suspension questions but I would encourage you to get back to school regardless.

There is so much more you will learn at Levels II, III & IV that you have only seen the begining of how to ride better. Racing doesn't have to be your end goal to return to school, just wanting to be a better rider is enough and you will improve more so that if you try to self teach these skills.

...my .02 worth.

Kevin Kane

[bobpeckham]

Kevin,

 

thanks for the input. I am very interested in returning to school. I had a blast last time I went and would love to learn more. I also feel my street riding got better because of the class. Anyway I still want to go to the class and I still want to know this before I get to the class next time.

 

Guys help a fellow rider out with some information on how these things work.

 

Thanks

[JeF4y]

Two years ago I finally admitted that since I knew nothing about suspension I should find someone who did.

 

I invested a couple G$$ in forks, shock and repeated setup from a professional tuner (Ed Kwaterski from Trackside Engineering). A funny thing happened... I stopped crashing and started placing consistent top 5.

 

I've learned leaps and bounds from him, and will continue to use his services. Ed does this for a living. He doesn't race, he tunes.

 

I'm to the point where I can and will make small adjustments, but I bounce everything off of Ed to make sure my logic is correct.

 

In the end, I felt I could ride or tune, but not both...

 

Whatever you do, I will recommend that you follow one master (at a time). Taking advice from several sources is not always the best idea. You will get different theories, ideas and methods and it will set you behind.

[the Oracle]

I can't wait for level 3 to learn some tuning... But, I agree with Jef4Y... I am planning to use a professional suspension tuner for the "big" adjustments.

 

Right now, my SV isn't very tunable, since it is stock. But, soon, I am planning to add an ohlin to the rear and have the front forks altered with tighter springs, a fluid change, and something or other (a tuner suggested this to me instead of spending $5K on racing fronts). Then, I will have it professionally setup for me.

[Balistic]

Does this mean that people will be sharing some of this information or will I have to go to level 2 and 3 first?

 

 

Thanks for any input

Bob

Hi Bob

My pit is always open. You can ask me and if I don't know I will find someone who does for you.

Will

[JeF4y]

Right now, my SV isn't very tunable, since it is stock.

Depending on the classes you run, look at other forks you can use. I've sold several sets of F4 forks to guys using them on SV's. I don't know what all is involved in the conversion, but obviously it's easy/common enough for more than one person to buy forks from me to do this.

[Balistic]

Right now, my SV isn't very tunable, since it is stock.

Depending on the classes you run, look at other forks you can use. I've sold several sets of F4 forks to guys using them on SV's. I don't know what all is involved in the conversion, but obviously it's easy/common enough for more than one person to buy forks from me to do this.

Race tech emulators are the way to go. you can tune the rebound by the oil weight and the compression with the preload on the valve. You don't even have to change the fork seals to install them. just remove the bolt on the bottom of the fork, then the cap and the spring and damping rod come out the top.

[bobpeckham]

Thanks for some honest feedback. I like the recommendation to not take advice from too many people and get one specialist at it who can help. I will say again I dont race I just wonder if i could help my street riding by adjusting suspension or should I just leave it alone.

 

Thanks for the help

[Balistic]

Thanks for some honest feedback. I like the recommendation to not take advice from too many people and get one specialist at it who can help. I will say again I dont race I just wonder if i could help my street riding by adjusting suspension or should I just leave it alone.

 

Thanks for the help

The SVs are way off for all but putting around. You would feel the difference immediately with emulators and a reworked shock. Not to mention resprung for your weight.

[Cobie Fair]

Bob,

 

Not sure where you are located, but Will and I have used GP Suspension to for our forks, and the kits worked very well. I don't have his contact data handy, but I'm sure Will does--hey Will, want to post it?

 

Best,

CF

[Balistic]

gpsuspension@yahoo.com

[15CR]

I cant vouch for his personality but he does a good job of explaining how suspensions work and how to tune them, His knowledge is pretty impressive and you can get his book or a cd version that is very informative.

 

www.traxxxion.com

[SixPots]

I am a lot more confident about setup since I started doing it on our dirt bikes a few years ago. I have to agree with the above comment on taking too much input from many directions. Ron Williams from Maxton suspensions writes a setup manual for Performance Bikes-that brit rag. It comes with 1 of the mags on the bookstore shelf once a year. Watch for it. A Wisconsin state enduro champ 10 years running told me this about his tuning and I'll never forget it, the guys got cajones; " Before I shipped my forks off for a rebuild I'd pull em apart and take lots of pictures. Then, when they came back from the pros I'd pull em apart again to see how they did it, and take more pics." Anyway, I have used the recommended settings from Maxton for a starting point and gone on gingerly from there. I run with less fear, spending less of my attention budget on worrying about the front end. I had a choice, made a decision, and started working on it. Thanks for the advice Keith.

[Kevin Kane]

I don't mean to ask an open ended question but can anyone comment on what kind of changes that a rider ca expect on the track by switching to stiffer fork springs?

Kevin kane

[SixPots]

Stiffer fork springs will increase the preload on your rear shock; more tension up front transfers weight to the rear spring. You can expect the front to feel more "planted", but a rougher ride. I have an open ended question;

Are you guys looking for the set-up #'s for your particular machines or do you want to know what does what on your bikes? ie rebound/compression/preload? There seem to be some curious people who are asking vague questions. Can't tell what you are looking for.

[Kevin Kane]

Six,

What my post was looking for was a conceptual understanding of why my track bike was handling so much more harshly than my street bike, even thought they are both very similar. Your answer (along with feedback from the shop that prepped the bike for the DPO) confirmed that I could benefit from making some suspension changes.

 

The previous owner had heavier fork springs installed and set the sag for his weight (35+ lbs heavier). Even after trying to adjust for the weight difference, the forks were still too stiff and the rougher ride took way too much of my attention under heavy braking at turn in.

 

I have just swapped out the stiffer springs for the OEM ones and I am planning on going back to stock settings and then start to dail it in to suit my own riding style. If you can offer some guidance on where to go from here with set up numbers, that would be great. The bike is a Ducati 748SPS with revalved Brembo Nitride coated forks and an Ohlin rear shock (also with a heaver spring which I may also swap out for the OEM).

Thanks,

Kevin Kane

[WAT COP]

Hi Bob

I would like to put my 2 cents worth in about your suspension problem.

Firstly im not to sure of the model of your bike. I think it is the same over here.

If im correct it is a Suzuki 650 V twin.

If so your on a great bike, and if as you suggested your more of a street scrapper then a track racer, then this snippet of information may help you along the way.

So what?s my big secrete. ?Throttle Control.?

There is no substitute for good throttle control.

I ride a VTR 1000, not a race bike but I still give the R1s a hurry up around the hills. because they very poor throttle control. I see them hanging off the side of there bike getting it all sidewise and im having to ###### my bike down, to avoid running over them in the corner. If you wish to know more of this voodoo art do your self a favour and get copy of Keith?s book A Twist Of The Wrist 2 and have a good look at chapters 2,3 & 4. It?s a lot cheaper then shelling out for a set of forks and shocks that will rattle your fillings, and bounce you out of your seat on anything rougher then a race track.

Sound advice is free mate and so is good throttle control.

Good riding and stay up right

Cheers Jeff.

[SixPots]

OK, Kevin here you go;

SHOCK; Preload- 25mm of thread showing above top lock ring

Rebound- 16 clicks out from full in

Compression- 17 clicks out from full in

 

FORKS; Preload- 5 lines showing

Rebound- 10 clicks out from full in

Compression- 12 clicks out from full in

 

Alright, now, I have used this guide to set-up my '01 GSXR 1000, and our '02 Ducati ST4s. It has worked incredibly for me and our bikes. The guide will get you in the ballpark. Your Duc manual has great pictures detailing exactly which adjusters do what to make the adjustments. Take your time. Give your self an hour to do this. It won't take that long, but don't rush your self. You are right about replacing the heavier spring with an OEM. However, Ohlins springs are $$$. So, if you opt to keep it you will want less than 25 mm of thread showing above the lock-nut. Make sense? Put these settings on, front and rear, go for a ride. IMPORTANT: Check tire pressure and condition. Get this down and you will not believe how the bike moves!! It is awesome. Let me know how you do or if you have feedback or troubleshooting to further do.

[Rifleman]

question already answered, just needed to read the second page