Suspension, do you adjust?

[Pie-Roe]

As above, if your bike is adjustable, do you adjust it, or jump on and ride as it is?

From the people I know it seems to be half/half.

Pyro
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[G]

Depends how out it is and the riding I'm doing.

Tend to adjust off-road bikes more when used on a bumpy circuit for instance. Took my 690 over some small jumps and it was obviously way too soft for that - but had been setup to be quite comfortable over fast bumpy bits before.

[chris-red]

I'm a big bugger so will play about with the Preload but other than that no, TBH I wouldn't really know what to do with it.
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[Cptn. Awesome]

For me most bikes are generally setup just fine. I could probably tweak it and get it sorted for myself and the way I ride but I choose not to. I'm solely a road rider at the moment so I have no need at all to perfect a track setup or anything.
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[SamJL]

I always get the sag set up for my weight.

I don't really mess with it my self, I take it somewhere and tell them what I want and they do it for me.

I'm always messing with my MX bike though, different tracks require a totally different setup.
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[MarJay]

I pretty much have to on most modern bikes. They are mostly set up way too stiffly for a lightweight like me. That is why I love the Buell so much, its got a table in the owners manual which tells you the correct suspension setup for your weight. Thats certainly better than those crappy "Setup guides" you see in Performance Bikes and the like.
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[arry]

No, the bike's always felt ok as it is so I've left it as is. Maybe one day I'll note the existing settings down and have a play around. Not sure I'd know what to do or look for, though.

[Walloper]

I adjust preload for luggage/shopping two up riding etc.
I phannied with the dampener adjustment from factory to prevent the bike from rolling between front and rear on m/way cruise. But apart from that no need.

If you are average height and weight then the factory setting is normally OK. If you are interested or a little critical then some set up is needed.
And as said dependent on how you ride the beast.

And some trial and error is involved nomatter what you do.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Can't be arsed on the road unless it's woeful.

I tend to have a twiddle on track...
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Don't play that much. Did spend quite a while fiddling around with the ZZR trying to get it to handle, but the problem turned out to be a previous owner had used thicker fork oil and really screwed things up, and once that was corrected I went to the stock settings again.

All the best

Keith
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[DrDonnyBrago]

I adjust preload and have had a play with other settings but have generally just reverted back to stock.


Whilst on the subject of preload - I ride a 2001 CBR600 and I need to have it on max preload front and back and even then it sags more than it should. I know I could buy new springs but I didn't think 15 stone 8lbs was that heavy tbh, maybe japanese bikes are built for small asian guys?

Anyone else on the limits of preload adjustment? If so how heavy are you?

[swiftb]

Everything on my current bike has been adjusted. Preload and oil for my weight, compression and rebound both dialled in (Front and rear) for the roads I ride most often. Also forks raised through yokes around 4mm.
The difference between how I have it setup for myself and the standard settings are worlds apart. It honestly feels like two different bikes.
Standard is way too lazy and slow for my riding style. Understeers like a bitch. The way I have it setup now is razor sharp (as razor sharp as it gets on a ten year old bike ) and very lively with lots of feedback and lots of front bias which is what suits me.
It took months of twiddling and tweaking to get my preffered setup which I am happy with now.

To anyone who hasnt had a play about I would strongly advise it (particularly on the older stuff) as it can transform the way your bike rides.
Ide imagine the more modern stuff has a better base to start with these days but Il definetly have a tweak on my next bike too.

[Damon]

I always make sure my bikes are set up properly. I usually do this myself as there is no magical setting for suspension. Alot of it is about feel. I usually start with the standard settings for the bike and go for a spirited ride. I then proceed to pull over at various points and adjust a few clicks at a time until I find the settings that work for me.

It can take a few weeks to find those perfect settings, but it's worth it in the end.

[rac3r]

I can't tell what is good and what is bad
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[Gazz]

I never adjust my suspension. I dont know know what it would be like to adjust it, but I have ridden the bike so much and like it the way it is, and know the limits, etc the set-up it has just now that I dont want to change it.

Even when it is fully loaded with passenger and loads of bags for touring, I still keep it the same.

Feels the same to ride.

[Seb]

As above really, I got it properly setup for my weight, had a few works with the technician about how I felt the bike's handling could be improved and let them sort it. The base settings were woeful if you ask me, the forks were far too soft whilst the rear shock was much too stiff. Sorting them plus raising the forks 8mm made my 9 actually want to turn rather than lazily wobble off line when it felt like it
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I have extra preload (4 pence) to my front end.
Will probably add heavier weight fork oil for a slower rebound.

When i ordered my rear Hagons i told them what weight i was and what weight my pillions are.
Setting 1 for Solo.
Setting 2 for Pillion or firm Solo.
Setting 3 for Pillion.

Well worth the extra tenner i paid.

Should think my bike was originally made to be ridden by 9st orientals and not 12st caucasians.


Pat
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[locked]

I've adjusted the rears before to carry a pillion as the manual instructs you too but it just didnt feel right so i switched it back and pillioned on the standard set up which was fine.
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[Freaky_1]

Very few "newer" bikes I've had that I didn't have to adjust. I'm short and the older bikes always seemed to work well as is. The newer ones never seem to ride just right until adjusted.

Frank

[DynaMight]

I take mine to a professional to be setup. Makes a huge difference.
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

^^^So they get you to sit on the bike in full kit for the initial sag adjustments ?

Pat
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[Walloper]

[imabikr]

i've not made any adjustments, but tbh thats only because i'm afraid i'll fuck it up! Actually everything seemed great on the stock bt56's but since changing to angel st's i've noticed a much firmer ride maybe even a little too airborn at the rear. So if id change anything it would be the rebound?? Tell you what though, i'm well impressed with my new tire's every other bike i had was on bridgestone.. These angel st's stick like glue and take the busa to a whole new level, wet or dry!

[Alexio]

Please help me which option to vote for.

You can adjust the pre-load on my CG, so it is adjustable, but I've never touched it because it's exactly where I want it, but if it weren't I would have adjusted it by now.
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[Walloper]