2009 FJR settings for sag AND tire pressure for Michellin Pilot Road 2ct tires?

[Wannabe_4x4]

I've seen about 90% of the Dave Moss videos out there, but none of the ones I found talked about setting sag for an FJR, or even any kind of sport touring bike like the FJR.

Have any of you replaced the rear shock and front springs, AND know what your sag settings are either in inches or millimeters?

Dave Moss suggested 35-40mm (1 1/2") of sag in the front. And 30-35mm (1 1/4") of sag in the rear.

My suspension was OK I guess for about a year. I felt "some" bumps in the road, and bike felt "ok" in high speed sweepers at these numbers:

Front, 12 clicks compression, 10 clicks rebound, 2 1/4" of sag

Rear, 10 compression, 10 rebound, 2" of sag

Tire pressure, 40 front, 42 rear (both tires are Michellin Pilot Road 2ct)

So I keep reading that 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" inches of sag front and rear is what is recommended. I go in to tighten the preload on both rear shock and front springs, get sag about right per Dave Moss videos, and now I feel every single bump in the road... aka, bumps are amplified because of the tighter spring and shock.

I tried going less pre-load, and more compression, but now the bumps were amplified even more. If I open up the rebound dampening to like 12 clicks out, the tires don't wear even, and I can tell in the sipe edges.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[MCRIDER007]

I would ignore generic suspension recommendations and use what works the best on your bike for your riding style.

 

[SLK50]

You are adjusting too many things at once.

Preload won't affect what you "feel", only ride height.

Back off completely, then adjust in the following order:

Preload ( sag, or ride height ), Rebound, then Comression.

Increase rebound till you have the most controlled ride.

Increase compression till it starts to feel "harsh ", then back

off a notch or two.

Lastly, do all of this with fresh fork oil.

HTH

 

[dave k]

Did a complete up grade on 12/21/2013 at KFG Racing, front sag set at 50mm 12 clicks comp. & rebound, rear 36mm sag 19 comp.

18 rebound, I went back today to ask about the 40mm sag witch I read about and Barry said that 50mm sag for FJR is because

the FJR has long travel in the forks hope this helps and no I'm no guru.

 

[Wannabe_4x4]

You are adjusting too many things at once.Preload won't affect what you "feel", only ride height.

Back off completely, then adjust in the following order:

Preload ( sag, or ride height ), Rebound, then Comression.

Increase rebound till you have the most controlled ride.

Increase compression till it starts to feel "harsh ", then back

off a notch or two.

Lastly, do all of this with fresh fork oil.

HTH

Everything you said makes sense... BUT, compression affects sag. If you add 2 clicks of compression, in most cases my forks will get an additional 1/2" to a full inch of sag loss (meaning the front sits up higher).

The rebound is set perfect... my tires show no signs of weird or strange "rebound issue" wear at all. The sipes are like the grand canyon.

My issue must be related to either tire pressure, the valve shim stack, compression or spring tension (preload)... or some combination of 2 of 3 of these. So I was wondering if someone on here had the same issue with a Penske rear shock perhaps.

I'm guessing it's the tire pressure. So tonight I set my tire pressure when the tires were 62 degrees. I was hoping for 68 degrees, but it's COLD in Los Angeles tonight. lol. I'm gonna take the bike out tomorrow around mid morning or mid day, and see if the "bumps" go away. If not, it's back to the drawing board.

 

[Wannabe_4x4]

Did a complete up grade on 12/21/2013 at KFG Racing, front sag set at 50mm 12 clicks comp. & rebound, rear 36mm sag 19 comp.18 rebound, I went back today to ask about the 40mm sag witch I read about and Barry said that 50mm sag for FJR is because

the FJR has long travel in the forks hope this helps and no I'm no guru.

Can you take a photo of your front and rear tire and post it up here? Or a link to the photos? I would love to see the sipes, and see if there's any weird or screwy wear.

If possible... what tires are you using, and what is your tire pressure?

 

[RaYzerman19]

You may have reached the point of finding out the suspension is not adequate enough for your weight, etc. You don't mention it, but you must have an aftermarket shock if you're able to adjust sag....... hopefully you have the right spring rate for you. The front and rear sag in my opinion should be similar so there is balance between front and rear. 35-40 seems right, maybe more towards 40-45 if you are feeling it harsh, but try to keep both front and rear similar. Damping adjustment methods as already stated. Perhaps new fork springs (only my opinion, but OEM damping is pretty good). The only other thing I'd say is do smaller incremental adjustments..... don't go from 35 to 50 mm preload all in one shot, do only 5 mm. at a time, try it on the same road course repeatedly, tweak it. Start soft and work your way to harder until you find the right balance. It can take weeks as you encounter differing conditions.

After you get it dialed in, finish out the riding season and see how you feel..... maybe you won't want any further upgrades like fork damping or a different spring on your shock......

 

[BanjoBoy]

I've seen about 90% of the Dave Moss videos out there, but none of the ones I found talked about setting sag for an FJR, or even any kind of sport touring bike like the FJR.
Have any of you replaced the rear shock and front springs, AND know what your sag settings are either in inches or millimeters?

Dave Moss suggested 35-40mm (1 1/2") of sag in the front. And 30-35mm (1 1/4") of sag in the rear.

My suspension was OK I guess for about a year. I felt "some" bumps in the road, and bike felt "ok" in high speed sweepers at these numbers:

Front, 12 clicks compression, 10 clicks rebound, 2 1/4" of sag

Rear, 10 compression, 10 rebound, 2" of sag

Tire pressure, 40 front, 42 rear (both tires are Michellin Pilot Road 2ct)

So I keep reading that 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" inches of sag front and rear is what is recommended. I go in to tighten the preload on both rear shock and front springs, get sag about right per Dave Moss videos, and now I feel every single bump in the road... aka, bumps are amplified because of the tighter spring and shock.

I tried going less pre-load, and more compression, but now the bumps were amplified even more. If I open up the rebound dampening to like 12 clicks out, the tires don't wear even, and I can tell in the sipe edges.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Mr. Moss iz very knowledgeable, butt he's talk'in 'bout race bikes on a smooth race track in them vids; a FJR on the street iz a whole 'nother world.

I rode to his shop, had him install proper fork springs, and set up my suspension. All the fillings dun fell outta the few teeth (I have left) on the way home! Way too harsh fer the sucky BA CA roads.

All mah suspension setting are written down out in the barn w/ the bike, but as I recall, I wuz 'round 2" sag in the front, a bit less in the rear. I like PRIIs (Mor than PRIIIs) and ran a lotta sets; usually 39F / 42R, and would average 'bout 7K outta 'em, w/ no abnormal wear. I like to rail goat trails, (Less cops 'n traffic.) and later installed sum of them Race Tech Gold Valves. Thamz really helped cuz there wuz much less high speed compression damping. The wheel would actually move over the bumps!

Set up fer the street is always gonna be a compromise between comfort and handling, and I like a softer set up then I try ta be real smooth at the controls.

I ain't no suspension guru, butt if'n yer compression damping is altering yer sag, sounds like ya might have way too much compression? As another poster pointed out, damping shouldn't affect sag. It's best to be do'in these adjustments when the suspensions warm too; go out and ride the thing before you do the adjustments.

Back in the late '80s I worked w/ a great suspension guru named Jim Lindemann. Unfortunately has since passed, :rip but his partner still runs the shop down near you. https://www.le-suspension.com/ Maybe check them out? Besides setting up championship winning AMA bikes, Jim also had great insights on wut worked on the street.

Good luck

 

[dave k]

as far as pictures go computer illiterate, tires are PR3 pressures are 42 psi front and rear and no weird ware patterns

 

[builderwill]

The comment above on compression(or damping) affects sag is incorrect. The compression adjustment affects the rate at which the fork compresses by adjusting flow rate of the fork oil. Same concept with rebound. Adjusting either will have no affect on bike or rider sag whatsoever.