Suspension settings

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sparky3008

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I saw a thread sometime back where someone had put what they had their front end suspension set to and I have searched for it for 2 days.

Anyone recall its where abouts??

 
I saw a thread sometime back where someone had put what they had their front end suspension set to and I have searched for it for 2 days.
Anyone recall its where abouts??
I don't know about the thread you refer to, but Sport Rider magazine suggested suspension settings for an '05 are:

Front: Spring preload 2 lines showing

Rebound dampening 4 clicks from full stiff

Compression Dampening 7 clicks from full stiff

Rear: Spring preload Hard position

Rebound dampening 3 clicks out from full stiff

In order to learn to "do it right", go here: Suspension setup

FWIW, I have not adjusted my suspension since new, but I think it's about time - I have 5000 miles on mine now.

 
Thanks that gives me a place to start. Mine is pretty much stock settings also.

 
Made the change last night and being 210lbs with these stiffer settings it seems to be a subtle but noticeable difference.

Thanks

 
Wait, there is more settings you can do, other then the twisty thingy on the forks, and setting it to hard on the rear...?

 
Oh, yea. 3 settings on the front fork. One you use a 17mm wrench at the triple to change from 3 lines to 2. The little black nob turn all the way in and then out the required amount. Then down on the fork near the brakes is another.

Rear, is the soft hard and then at the bottom of the shock a dial you turn.

Front: Spring preload 2 lines showing This is under the black nob and requires 17mm wrench.

Rebound dampening 4 clicks from full stiff (Black knob on top)

Compression Dampening 7 clicks from full stiff (Down by wheel on back side of fork has a screw driver slot in it. Turn it all the way in then out to desired amount.

Rear: Spring preload Hard position (Obvious)

Rebound dampening 3 clicks out from full stiff Bottom of shock is a thing that has what looks like a sprocket you turn.

Most numbers you see are done from all the way in hard...

 
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Seriously guys... RTFM :rtfm:

There's a lot to learn there about your bike, such as all the little adjustments and peculiars of the bike.

 
Seriously guys... RTFM
I especially like the one about checking air pressure. :D

Seriously though what he says is oh so true but much of the manual is over many of our heads or of no interest to us.

If we come across the important stuff on this or some of the other forums they point out much of the really important stuff and that is how we learn of it. fjrtech.com example...

Of the last 3 bikes I have had I have owned the manual for all of them but only read the sections that were relevant to what I was doing such as changing cams on my Vstar...

Good example also is lubing the shaft at first tire change which I would never have thought to do and this is my second shaft drive bike...
 
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Holy cow.... I made the changes as suggested, and WOW... what a difference... quite a bit more stable...

Question, on the Spring Preload (front) are we talkin just barely the second line showing...?

and on the rear... Crank it all the way up and then back it off... Thats what I did...

or from the bottom, 3 clicks up....... [im sure this isn't the right way]

Thanks for another great tip....

I'll still be up for the Wilburs rear though... as when I add my little woman, it puts me into a weight bracket thats more then I like.. so I get too much sag....

Thanks again

Warp

 
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You guys forgot the most important part...get the biggest fattest person (or people) you can find and have them sit on your bike using the sidestand. That way you are adjusting the suspension with a rider's weight included. :D

 
I went with the Sport Rider settings and like em (about 210 also) I have the Wilbers but due to Mom's health issues didn't get it installed yet. Possibly one of the upcoming weekends but then it will be too cold for a good ride :(

 
Ditto the Sport Rider settings as a starting point. I sometimes go a little lighter on the rear when I'm just making the commute, but go stiffer on both ends when two up and loaded. I'm about 200 lbs. when commuting. The road I take is largely concrete with alot of expansion joints and good ol' Oregon potholes and ruts. Just what do they spend their annual $Billion budget on? Oh yah, light rail trains that nobody uses! Silly me. :wacko:

PS. Starting out with stiffer settings will help you guys with ABS keep your banjo bolt out of your Superbrace! ;)

 
Since the day I drove my bike away from the dealership, I had never messed with any of these settings. I had posted a while back on the other board about a squishy type noise from my front forks when I would leave my driveway. Just sounded like fluid, kinda of squishy sounding. Anyway, I recently changed all my settings to the Sport Rider recommended set up and "TADA" the squishies are gone, problem solved . I Love You Man ...... :wub:

 
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