Understanding Suspension Setup

[AdrianNKY]

Ok guys...Just need some help here understanding my suspension and how to make it better. Sorry this is long......

I'll start off by saying that I'm technical and not mechanical. I'd really like to get advise and learn about this so I can hopefully be able to make these adjustments without pulling out what little hair I have left.

Basically, I'm hoping someone can help me interpret what I'm feeling. This is why I'm posting even in conjunction with doing forum/web searches. I've read quite a bit of info about setting up sag and what all the suspension changes can do and for the life of me I can't seem to get it right (Yes, this is a great dogpile opportunity).

The basic info:

Bike:

06A

Metzlers @ 40F/40R currently with 5k on them

Me: 185-ish with gear on

Bags always on screen up or down

No fork brace

No rear tire cupping

Front tire starting to show signs of cupping maybe. Although the issue has been happening since I purchased the bike new.

Barb mod

Throttle spring mod

Current stock suspension settings are below. Keep in mind I haven't been "above" stock settings. Only below based on forum members recommendations and the web magazine recommendations for our bikes.

Front:

Preload: 2.5 lines showing. Seems to be about the right sag so far as I can tell without a helper. (have used both 2, 3 and 4 lines)

Rebound: 10CO (have been down to 7)

Compression: 8CO (have been down to 5)

Rear:

Preload: Hard. Have used the soft setting but it was worse.

Compression: 8CO (have been down to 6)

The Issue:

I would classify it was wallowing but I'm hoping someone else can interpret the below info.

Riding: While riding around town or on the freeway the bike feels perfectly fine. I've always thought the rear felt a tad compressed (squat?) but otherwise it rides fine under around town types of conditions. During spirited riding in the twisties it feels like it wallows around quite a bit during entrance, apex and exit of the corner. Of course it is very pronounced over bumps but can be felt at any time really.

I've tried to determine if it happens more during entrance braking, apexing and/or corner exiting under throttle but really it just happens all the time. It doesn't seem (at least to my untrained candy arse) that it is more pronounced in one context or the other.

Once I'm in the corner it will hold the line after it settles and doesn't appear to push on exit or flop in at all but right turns do require constaint pressure on the inside bar during higher speed corners. Left turns do not seem to require the same constaint pressure.

ABS brake testing yeilds a relatively straight stopping progression. I've been down to the pegs on both sides and on smooth pavement it seems to work fairly well.

I guess it comes down to I'm having problems (clearly) translating what I'm reading about suspension and how it works to what I'm feeling. Feel free to flame, dogpile, point to various links in the search field but I would greatly appreciate anyones help with this.

One other thing of note is that when I purchased the bike (EOM 2006 weekend) I didn't get to really ride it for the first week do to work travel. I did however notice the second week that it felt weird. After the shop manual arrived I went through the suspension settings and they were way off. I don't have the numbers in front of me as I'm traveling but I think the front rebounds had a delta of 6 or so clicks. In addition the rear compression was 20 CO instead of the supposed stock setting.

Anyone?

 

[MCRIDER007]

I think what you are describing is "wallowing" that is caused by weak springs. They should not be that bad on a new bike, especially with your weight, but you might have a Monday morning special. I rode an 05 a few weeks ago that was almost new with 3500 miles and the springs on the rear shock were terrible (the forks were fine). With the shock in the hard position the bike would wallow in the corners and bottom on every small bump. There wasn't any cure for that bike except to turn up damping as high as possible (which helped) to try to compensate for the weak springs.

If you are having problems on both ends, crank up the preload and damping settings in the front, increase the damping significantly in the back, and see if that improves the handling in the corners. If it does then you need some heavier springs in the front and should start looking for a new shock. Its not all bad, if you like the bike you will be buying those items anyway at some point in the future.

 

[f1fan]

In addition to tweaking the suspension to your liking and riding preference, I would suggest getting a forkbrace. I was able to really tell a difference after installing a forkbrace on my FJR. The front end felt a lot more stable and planted in turns and turning in general was quicker and therefore more enjoyable.

 

[weekend rider]

If your bike suspension is that bad as suggested it is time for new shock and springs front and rear.

I would recommend a penske rear and have your front forks totally rebuilt. I also recommend GPsuspension in Oregon City, Oregon

Call them for price and to schedule your work to be done . They will give you some valuable information.

Did mine Front and rear complete redbuild on tne front. penske on the rear, new springs for both.

Just put a fork brace on and it elimanated what you are having problems with.

When you do the suspension and rework both ,your bike will ride and handle like a dream machine

 

[SPORT]

weekend rider,

What can one expect to pay for a total rebuild of suspension?

 

[FJRMGM]

how many miles on the bike?

I changed out front/rear suspension at 20k miles for the Wilburs setup and it was apparent the stock suspension was tired at that point.

 

[AdrianNKY]

The bike has 5,000 miles on it and maybe 4 months of riding since purchase new. Kind of early to think the suspension needs to be replaced especially considering it's been all solo and i'm only average weight. I've had the rear set at 6 clicks out and while it made a difference....the dreaded wallow was still there.

Been all over the chart with the settings on the front and rear and nothing has removed the wallow entirely. I'll have to convince Jeff or someone else more knowledgable to have a spin on it at EOM.

I'm sure the promise of a free round on me would certainly be enough.

 

[ELP_JC]

You didn't mention if your bike has always been like that. Whether the answer is yes or no, I'd say you got at least a defective shock. You must be like 170 lbs without gear, right? No way bike should feel like that. I'm bit lighter at 155#, with the suspension adjusted between stock and SR suggestions (don't have the numbers on top of my head right now), and 'hard' is just too darn stiff on the street, but great on the twisties (and yes, at peg-dragging pace too), with zero wallowing. In fact, I like this bike the best of all the sport tourers I've owned, including a Hayabausa, 1100XX, VFR, and K1200RS... but don't get me started on the freaking surging :angry: .

I've never needed A/M suspension with my weight on the streets, but haven't kept a bike for more than 15K miles either. If your suspension was like that since new, I'd try to ride a demo bike so you can judge if you have a bad suspension, or just an inadequate suspension for your tastes. If it just got worse, I'd try to get it replaced under warranty if you were pleased when bike was new. Dealer/Yamaha might play the 'wear item' game, but I'd fight that, especially with your weight. Good luck.

JC

 

[smitty141]

Here a chart I have used, it is spot on for me. Hope this helps, Smitty

 

[weekend rider]

Something you may want to try, when you need tires I would try another brand ,Avons, Pilots, Stradas,etc...

For the front cupping I would phone Jeff a Bike Effects in Napa, Ca. and ask him about the super brace. I just put one on my bike and it seemed to tighten that front end up when riding and improved the performance of the front end.

Or try warranting these items as defective, but good luck with this..

Hope you sove the problem. I have nothad any problem with my 05, 23k miles on it..

 

[temp357]

Have you tried the sport rider suspension settings? Your a big boy now!

Sportrider Settings

 

[Rickster]

From the Bin-o-Facts,

From SportRider, the complete article and tuning guide Clicky