Ssupnsion et up ? Yay or Nay ?
Discussion
ive been told to have the r1 set up for my weight etc . I had the track bike set up and it was fantastic but that's a track bike .
The R1 feels fine but compared to what I ask you ?
So I've been offered a full set up with money back if unhappy , is it a no brainer or will I alwaysthink " factory setting was better l factory setting was better "
Confused ( again )
I'm considering a name change to wtconfused
The R1 feels fine but compared to what I ask you ?
So I've been offered a full set up with money back if unhappy , is it a no brainer or will I alwaysthink " factory setting was better l factory setting was better "
Confused ( again )
I'm considering a name change to wtconfused
bass gt3 said:
Ask them what they intend to do to "Set up the Bike"
As some have discovered here, many supposed suspension specialists are little better than charlatans and you'd be better doing it yourself with a small understanding of the basics.
As some have discovered here, many supposed suspension specialists are little better than charlatans and you'd be better doing it yourself with a small understanding of the basics.
This I fought with my suspension on the daytona for ages. I near sold it. I got there gradually from doing it myself so there was no eureka moment
I got it done at croft thinking. Let's get it setup right once and for all.
The guy spouted this that and the next thing about rossi and moto gp. Put in a few settings sent me out came in mucked about with it some more. I Kept saying I don't feel any real change.
When I got back up the road it was almost identical to what I had been riding. Literally one click on one setting different.
I later found out that the manufacturer lists settings for your weight. Just Google it or see the handbook. I was pretty much there when I went to adjust it myself.
When I bought my R1 the previous owner had set all the damping up to be quite firm. My commute is full of bumpy back roads and the thing was bouncing and wheelying everywhere (funny to start with, but eventually a bit annoying). I backed everything off to standard and it's now perfectly acceptable on the roads I ride.
I'd suggest setting it up for you and the types of road you ride. If it's all smooth then great, but if bumpy b-roads are your thing then there's no harm in setting it up to let the suspension soak up some of those bumps.
I'd suggest setting it up for you and the types of road you ride. If it's all smooth then great, but if bumpy b-roads are your thing then there's no harm in setting it up to let the suspension soak up some of those bumps.
On pretty much every bike ive had for a while, I read the manual, check factory settings are still there. At least know where it is now. Always check the sag as often bikes seem to be setup for "mr average" who is 30-40lb lighter than you are ..for some of us 
Damping/rebound if combined on simple shocks is easy enough, wind it fully off and then start bringing it back on until it feels right, whilst riding down a favourite bumpy road
That's generally it for me.
Depending on use of bike I might experiment with another setting when I have a pillion. Usually + 20-30mm of preload and wind damping/rebound up. Then write down settings on paper on wall in garage that has other bike specific settings like tyre pressures, torque values etc
I had some time on a Beemer K1600 last month, a seriously nice piece of kit for 2 up touring, and decided that the electronic self levelling semi active suspension was awesome. Like riding a magic carpet. That alone nearly sold the bike to me
...one day I guess all bikes might have the fancy active suspension and as it filters down the product range then none of us will worry about suspension settings, for road use anyway
Damping/rebound if combined on simple shocks is easy enough, wind it fully off and then start bringing it back on until it feels right, whilst riding down a favourite bumpy road
That's generally it for me.
Depending on use of bike I might experiment with another setting when I have a pillion. Usually + 20-30mm of preload and wind damping/rebound up. Then write down settings on paper on wall in garage that has other bike specific settings like tyre pressures, torque values etc
I had some time on a Beemer K1600 last month, a seriously nice piece of kit for 2 up touring, and decided that the electronic self levelling semi active suspension was awesome. Like riding a magic carpet. That alone nearly sold the bike to me
...one day I guess all bikes might have the fancy active suspension and as it filters down the product range then none of us will worry about suspension settings, for road use anyway
if your outwith the average riders weight which I believe is 12.5-14.5 stone then you should alter it.
I am the same weight and height as Rossi, that's where the similarities end im afraid. I find it an utter nightmare to go onto a standard road bike on standard settings. You'd think sports bikes would be set up for young slim guys in their 20's and 30's, nope.
I called triumph up to book the new Daytona out, I asked for them to dial the softer settings in on the suspension otherwise I wouldn't be able to ride the bike.
I took it out and brought it back within 30 minutes, the guy said "that was quick, did you enjoy it" I practically flung the keys at him and said, "no its a piece of s
te I cant turn it as you haven't changed the stock settings". The head salesman proceeded to tell me it wouldn't make that much of a difference. so why the fk do they make it adjustable.
I had the same with mines for months, I was battering the tank on braking, I was pushing hard as fk on the bars to get it to turn, I was in agony, it was like the thing was trying to under steer at every corner. once I'd changed it the bike handled so much more like a bike. Same as when I bought the street R I have from mckeann. Instantly I couldn't ride it, 2 minutes later I matched it to the Daytona away I went. The spring could do with a change for my weight though.
if someone was to dial in the right settings from stock id think they were a miracle worker, I suspect this happens to a lot of people. but the manufacture sets out a spec for 3 weight categories and 9/10 that's what you want. its only when you have extreme's like myself, I'm so light that I really ought to be changing my springs for my weight on my track bike. There is only so much standard adjustable suspension can do if you are at the ends of the scale.
for £40, yeah its worth it if you cant be arsed getting a c-spanner and screwdriver out then reading your manual (do not, I repeat do not fking hammer the flanged spring compression clamp (ive no idea if that's the right term but it sounds good) around with a hammer, like a previous owner of a bike I bought did. it looks as rough as a badgers arse.) buy a c spanner.
a guy a knockhill charges £120, or he did till he dropped it to £90 then £75.
http://www.ersracing.co.uk/
that's fking stupid money.
I am the same weight and height as Rossi, that's where the similarities end im afraid. I find it an utter nightmare to go onto a standard road bike on standard settings. You'd think sports bikes would be set up for young slim guys in their 20's and 30's, nope.
I called triumph up to book the new Daytona out, I asked for them to dial the softer settings in on the suspension otherwise I wouldn't be able to ride the bike.
I took it out and brought it back within 30 minutes, the guy said "that was quick, did you enjoy it" I practically flung the keys at him and said, "no its a piece of s
te I cant turn it as you haven't changed the stock settings". The head salesman proceeded to tell me it wouldn't make that much of a difference. so why the fk do they make it adjustable.I had the same with mines for months, I was battering the tank on braking, I was pushing hard as f
k on the bars to get it to turn, I was in agony, it was like the thing was trying to under steer at every corner. once I'd changed it the bike handled so much more like a bike. Same as when I bought the street R I have from mckeann. Instantly I couldn't ride it, 2 minutes later I matched it to the Daytona away I went. The spring could do with a change for my weight though.if someone was to dial in the right settings from stock id think they were a miracle worker, I suspect this happens to a lot of people. but the manufacture sets out a spec for 3 weight categories and 9/10 that's what you want. its only when you have extreme's like myself, I'm so light that I really ought to be changing my springs for my weight on my track bike. There is only so much standard adjustable suspension can do if you are at the ends of the scale.
for £40, yeah its worth it if you cant be arsed getting a c-spanner and screwdriver out then reading your manual (do not, I repeat do not f
king hammer the flanged spring compression clamp (ive no idea if that's the right term but it sounds good) around with a hammer, like a previous owner of a bike I bought did. it looks as rough as a badgers arse.) buy a c spanner.a guy a knockhill charges £120, or he did till he dropped it to £90 then £75.
http://www.ersracing.co.uk/
that's f
king stupid money.I've had both my bikes in for a basic set-up, i.e. checking static sag and adjusting for basic road settings*. Both times it transformed the bike, the Daytona was set-up way to stiff for me and road riding by the previous owner. The 848 was as stiff as a board from standard, the previous owner hadn't changed a thing. Riding back home, the bike was a lot more comfortable to ride and it steered much easier. Gave me a lot more confidence.
In theory I could've done it myself, but I don't think it would've taken me the 15 minutes in which they twiddled with the knobs. And best of all... both times it was free of charge!
In short, get it set-up for you and your weight. Even if it's just a small difference, it will be worth it.
In theory I could've done it myself, but I don't think it would've taken me the 15 minutes in which they twiddled with the knobs. And best of all... both times it was free of charge!
In short, get it set-up for you and your weight. Even if it's just a small difference, it will be worth it.
Thanks for all the tips , I'm going to mull it over further .
I am quite knowledgable with car set up but I'm loath to interfere with the bike myself tbh . I do know that when Harris set up my track r7 the bike was utterly transformed . I mean utterly .
I need to consider all of the above , thanks again .
Fyi it's p and h in Crawley
I am quite knowledgable with car set up but I'm loath to interfere with the bike myself tbh . I do know that when Harris set up my track r7 the bike was utterly transformed . I mean utterly .
I need to consider all of the above , thanks again .
Fyi it's p and h in Crawley
After bassgt3 and others have said to do it yourself I bought the below book;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1893618455?psc=...
It really is great. Easy to read with lots of pictures which I need.
I'm doing my first attempt at setting the bike up on Saturday if I can get herself's mini steering put back together quickly.
All I'm doing is the pre-load, then I'm changing damping just one item at a time being careful of all sorts of things.
If you start messing with everything at once it's quite apparent even to an amateur like me you'll never work out what the effect of the changes are.
Assuming the book is to be believed, however I similarly have no idea how anyone but a rider can effectively set up a bike beyond preload. If they get it right then it's really more luck than skill. I dare say the placebo effect must be a factor as well.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1893618455?psc=...
It really is great. Easy to read with lots of pictures which I need.
I'm doing my first attempt at setting the bike up on Saturday if I can get herself's mini steering put back together quickly.
All I'm doing is the pre-load, then I'm changing damping just one item at a time being careful of all sorts of things.
If you start messing with everything at once it's quite apparent even to an amateur like me you'll never work out what the effect of the changes are.
Assuming the book is to be believed, however I similarly have no idea how anyone but a rider can effectively set up a bike beyond preload. If they get it right then it's really more luck than skill. I dare say the placebo effect must be a factor as well.
moanthebairns said:
Get your manual out.
Find your weight.
Check with a flat edge screw drive.
Adjust.
Honestly it's not difficult don't be afraid
If it doesn't work go back to the original settings. Or pay a pro
To be fair if he's adjusting pre-load he'll need a little more than that.Find your weight.
Check with a flat edge screw drive.
Adjust.
Honestly it's not difficult don't be afraid
If it doesn't work go back to the original settings. Or pay a pro
You can adjust damping, usually, with just a flat blade but you can't really use the manual for that as it depends on other factors and preference.
ETA: Someone kindly correct me if I'm talking b
ks here.Edited by Prof Prolapse on Friday 17th April 11:03
Prof Prolapse said:
I similarly have no idea how anyone but a rider can effectively set up a bike beyond preload. If they get it right then it's really more luck than skill. I dare say the placebo effect must be a factor as well.
Given the tyres are effectively one of the suspension components, if the springs/damper part of the equation aren't performing optimally, the tyres will then have to deal with everything else. By assessing the wear patterns on the tyre, the damping can often be fine tuned. The skill of a decent suspension tech is also in translating the behaviour of the bike as described by the rider into the most appropriate change to make to the bike's setup, depending upon the riders' desired outcome.
Prof Prolapse said:
moanthebairns said:
Get your manual out.
Find your weight.
Check with a flat edge screw drive.
Adjust.
Honestly it's not difficult don't be afraid
If it doesn't work go back to the original settings. Or pay a pro
To be fair if he's adjusting pre-load he'll need a little more than that.Find your weight.
Check with a flat edge screw drive.
Adjust.
Honestly it's not difficult don't be afraid
If it doesn't work go back to the original settings. Or pay a pro
You can adjust damping, usually, with just a flat blade but you can't really use the manual for that as it depends on other factors and preference.
ETA: Someone kindly correct me if I'm talking b
ks here.Edited by Prof Prolapse on Friday 17th April 11:03
But even then it's all in your manual
I don't suppose the cbr ffffff has adjustable suspension as it's a piece of horticultural s
t fergus said:
Prof Prolapse said:
I similarly have no idea how anyone but a rider can effectively set up a bike beyond preload. If they get it right then it's really more luck than skill. I dare say the placebo effect must be a factor as well.
Given the tyres are effectively one of the suspension components, if the springs/damper part of the equation aren't performing optimally, the tyres will then have to deal with everything else. By assessing the wear patterns on the tyre, the damping can often be fine tuned. The skill of a decent suspension tech is also in translating the behaviour of the bike as described by the rider into the most appropriate change to make to the bike's setup, depending upon the riders' desired outcome.
But may I ask who do you trust. A manufacturer who has flung considerable money at it and knows the suspension or a guy in a shed. For the road anyway. The likelihood the settings won't be that far off manufacturers like in my case.
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