Adjustable suspension
Poll: Adjustable suspension
Total Members Polled: 98
Discussion
Personally I have only ever changed preset modes on electronic suspension, it did make a noticeable difference to the firmness (KTM Adventure).
Even second hand bikes with manual suspension I have always just left it to the settings of the previous owner.
If you made changes how much difference did you notice, was the outcome positive or negative?
Even second hand bikes with manual suspension I have always just left it to the settings of the previous owner.
If you made changes how much difference did you notice, was the outcome positive or negative?
I don’t bother changing settings but on bikes I’ll keep longer term I almost always end up changing the rear shock for something decent. It’s an area that manufacturers cut costs and most standard suspension is awful.
Good quality, well set up suspension is the best thing you can do to improve your bike in my opinion. Far beyond exhausts, power commander, remap etc.
Only exception has been my KTM, the standard suspension on that is very good for OEM.
Good quality, well set up suspension is the best thing you can do to improve your bike in my opinion. Far beyond exhausts, power commander, remap etc.
Only exception has been my KTM, the standard suspension on that is very good for OEM.
Like Bob, I have a man set the bike up for me. Does make quite a difference though having tweaked a few myself you can get a reasonable results following basic steps.
All that said, I found the presets on my K1300Ss were overall better than any manual system for road use. While a specific set up tailored to a given road surface may be slightly better the ability to change settings according to the current road surface gives way more flexibility. In ghe first 10 miles of my commute I used to change the suspension setting a minimum of 3 times.
All that said, I found the presets on my K1300Ss were overall better than any manual system for road use. While a specific set up tailored to a given road surface may be slightly better the ability to change settings according to the current road surface gives way more flexibility. In ghe first 10 miles of my commute I used to change the suspension setting a minimum of 3 times.
I think its all marketing on road bikes. The pricey ones get it and the lower level bikes dont. No use what so ever on the road but maybe its for race bike homologation.
People that t
t around with suspension settings in frustration should first look at the bald and/or underinflated tyres on the bike.
People that t
t around with suspension settings in frustration should first look at the bald and/or underinflated tyres on the bike.Fundoreen said:
I think its all marketing on road bikes. The pricey ones get it and the lower level bikes dont. No use what so ever on the road but maybe its for race bike homologation.
People that tt around with suspension settings in frustration should first look at the bald and/or underinflated tyres on the bike.
Rubbish top to bottomPeople that t
t around with suspension settings in frustration should first look at the bald and/or underinflated tyres on the bike.On my Versys I left the front alone even though it had adjustable preload and dampening.
I always pissed about with the rear preload depending on if I was riding alone, with the wife or with luggage. The remote adjuster made it really easy to do.
On the Super Adventure I mess about with the electronic suspension on every ride. Most of the time it's in comfort but if I use street or sport mode I'll chuck it in the same suspension setting. You can feel the difference between the modes.
I always pissed about with the rear preload depending on if I was riding alone, with the wife or with luggage. The remote adjuster made it really easy to do.
On the Super Adventure I mess about with the electronic suspension on every ride. Most of the time it's in comfort but if I use street or sport mode I'll chuck it in the same suspension setting. You can feel the difference between the modes.
I adjusted the settings a lot on every bike I‘ve owned.
I find a road with bumps on straights and undulations through corners.
Set my preload, check the sag. Set all damping adjusters to min. Go for a ride, see what the bike does. Set to max, see what the bike does. Go half way on the adjusters…
I just try many combinations. It’s fun… at least I enjoy it.
Be careful though!
I find a road with bumps on straights and undulations through corners.
Set my preload, check the sag. Set all damping adjusters to min. Go for a ride, see what the bike does. Set to max, see what the bike does. Go half way on the adjusters…
I just try many combinations. It’s fun… at least I enjoy it.
Be careful though!
It depends on how it feels when I get it.
Both my bikes have manual adjustable suspension. My Tiger 900 feels absolutely fine on the standard settings, so I’m happy to leave that alone. My Speed Triple was WAY too stiff for road use as standard so I softened it off using a combination of the handbook guide and Google. It’s now much more compliant, but I’m sure it would be better if I got it properly setup for my weight.
Both my bikes have manual adjustable suspension. My Tiger 900 feels absolutely fine on the standard settings, so I’m happy to leave that alone. My Speed Triple was WAY too stiff for road use as standard so I softened it off using a combination of the handbook guide and Google. It’s now much more compliant, but I’m sure it would be better if I got it properly setup for my weight.
Used the different modes on electronic suspension and also manually adjusted the electronic suspension through the dash, the good thing with the electronic suspension is if you get it totally wrong it's a quick click and it's back to its default.
Also tinkered with manual suspension over the years, far easier to go to extremes as a single click here and there for me is barely noticeable, so big changes will either be good or bad, then adjust back towards the base settings until you find the setting you want.
Also tinkered with manual suspension over the years, far easier to go to extremes as a single click here and there for me is barely noticeable, so big changes will either be good or bad, then adjust back towards the base settings until you find the setting you want.
I'm pretty much Mr Average in the ergonomics range and reckon that a team of suspension boffins at the manufacturer will have a way better idea of how to set up the suspension than I have got, so I leave well alone.
The people adjusting their settings (manual rather than selecting an electronic setup's pre-set), how do you know if it is "too soft" or "too hard" or whatever? Doing it by "seat of the pants" feel seems a terrible way of working out whether the suspension system is operating at peak performance.
The people adjusting their settings (manual rather than selecting an electronic setup's pre-set), how do you know if it is "too soft" or "too hard" or whatever? Doing it by "seat of the pants" feel seems a terrible way of working out whether the suspension system is operating at peak performance.
boyse7en said:
I'm pretty much Mr Average in the ergonomics range and reckon that a team of suspension boffins at the manufacturer will have a way better idea of how to set up the suspension than I have got, so I leave well alone.
The people adjusting their settings (manual rather than selecting an electronic setup's pre-set), how do you know if it is "too soft" or "too hard" or whatever? Doing it by "seat of the pants" feel seems a terrible way of working out whether the suspension system is operating at peak performance.
That's kind of how it works in real life. A manufacturer or suspension specialist could have a base setting and you set your bike up to those parameters, plus each bike is different with different shock rates and linkages, but you as an individual may like a firmer ride or vice versa and how you ride, and where are all factors.The people adjusting their settings (manual rather than selecting an electronic setup's pre-set), how do you know if it is "too soft" or "too hard" or whatever? Doing it by "seat of the pants" feel seems a terrible way of working out whether the suspension system is operating at peak performance.
It's easier to do on track as you're in a set environment and you can make adjustments then do a few laps, come in adjust again based upon feedback and repeat.
boyse7en said:
I'm pretty much Mr Average in the ergonomics range and reckon that a team of suspension boffins at the manufacturer will have a way better idea of how to set up the suspension than I have got, so I leave well alone.
The people adjusting their settings (manual rather than selecting an electronic setup's pre-set), how do you know if it is "too soft" or "too hard" or whatever? Doing it by "seat of the pants" feel seems a terrible way of working out whether the suspension system is operating at peak performance.
The only problem with that approach is that boffins will be using Mr/Mrs/Ms average in the country they work in. I'm not sure I'm built like Average San from Japan!The people adjusting their settings (manual rather than selecting an electronic setup's pre-set), how do you know if it is "too soft" or "too hard" or whatever? Doing it by "seat of the pants" feel seems a terrible way of working out whether the suspension system is operating at peak performance.
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