help with front suspension.

[edgelett]

got out the tape measure and it seems the front is OK in terms of length. it's at the lower end of the allowance but it feels a lot better so I don't want to put more pre load back in.
now it's just a matter of making a few small adjustments to the compression and rebound and we're good to go!
Tony is going to ride it tomorrow to give me his feedback too.

 

[kiwi dave]

I have my compression setting on my forks wound right out. Never did understand why you would want to slow the reaction of the forks to a bump in the road. Perhaps if the springs were too soft, but I'm no lightweight (96 kg without gear) and I find no issues.

Tell me I'm wrong!

 

[Max Kool]

Tell me I'm wrong!

Well, if you insist..

 

[kiwi dave]

Well, if you insist..

Back it up with a counter argument, Max. Otherwise your response is meaningless.

 

[Max Kool]

Ok, take one test ride on a bone stock DR650 and you know why you need damping.

btw, by dialing it back you still have damping. The adjustment range is limited.

 

[Pdiddy]

I'm 6'3" 230 lbs. I've never owned a bike that was over sprung until now. I have over 10 years as a roadracing tuner in WERA and AMA superbike. I ended up setting my rear shock spring preload at 5mm. No compression and the rebound in the middle of the range. Front forks, no preload. Full soft on the springs, no compression and mid rebound settings. It seems like the suspension over all has some compression inherent. Just getnyour spring and rebound right. Playing with thinner oil in the forks is an option as well as their levels. Taking an ounce out will make a differance so experiment.

 

[Max Kool]

You will find the front forks have progressively wound springs. And at your weight they will probably ride in the stiffer part of the spring’s travel most of the time.

I have linear springs now (and different cartridges), which made a big difference. Especially banked over and during braking.

 

[S2Davies]

I'm 205lbs without gear so probably topping 225 to 245 with all the kit on. Just as a guide these setting are working for me, but you do have to choose your set up depending on the type of roads you intend to attack. Here in the UK, if you decide to run on our country lanes with all their "character" then you need quite a lot of compliance for the inevitable pot holes and undulations. Also with the dubious surfaces, the road speeds are far less so a compliant set up wont compromise the cornering. Lift is inevitably all about a compromise,.

Front rebound 7 clicks out
Front compression 10 clicks out
Front preload 3 turns out
Rear rebound 8 clicks out
Rear compression 1 turn out
Rear preload 11mm

I'm sure I'll keep tweaking, but hey, for now I'm happy with with this set up for the type of riding I'm doing.

 

[edgelett]

the roads I ride on are not the greatest (pot holes, patches, bit of resurfacing) and the stock front felt as stiff as having two bits of rebar as suspension.
since I've adjusted it, it actually moves and isn't trying to kill me.

 

[edgelett]

So I had this conversation with my other half last night:

Me: 'How was the ride to work on the FTR? Everything ok?'
Him
Me: 'why are you smiling? what happened?'
Him 'I.... may.... have done a burnout'
Me: 'what?'
Him 'well I was leaving work and a bunch of the guys were standing around and talking about how badass it sounds...'
Me 'You did tell them it's MY bike yes?'
Him 'um... I think so. Anyway they were standing around and I went to leave and as I pulled out the driveway I there was a car coming. I saw it before I pulled out but it's like he accelerated as he saw me pull out so I had to get on the gas really hard. And cause I was turning and the tyres were cold it spun up the back end and I headed off with it sliding out for a bit. All the guys at work started cheering it was fucking awesome'
Me: '😠'
Him 'well it wasn't my fault. it was th bike's fault'
Me 'never mind. How was the front suspension? did you notice any difference?'
Him 'yeah it was fine'
Me 'I'm going to put your Harley on charge so you can ride that to work tomorrow'
Him '🙁'

 

[Breto]

So I had this conversation with my other half last night:

Me: 'How was the ride to work on the FTR? Everything ok?'
Him
Me: 'why are you smiling? what happened?'
Him 'I.... may.... have done a burnout'
Me: 'what?'
Him 'well I was leaving work and a bunch of the guys were standing around and talking about how badass it sounds...'
Me 'You did tell them it's MY bike yes?'
Him 'um... I think so. Anyway they were standing around and I went to leave and as I pulled out the driveway I there was a car coming. I saw it before I pulled out but it's like he accelerated as he saw me pull out so I had to get on the gas really hard. And cause I was turning and the tyres were cold it spun up the back end and I headed off with it sliding out for a bit. All the guys at work started cheering it was fucking awesome'
Me: '😠'
Him 'well it wasn't my fault. it was th bike's fault'
Me 'never mind. How was the front suspension? did you notice any difference?'
Him 'yeah it was fine'
Me 'I'm going to put your Harley on charge so you can ride that to work tomorrow'
Him '🙁'

The real story…
Tony rocks up to work on the misses bike…
The boys start the usual convo…
Man that exhaust is the ducks mate…sounds farkin awesome 👍
Yeah mate it’s pretty rad hey!…
So is this thing yours mate?…
Yeah it’s my second bike, well kinda, nah it’s the misses bike man…
Must pull hard mate!!…
Pulls harder than a fourteen year old with a porno mag mate…🥴
So will it do a burn out?…
Oh fark yeah man, watch this…
Yep that was cool…hey we’re they new tyres…
Um…yeah well I spose I better come up with something by the time I get home…
Anyway how come your on it and not the Harley?…
Checkin out the suspension for her after she did a few changes…
And?…
Ummmm…yeah it’s fine mate…
Catcha…
Tony gets home…
Hi hon…ummmm…

Couldn’t help myself Tash…👍😎😂