scificanada
Expert Class
Posts: 411
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posted June 15, 2006 07:24 PM
Suspension settings
just curious what settings you guys are using for street riding?
Had my beast in for first service the other day and saw the shop manuel.
It states that suspension is set up for average rider (150lbs).... Average where, JAPAN???
I weigh 197, and when I hit a bump I'm bottoming front....
took it up a notch (bottom of forks) and it seems better.....
Any input would be great, Thanks
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Be a predator, not prey.
2006 Blue(the fastest colour) ZX14, Brock Ti Gen 3, Secondary Butterflies out, PCIII with Brock Map, Muzzy Frame Sliders.
  
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zxlnt
Needs a job
Kawpuke Extraordinare
Posts: 2853
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posted June 15, 2006 07:43 PM
Yeah I am "above average rider weight" The front fork springs are way way undersprung. Thats gonna be one of the 1st things I do, when I can find someone who has springs...
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FasterThanStink
Pro
Posts: 1218
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posted June 15, 2006 07:47 PM
Racetech has springs.
I would add a couple of turns of preload to the front. (Clockwise).
____________
Speed has never killed anyone,
suddenly becoming stationary...
That's what gets you.
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TJ
Zone Head
Posts: 604
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posted June 15, 2006 07:47 PM
Jim Lindemann at LE says he has fork springs and shock springs in stock.
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gtracing
Expert Class
Posts: 159
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posted June 15, 2006 07:49 PM
I'm curious as to suspension settings as well... Feels a little soft at times, but haven't had any problems with bottoming out.. I'm around 200lbs
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zxlnt
Needs a job
Kawpuke Extraordinare
Posts: 2853
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posted June 15, 2006 08:01 PM
FTS can u give me the racetch website. I googled for it last night and couldn't find it...
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FasterThanStink
Pro
Posts: 1218
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posted June 15, 2006 08:04 PM
Whatever you do go slowly and do 1 adjustment at a time. Write down what you did. Almost everyone who is not a jockey is going to need at least 1 turn more preload. I had 2 turns and it helped noticeably.
Us bigger guys will defiantly benefit from stiffer springs. You are aiming for the softest setting that still prevents bottoming or excessive dive.
____________
Speed has never killed anyone,
suddenly becoming stationary...
That's what gets you.
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FasterThanStink
Pro
Posts: 1218
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posted June 15, 2006 08:09 PM
Their web site is a little goofy and confusing. They are extremely helpful and knowledgeable when you call them.
Phone 951.279.6655
http://www.race-tech.com/SubMenu.asp?cMenu=17&c=Yes&showPage=street
____________
Speed has never killed anyone,
suddenly becoming stationary...
That's what gets you.
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zxlnt
Needs a job
Kawpuke Extraordinare
Posts: 2853
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posted June 15, 2006 08:14 PM
Thanks, I'll call them tomorrow. I'm no little guy so the damn thing bottoms on bumps even with the preload screwed all the way down and the compression damping on max....
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FasterThanStink
Pro
Posts: 1218
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posted June 15, 2006 08:27 PM
I'm going to get springs for my next 14. It will make a world of difference. You'll love it.
____________
Speed has never killed anyone,
suddenly becoming stationary...
That's what gets you.
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted June 15, 2006 10:36 PM
increase compression to slow and dampen the travel over bumps, (less bottoming)increase preload to increase ride height. over all spring rate does not change, just stiffens initial travel , and holds the forks up higher.
Increase rebound to slow the extension, and hold corners better. tire will not bounce, or spring up as quickly over bumps, keeping tire tighter to the ground.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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suicycle
Expert Class
Posts: 136
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posted June 16, 2006 01:11 AM
hmmmm interesting on the bottoming out prob. Im 260lbs and mine has never bottomed out...not coming down from wheelies...not over bumps not from super hard braking..(yes that means rear wheel off the ground). Mine is just right in the front...but the back is a bit stiff...its not real bad but over bumpy roads....the back end will get just a touch skittish (of course that is at pretty close to full lean and on the edge of the tires). I was just giving the suspension some time to wear in a bit before i started to make serious adjustments. Its weird, even magazine reports seem to vary alot from test to test.
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RACNRAY
Expert Class
FAST OLD GUY
Posts: 178
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posted June 16, 2006 05:31 AM
i have been doin suspension setuops for many years now. my shop has an extensive amount of documetation on suspension setups for countless bikes. with about 300 mls on the clock on my 14,i could feel that there was an imbalance in suspension action between the front and rear. performing standard suspension sag measurements proved my seat of the pants feel...not enuff sag in the front and too much in the rear. i weigh 235.we did quikie adjustments and now the skoot is so much more responsive in it's turn-in,and the skoot rides much smoother over the bumps. i recommend NOT gettin too serious with adjustments antil u have about 2000 miles on the skoot.the rear shock,and especially the front forks have ALOT,and i mean ALOT of stiction,that is another word for friction that complicates accurate suspension readjustments. i now have bout 1100 miles on the skoot and it has loosened up/softened up since that original quikie readjustment session. i rode a customers' 14 the other day that still had stok settings,yuk!! any skoot can be trasformed tremendously with proper setup for the rider's weight. stiffer/harder/more dampening is NOT always the way to go.
RACNRAY
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no chicken strips on this south florida boy's skoots!!
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D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
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posted June 16, 2006 07:00 AM
How easy is the preload adjusted (front and rear) on these bikes?
Thought I'd read the shock preload was very difficult to adjust.
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mugsymd
Expert Class
Posts: 169
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posted June 18, 2006 02:53 AM
So, what settings would you suggest for a 6'2" 215 pounder? Picking my bike up on Monday, June 19th - Finally!
____________
1987 Red/White Ninja 750
1988 K1
1991 FatBoy
2004 VROD
2005 K1200S
2006 ZX-14 - Red
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PapaBoomBoom
Parking Attendant
Posts: 27
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posted June 18, 2006 07:34 PM
I weigh 220 lbs. Stock settings were plush and comfortable. Set up sag for my body weight and the result was a much firmer ride with less compliance. The changes were one full rotation on the rear spring lock washer and 2 bars showing on the front forks. I modified the settings to 1/2 turn on the rear shock and 4 bars on the front forks to give me a compromise between handling and comfort.
For medium hard riding this setting seems ok. If you ride hard in the twisties and want to maximize handling over comfort, you will need to adjust sag according to your weight, lighten compression a few clicks and tighten rebound the same number of clicks.
For optimum performance, replace springs with with one's sprung specifically for your weight. While they are expensive, one reason folks add Ohlins is that they will ship to you with the correct spring for your weight and the stock setup is damn near perfect for anyone except a track racer.
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