Suspension settings
- StuMiller
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- State: Tasmania
- Location: Hobart, Tasmania
Suspension settings
Is there an idiots guide to setting suspension and knowing what the adjustments impact?
I'd like to learn more about adjusting the compression dampening, spring preload adjusters etc. My rear shock seems to have a high and low speed adjuster....what impact do both of these adjustments have on both road and track riding?
Many thanks.
I'd like to learn more about adjusting the compression dampening, spring preload adjusters etc. My rear shock seems to have a high and low speed adjuster....what impact do both of these adjustments have on both road and track riding?
Many thanks.
2007 ZX6 - Road bike
- 6maniac
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Re: Suspension settings
I've spent over 40 years of my life riding bikes .... the rest of it, I wasted ..
If it's got wheels or tits, it's gonna give you trouble !
HCST #2
Team Black '09 ..... R.I.P. - 2011.
Back in Black....2011.
If it's got wheels or tits, it's gonna give you trouble !
HCST #2
Team Black '09 ..... R.I.P. - 2011.
Back in Black....2011.
- StuMiller
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Re: Suspension settings
Nice! That's an extra bourbon for you when you come to Tas!
2007 ZX6 - Road bike
- Blurr
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Re: Suspension settings
Your rear shock may have both of these but as I have found on most OEM H/L adjusters they dont do much.
Dave Moss tends to be pretty good and explains himself well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK3flKxf41U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brRDwt4Q2kQ
High speed controls the sudden high speed movements in your rerar spring where low speed controls the gradual
movemengts
Dave Moss tends to be pretty good and explains himself well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK3flKxf41U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brRDwt4Q2kQ
High speed controls the sudden high speed movements in your rerar spring where low speed controls the gradual
movemengts
Chariot of Fury 50cc 2stroke Race bike
Team Gumby in red
SAM & SRT Survived
Team Gumby in red
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Re: Suspension settings
I have nothing of value to add....
But any chance of that bourbon you are handing out??
But any chance of that bourbon you are handing out??

______________________________
BACK IN BLACK! -> 2005 ZX-12R ;o)
BACK IN BLACK! -> 2005 ZX-12R ;o)
- StuMiller
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- Posts: 1360
- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:02 pm
- Bike: ZX6R
- State: Tasmania
- Location: Hobart, Tasmania
Re: Suspension settings
Ah what the hell, if you're coming to Tas, BOURBON FOR YOU!Supafrog wrote:I have nothing of value to add....
But any chance of that bourbon you are handing out??
2007 ZX6 - Road bike
Re: Suspension settings
http://www.sportrider.com/suspension_se ... index.html Close the subscribe window and follow the directions. Cheers!
- born green
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Re: Suspension settings
A lot of People think suspension turning is a dark science, but its not.
Dont be afraid to play around with it, very little at a time, find a nice back road, or track, have a run thru, go back, make a adjustment, ride thru again, see how it feels, go back, make another one, ride thru again, ect.
Small changes at a time, when u make a change that goes to far, back off a turn or click, ride thru again.
only way to learn is to play with it, more u play, more u learn, then u learn its not a black science.
But sadly its quiet not that simple, what can feel wrong at the back very well maybe front adjustments, and visa versa. 1st u need to get ur free sag, static sag and rider sag right, if u cant get that in spec, then spring weight will need changed. then hopefully its only adjustments after that.
Everybody has a different riding style, so what works for u may not work for someone else.
I have set up a few bikes over the years, and everyone is different, if u sat on my 10 u would say what the farrrk. its that hard, esp in the front, but im a very hard braker, so that suits me.
Tyre wear is a good indicator.
I dont drink bourbon!!!
Dont be afraid to play around with it, very little at a time, find a nice back road, or track, have a run thru, go back, make a adjustment, ride thru again, see how it feels, go back, make another one, ride thru again, ect.
Small changes at a time, when u make a change that goes to far, back off a turn or click, ride thru again.
only way to learn is to play with it, more u play, more u learn, then u learn its not a black science.
But sadly its quiet not that simple, what can feel wrong at the back very well maybe front adjustments, and visa versa. 1st u need to get ur free sag, static sag and rider sag right, if u cant get that in spec, then spring weight will need changed. then hopefully its only adjustments after that.
Everybody has a different riding style, so what works for u may not work for someone else.
I have set up a few bikes over the years, and everyone is different, if u sat on my 10 u would say what the farrrk. its that hard, esp in the front, but im a very hard braker, so that suits me.
Tyre wear is a good indicator.
I dont drink bourbon!!!
96 ZX7R roady
07 ZX10R tracky. to many mods to list here!
95 tickford XR6,
SO MANY KAWASAKI'S SO LITTLE TIME
07 ZX10R tracky. to many mods to list here!
95 tickford XR6,
SO MANY KAWASAKI'S SO LITTLE TIME
- StuMiller
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- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:02 pm
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- Location: Hobart, Tasmania
Re: Suspension settings
Some quality responses and links from people who are clearly smarter than I am when it comes to the technical set up of my bike. Thanks to you all and even if you don't drink bourbon, if you're coming to Tas, let me know and I'll happily put the BBQ and beers on for a relax!
Cheers all!
Cheers all!
2007 ZX6 - Road bike
- 6maniac
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Re: Suspension settings
Mmmm - beers / bourbon / BBQ .......... your ticking lots of boxes there, Stu ........
I may have to move to Tas permanent ....

I may have to move to Tas permanent ....

I've spent over 40 years of my life riding bikes .... the rest of it, I wasted ..
If it's got wheels or tits, it's gonna give you trouble !
HCST #2
Team Black '09 ..... R.I.P. - 2011.
Back in Black....2011.
If it's got wheels or tits, it's gonna give you trouble !
HCST #2
Team Black '09 ..... R.I.P. - 2011.
Back in Black....2011.
- born green
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Re: Suspension settings
No prob mate,
Do hope to get down there soon,
If ur up melbourne way, let us kno, we got a couple of great tracks here.
Allways happy to help anyone with setup, tips ect, where all here for the same thing, to enjoy our riding.
Just remember, more u try, more u learn.
.
Do hope to get down there soon,
If ur up melbourne way, let us kno, we got a couple of great tracks here.
Allways happy to help anyone with setup, tips ect, where all here for the same thing, to enjoy our riding.
Just remember, more u try, more u learn.
.
96 ZX7R roady
07 ZX10R tracky. to many mods to list here!
95 tickford XR6,
SO MANY KAWASAKI'S SO LITTLE TIME
07 ZX10R tracky. to many mods to list here!
95 tickford XR6,
SO MANY KAWASAKI'S SO LITTLE TIME
- StuMiller
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- Posts: 1360
- Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:02 pm
- Bike: ZX6R
- State: Tasmania
- Location: Hobart, Tasmania
Re: Suspension settings
I'm hoping to bring the bike and family over to Australia next year and get a Phillip Island track day whilst I'm there. Looking forward to it already!
2007 ZX6 - Road bike
- born green
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Re: Suspension settings
And if u got time, u got to do broady as well, one of the best little tracks in aust, that i do kno, im at close to 2,000 laps around there now.
96 ZX7R roady
07 ZX10R tracky. to many mods to list here!
95 tickford XR6,
SO MANY KAWASAKI'S SO LITTLE TIME
07 ZX10R tracky. to many mods to list here!
95 tickford XR6,
SO MANY KAWASAKI'S SO LITTLE TIME
- Blurr
- Apprentice Post Whore :-)
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- Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:31 pm
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Suspension settings
Yet to do broady, I should make time for it next year. This year didn't really leave a chance, couldn't even make it to winton, and with all the racing this year I wasnt going to have time for 2 many trackdays.
So next year should see me visit the paperclip and broady as 2 new tracks. Oh and the new eastern creek should be fun also
So next year should see me visit the paperclip and broady as 2 new tracks. Oh and the new eastern creek should be fun also
Chariot of Fury 50cc 2stroke Race bike
Team Gumby in red
SAM & SRT Survived
Team Gumby in red
SAM & SRT Survived