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Name |
John |
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Date |
Sat 18/10/2003 |
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Location |
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Comment |
I really enjoyed your treatise on suspension and found it
very helpful. But... In the section on Preload, Rear Preload, I think you mislabled what Rider Sag and Static Sag are. Shouldn't Static Sag be step 1
minus step 2 and Rider Sag be step 1 minus step 3? |
|
Response |
Thanks, received loads of emails on this issue. There was a
typo error that has been rectified, and pictures added to clarify |
|
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Name |
withheld |
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Date |
Mon 05/01/2004 |
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Location |
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Comment |
just found your suspension set up page and its brill
i wonder
if you would mind me adding a link or cut and paste the write up for my
“website”
check us out if you think we are worthy cheers |
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Response |
I am well flattered that someone else read the article,
please add a link only. Do
not copy and paste the article as I still alter text now and then |
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Name |
Michael |
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Date |
Mon 05/01/2004 |
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Location |
Sweden, GSX-R1000 |
|
Comment |
As a novice I'm not afraid to put dumb questions... Why
bother about static sag, wouldn't just the ride sag be important to check?
The bike will always has a rider on during driving and even if the rider is
weight-less after a passing a bump, and some reserve for top out is always
desireable, the spring can top out anyway if also the bike leaves ground. Is
there any simple explanation why static sag is important?
Maybe it could be
assumed the rider unloads the bike much more often than the bike itself
totally unloads the spring, and rider/bike-initiated top outs must be
handled by two different settings?
The reason for checking static sag could
perhaps be explained a little deeper in your article. |
|
Response |
Hi Michael,
First understand that I am not a suspension
manufacturer or researcher. I based my article on my experience and can only
respond on things I tried out. I understand the point you are trying to make
but you DO need static sag under certain conditions.
1. High speed; heavy
braking. Under these conditions the back wheel will "unload" a lot,
especially on sport bikes, so much so that a slight touch on the rear brake
will cause it to lock up and slide sideways. The static sag will give it
that little bit extra play.
2 .Correct spring weight. If you are very very
heavy; to maintain the right rider sag may require maximum preload. This may
remove all the static sag indicating the spring is not suitable for the
rider and should be changed. Also, the same argument with a light rider that
ends up with too much static sag.
3. With no static sag, when the bike is at
rest, the bike suspension would be under "topping out" pressure. If you
pushed down on your bike and let go it would clatter the suspension as it
tops out. Not good.
4 hmm that is all I can think off
As a novice, you ride
a very good bike (envy GSXR1000) and ask good questions, good luck with the
bike. |
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Name |
John |
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Date |
20/01/2004 |
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Location |
Sydney Australia |
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Comment |
Your info is excellent.
I have recently purchased a "fireblade"
and have been looking everywhere for information regarding suspension
adjustment.
My bike is still running in and I will stick to factory settings
while getting used to the bike, but your explanation of what changes can be
made, is "spot on". |
|
Response |
The biggest mental challenge for some bikers is simply to get
your bikes handbook and compare the bikes current set up with the
manufacturers recommended setting. I heard of bikers that have opted to
replace their standard suspension with expensive third party suspension
rather than read the bikes handbook. |
|
|
Name |
Eduardo |
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Date |
Wed 18/02/2004 |
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Location |
south of Portugal |
|
Comment |
My name is Eduardo and I live in the south of Portugal. I
would like your permission to translate you article about tuning the
suspension to Portuguese AND to made that translation available to the
fellow members of my moto-club (we are a small club, around 150 members
total, being around 90 active members) in the form of a small "take one from
the table if you want" brochure.
This would
be to be given away for free, not for sale. I think it is time for the kids
to start to know (and do) something positive with theirs CBR's and R6's
instead of just bullshitting all day with no knowledge, kind of "I got
myself under the bike in order to lower the center of gravity, and I was
doing a 400º curve (??) at around 1500 Km/h)... You see the type.
Good riding (in Portuguese: "Boas curvas"). |
|
Response |
Sure, no problem, simply add the names of all the people who
helped write the article plus the name and website address of our club on
the publication so that we can be famous. If possible please send us a copy
too. |
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Name |
withheld |
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Date |
Sun 14/03/2004 |
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Location |
UK |
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Comment |
just start racing and won a couple of trophys but set up is a
mistery, what would be handy is a print off saying if it does this do that
ie; if it runs wide on exit harden this or soften that.but thanks for trying
read it 3times and still scratching my head. cheers |
|
Response |
Firstly congratulations on the trophy, you must be
doing something right. A search of the web will show you webpages that
tries to give quick solution to suspension problems.
I am trying to educate
the rider on how to feel the bikes suspension so that they can make there
own analysis and adjust to suit instead of referring to mates, experts or
printouts. Top racers are supposed to be able to give feedback to there
mechanics.
I have received numerous emails from people from all over the
world indicating that the article is educational, but I do accept that it
can be a bit excessive to read.
Note that I am not a racer and have
only written the article from personal experience but I see from your email
that you are UK based. I travel around a bit with my bike club and am
willing to explain the little I know to you in person.
NOTE: I try to avoid
racer issues because I am not a race but road rider that only commutes
daily, travels and does a few track days with my bike. |
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|
Name |
Dmitri |
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Date |
Mon 22/03/2004 |
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Location |
Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
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Comment |
I just read your article about suspension, and I think for
the first time in 14 years of off and on riding I can understand the basics
of all the factors. Nice work!
I am a bit clumsy, so I guess I will go to a
specialist so they can adjust the suspension for me, but at least I know now
if they start giving me any bullshit ;-) |
|
Response |
It was because of the bullshit I got from so many people that
I wrote the article. Good to see someone else is not going to fall for it. |
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|
Name |
Andrew |
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Date |
Tue 06/04/2004 |
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Location |
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Comment |
I have read your explanation of how to set your suspension up
with great interest. It explained things well and now I have a better
understanding of it.
I have a BMW R1100S, I have just fitted Wilber Racing
Shocks to it and want to set it up as best I can. With the front having Telelever and a shock, do I set the loaded sag at 30 to 40mm as well. I have
done the rear and adjusted it to 35mm.
Also is it the same sag 30-40mm front
and rear when I have my wife on the back. I know I will need to adjust the
preload to achieve this, but want to know if it is the same measurement.
Hope asking the questions is all right, looking forward to your reply. |
|
Response |
I do not know much about telelever
shocks nor have any experience on them so I do not how they differ from
conventional suspension. Therefore I am worried about commenting on them.
Also I have not done any testing with passengers but as you said you
increase preload to compensate. The measurements are only a guide but I
prefer to use the cable ties method to set my front preload. |
|
Comment2 |
Thanks for you're reply. I have had a
fiddle about with the suspension over the last week or so and have adjusted
it, to get a good feel and feed back.
Most of this was done with a pillion, so
now need to sort it out for solo |
|
|
Name |
David |
|
Date |
Mon 26/04/2004 |
|
Location |
South Africa. |
|
Comment |
I read your great article regarding suspension. Awesome.
I'm
having some trouble setting my 2003 R1 up for the track on the standard
suspension. Can you please give me some advice, perhaps the settings that
you use? I'm more or less 80kg with full leathers and helmet, boots and
gloves.
We're going to the track tomorrow, any help appreciated! :-) |
|
Response |
I had my R1 stolen last year and only recently
replaced it. The new R1 has been badly set-up and I have not had a chance to
get any setting for it. Also I am heavier than you (94kg) and on a 2000
model R1 so my setting may not work for you.
However, since you need
something for tomorrow, I suggest you set your front preload on ....
Sorry I do not give email bike
settings. the above is a only exception. |
|
Comment2 |
Thanks for the great advice. I'm still pretty new to the
track scene and any help is always greatly appreciated.
The track day went fine, didn't have any scary moments. My
head-stock is a little loose,
Always make sure your bike and
suspension i.e. fork oils, seals, tyres etc are serviced before fiddling
with your suspension settings.it |
