| Author | Message | ||
     Witchdoctor_h |
Hey all, new here. I have an XB9R that I still need to set up the suspension. Can anyone give me info on what to set everything at? I weigh about 175lbs. Thanks in advance! Eric | ||
| Chainsaw |
The stock (from the factory settings) should already be set for your weight. If you don't have the owners manual handy, here they are: Spring preload: Rear shock ramp #2 (second from bottom) Front: 4 to 5 lines showing Suspension Damping: (counter clockwise turns out from maximum) rear rebound: 1 1/4 rear compression: 1 1/4 front forks rebound: 1 5/8 front forks compression: 1 1/2 | ||
| Witchdoctor_h |
Thanks for the post. Is my weight the standard setting from the factory? Am I understanding that correctly? Eric | ||
| Rsh |
Yes, The default factory settings are front fork preload 4 lines visible, rear shock preload ramp position #2 | ||
| Daves |
Did you get an owners manual with it? If so, the suspension settings are in there. I also have the aggressive settings available, 165-180 lb rider Front suspension # of lines of preload 5 Comp. damping 1.5 Rebound damping 1.5 Rear suspension Preload notch 4 Comp. damping 1.25 Rebound damping 1.25 Do you weigh 175 with all your gear on? The settings for 180-195 lbs are, Frt preload 4.5 Frt comp. damping 1.5 Frt rebound damping 1.5 Rear preload, notch 5 Rear comp. damping 1 Rear rebound damping 1 The turns for the comp and rebound are turns out from lightly seated closed on the adjustment screws. Did you buy it new or used? Did you buy it from a dealer or private? No telling where the suspension might be set without looking. If you have questions call me Tuesday at 1-866-757-1651 ask for Dave in the sales dept. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
OK, how about a porker like me that tips the scales at 210? I've been trying to figure out my suspension for a month now and I'm still not happy with it. I'm not really sure if thats because I dont know what I'm doing, or if its really set wrong. | ||
| Witchdoctor_h |
Daves Thanks for the info. When you say aggressive, that's just slightly stiffer right? I bought it used (3200 miles on it) From a dealer. It's my first Buell and I love it. I got used to Japanese bikes until I went to Sturgis then I had to have a Buell. It rides really well but feels soft in corners and the front end dives HARD under braking. | ||
| Daves |
Indy, Try this, Frt preload 4 lines showing Frt comp. damping 1 turn out Frt rebound 1.25 turns out Rear preload notch 6 Rear comp. damping .50 out Rear rebound damping .50 out | ||
| Chainsaw |
I had tried the "aggressive" settings. Didn't suit me well at all. The front end just didn't feel right to me. Of course YMMV.  Indy: The suspension on these puppies are very twitchy (i.e. responsive). I have ridden demo XB's with settings for "other than my weight". Made a HUGE difference in handling. Once you get it dialed in, you'll be lovin' it. I only know enough about the suspension to be dangerous. The KV might have some more detailed info. Here's a start: Try making very small adjustments, 1/4 to 1/2 a turn at a time. Make sure both forks are set the same way. I SWEAR I can feel if one fork is 1/4 turn different than the other. REALLY! (I do have a lot of saddle time on that bike) | ||
| Daves |
I run mine about a 1/4 turn out from the aggressive settings | ||
| Two_buells |
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| Witchdoctor_h |
OK I tried to adjust everything as told and now I have another question. Everything adjusted fine until I got to the front rebound adjusters on the top of the forks. As stated in the instructions, I screwed in the adjusters until they bottomed out and backed them out 1.5 turns. I noticed that the left fork adjuster screwed in about 2 turns and the right screwed in about 5 or more turns. (they were the same height when I started) The right screwed in a good 1/8 inch inside the fork. Is that normal? Upon backing them out, the left is about 1/8 inch out and the right is about level. Like I said they were level when I started and now are about 1/8 inch different. It seems to me that the seat or whatever it is that the screw bottoms out on, should be at the same height in both forks. Is that right? Should they be similar in height? Or, do I have a problem? Or, just paranoid. Eric | ||
| Madsx |
I just did mine today and they were both at the same height. Neither of them recessed in. I'm no expert but ya may wanna have that looked at. Something doesnt seem right. | ||
| Daves |
I've never seen one do that. I think something is wrong. | ||
| Brad_buell |
I just went out to the garage and reset mine to check for you, as well. Mine are both level. I agree with Dave that something seems wrong. | ||
| Witchdoctor_h |
Thank you all for checking. I think it's kinda weird too. You would think all of the valve seats would be in the same position or depth or whatever you want to call it in the same forks. Anyone have a clue what might have happened? Any fork engineers out there?  | ||
| Witchdoctor_h |
P.S. Happy Birthday to me!!!!!  | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Dave, Those suspension settings you gave me work well! I think I have a little more tweaking to do, but its much better than it used to be. Thanks! | ||
| Witchdoctor_h |
Congrats Indy! I guess it's a good thing I posted this! It's nice to know I'm not the only one.  | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Dialing in the suspension on the XB's seems to be a more touchy prospect than on other bikes. I wouldnt be surprised if there are quite a few people out there that arent getting the most out of thier bikes in that regard, just because they dont know what to do or what the bike should ride like. BTW Happy B-Day! I second your request for an engineers opinion. Are there any forking engineers out there?  | ||
| Kaudette |
Make sure you have the correct air pressure in the tires - this makes a massive difference as well - even 3-5 psi difference! I think the recommended in 36psi/34psi front/rear. Measure tire pressure cold. I always add 2 psi in each and they feel better (Diablos) | ||
| Daves |
Kaudette is right about the air pressure. Check it often! I wish I knew what was up with your fork Witchdoc, if you want an expert opinion, call me tomorrow at work and I'll hook you up with Ed from Trackside suspension. He knows these things inside and out. | ||
| Daves |
PS Happy Birthday! | ||
| Keveldae |
I read an article in sport rider , they were testing the XB9R . They tried all different settings to try to correct the standing up under braking in corners (this might have nothing to do with what your asking !) . They had some base settings that they came up with , that I tried and have used since . The one setting that in my opinion made the most difference was sliding the fork tubes down so only the last line on the top of the fork was showing . You'd have to go to the sport rider site to get the other settings . | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
It's been a while since I looked at the owner's manual. But if my memory serves me correctly, the recommended pressure is 38rear/36front. |
