| Author | Message | ||
     M33ufo |
I recently read a thread that gave a link to 2008 suspension settings, this differed greatly from those in my user manual. https://www.buell.com/om/99480-08Y_en/file-5.asp#h dtopic006734 Just to confirm, does this apply to bikes pre or post July 08? Also, can someone recommend a good basic setup for a pre July 2008 bike for a rider in the 210 to 230lbs category? I'd like a good starting point for adjustment. | ||
| D_adams |
It depends on the ride you want (supple ride or stiffer) I weigh about 200 lbs, and used 6 turns preload, 2.125 turns compression, 2.5 turns rebound on the front. Rear preload is 3, compression 18 clicks, rebound 2.5 turns. The rear is still a little stiff over bumps and I need to adjust it some more. I wanted a little softer ride. The original book settings were very harsh over any kind of bump, regardless of how small it was. Kinda like riding down the road on a pogo stick. It's much more comfortable now and my confidence level increased dramatically with the changes. The factory settings were totally hosed and nowhere close to anything in the book. I remember setting the front preload and they were 3 turns different from left to right, ie; the left fork was at 4 and the right was at 7 turns. I'm just guessing that someone was just jacking around with it at the dealership. | ||
| Jmr1283 |
if anyone can figure out the set up for a 140 pound rider. then let me know. im so new to setting it up. i dont have any idea. plus i cant set preload up because theyre to stiff. but on the lowest setting handling is really effected. its sorta floaty. | ||
| D_adams |
https://www.buell.com/om/99480-08Y_en/file-5.asp#t able-hdtopic000114-1 Bike wallows through turns. Bike feels loose or vague after bumps. Wheel tends to "pogo" or suffer continuous bouncing after passing a bump. This is often noticable by watching the bike as it travels over bumps. Increase rebound damping. You must set the sag correctly before you do anything else. Once thats done, if it's "floaty", then you'd increase rebound damping. | ||
| Jmr1283 |
well since i cant set sag correctly im screwed. i need to re cartridge it. but we'll see | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I found for me that the best set up has been to use the updated suggested settings from the factory, with the compression two tics softer for these bumpy Ohio roads. It really is a matter of personal preference. Use the book as a baseline and then play with different settings. Just make sure you note what you did and how it reacts so you dont lose track of what you've done. | ||
| D_adams |
+1 Badlionsfan. I used 1 step up (lighter) from what it calls for and it was a lot better for me. | ||
| M33ufo |
Thanks for the replies... I'm still unsure which suspension settings (as supplied by Buell) are correct for my bike - is it the ones in my user manual or the ones in the link above? My bike has a manufactured date pre July 2008. | ||
| D_adams |
The online one is the most current. | ||
| Spectrum |
I have an October 08 Build (1st week of production). There's no difference in that online manual and the one that came with my bike. If the later production manuals are different, that would be more current. I'd be interested to see the differences. Can someone post up a comparison and your build date if your manual is different? I took Slaughter's advice and set mine up using 35mm of sag front and 25mm in the rear. It made a huge difference. The bike is now much more planted in the turns. This setup shifts some weight from the rear to the front vs the early manual recommendations. I'm about 185-190 with gear on. Here's the difference in the "Manual setup" and my setup using the "F35mm/R25mm sag setup". Note my compression and rebound dampening changes between the setups. After I changed the preload to get the proper sag, my front was too soft and the rear was too stiff. Front_Preload = FP,Front_Comp = FC, Front_Rebound = FR, Rear_Preload = RP, Rear_Comp = RC, Rear_Rebound = RR, FP FC FR, RP RC RR 5.5 2.25 2.00 2 20 3 4.5 1.75, 1.75 3 22 2.50 Using the manual settings I had 30mm front and 40mm rear sag. After the change, I had to increase compression and rebound damping in the front to compensate for less preload. In the rear I had to reduced compression damping and increase rebound damping to compensate for the stiffer preload. Slaughter does my setup look like it makes since to you? | ||
| Chadhargis |
Excellent information here: http://www.gostar-racing.com/information/motorcycl e_suspension_set-up.htm#What%20is%20%93suspension% 94%20all%20about | ||
| M33ufo |
Spectrum, mine is a UK bike, 2008 Build...the manual is as follows: <170.....6 1.75 1.75 3 20 1.25 170-190.....7 1.625 1.5 4 18 1 190-210.....7 1.5 1.5 5 16 1 210-230.....7 1.5 1.5 6 14 0.875 230-250.....7.5 1.375 1.375 7 12 0.75 250-270.....7.5 1.375 1.375 8 10 0.5 I've just changed to the online settings for the 210-230 weight range. I'm looking forward to giving this a try. | ||
| Spectrum |
Mark, my guess would be that your bike is sprung different than ours. As was suggested, start with measuring and adjusting your sag would be your best bet. Then work on getting your damping dialed in. | ||
| M33ufo |
Out of curiosity. does anyone have a user manual that shows similar suspension settings to my own? | ||
| Bigblock |
After over 9000 miles, I have had to jack all of my settings WAY up, especially rebound, to keep the bike stable. I have also had to jack the preload WAY up over the recommended settings to get the sag in the ballpark. THis has helped immensely and not hurt ride quality, it had become way too soft over time. I have a Dec 07 build, with the owners manual to go with it. I weigh about 230 w/gear. I have the damping set, I think for a 270 pounder, and the sag is atleast a full turn over in front, and one or 2 clicks rear. THIS WOULD NOT have worked new, I had it set lighter then. | ||
| Blake |
I would not consider two clicks or one turn as being "WAY over" recommended settings for a 230 lb rider. Damping changes with temperature and springs can relax a small amount with use. As to which baseline/manual to use... Try both and stick with the one you prefer. | ||
| Bigblock |
I have had to go 2 steps over what the book says to get it working right again, to me that's way over. Not so much in the big picture, I suppose. I have definitely noticed temperature to affect damping, no arguing that. My front tire is about done, too, so that's aggravating things a bit, too, I think. And I don't mean to imply that my settings would be applicable to anyone else, I'd agree with sticking to the book as a starting point. (Message edited by bigblock on April 14, 2009) |
