| Author | Message | |||
     Rogue_biker |
I've only put about 800 miles on my 1125R, but the bike itself already has 15k miles on it. The bike is completely stock and wears Pirelli Diablo ROSSOS. I adjusted the suspension per Buell's owner's manual to my weight. I adjusted it twice to make sure I got the suspension set up right. However, I'm not 100% happy. The suspension feels a bit bouncy when going over bumps (not potholes) on the road. Also, when I get on the bike the front fork feels like it drops way too much. My XB12R Firebolt does not do that and the ride on that bike is so much better. I got a chance to ride them both back to back and I could feel the Firebolt's suspension working better, being more compliant but with firm control. I'm thinking I should dial the 1125R's suspension down a level although I don't think it's harsh. It's just bouncy. I don't know if I should dial down the rebound damping or compression damping or just adjust everything to a weight level below mine. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks. | |||
| Tbowdre |
if you are a light weight like me (160 with gear) you need less preload than what the manual recommends. I am only close to what is recommended for sag with 1/2 a turn out from minimum preload on the front (6 turns in the manual) and step 2 on the shock (step 3 per manual) I backed off compression and rebound everywhere my bike is on rails like this!.... I just got back from palomar mountain.... so i am absolutely sure this is true  todd | |||
| Ratbuell |
Read the suspension definitions section of the owners manual. It will explain what each adjustment does, how it affects ride quality and handling, and there's a chart with "if the bike does X, make adjustment Y" suggestions. The settings chart in the manual are SUGGESTIONS; merely a starting point. Learn the terms and adjustments and you'll be in heaven. | |||
| Bueller4ever |
if you are a light weight like me (160 with gear) you need less preload than what the manual recommends. I am only close to what is recommended for sag with 1/2 a turn out from minimum preload on the front (6 turns in the manual) and step 2 on the shock (step 3 per manual) I backed off compression and rebound everywhere my bike is on rails like this!.... I just got back from palomar mountain.... so i am absolutely sure this is true Agreed about the preload. I have no preload set in the front and I'm still not using enough of the front suspension. I probably have 30mm or more of fork travel left even when trying to make the forks bottom out. I attribute the poor ride quality to this lack of sag. When you say you back off on rebound and compression, what do you mean? Closer to full soft of the compression, but do you set rebound closer to soft or hard? Even with the less than ideal sag, my bike still rails around corners, but the overall ride quality has a teeth chattering feel to it unless I set the compression really soft and then it feels to vague. | |||
| Tbowdre |
I added an extra 1/2 turn out (soft) of each on the front and on rear rebound, and 4 clicks out (soft) on rear compression this set up took about a year to get there, there is no quick setup. lots of passes on the same turns, lots of notes,... also comparing cold and hot tire temps to be sure you have the right psi. this will affect turn in and stability, take your time. one adjustment at a time. this can make all the difference in the world | |||
| Dannybuell |
@15,000 miles you are definitely ready for some fork and shock servicing. Check the vehicles service records to see if and when this has been done. If the fluids are not fresh any setting you come up with will be a marginal improvement. suspensions just don't work well with bad oil/sludge. | |||
| Bueller4ever |
My suspension adjustments as of right now are as follows. Front compression 2.5 turns from full hard, front rebound 2 turns out, rear compression is 4 clicks from full soft, rear rebound is 2.5 turns from full hard. 1/4 turn of front preload, just cause and 2 or 3 on the rear. I weigh 150ish with gear. I've tried 3 turns on the rear rebound, but found the seat kicking me in the ass on some bumps. This seems to work well on a somewhat smooth road to smooth out the little bumps (no teeth chattering). No matter what my suspension settings are, the bike always seems to be on rails when taking a 50+mph tight corner. | |||
| Ratbuell |
I weigh 150ish with gear Send Froggy a PM. He's in your range, and found magic at Buelltoberfest last year. See what his settings are. Me, I go about 200 in gear, (edit: I lied. figure 220; I'm about 200 out of the shower) and run my CR set for (I'd have to check my records in the owners manual) either 1 or 2 weight ranges lighter than I actually am, and it works very well for the street. In other words, if the ranges are 150 and under, 150-170, or 170-190, even though I weigh 190, I run the settings for 150-170. (Message edited by ratbuell on February 15, 2011) | |||
| Froggy |
Yea, IDFK what my suspension is set to, I haven't touched it since! | |||
| Bueller4ever |
I'd check and write it down froggy. More than once, i think someone messed with my fork rebound while at work. Just turn the adjuster to the right and count the number of turns, then turn back. What are you afraid will happen? | |||
| Ratbuell |
...if he can't do it with a keyboard or a touchpad, it scares Froggy to death.... | |||
| Froggy |
Sad but true. It was fun tuning the electronic suspension on that Multistrada while riding. I'll go and check it out in the morning.  | |||
| Uk_bueller |
I found that a setting one weight lower than recommended works best for me although there is quite a difference between the recommended settings in the 2009 owners manual and the 2008 settings which were previously available from the Buell website... someone may be able to explain... Although my bike is a 2009, I found the 2008 settings much more supple for the UK roads. The 2009 stock settings rattle your eyeballs and bashes your ball*cks into submission on UK back roads. I used to dread hitting a ripple on the road before setting to 2008 -1 recommendations. An extra tweak for rider comfort & temperature effect also work well depending where in the world you are... a local suspension guy said the stock 2009 settings for my weight were what he would setup for a Fast Track rider on a very good surface track. A previous comment suggested the fork oil – I would tend to concur but don’t experiment with different thicknesses. My Buell now feels like a magic carpet ride on rails... perhaps soft to some but just right for me & my balls... To see what I’m talking about between 2008 & 2009, I’ve attached a document which shows both settings...
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| Zac4mac |
The fork springs in the early 08 models were deemed too stiff. Late 08s and later got softer springs, hence different settings. I'm pretty light myself, Loretta's settings are very close to the softest front and rear. Even tho she's a stiff ride, I usually sit in the fulcrum of the "see-saw" point so MY ride is pretty smooth. Pinch the frame with your knees harder, the rougher the ride, and take more weight off your arms. Z |
2008 vs 2009 settings