| Author | Message | ||
     Rogue_biker |
Need help on suspension setting. My ’08 R recently developed a fork seal leak so I took the forks and had the seals replaced and new fluid done. I was never really happy with the front suspension as they felt wooden when I got the bike used. After the forks were R&R’d, now the front suspension feels better but it is stiff!!! I weight 200 lbs. I set the suspension per the 2008 1125R owner’s manual recommended settings and those settings rattled my brain as they were way too stiff! On some roads I could not see due to all the bouncing I was doing! I now have the suspension set to the bare minimum preload and damping and the suspension still feels stiff (although not as bad as before). If you weigh anywhere near 200 lbs. (give or take 15 lbs) and you have found the ideal setting for your 1125R for street riding and corner carving (not track riding), please post your settings so I can use them. I have the damping settings set to a 170 lbs. rider or less (F& R). The rear preload is set to the number 2 mark. The front fork preload is set to 4 turns from minimum (this is already well below the 170 lbs. rider weight) and the suspension still feels a bit too firm. I’m about to turn the rear preload to the number 1 mark and the front fork preload to 3 turns from minimum. I feel like I’m close to ideal but I’m getting tired of fiddling around. Help! | ||
| Dannybuell |
test, test, test one idea at a time. Stiffness is preload, back off until you get happy. Happy at 40 mph is not the same setting as happy at 80 mph and more settings beyond that. I would rather have a stiff suspension for cruising that will stand up to me when I am pushing or getting pushed. | ||
| Eddie |
I agree with Danny at first I thought my baby was way to stiff. After a few miles on the saddle and letting the bike prove itself to me I am very pleased  | ||
| Xodot |
I am 190 lbs. I shared your story until I did some research.... and now I am happy with the way the bike handles on the road and track. First set your preload front and rear to get the right sag (with you on the bike). That means you want to come close to 35mm of sag on the front forks and 30 mm for the rear shock. Once you get this set DO NOT CHANGE IT. Then you can mess with the compression and rebound settings to find your preference. If you don;t set your preload to the above sag you won't be able to make sense on the compression and rebound refinements you make. I have my compression settings almost all the way to soft and rebound about midway. YMMV Record your settings, take a ride make notes of how you found the ride and adjust one of the settings 1/2 turn max at a time. then repeat that on the same course until you get what you like. If you don't take notes you will be lost fast and wasting your time in the pursuit of a great handling bike. Enjoy | ||
| Zac4mac |
Get your core in the right spot and you're on the pivot of a see-saw. Pinch the frame with your knees and almost no weight on your arms. You'll search out bumpy roads... Z | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Thanks guys. I do know how to set up the suspension but I'm too lazy to go out testing and testing. What I was looking for is for someone with what they believe is an ideal setting for a 200 lbs. rider for street and twisties so I can just emulate. I don't think it's possible to get the sage to 35mm/30mm F/R with preload set to my weight. I now have the rear preload dialed all the way back, and the front is 2 turns from minimum. I'm hoping this will do it. I can mess with the damping later. The damping values are at their minimum up front and pretty nearly the same for the rear. | ||
| Sprintst |
Have you tried setting it to the book's settings? | ||
| Bueller4ever |
Have you measured your sag? Does the 08 have a stiffer rear shock spring than the 09's? If not, then you have to much rear sag. If you don't have the front and rear damping balanced, then you will get an unpleasant surging/seesaw effect over bumpy roads. Why didn't you have the front springs changed when the seals were done? | ||
| Xodot |
I'm too lazy to go out testing and testing. Sorry to hear it. That is where/how I learned a lot about what make the bike handle. Yes I have a lot more to learn to lean right, but momma that's where the fun is... | ||
| Dannybuell |
Xodot - when I saw "I'm too lazy to go out testing and testing." I thought what is the point? Like you said "Sorry to hear it". Rogue_biker - There is no cheat sheet for personal preferences, they are personal. God only knows your ability and/or riding style, let alone personal preferences? What is it doing that you don't like? | ||
| Sprintst |
the cheat sheet is the owners manual |
