GSX650FU rear shock adjustment?

[TheDemonLord]

So, I'm starting to look at taking a Pillion as I am about to get my full (just gotta wait 2 weeks till I can trade in the completed CBT2 cert for a full licence) and since I am a fat bastard - 115 Kg, I am thinking with the extra weight of a Pillion, I should probably look at adjusting the rear shock. The bike is my GSX650FU - from what I have read, it is simply a case of finding the dial on the shock, clicking it up a number (I think default is 3) and then getting myself and the pillion to sit on it and see how it feels (or something like that)

however I know that there are a couple of suspension Gurus who inhabit this place and wanted to see if they would offer up a few pearls of wisdom

[Big Dog]

Try not to max the preload but that is likely where you are headed.
I'd start by recording the default settings. At least it it's worse you can put it back. How many clicks to go all the way in? Record that. Apparently more noticibly and accurate if you take all your clicks on the wind out. No clicks out is 0 etc.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Once you know that you could google your intended payload and bike.

You 115
Girl 60
Box of condoms, lubes and strapons 5
Lunch 2

Payload 182 so round to 185.
Google 185kg and your model. Why bother reinventing the wheel if someone posted it?


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

If you have no luck find out what your static sag should be for your bike. Google "Superbike suspension setup" Superbike.co.uk have a pretty good series that answer your better than I could.
You need to know what static sag you want to achieve and sort that.

You may need to do the same at the front or your "attitude" will be affected.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Some people swear by tricks like putting cable ties on the shock to see how far from bottoming out etc. Personally if it feels better and you feel more confident it doesn't matter much unless you are doing something that belongs on a track.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Suzuki stock setup is usually for a pillion weight. But they think that is 100-110.



Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[nzspokes]

Having recently been dealing with this model I can take a good guess you will need to re-spring.

Measure your sag, you will be looking for 25 to 30mm. Then if it is ok then measure it again 2up. If you are off then add preload, the twisty thing above the spring.

If you cant attain these figures then contact RT for a new spring.

[Paul in NZ]

If you are happy with your current set up.... Try this... Grab the target of you attentions (potential pillion)

Set bike on side stand and place a wide board - wall - thingy in front (decent way in front - not right off the front wheel but not next door either)

Sit on bike and turn headlight on. There will be a pattern on the board - get pillion to draw a line or mark it with tape. That's the data point...

Pillion sits on seat = light goes up on the board. Get off bike - crank up pre load and compare.. Repeat until light pattern is in the same place as before - you now have your pillion setting

[nzspokes]

If you are happy with your current set up.... Try this... Grab the target of you attentions (potential pillion)

Set bike on side stand and place a wide board - wall - thingy in front (decent way in front - not right off the front wheel but not next door either)

Sit on bike and turn headlight on. There will be a pattern on the board - get pillion to draw a line or mark it with tape. That's the data point...

Pillion sits on seat = light goes up on the board. Get off bike - crank up pre load and compare.. Repeat until light pattern is in the same place as before - you now have your pillion setting

But that is still leaving it open to overloading in turns. Pegs etc will still drag. As I said I have worked on one of these recently. Lightly sprung they are.

Dragging pegs may sound cool until you really need to turn hard.

I changed out the rear spring on our Bandit for this reason.

[TheDemonLord]

If you are happy with your current set up.... Try this... Grab the target of you attentions (potential pillion)

Thats actually what started all this - I finally got the wife to sit on the mistress (Huzzah!) and I thought to myself 'Hmmm thats quite a lot of sag' and then I thought 'well I never adjusted the suspension when I got the bike, I'm 115, its probably not setup for 115 + 70 for the wife'

[bogan]

115 Kg

Sounds like you need a respring just for your fat arse, let alone with a pillion...

Adjust to 30-40mm rider + pillion static sag, if it tops out hard when you get off (or if you run out of adjustment trying to get it there); respring that shit.

[nzspokes]

Thats actually what started all this - I finally got the wife to sit on the mistress (Huzzah!) and I thought to myself 'Hmmm thats quite a lot of sag' and then I thought 'well I never adjusted the suspension when I got the bike, I'm 115, its probably not setup for 115 + 70 for the wife'

Its probably not set for 115kg.

[Ulsterkiwi]

any suspension 'gurus' I have spoken to, reckon that factory setting is for someone in the 70-85kg bracket so chances are you could benefit from upping the preload anyways. The collar on those shocks is hard to move, you will need the C spanner in the kit and the extension bar for leverage. In theory this is something your dealer should do for you when you buy a new bike. Probably doesnt happen that much though....

[TheDemonLord]

any suspension 'gurus' I have spoken to, reckon that factory setting is for someone in the 70-85kg bracket so chances are you could benefit from upping the preload anyways. The collar on those shocks is hard to move, you will need the C spanner in the kit and the extension bar for leverage. In theory this is something your dealer should do for you when you buy a new bike. Probably doesnt happen that much though....

Yeah - I am starting to lean that way - I might have a chat with one of the Local Bike shops and see what they say