Honda Hornet Suspension Setup

[timorang]

My Hornet is a 2005 with the adjustable front suspension. Front and rear are on the factory standard suspension settings. From what I have read the suspension is average but its performance can be greatly improved by adjustments away from the factory set up. I do not wish to replace or upgrade the factory equipment just get the best performance from it. I would like to hear the experience of other owners re set up, also perhaps what adjustments are made when changing between solo and two-up or touring. Also the tyres will be up for replacement soon so any suggestions there will be appraciated as well. Riding is a mix of occassional commuting, touring and weekend hoons. thx. tim.
PS - I am 80 - 85kg and the bike has Givi screen, belly pan, pack rack, custom chambers mufflers, k&n filter, bar ends, micro indicators - love it!

[skelstar]

Hey there,
Only suss adjs (and they are suss) were to up the rebound I meant preload at the back from 2/7 (super soft) to 5/7. The bike was heaps taller and consequently I dropped it at low speed (2day of ownership). I nudged it back to 4/7 and its ok. The bike is still sprung too soft so will have to have a go at setting it up right at some stage.

Ive always wanted a belly pan for the bike. Thats a pyramid plastics one? Was wanting a LDH (I think) one, but expensive.

Good looking bike though :niceone:.

[pritch]

I weigh rather more than you so your mileage may vary...

The front suspension at the factory setting is quite soft. Try screwing it down a couple of rings. Don't pussy foot about, make a big adjustment you can always back it off if you don't like it.

I found for general riding that the back was OK standard, if I was going to play I'd wind in another click of preload and an eighth of a turn of damping.

Any of the sport/touring rubber should be fine: Bridgestone BT020s, Metzeller Z6s, Pirelli Diablo etc etc etc. Sports rubber is also an option but you won't get the same mileage.

If you want "relevant" comments check the tyre threads on the Hornets Nest web site.

[skelstar]

Woops, I meant preload at the back not rebound. :)

I got 10,000kms out of the OEM bridgestones (a bit dodgy though - down to canvas), but now have Diablo Stradas. Will be good for winter riding anyway.

[WickedOne]

I had my suspension set up by a guy at Cycletreads on Barry's Point Road (Can't remember his name). It made quite a big difference to my riding style and comfort. He only charges about $40 so it is totally worth it. I'll check what settings mine is currently at and update this post when I have done so (I am weighing in at about 90-95kg). I think I have 2 rings showing on the front preload but I'll have to check the back. My forks were actually set unevenly from factory but are now nice and even. I'll give you an update shortly....

[timorang]

Thank you Skelstar, pritch008 and WickedOne. Some ideas there and I look forward to what you report from your check WickedOne. I will invest in one of those paddock stands that Fraser is selling on this site and have a play. The bellypan is finished in a carbon fibre look which suits the bike, sorry I don't know the brand as it was on the bike when I bought it. Thanks again.

[WickedOne]

My suspension is set up as follows:

Front: Preload is set so that the second line from the top is flush with the blue part it screws into. Rebound is set to 1.25 turns clockwise from completely soft.

Rear: Preload is set to 6/7 hard. Rebound is set to 1 full turn anticlockwise from hard.

Let us know how you go.....

[timorang]

Good man, thank you. I will try what you have on yours - perhaps less rear preload to start with (?). Is that one of Frasers paddock stands that you have? - any good?

[WickedOne]

Good man, thank you. I will try what you have on yours - perhaps less rear preload to start with (?). Is that one of Frasers paddock stands that you have? - any good?

Sweet as, I haven't actually tried less on the rear besides when I first got the bike but let me know how you go with your settings.

The paddock stand is from Cyclespot in Barry's point road. They are $135 (Same as Motomail in College Hill). I don't really like it because it has rubber "grips" which hold onto the swingarm but they tend to slip if the arm is clean. Besides that, it is pretty good though, as far as I know Motomail have stands with "forks" but I need to get myself a set of spools first.

You been riding long? Do any night riding?

[timorang]

I have been been back on bikes for 3 years after being away from them for about 15years. Onto my 4th bike since returning to them, but I think the Hornet will occupy space in the garage for a year or two. Wife and 3 young ones (7, 5 and 2) limit the opportunities to ride. Manage to get out for the occassional (once every month or two) 1/2 to whole day ride on a weekend with 1 or 2 mates. We might ride out to Port Waikato, or the Coro loop, or Kaipara - Wellsford (the usu. suspects!). Did the Cold Duck in Hawkes Bay a month ago. And commute occassionally. No night riding. One riding buddy lives at Albany. Can you recommend a night ride? I regularly see a post for a group leaving Westgate..........

[Zapf]

I dropped it at low speed (2day of ownership). I nudged it back to 4/7 and its ok. The bike is still sprung too soft so will have to have a go at setting it up right at some stage.

Good looking bike though :niceone:.

Ouch... are you going to crank the rear back up? what about the front?

[Zapf]

Good man, thank you. I will try what you have on yours - perhaps less rear preload to start with (?). Is that one of Frasers paddock stands that you have? - any good?

I suggest setting the rear preload to 6/7 hard, and then softerning up on the rebound... and then work your way up with the rear rebound as it affects the comfort factor, once you get to a stage where you are getting a headache from the bumps... time to back off the rebound :) as your brain is sloshing around too much :)

I too had mine setup by guy at cycletreads... great job he did

[Zapf]

I have been been back on bikes for 3 years after being away from them for about 15years. Onto my 4th bike since returning to them, but I think the Hornet will occupy space in the garage for a year or two. Wife and 3 young ones (7, 5 and 2) limit the opportunities to ride. Manage to get out for the occassional (once every month or two) 1/2 to whole day ride on a weekend with 1 or 2 mates. We might ride out to Port Waikato, or the Coro loop, or Kaipara - Wellsford (the usu. suspects!). Did the Cold Duck in Hawkes Bay a month ago. And commute occassionally. No night riding. One riding buddy lives at Albany. Can you recommend a night ride? I regularly see a post for a group leaving Westgate..........

Yea that is the thursday night rides... not much of a ride in winter being dark... and especially wet. But its good... meet up at Pub after for a feed and drink.

mind if I ask.. did you buy the bike new or 2nd hand?

[timorang]

Hi Zapf, thanks for the setup advice. I will have a try as you suggest, good to have a go myself and (maybe) learn something in the process. If I stuff it up then I will take it to Cycletreads to fix my mess. Yip I bought the bike second hand, it was on Trademe late last year, 6mo and 6,000kms. I paid $8.3k which seemed hard to beat. Do you know it?

[Zapf]

Hi Zapf, thanks for the setup advice. I will have a try as you suggest, good to have a go myself and (maybe) learn something in the process. If I stuff it up then I will take it to Cycletreads to fix my mess. Yip I bought the bike second hand, it was on Trademe late last year, 6mo and 6,000kms. I paid $8.3k which seemed hard to beat. Do you know it?

cool... just make sure you set the front preload at 2 lines showing as WickedOne suggested, or the front will be doing all the work.

I don't know the bike, but I had my exhaust done at custom chambers as well.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Interesting thread this. Its where the big money will go on my bike, cause I am springing for a new shock, and new fork springs.

Having said that I am about 70kg ready to ride. the rear shock on mine is set up as soft as it will go, and with minimal rebound damping, actually, Id like more but more rebound damping seems to make the rear harsher!

My preloads are set all the way off, and the front rebound is set very light as well.

Basically the stock suspension seems oversprung for my weight and faffing round with the damping controls isnt going to make much difference. Ive spoken both to the NZ Ohlins rep, and to the guy who owns the shop I bought it from (ex racer) and the advice is get the suspension sorted and away.

[Zapf]

Interesting thread this. Its where the big money will go on my bike, cause I am springing for a new shock, and new fork springs.

Having said that I am about 70kg ready to ride. the rear shock on mine is set up as soft as it will go, and with minimal rebound damping, actually, Id like more but more rebound damping seems to make the rear harsher!

My preloads are set all the way off, and the front rebound is set very light as well.

Basically the stock suspension seems oversprung for my weight and faffing round with the damping controls isnt going to make much difference. Ive spoken both to the NZ Ohlins rep, and to the guy who owns the shop I bought it from (ex racer) and the advice is get the suspension sorted and away.

why are you getting new suspension bits when you have backed off all the preloads front and back? I suppose it does depend on how you like your suspension, but I had the "harshness" problem initially and I made the mistake of backing things off too. When I took it into cycle treads I was horrified to see him cranking up the suspension to almost full preload, but I rode it around for a while that way and it completely make sense now.

I am about similar weight... probly around 75~80kg ready to ride.

just my 2c.... personally I found the suspension on the Hornet much better than say an SV650S... and liveable with.

[timorang]

Hi Zapf, as I bought my bike with the Custom Chambers cans on it I don't know any different. I have the original items as well. I am interested to know what differences you noted with the change. thx. tim.

[Zapf]

Hi Zapf, as I bought my bike with the Custom Chambers cans on it I don't know any different. I have the original items as well. I am interested to know what differences you noted with the change. thx. tim.

much more (SOUND) :) and also much freer climing up the revs. Before that the stock exhaust is almost non audiable