Setting up suspension, handling?

[hospitalfood]

hi all, would like to set-up my bike for best possible handling/traction at speed. not worried about comfort.
bike has standard forks and dual rear springs.
forks have preload, rear has preload and adjustable dampers.

I know nothing about doing this.can anyone enlighten me please?

[Pussy]

As per Speedie's post..... cartridge emulators and springs for the front, decent aftermarket on the rear...get hold of Robert Taylor, either here or 06 278 4160, you'll find it's the most wisely spent money on your bike

[Chickenlegs]

There are several sites with basic information.

http://www.gostar-racing.com/information/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm#Setting%20your%20bike%20up

http://www.sasbk.co.za/suspension_setup_guidelines.htm

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/suspension/

[R1madness]

Just turn the knobs and see what happens. If you dont like it turn them the other way. Simple really.

[hospitalfood]

thanks chickenlegs, great links, everything I needed to know.

[hospitalfood]

you others are no use at all...........but thanks anyway.

[DEATH_INC.]

Just turn the knobs and see what happens. If you dont like it turn them the other way. Simple really.
This is good advice. Try it, then you'll know wot it does. once you know how stuff affects the bike you can set it up. easy.

[Robert Taylor]

This is good advice. Try it, then you'll know wot it does. once you know how stuff affects the bike you can set it up. easy.

I dont altogether agree, suspension adjustments DO need some pre-understanding AND finesse. If adjustments are made in a ham fisted way eg screw the rebound all the way in and ride it, that can lead to crashing.

A few years back I sold a number of Suspension / bike set up DVD's, approx 4 hours of viewing time and very comprehensive. They would now retail at approx $89 incl gst and p & p. That may seem expensive but intellectual property costs a lot to accumulate.

I wonder whether I should again offer these for sale?

[insane1]

hell yes .

[Pussy]

I dont altogether agree, suspension adjustments DO need some pre-understanding AND finesse. If adjustments are made in a ham fisted way eg screw the rebound all the way in and ride it, that can lead to crashing.

A few years back I sold a number of Suspension / bike set up DVD's, approx 4 hours of viewing time and very comprehensive. They would now retail at approx $89 incl gst and p & p. That may seem expensive but intellectual property costs a lot to accumulate.

I wonder whether I should again offer these for sale?
That the "Suspension for Mortals" DVDs, Robert?

[roogazza]

Google "Suspension 101", I often refer back to it . The basics are all there. Gaz.

[Robert Taylor]

That the "Suspension for Mortals" DVDs, Robert?

Yes, and it offers much much more than a google trip.

[Pussy]

Yes, and it offers much much more than a google trip.
Yep, I can vouch for that, it's a goodie.....

[Pumba]

A few years back I sold a number of Suspension / bike set up DVD's, approx 4 hours of viewing time and very comprehensive. They would now retail at approx $89 incl gst and p & p. That may seem expensive but intellectual property costs a lot to accumulate.

I wonder whether I should again offer these for sale?

I know I would defently be interested If they went on sale.

[tri boy]

I would get a copy Robert.:yes:

[DEATH_INC.]

I dont altogether agree, suspension adjustments DO need some pre-understanding AND finesse. If adjustments are made in a ham fisted way eg screw the rebound all the way in and ride it, that can lead to crashing.

A few years back I sold a number of Suspension / bike set up DVD's, approx 4 hours of viewing time and very comprehensive. They would now retail at approx $89 incl gst and p & p. That may seem expensive but intellectual property costs a lot to accumulate.

I wonder whether I should again offer these for sale?

I've often recommended that someone does just that, wind the adjuster all the way one direction and go for a CAREFUL ride, so they can understand the effects of the adjustment.
I think people need to understand wots going on, and often when you, and shaun etc set up bikes for people they have no idea wot you've done, or why. Then when they change their riding, they have no idea how to compensate for the changes.
Your dvd sounds great, definately time for a re-release I reckon, maybe it should be part of a suspension setup package when ya do 'em.

[Robert Taylor]

I've often recommended that someone does just that, wind the adjuster all the way one direction and go for a CAREFUL ride, so they can understand the effects of the adjustment.
I think people need to understand wots going on, and often when you, and shaun etc set up bikes for people they have no idea wot you've done, or why. Then when they change their riding, they have no idea how to compensate for the changes.
Your dvd sounds great, definately time for a re-release I reckon, maybe it should be part of a suspension setup package when ya do 'em.

Yes, but I think there are 2 mentalities with suspension tuners, as follows;

1) Be totally secretive and use that for cold hard commercial gain when setting up a bike. If someone crashes but for the sake of a couple of minutes bad luck.

2) Or to be forthcoming and to help people to help themselves. Make basic set up info accessible and help people to understand it.

As fas has has been possible ( within time constraints ) I have tried to explain the effects of adjustments to people. In turn there has to be a willingness to learn.

[RiderInBlack]

Yes, but I think there are 2 mentalities with suspension tuners, as follows;

1) Be totally secretive and use that for cold hard commercial gain when setting up a bike. If someone crashes but for the sake of a couple of minutes bad luck.

2) Or to be forthcoming and to help people to help themselves. Make basic set up info accessible and help people to understand it.

As fas has has been possible ( within time constraints ) I have tried to explain the effects of adjustments to people. In turn there has to be a willingness to learn.Funny that. It's the same with the Farrier/Hoof business. No.2 is part of how I define a true Professional. And yes, it really helps if the customer really do want to learn (makes my job easier).
Would like ta learn more about bike suspension and look forward to a workshop day or DVD from those that really do know.

[hospitalfood]

back to the thread, well.....as I said there is good basic info on the links chickenlegs posted, unfortunatly all I can do to my standard setup is front and rear preload and rear high and low speed compression damping, I think???? F$#@......???
The info on how to do basics and what does what is there.....now I need acurate info on my bikes standard setup.
Also seems to me that preload and rebound are reasonably easy to set correctly but compression is another matter, need to suck and see.
??
when I started this thread I really did know nothing, thanks to all as my knowledge is improving slowly.

[Pussy]

back to the thread, well.....as I said there is good basic info on the links chickenlegs posted, unfortunatly all I can do to my standard setup is front and rear preload and rear high and low speed compression damping, I think???? F$#@......???
The info on how to do basics and what does what is there.....now I need acurate info on my bikes standard setup.
Also seems to me that preload and rebound are reasonably easy to set correctly but compression is another matter, need to suck and see.
??
when I started this thread I really did know nothing, thanks to all as my knowledge is improving slowly.
Thats why I made the unhelpful suggestion that you get in touch with Robert. I doubt your stock suspension parts are going to give you what you are looking to achieve. You can't make strawberry jam out of pigshit. No doubt RT will have some helpful suggestions

[hospitalfood]

yeah, think I need a USD front end, maybe a busa would fit???or some other USD suzuki fork setup off a heavy bike???
also need after market twin rears probably.
will give the RT thread a read.
cheers pussy

[Pussy]

yeah, think I need a USD front end, maybe a busa would fit???or some other USD suzuki fork setup off a heavy bike???
also need after market twin rears probably.
will give the RT thread a read.
cheers pussy

Not a problem, mate. I have found in the past that it's a whole lot easier in the long run to get stuff like suspension sorted properly. Sometimes there just isn't the foundation there to work from. If the GS1200SS forks are damper rod type (Robert, where are you??!!) you may find a simple cartridge emulator and spring upgrade will do what you want it to. Very economically too! I'm sure RT will put you in the right direction. Let us know how the upgrades go....cheers