Steering and Suspension Dynamics

[KiwiKat]

I'm a light rider with a reasonably heavy bike 750f Katana. On some undulating surfaces e.g. Mt Stewart Road the bike seems to bounce up and down.

My question is should Stiffen or soften the suspension and which should I do first, front or back. Any suggestions appreciated.

[blacksheep]

the search function is your friend:sunny:

[The Stranger]

the search function is your friend:sunny:

Classic. That has him all sorted now, he can't possibly go wrong with help like that.

KiwiKat - you may as well get the best advice possible.
PM Robert Taylor on here, or grab his phone number from his profile and give him a call.

[blacksheep]

Classic. That has him all sorted now, he can't possibly go wrong with help like that.

well how many chapters of suspension tips do you want me to type,only to have some smart arse type in RE-POST:sunny:

[cowboyz]

You really need to hook up with someone who really knows what they are doing with suspension. The bike should be balanced with you sitting on it so probably an adjustment on both will be required. People spend lots and lots of time fine tuning suspension settings for their liking.
My suggestion would be to find a manual and reset the settings to stock - taking into account the rider settings in the manual (my bike stock is set for a 65kg rider)


Robert Taylor is a wealth of knowledge but he is a rep for ohlins and like all reps he has an agenda.

[KiwiKat]

Thanks Cowboyz. I appreciate your straight up response without additional verbal excrement.

[cowboyz]

Thanks Cowboyz. I appreciate your straight up response without additional verbal excrement.

its all good. blacksheep is a really nice guy. hes just upsetthat his bikes not green.

[Drew]

Robert Taylor is a wealth of knowledge but he is a rep for ohlins and like all reps he has an agenda.

I get what you're saying here CB, but if you'd had much to do with Robert, you'd know his agenda is best served by giving out his advice, and assistance without pushing people into suspension bits from him.

I know this, because he helped set up mine, and Flames old bikes that were not equipped with his product, and has only ever spoken of Ohlins when asked by us.

As for the stock settings suggestion, there is as much chance that they'll be worse than they are now, as better.

Kiwikat; start by setting the sag, (how much lower the bike is from fully extended, with you on it). The damping adjustments are kinda redundant till the bike wants to sit level of it's own accord.

There are many threads about how to do it, the only thing that wont be clear is what sag to work to, I'm a great believer that 20mm at the rear, and similar up front is good to start from for the road, and about what I have on my race bike.



Get someone that knows how to do the basics, but wont just start changin things because they know more than you and feel important because of it.

[KiwiKat]

Post a pic. I'll paint it.

[blacksheep]

wasn't trying to be funny,sorry if i upset you but the search function will reveal a whole can of worms re- suspension tips,looking forward to seeing you around:rolleyes:now to get some sleep:zzzz:

[blacksheep]

its all good. blacksheep is a really nice guy. hes just upsetthat his bikes not green.

:Oi:my hero:love:i'm green with envy:shifty:

i must spread some reputation around before giving it to cowboyz again:doh:

[Highlander]

... the search function will reveal a whole can of worms re- suspension tips...

Very True.
Thought I might tweak my suspension to see the effect it had, but after searching and reading on here was more confused than ever so left it how it was.

[DEATH_INC.]

One question, well two actually, how many k's does it have on it and was it always like this? It may be time for a re-oil/rebuild.
Otherwise it's pretty damn hard to set someone's bike up over the net. Mebbe if ya talk nicely to one of the guys on here they'll meet up somewhere and help ya set it up, though I'm pretty sure the Kat has few adjustments :mellow:

[KiwiKat]

One question, well two actually, how many k's does it have on it and was it always like this? It may be time for a re-oil/rebuild.
Otherwise it's pretty damn hard to set someone's bike up over the net. Mebbe if ya talk nicely to one of the guys on here they'll meet up somewhere and help ya set it up, though I'm pretty sure the Kat has few adjustments :mellow:
The Katana is only 9 mths old. Has only 1800 miles on the clock. I'm going to take the bike over the same run again today with checked and warmed up tyres.

Last time it was a bloody cold morning, but I thought it shouldn't bounce like it did.

So many road now are rippled, it seems to be a new trend in resealing.

There is some good advice on the site available from experienced riders and that is what a new (new / old ) rider often needs.

We will always take what we want from what is offered.

[GSVR]

I'm a light rider with a reasonably heavy bike 750f Katana. On some undulating surfaces e.g. Mt Stewart Road the bike seems to bounce up and down.

My question is should Stiffen or soften the suspension and which should I do first, front or back. Any suggestions appreciated.

I wont get into dampening control just springing concerning roadbikes.

Basically the softer you make your suspension the more your bike will wallow and pitch.

If the front is too soft you will get excessive nose dive under braking and the bike will want to stand up more in corners (the steering rake decreases as the suspension loads). At the extremme you risk bottoming out the suspension which is not good for maintaining grip.

If the back is too soft the rear will want to swat under power and the bike will want to run wide when exiting corners hard. Under hard braking the rear will be more inclined to bunny hop.

And the way the back is effects the front and vice versa!

There are general recommendations for sag settings with and without rider. Alot of how you like you suspension will depend on what kind of riding you do. If your not looking at going hard out and do long trips then a heavy bike with soft suspension really soaks up the bumps and provides a very comfortable ride. eg. Cruisers.

The Katana is a sport bike but the suspension is nothing special and pretty much the same forks and rear shock as my SV. With the standard suspension on your bike you can't really do much anyway. May end up cheaper in the long run to get a local professional to do any work.

Thanks for reading my totally incomplete, generalized and inaccurate posting :)

What bike did you have before the Katana?

[KiwiKat]

I haven't ridden regularly since late seventies, (I was only a toddler). Painful memories. I brought the Katana as a proven new bike to get back into it, and am loving every minute. It'll take a while to get things set up properly.

[GSVR]

I haven't ridden regularly since late seventies, (I was only a toddler). Painful memories. I brought the Katana as a proven new bike to get back into it, and am loving every minute. It'll take a while to get things set up properly.

Theres probably the main reason the Kat feels like it does. Seventys roadbikes generally have very soft suspension compared to modern bikes.

[CookMySock]

Last time it was a bloody cold morning, but I thought it shouldn't bounce like it did. When the suspension is very cold, it will be extra firm, because the oil is thicker when it is cold. Mine is like this.

You will need to look at what adjustments you have on your suspension. You will need to set the preload correctly, front and rear. Search for "preload" on google and youtube.

Take a look at what other adjustments are available - maybe there is a compression and rebound adjustment available? Set them on fully soft, and start moving the rebound adjustment toward the "hard" setting, this will actually soften your ride. That is my understanding of it anyway, others will correct me here.


There is some good advice on the site available from experienced riders and that is what a new (new / old ) rider often needs. Maybe the more experienced riders do know a lot, but they are often rude and unhelpful here, as you have discovered. Many newer riders have collectd this information also, and are much more willing to assist. It is fair that some experienced riders have already typed the same reply seven times for newbies, so they are tired of it, but there is no need for them to be rude.


We will always take what we want from what is offered.Yes that is a good way of saying that.


Welcome to KB.

Steve

[blacksheep]

for what its worth before you even start to fiddle write down your susp settings that you have now,so at least you have a datum to work to.also adjust one thing at a time-and document it.(i hope this doesnt sound rude to some people:msn-wink:)

[KiwiKat]

for what its worth before you even start to fiddle write down your susp settings that you have now,so at least you have a datum to work to.also adjust one thing at a time-and document it.(i hope this doesnt sound rude to some people:msn-wink:)
May the soothing blessings of a thousand maidens come your way.

I'm of to have a play.

[blacksheep]

one maiden is enough :chase:

[The Stranger]

Thanks Cowboyz. I appreciate your straight up response without additional verbal excrement.

Sorry but you are on wrong forum, this is KB. There really is no choice in the matter. Every redneck noob on a Hyobag who has been riding for all of 6 months needs to put his 2 cents in irrespective of whether or not they know what they are talking about.


wasn't trying to be funny,sorry if i upset you

Don't be so sensitive.



Maybe the more experienced riders do know a lot, but they are often rude and unhelpful here, as you have discovered.


That's no way to talk about Death and Drew, they're good people actually.

[blacksheep]

sarcasm mate:mellow:

oh crap this is going off topic:bash:

[Bonez]

sarcasm mate:mellow:

oh crap this is going off topic:bash:It's the KB way. :Oi:

KiwiKat your've picked a great bike to get back in the saddle with.

I'm no expert but the first thing you need to do is set up your rider and static sag I believe (the bike suspention-not the beer gut ;)

http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/Guides/motorcycleSuspensionSetup.htm

You can PM the suspension experts etc, as mentioned, for detail too. I'm sure any of the local bike mechanics can throw a few tips your way as well.

[Drew]

When did we start worryong about goin off topic?

[KiwiKat]

I took the Kat for a quick run this morning. Checked tyres, warmed them up a bit and did the same stretch of road (about 500m stretch) and still got quite a bit of bounce but no where near as bad. Obviously cold temps make a big difference. As bike warmed up ride seemed to soften slightly.

I still find it a bit too hard in the front so I will slowly get it sorted, but will wait a bit for warmer temps and bike to settle in more.

I also got Graham Allardice's book 'The Biker's Bible' from the library which seems good value.