Suspension setup for Christchurch roads?

**Oakie** · 9th February 2014, 21:33

I've never really worried much about suspension. As long as it's been firm enough so my ride doesn't wallow through corners it's been good enough. But now I have a new bike (GSR600) and suspension is an issue.

It's an issue because it seems pretty hard (compared to the Bandit anyway). Lovely on the road from Dunedin to Christchurch but when doing the commute I noticed that my arse and lower back takes a battering over the bumps. I've had Mrs Oakie on the back a couple of times too and she found it firm to the point of being too uncomfortable. That firmness did make cornering two up a lot better than the Bandit though so it's not all bad.

Currently the bike is set on the 4th of 9 preload settings (9 being the firmest) and the rebound damper set at the 'normal' point. Can't quite get my head around whether I need more or less rebound damper to soften the ride up a bit. SO ... that is question 1.

Also wondering how people who actually care about tuning their suspension have got their rear suspension set up for Christchurch roads?

FWIW, I've reduced rear pre-load to three today and made no other changes. Not worried about the front end at this time.

Oh, did I mention that the previous owner lowered the suspension for his wife and then raised it for me. Seems to know what he was doing though.

**SVboy** · 10th February 2014, 12:05

Get yourself and your bike booked into the trevor peirce dave moss talk this friday night and you bike will be set up by Dave just for you.
Great opportunity.

**Oakie** · 10th February 2014, 12:09

Originally Posted by SVboy

Get yourself and your bike booked into the trevor peirce dave moss talk this friday night and you bike will be set up by Dave just for you.
Great opportunity.

Thanks I'll check that out and see if I can make it.

**Shaun Harris** · 12th February 2014, 08:20

Originally Posted by Oakie

Thanks I'll check that out and see if I can make it.

If you are serious, YOU WILL MAKE IT man, Dave is bloody good

**Oakie** · 13th February 2014, 21:28

Originally Posted by Moto-Dynamix

If you are serious, YOU WILL MAKE IT man, Dave is bloody good

Would you believe that I'm staying home on Friday night so I can pick and preserve the fruit off our nectarine tree so we can head away camping on Saturday morning?

I'm a disgrace!

**Shaun Harris** · 14th February 2014, 05:58

Originally Posted by Oakie

Would you believe that I'm staying home on Friday night so I can pick and preserve the fruit off our nectarine tree so we can head away camping on Saturday morning?

I'm a disgrace!

each to there own mate

**nzspokes** · 14th February 2014, 06:16

Originally Posted by Oakie

Would you believe that I'm staying home on Friday night so I can pick and preserve the fruit off our nectarine tree so we can head away camping on Saturday morning?

I'm a disgrace!

At least say your getting on the piss with some mates.....

**chucklesby** · 14th February 2014, 09:48

Originally Posted by Oakie

Would you believe that I'm staying home on Friday night so I can pick and preserve the fruit off our nectarine tree so we can head away camping on Saturday morning?

I'm a disgrace!

nice job wearing the pants oakie

**Kickaha** · 14th February 2014, 16:44

Originally Posted by cassina

Road bikes are really no longer suited to ChCh roads and will never really be for many many years to come

Rubbish, depends entirely in what part of Chch you're riding

**SMOKEU** · 14th February 2014, 17:29

Originally Posted by cassina

Road bikes are really no longer suited to ChCh roads and will never really be for many many years to come due to a recent anouncment that most roads will only be patched and not resealed due to lack of funds.

So reduce your speed on bumpy bits. Ride to the conditions and all that.

**AllanB** · 14th February 2014, 18:51

Set your sag first. Adjust to suit from there.

Depends on you, your bike and your riding style as to how you adjust for our bumpy roads.

If you set it really hard and ride fast you can just skim along the top of the bumps .......

**nzspokes** · 14th February 2014, 19:05

Originally Posted by cassina

Road bikes are really no longer suited to ChCh roads and will never really be for many many years to come due to a recent anouncment that most roads will only be patched and not resealed due to lack of funds.

Does you skirt get caught in the chain often?

**AllanB** · 14th February 2014, 19:20

Originally Posted by cassina

Road bikes are really no longer suited to ChCh roads and will never really be for many many years to come due to a recent anouncment that most roads will only be patched and not resealed due to lack of funds.

Sooooooo wrong.

**Oakie** · 14th February 2014, 19:36

Originally Posted by chucklesby

nice job wearing the pants oakie

Doing it right now and they smell great. 12kg of nectarines. About 28 half bottles by my reckoning.

**nzspokes** · 15th February 2014, 06:42

Originally Posted by cassina

I had a BMW that had stuff all suspention travel so bought a adventure bike in Aug 2011 as I had a gut feeling back then the roads would be stuffed for many years. It makes a far more relaxing ride.

You really dont get the point of motorcycles do ya.