How well sprung is your stock suspension?

[Gremlin]

And that, after jumping off the KTM with sorted suspension... Must be a peach then...

Depends what you like, while the ducati cornered on rails, to a motard style, it would be seen as restrictive. McJim also struggled with the responsiveness of the KTM, as you don't have to mind the throttle too much on the Duc. Not quite the same with stuff with what? Twice the hp?

To OP: What do you define as stock suspension. My KTM came with WP standard all round, but AMPS managed to hand it over to me with the forks set up differently. I then got Triple X to pull apart the forks, and rebuild them at the 1000km service. They also tweaked the factory settings a bit (had a bit of an idea what it needed, my weight, but not specifics), as it comes set for max weight (don't ask me why )

Some will spend the first few rides of the new bike tweaking the suspension exactly to their desires. I prefer to give the shop rough idea of weight, and how I want to ride it, let them get it ball park, then just ride the damn thing

That said, I do believe that any 600+ cc bike should at least have the stock suspension set up for their own weight (or within reason) as a 60kg newbie to big bikes is going to ride a bike very differently to a 100kg experienced rider.

[discotex]

To OP: What do you define as stock suspension.

My definition of stock suspension is:

The suspension components that come fitted from the factory set to the factory settings as per the manual.

Unless we're talking about comparing to aftermarket parts in which stock just means the original components at whatever setting the ride has found works for them.


And I totally agree that shops should be sending bikes (new and old) out the door AFTER setting up the sag with the rider. Especially heavy riders that might be in the unsafe range on stock springs.

[Gremlin]

Well, my suspension was definitely too hard (max weight settings are put on the bikes), and the front forks over-packed with grease.

Once the settings were changed and the front forks rebuilt, lovely

[vifferman]

I have found the Racetech site helpful with recommended spring rates

I know lots of people who say that the Racetech spring rates guide is heavily biased towards racing, ad that if you use their recommended spring rates on the street, the ride is way too hard.

[Pussy]

I know lots of people who say that the Racetech spring rates guide is heavily biased towards racing, ad that if you use their recommended spring rates on the street, the ride is way too hard.

I've found them perfect for me!

Edit: In fact, I've just installed different springs in the front and back of Gassit Girl's 750, and gone for slightly heavier rates than Racetech recommend for steet set-up.... GG is rapt at the results.
We have identical bikes... hers doesn't feel very good to me, as the suspension is sitting lower in it's stroke with me aboard, and conversely the spring rate on my bike is too stiff for her.... but our bikes feel bloody awesome individually to their respective owners

[vifferman]

I've found them perfect for me!

Maybe it's just the calculator for VFRs then. The overwhelming opinion on the VFR forums is that you need to go one or two grades down (e.g., if it recommends 1.00km/mm, then you go to a 0.95 or even 0.90.)
I've got 0.95 kg/mm front springs (standard is 0.74) and it's too firm - 0.90 would've been ideal.

[Pussy]

Maybe it's just the calculator for VFRs then. The overwhelming opinion on the VFR forums is that you need to go one or two grades down (e.g., if it recommends 1.00km/mm, then you go to a 0.95 or even 0.90.)
I've got 0.95 kg/mm front springs (standard is 0.74) and it's too firm - 0.90 would've been ideal.

Eat more pies!

[Robert Taylor]

My definition of stock suspension is:

The suspension components that come fitted from the factory set to the factory settings as per the manual.

Unless we're talking about comparing to aftermarket parts in which stock just means the original components at whatever setting the ride has found works for them.


And I totally agree that shops should be sending bikes (new and old) out the door AFTER setting up the sag with the rider. Especially heavy riders that might be in the unsafe range on stock springs.

And do you think they should be changing springs out of their already slender margins? ( which arent always available in alternative rates for many oem shocks or not at all )

[discotex]

And do you think they should be changing springs out of their already slender margins? ( which arent always available in alternative rates for many oem shocks or not at all )

I'd say firstly they should setup the preload as best as possible on stock. Should make the customer appreciate their new bike even more right?

If the sag is dangerous (say said rider is 125kg+ on a Ninja 250R) then they should be either re-springing the bike (at the rider's expense *if* respringing is possible) or suggesting they apply for an exemption to the 250 rule so they can get a bike that is safe for them.

Certainly don't expect the dealer to absorb the cost, just make the bike safe.