Suzuki SV1000S suspension setup

[rocketman1]

Just tested the latest suspension setup for my SV1000S.
I have made a few suspension alterations to my bikes suspension over the months, all have made it OK in one way or another.
I happened across the following on the SV Rider website, and have adjusted my suspension to suit, I must say what a difference it has made to the bike, handling now in the corners is not too far off my GSXR.
For settings to riders weight, here goes:NB "Turns out' are from stop.
10 Stone Rider:
Front
Front Spring preload (FSP)(ie blue) screw out to 8th ring
Compression Damper (CD) (bottom of fork) 2 turns out
Rebound (top of fork) (RB) 1/2 turn out
Rear
Preload 7mm above collar
Compression Damper (note on top of shock) 3 1/4 turns out
Rebound Damper (bottom of shock) 1 1/2 turns out

14 stone rider
Front:
FSP screw out to 8th ring
CD 1 3/4 turns out
RB 3/4 turns out
Rear:
Preload 9mm above collar
CD 2 3/4 turns out
RB 1 turn out

12 stone rider (me)
Go half way between the 10st & 12 st settings

Works magic , let me know how you go

[cs363]

With all due respect as these setting have obviously improved your ride (either actually or psychologically) unless the spring rates are correct for the riders weight all the fiddling with adjusters in the world won't really be that effective.
Just a cautionary note, as who knows the stock spring rates may be correct for your weight, but they certainly won't be right for everyone.

Likewise if the valving isn't correct for weight/riding style twiddling compression and rebound adjusters has about as much effect as playing with the pilot screws on a badly jetted carb.

Don't get me wrong I'm sure you have made an improvement with what you have, what I'm trying to say is that with the correct springing (and if budget allows, valving) the bike can be far better than you could imagine.

I'm sure anyone who has spent some money on suspension and time on setting it up correctly will agree.

[rocketman1]

Yeah I agree with what you say : What I have done , as you mention is try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear, you only have so much to work with, and with SV's although you have quite alot of adjustment, compared to some bikes, this is the closest I have come to getting "Weight to Rider" adjustment correct for the suspension on these bikes, without spending big dollars.

[cs363]

Yeah I agree with what you say : What I have done , as you mention is try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear, you only have so much to work with, and with SV's although you have quite alot of adjustment, compared to some bikes, this is the closest I have come to getting "Weight to Rider" adjustment correct for the suspension on these bikes, without spending big dollars.

Glad you understand. There is huge potential with the SV for improvement as you probably realise, at least Suzuki had the good sense not to fit the stupid rear shock off the TL onto them....

[dipshit]

this is the closest I have come to getting "Weight to Rider" adjustment correct for the suspension on these bikes, without spending big dollars.

Although changing springs if need be isn't that expensive at all and pays big dividends.

[Robert Taylor]

Glad you understand. There is huge potential with the SV for improvement as you probably realise, at least Suzuki had the good sense not to fit the stupid rear shock off the TL onto them....

That is so, BUT the front fork cartridges are sealed for life units, making the cost of alteration / upspec way more expensive. A fairly decent improvement can be effected by ditching the stock progressively wound fork springs and fitting linear wind springs, appropriate to the rider stats, along with higher quality oil.
In the rear if the bike is used for the occassional spirited track days the internal valving is not up to it, off corner squat will be an issue, along with rapid tyre degradation. The standard piston we can revalve or for an even better improvement we can fit a Race Tech gold valve.
And theres also the matter of the really bad fuel mapping on that model....