BMW preload adjustment

[rodsharp]

Nearly afraid to ask for advice seeing some of the replies on here, but I have plucked up courage and am prepared to be abused.

I have had the rear shock replaced under warranty as it had got very stiff to adjust the preload. The standard setting was 10 clicks from fully out and I used to run 12 clicks solo and add about 6-8 when 2 up. This seemed fine for me as I like to have a good balance between ride quality and control.

I notice with the new shock on the same setting that the bike is much slower to turn in and I need to be far more physical. Having played around I remember the old shock had 30 clicks full adjustment but the new one has 42 clicks hence I am now trying about 18-20 clicks in and still experimenting. Has anyone else noticed this change? and is the recommended setting different on the very latest bike? All advice welcome.

 

[Roymondo]

You can download User Manuals from the BMW UK website. The most recent version will give the recommended settings.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I notice with the new shock on the same setting that the bike is much slower to turn in and I need to be far more physical.

Then crank the preload up some more.

 

[rodsharp]

Thanks Raymondo I have checked this and it is the same as older model , so no change from my original shock. And I knew a Miff would be along soon !!

 

[Time Traveller]

Anyone got any advice to a newbie on this.

I'm about to go on my first two up tour with the mrs...after all these years she is going to take the plunge

I'm 70kg she is 60kg, so we're not big folk - but I really notice how different (and light on the front end) the bike is with her on the back...despite adding the (I followed the book...but can't remember off the top of my head...) 10 clicks on the preload.

I will be sticking the panniers on too, so I guess that will be another 30-40kg (including pannier weight)

A. Is it only rear preload that's adjustable? (both TDM and KTM 990 was full adjustment, preload, rebound and damping on the front and preload and damping on the rear) ?

B. What settings do other's use?


(2009 GS - brand new rear shock... minus paint as Cannon forgot to do up the nut on the cover and all the paint rubbed off in 200 miles)

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Mine's an '05 and used to have the OEM White Power shocks (I now run Wilbers).

I found the recommended settings of little use. To get the bike to turn in nicely I would have the preload almost all the way in solo and on max two up/luggage. I didn't find the ride quality suffered but it certainly helped the way the bike tracked.

Have you also played with the front? I used to find it tracked better with one click less preload for the given circumstances recommended in the handbook.

Andres

 

[CuzGS]

One click here one click there, blimey we have some incredibly sensitive riders on here.

Set it up as bog standard and leave it mate, IMHO it make v little diff on a GS. If youre on a race bike going for it then fine but I leave mine standard acros all weight ranges and all tyres and it runs just fine.

If youre smooth with the gas and brakes shell track just fine

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

One click here one click there, blimey we have some incredibly sensitive riders on here.

Set it up as bog standard and leave it mate, IMHO it make v little diff on a GS. If youre on a race bike going for it then fine but I leave mine standard acros all weight ranges and all tyres and it runs just fine.

If youre smooth with the gas and brakes shell track just fine

I'll take that as a compliment

Seriously though, I'm no Rossi but found a huge difference doing what I suggested - maybe the later GS's are different

Andres

 

[rodsharp]

Time Traveller I think an extra 10 clicks from whatever you are happy with solo would do the trick but most importantly adjust the rebound otherwhise you will find it too soft when loaded up . I use about half a turn in place of the standard setting of one and half from hard and that has been fine over the past several years touring two up . If your shock is getting tired maybe you will need to set rebound on fully hard. Others are bound to have their own opinion but that has worked fine for me over many thousand miles of touring.

 

[Time Traveller]

Well, I'll have a play when I get back (I'm away on business at the mo, fly back Thur) ...TBH I've only had the bike a short while and not really played with the suspension at all (I need to read the book on how to adjust...I've only twiddled

the rear preload and haven't touched the front...I assume its adjustable

 

[CuzGS]

I'll take that as a compliment

Seriously though, I'm no Rossi but found a huge difference doing what I suggested - maybe the later GS's are different

Andres

God yes please do, Im the bloke who rode a GS for 125 miles with about 1/2 inch play left to right on the rear wheel courtesy of a shot final drive so I have the sensitivity of a babboon

I still think that mainly adjustments are made in the head. Racers are obsesed with tyres, I remember an experiment by a mag where they dropped the TP of a racing rear by quitre a bit and most riders didnt notice as they just rode around the limitation

 

[pistolpete]

The early bikes had white power shocks and from 2006 i think you got showa, if its any help i go to the 2nd notch from soft on the front ie. when at fully soft go up one, and on the rear 1.5 turns from hard on the rebound and about 12 clicks on the preload then after a few miles when everything gets warmed up i drop my hand down (oo er) and give it a couple of turns clockwise (harder). Two up no luggage 3rd notch on the front and 1 turn from hard on the rebound and 6 clicks and as before add another couple after a few miles, 2up fully loaded 3rd notch on the front, 0.75 from hard on the rebound and full hard on the preload.

The rebound adjuster makes a massive differance turning the bike from a pogo stick to nearly good enough. im 14st wife 8st, 2006 gs with showa shocks, i wouldnt advise the just leave it all alone approach unless you never ride 2up or find suspension confusing and are happy with a sub standard setup. Ive a lot of exp with suspension having done many track days and raced at clubman level a few years back.

This is all my opinion of course and feel free to use it or laugh at it but these setups work for me and will give you the best out of you bike, i can scratch the pegs 2up on tourance tyres

oh yes and 36psi front and 42psi rear all the time

 

[Time Traveller]

yeah thanks for the feedback guys.

Yes I'm pro doing the 'spenshun settings - it does make a big difference IMHO.

This is the first bike where the Mrs has agreed to come touring, so its a bit of new thing for me/us.

I haven't even looked at HOW to change the sspnshn let alone decide what to set it to.

I fly back Wed (back thursday am) and then not away 'til the monday...thought it sould be an idea to get over the jetlag, before sticking my/our life on the line! So I'll have a play around, and see.