Commando 961 suspension set up

[GSite]

Hi All,

Collected the new Commando 961 yesterday and on the way home found the handling vague and droppimg into corners, yet at slow speed felt as if riding through mud with front wheel squirming around even going in a straight line. Tyre pressures way off and suspension settings unequal side to side as were chain adjusters different by a few mm.

Today have set adjusters at mid-point in their range, dealer could not tell me where they had set them, although I do now.

No mention of pre-load on rear shocks, which I presume to be the ride height adjuster shown on page 42 of the online owners manual.
The manual gives no clue as to adjustment or even if this is pre-set, but can't see why it would be.
This is the blue nut at the bottom of the shock.

Has anyone set the pre-load of the rear shocks or any other experiences of setting up the suspension on their new Commando ?

Many thanks folks.

 

[cbritton]

Hi All,

Collected the new Commando 961 yesterday and on the way home found the handling vague and droppimg into corners, yet at slow speed felt as if riding through mud with front wheel squirming around even going in a straight line. Tyre pressures way off and suspension settings unequal side to side as were chain adjusters different by a few mm.

Today have set adjusters at mid-point in their range, dealer could not tell me where they had set them, although I do now.

No mention of pre-load on rear shocks, which I presume to be the ride height adjuster shown on page 42 of the online owners manual.
The manual gives no clue as to adjustment or even if this is pre-set, but can't see why it would be.
This is the blue nut at the bottom of the shock.

Has anyone set the pre-load of the rear shocks or any other experiences of setting up the suspension on their new Commando ?

Many thanks folks.

Rear shock preload is set by turning the threaded spring collars. Be careful to loosen the plastic grub screw on each first. You will need a small bar of the correct size to turn the collars (6mm I think). I had to back mine off by 2 turns to make it sit down at the back.
I found an ohlins manual for the suspension which is invaluable for setting preload and all damping settings. I learned a lot reading it. Search ohlins stx-36 which is the shock model code.
Hope that helps.

 

[richh]

I had mine set up by a local guy.

He remarked how strangely the suspension was set from the factory.

Like they were literally fitted and not set to anything specific at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GSite]

Rear shock preload is set by turning the threaded spring collars. Be careful to loosen the plastic grub screw on each first. You will need a small bar of the correct size to turn the collars (6mm I think). I had to back mine off by 2 turns to make it sit down at the back.
I found an ohlins manual for the suspension which is invaluable for setting preload and all damping settings. I learned a lot reading it. Search ohlins stx-36 which is the shock model code.
Hope that helps.

Thanks for that. Not sure of the exact version of the STX-36 as this is made for various bikes (part numbers different) and they are not all the same. Do you happen to have the Ohlins part number or an electronic copy of the manual please, if so can PM you my email if it is easier.

Thanks again

 

[cbritton]

Thanks for that. Not sure of the exact version of the STX-36 as this is made for various bikes (part numbers different) and they are not all the same. Do you happen to have the Ohlins part number or an electronic copy of the manual please, if so can PM you my email if it is easier.

Thanks again

I have an electronic copy but its too large to attach here. Best dm me with your email.

 

[cbritton]

I have an electronic copy but its too large to attach here. Best dm me with your email.

The Ohlins manual number is 07241-02-7. It's for the STX-36 shocks but also tells you how to set sag (forks and shocks) and a trouble shooter FAQ section diagnosing different issues with compression and rebound damping. Highly recommended read.
Interestingly, Ohlins don't list an OEM fitting for Norton but do for other manufacturers like Triumph.
Cheers, Colin

 

[Smiffypr]

The Ohlins manual number is 07241-02-7. It's for the STX-36 shocks but also tells you how to set sag (forks and shocks) and a trouble shooter FAQ section diagnosing different issues with compression and rebound damping. Highly recommended read.
Interestingly, Ohlins don't list an OEM fitting for Norton but do for other manufacturers like Triumph.
Cheers, Colin

Hello everyone, I've just got a 2024 model, spent a few hours yesterday on different sorts of roads, and found that in some situations it didn't feel as stable as it should. When I got home I looked at the suspension settings, and they were inconsistent to say the least. I've been looking for a set of starting settings, but everything I read must not apply to the 2024 model, for example people talk about 4 clicks being the range of one of the rear shock settings, on mine compression has 22 clicks range and rebound has 60 clicks range. I would really like to start from a recommended set of settings if anyone has one. Failing that, my plan is to go for 1/3 sag, and the damping settings all 1/3 of the way from softest.
I have found an ohlins document for a set of forks that look right, and it does say 12 clicks out (out of 25) for rebound (one fork) and compression (the other fork) but can't find a document for rear shocks that gives recommendations. Strangely, when you try to search for OEM parts Norton is not in the list. I have also found 07241-02-7 just using google, and it does look helpful.So given what I have found, I will start with all the damping adjustments at 50% and work from there.
Have any of you guys settled on a set of settings yet, if so, let us know what they are and your weight.

 

[Berin]

No, I’ve been looking for a start point too. Maybe call Norton, and post back if you get anywhere?

 

[Smiffypr]

I asked what the tyre pressures should be two days ago, no response so far, so I wouldn't hold out much hope of getting detailed info like this.

 

[richh]

I find suspension a bit of a black art.

Plus. I’m probably not deft enough to feel what needs to be adjusted.

Plus, I’m a lazy twat.

£40 and 45 mins with the local suspension guru and the bike is sublime.

It handles so well and is so compliant. Can throw it around my favourite roads with aplomb.

He was shocked how far the settings were off from the factory. Even being on different settings between each shock.

 

[Berin]

I find suspension a bit of a black art.

Plus. I’m probably not deft enough to feel what needs to be adjusted.

Plus, I’m a lazy twat.

£40 and 45 mins with the local suspension guru and the bike is sublime.

It handles so well and is so compliant. Can throw it around my favourite roads with aplomb.

He was shocked how far the settings were off from the factory. Even being on different settings between each shock.

My local suspension guru is retired, and from memory you're somewhere far away!

 

[GSite]

Mine was just the same from new, seems to be a common theme where suspension settings from the factory vary between shocks and extremes on front forks as if dealers don't even attempt to have some consistency in settings at PDI.

 

[cbritton]

I asked what the tyre pressures should be two days ago, no response so far, so I wouldn't hold out much hope of getting detailed info like this.

The norton manual says 33psi front, 38psi rear. Mine was set to this but felt too hard for me. I reset mine to 29front and 33 rear. All solo settings.

 

[richh]

My manual says 34/38 rear.

A few on the fb group have gone firmer on the front.

Stick with the manual IMO.


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[Smiffypr]

I ended up with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IIIs at 36 and 42psi. Bike is transformed.

 

[Smiffypr]

For the suspension I ended up at:
Front sag with rider 37mm (14 turns in)
Rear sag with rider 32mm (36mm thread showing)
Front compression damping 20 clicks out (10/30 in)
Rear compression damping 6 clicks out (17/23 in)
Front rebound damping 14 clicks out (16/30 in)
Rear rebound damping 20 clicks out (40/60 in)
Note that this setting seems to be only 4 clicks range on earlier models, 60 clicks range on my 2024.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Hi All,

Collected the new Commando 961 yesterday and on the way home found the handling vague and droppimg into corners, yet at slow speed felt as if riding through mud with front wheel squirming around even going in a straight line. Tyre pressures way off and suspension settings unequal side to side as were chain adjusters different by a few mm.

Today have set adjusters at mid-point in their range, dealer could not tell me where they had set them, although I do now.

No mention of pre-load on rear shocks, which I presume to be the ride height adjuster shown on page 42 of the online owners manual.
The manual gives no clue as to adjustment or even if this is pre-set, but can't see why it would be.
This is the blue nut at the bottom of the shock.

Has anyone set the pre-load of the rear shocks or any other experiences of setting up the suspension on their new Commando ?

Many thanks folks.

Tyre pressures

Tyres over inflated to 55 or 60 psi for transport not sorted in PDI !!!

Also I have a couple of posts about setting suspension Search my username and Boobies

Yes Seriously!