F650 Suspension for idiots (me)

[joe_fitzpatrick]

Ive read various threads/magazine articles on suspension - which rapidly get into too much detail

Can someone help with simple answers - specific to the adjustability on my F650 Dakar (ie the knob for adjusting what I assume is rear preload). Ive tried changing it - can feel a difference - but find it hard to compare with previous rides

I ride with the setting as Middle

Anyone willing to fill in the blanks?

If I turn this down to Low
In corners the bike will.......
On the street the bike will ...
Over ramps the bike will ...
Off road the bike will ...

Similarly
If I turn this up to High
In corners the bike will.......
On the street the bike will ...
Over ramps the bike will ...
Off road the bike will ...

 

[Sid]

Jeez that should frighten off a few replies.

Erm, if I'm solo, I rack it down towards 'low' and enjoy a compliant suspension that behaves how I want.

If I'm 2-up with full luggage (panniers, box, tank bag, tent, cooker, gear, etc, etc) then it's up to the "high".

Anything in between is down to how you feel - try it - adjust it- try it again.

If you're 20 stone, then the minimum is probably not for you unless you're off-road when anything goes!

SPOUT????

 

[Pondboy]

Joe,

If I turn this down to Low
In corners the bike will....... possibly wallow a bit more
On the street the bike will ... can grind the sidestand in bumpy corners
Over ramps the bike will ... much more comfortable
Off road the bike will ... much more comfortable, but could bottom out on the rough stuff if taken too fast.

Similarly
If I turn this up to High
In corners the bike will....... much more precise
On the street the bike will ... OK, but a firmer ride
Over ramps the bike will ... Able to take them faster without bottoming
Off road the bike will ... Twitchier but able to handle rougher stuff faster.

Adjusting the damping (Need to use a screwdriver on a screw sited on the suspension arm under the front end of the swinging arm) from low to high (3 1/2 turns) has quite an effect on the suspension. Try adjusting it to a similar setting to the preload setting you are using. Ride for a week to see what it feels like and then adjust it to a different setting and ride the same road/trails for comparision.
My view is to use as much travel as possible without regularly bottoming the bike. If you want better road handling stiffen things up a bit.

I can highly recommend Touratech progressive front springs. They are easy to fit and transformed precision of the front end on my GS. PB

 

[joe_fitzpatrick]

Many thanks for this

Plan to try moving from low to high - a bit at a time - over the next couple of weeks.