Help!? Preload settings confuse me!

[Rossco]

Ello all, I'm after some advice about preload.

I ran out of money whilst purchasing my '09 R1200GS and couldn't stretch to adding on the clever works-it-out-itself susspension thingy, and I'm really not sure what or how to set my preload too.

I'm off to France in a couple of weeks with the missus as pillion, two vario panniers and some camping stuff. What do you suggest I do to the susspension?

All help gratefully received!

Rossco

 

[John Armstrong]

Full load = max rear pre-load.

One person only, I'd use 1/2 preload

 

[Shep]

I back the front shock off to its lightest spring setting and the rear is set on the hard side, on my GS it was full wound in and on the GSA it's set 1/2 to 3/4. With the damping at the rear i load the bike put it on its side stand bounce the back and adjust the damping till it just bounces once then I add half a turn

Then again its very easy to adjust when out , I find I need to add a quarter of a turn every 4-5,000 miles to keep the damping controlled.

Shep

 

[Rossco]

Thanks guys! I'll let you know how we get on......

 

[Sgt Bilco]

It`s all in the manual and the suggested settings work well

 

[Rossco]

if all else fails I could read the manual....

I've been to busy grinning and drooling over my new bike to consider that!

An arse I am.

Whilst I've got your attention.....I can only find the Haynes manual for GS's up to 2006, is there one on the way for the '09?

Grateful thanks, as ever.

Rossco

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

if all else fails I could read the manual....

I've been to busy grinning and drooling over my new bike to consider that!

An arse I am.

Whilst I've got your attention.....I can only find the Haynes manual for GS's up to 2006, is there one on the way for the '09?

Grateful thanks, as ever.

Rossco

I asked about the Haynes manual at the London Book Fair, there's one in the pipeline but no news of exactly when. Don't wait up, mind.

 

[Big Si]

I asked about the Haynes manual at the London Book Fair, there's one in the pipeline but no news of exactly when. Don't wait up, mind.

Yes, quite.

 

[GSmonkey]

Wind it up until it feels right. Ain't rocket science.

 

[Slowdown]

I unwound mine 'till it felt right but YMMV.

If you want some nice paperwork to record your figures on then Ohlins have some nice sheets on their website.