SUSPENSION advice for R1200GS

[cookie]

Cookie, why don't you try winding the preload right up to max and see what you think, you may be pleasantly surprised

Andres

you mention this a couple of weeks back, so i tried jacking it up a fair bit (not right up, i admit). ride was bloody awful and my back hurt from all the crashing & jarring.

i softened it up again, it's way more comfortable & i go just as fast, but then i'm a riding god like motomartin & can ride round mere inconveniences like "slow steering"

 

[cookie]

oops oh yeah- I was just hoping for an almost step by step approach to setting it up without all the words like pre-load and dampening!!! not too sure what these all mean to be honest...but I do sincereley thank you guys, COOKIE and SCHTUM...it does start to help

ok, try telling us what you don't like about your bike's suspension behaviour at the moment.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

oops oh yeah- I was just hoping for an almost step by step approach to setting it up without all the words like pre-load and dampening!!! not too sure what these all mean to be honest...but I do sincereley thank you guys, COOKIE and SCHTUM...it does start to help

My advice would be to make sure it is set up as per the manual, it has photos and every thing

Then, wind up the preload knob on the back shock to 3/4 the way in and work up from there. The damping screw at the base of the shock could benefit from the mearest turn clockwise (1/8 turn?) - see how it goes, if you go toooo far the ride will become a bit choppy over bumps, if that happens just go back to standard.

Leave the front shock on standard settings.

All the above, is of course, IMVHO

Andres

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

you mention this a couple of weeks back, so i tried jacking it up a fair bit (not right up, i admit). ride was bloody awful and my back hurt from all the crashing & jarring.

i softened it up again, it's way more comfortable & i go just as fast, but then i'm a riding god like motomartin & can ride round mere inconveniences like "slow steering"

It's me age, the memory's not what it used to be..............

I know they have changed shock suppliers (mines WP, new bikes have Showa IIRC ) maybe that explains the differance

Andres

 

[cookie]

It's me age, the memory's not what it used to be..............

I know they have changed shock suppliers (mines WP, new bikes have Showa IIRC ) maybe that explains the differance

Andres

mine is showa of shite, but not for long. might even get the wilburs on for the weekend

 

[Narcoda]

ok, try telling us what you don't like about your bike's suspension behaviour at the moment.

It's mostly when I have fully loaded panniers and extra kit lashed on the back-The back sags too much and then on the way up, skips out a little (not helped by the pull of the single swing arm with acceleration)- managable but I would prefer to tighten it up so that the skip goes away- Also the steering is slightly softer than I would like- last point would be I want the back end higher, this also looks cooler! (in my opinion)- although I realise from reading the comments that I dont want a springboard that shatters my vertabrae on every bump- is there a fine line adjustment between springboard and better steering,reducing tyre skipping when fully loaded?- please remember in any reply to talk in laymans terms- It will help me implemenet the changes you advise- many thanks

 

[cookie]

It's mostly when I have fully loaded panniers and extra kit lashed on the back-The back sags too much and then on the way up, skips out a little (not helped by the pull of the single swing arm with acceleration)- managable but I would prefer to tighten it up so that the skip goes away- Also the steering is slightly softer than I would like- last point would be I want the back end higher, this also looks cooler! (in my opinion)- although I realise from reading the comments that I dont want a springboard that shatters my vertabrae on every bump- is there a fine line adjustment between springboard and better steering,reducing tyre skipping when fully loaded?- please remember in any reply to talk in laymans terms- It will help me implemenet the changes you advise- many thanks

ok, here's my plan (it's schtums really )...


increase preload a good bit, that's clockwise on the adjuster knob on the right hand side. more damping, that's anticlockwise (i think, check manual) on the screw on left bottom of rear shock.

lessen preload on front shock (manual again).

if/when this doesn't work, buy a decent set of shocks from ohlins, wilburs, technoflex, WP etc. and revel in the luxury of being comfortable & in control

 

[Narcoda]

excellent i understand!

ok, here's my plan (it's schtums really )...


increase preload a good bit, that's clockwise on the adjuster knob on the right hand side. more damping, that's anticlockwise (i think, check manual) on the screw on left bottom of rear shock.

lessen preload on front shock (manual again).

if/when this doesn't work, buy a decent set of shocks from ohlins, wilburs, technoflex, WP etc. and revel in the luxury of being comfortable & in control

Hey thanks for that- i understand! I will try these adjustments and then later invest in some Ohlins- off to adjust now- many thanks guys