suspension set-up

[Sergeant Pluck]

had my 1150 gs for a week now and i'm already hopeless besotted!

can anyone help with general guidance on suspension set-up though? (this subject is a mystery to me, even more so with the weirdo front system). i know that each bike should really be set for each rider, but i'd be interested to know what settings you use or would recommend. i'm 6.1, about 12 stone and think i would prefer to ride slighter stiffer than soft. the bike is unladen.

cheers,

pr0ne

 

[Madmountainman]

Have a dabble...

Try keeping the front standard and increase the rear preload to throw a bit of weight over the front end. You need to feel that the front end is glued to the road so if you're not sure, try riding with the front preload fully on and the rear wound right off. That will show you the worst set up. It's a bit trial and error but have a play and you should find a set up you're happy with.

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

makes sense. standard setting on the front: should that be the spring twisted half-way up? and the moment it looks like its set at the softest(?) setting - spring untwisted all the way down. scuse the complete lack of technical jargon ;-)

pr0ne

 

[Animal]

I'd suggest you put everything to standard first.

Now, if you're light, you should be dropping the preload (F&R) - especially if you don't carry a pillion.
You can leave the rear up a bit to get weight over the front (as suggested above)



Now go for a ride.


Once you're happy with that bit... increase the damping a click or two front and rear, and go for another ride. Note what she feels like (better or worse) and keep trying things until you've got it how you like it.

If it all goes tits-up, put it back to standard, and start again.





Also bear in mind that suspension (and tyres) heat up with use, so make your testrides a fair distance, preferabaly with some bumps and twisties thrown in.

 

[Madmountainman]

Standard on the front...

is one click on from minimum. As regards the damping... Find some nice bumps and jumps, hit them at a brisk pace and if it feels like the bike is wanting to throw you out of the saddle you'll have to increase the damping ( little screw with +/- marks ). Still not happy???? Buy some Ohlins!!!!

 

[sjwb]

To achieve a (sic) stiffer feel you need to change the spring rates. However, with the standard equipment the very nature of the machine is soft. Try leaving the front at its lowest and set the rear midway or higher. The rear damping is imprecise (to be kind to it) but try the standard recommendations. Beware of too much rebound damping. This can cause 'pump-down' which does not allow the damper to recover between inputs - thus reducing suspension travel.
The above may not suit you, but trial and error is the only way; personally I find the GS understeers like a bugger, so more weight over the front wheel is beneficial. Oh, by the way, keep the gas tank full, it makes such a difference.

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

ah thats very interesting - i'm just getting properly used to the bike now and on the way in to work this morning i felt like i had to really pull the front wheel round tight corners (bit like i had to on my old r100/7!)... and this was with an empty tank. i'll fill her up on the way home and see what difference it makes....

pr0ne

 

[BikerDave]

....... personally I find the GS understeers like a bugger, so more weight over the front wheel is beneficial. Oh, by the way, keep the gas tank full, it makes such a difference.

Understeer?!

With the amount of leverage available through those bars, I've never found that to be a problem.

Time you started working out down the gym!!!

 

[Animal]

Understeer?!

What he said.

No way does the GS understeer, oh no.

 

[notadrop]

....I agree with previous comments about playing with the rear damping screw. Wasn't happy as I found the back too harsh on rough corners even with preload adjustments. Made half turn at a time adjustments to the screw until it felt 'right'...... result.....happy!
Found no need to spend a grand on new shocks,....I don't hang around [ as they say I sometimes ride it like I stole it] and have never felt nervous or anxious with the bikes ability...yet!

 

[Steve]

What he said.

No way does the GS understeer, oh no.

Especially with Ohlins and Tourances (and Anakees even more so I believe...)

 

[Panzer Patrol]

Set the front to standard (one notch up). If the bike understeers as you described, keep winding up the rear preload adjuster till it turns the way you like it.
Understeers = the back is too low.
Oversteers, twitchy and falls into corners = back too high.

After that adjust the rear damping (only an eigth of a turn at a time) to set it up for a stiffer ride if you need it. Once you get it set like this then all you need to do when fully loaded is to jack up the rear spring. If running very heavy, with passenger and lots of kit, then maybe a slight increase in damping as a last resort.

Only increase the front spring if you are a big (very big ) guy and carry a massive tank bag. If the front is too stiff you loose all feel from the front and the front tyre starts chattering when you corner hard.

Works for me

 

[sjwb]

Ah, I see. I must tell my colleagues in the Vehicle Dynamics dept to cure understeer by fitting bigger steering wheels or handlebars .
It is of course a basic chassis design / set-up trait and by the very nature of the GS, understeer is its predeliction

 

[Panzer Patrol]

Interesting..... so how come when I jack the rear preload up the understeer disapears?? or on conventional forked machines it disapears when you drop the yokes down the fork legs????