Suspension Settings

[Davel]

Help

At the risk of posing a stupid question, My 1200GS is set at the 'standard' setting and I'm just wondering if this is about right for a 14 1/2 stone fat git.

I'm completely untechnical and just wonder if I should firm it up a bit or leave it as it is for mostly A & B road usage.

Also is 'medium' harger or softer than 'standard'?

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Depends what works for you!

But the general opinion (including mine) is whack the rear preload up a long way and have a play with the damping - experiment with the latter in quarter turns.

You will almost certainly find a big change in the handling. Whether it suits you is your choice

I certainly found enough range of adjustment to find some really horrible settings and one I just loved. Worth a play.

Paul

 

[blackburnlee]

I'm 13 stone and I have the rear preload up to the "Medium" mark when solo (Quite a bit above the standard marking) and wind it up all the way when I use the panniers or take the wife on the back.

As for the front I've left it on the standard (3rd notch from the bottom) throughout. This seems to work well for me.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Haven't really played with my suspension settings too much, just run on medium solo and a few turnes when I load luggage. Front arrived on lowest setting, so I clicked it up one on principle.

However, I have to take issue with you on one point: being 14 and a half stones does NOT make you a fat git. In fact, you're probably underweight. Go and eat some doughnuts.

Robin.

(If 14.5 stones did equate to fat git-ness, what would I be at nearly 16 stones?)

 

[Allroad]

im 17 stone and have it wacked up but the fecker would bounce you off its just too hard when i have wife on back if i turn it down the hugger buffs

 

[JayGee]

Winding up the preload does not make the ride harsher it just raises the ride hieght. The only way it would make the ride harsh was if you ended with no static sag, highly unlikely on a BMW shock which tends to be a bit soft. Try adjusting the rebound damping, start at about 1/2 a turn from fully clockwise and slacken off a bit if still too hard.
Most huggers are fitted to the swing arm and move with the suspension so I can't see how load would make the hugger rub. My MC hugger does just catch the edge of the tyre but only on the move, I put it down to vibration.

 

[Allroad]

Winding up the preload does not make the ride harsher it just raises the ride hieght. The only way it would make the ride harsh was if you ended with no static sag, highly unlikely on a BMW shock which tends to be a bit soft. Try adjusting the rebound damping, start at about 1/2 a turn from fully clockwise and slacken off a bit if still too hard.
Most huggers are fitted to the swing arm and move with the suspension so I can't see how load would make the hugger rub. My MC hugger does just catch the edge of the tyre but only on the move, I put it down to vibration.

where do i do this then

 

[JayGee]

where do i do this then

There's a little screw head adjuster on the bottom of the rear shock, get at it from the left side of the bike. Turn it all the way clockwise and then turn it back 1/2 to 1 turn. Turn it back too much and the bike will feel like a pogo stick (very wallowy) not enough and the ride will be a bit harsh.
Hope this helps (it's in the manual if you've got one).

 

[Abelrider]

My MC hugger does just catch the edge of the tyre but only on the move, I put it down to vibration.

Much more likely to be down to tyre flex under load.