Suspension sorted...at last!

[newman7096]

Since moving from the 1150 to the 1200 I've always been searching for an ideal suspension set up. I had the 1150 well sorted on the basic suspenders but coming to the 1200 was a bit of an eye opener so I set out to regain that planted feeling of the 1150.

The 1200 on standard settings seemed harsh, so much fiddling with the rear damping was had. Preload was set at its highest setting and after many (small) adjustments with the little rebound damping scew the rear was eventually sorted.

The problem then was the front! The front on its standard 3rd position setting seemed to have the bike crashing in to bumps rather than soaking them up. I have since moved it down to the 2nd position which has improved the whole feel of the bike. The flighty wiggling bars under acceleration feeling has now gone! The bike turns much quicker and generally feels nicer to ride.

Now if I could only sort the seat it would be perfect!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Nice one

What were the settings you arrived at on the back?

Andres

 

[newman7096]

Nice one

What were the settings you arrived at on the back?

Andres

For me and my athletic 13 1/2 stone ballast it was 3/4 of a turn back from fully hard on the rebound and very nearly all the way in on the preload.

Small adjustments seem to make big adjustments!

However the biggest difference was the front. That did make a big difference!

 

[JohnC]

I'm 15 1/2 stone and find three clicks in from the (red dot) standard setting (?) for the rear is great for me on our mixed and bumpy Scottish B roads, with the rear rebound half a turn in from standard. My 06 1200 came with the front shock on the second softest setting which seems fine. I'd have thought setting the rear preload to nearly its highest setting would make the ride v. harsh for the road.

 

[newman7096]

I'm 15 1/2 stone and find three clicks in from the (red dot) standard setting (?) for the rear is great for me on our mixed and bumpy Scottish B roads, with the rear rebound half a turn in from standard. My 06 1200 came with the front shock on the second softest setting which seems fine. I'd have thought setting the rear preload to nearly its highest setting would make the ride v. harsh for the road.

All the preload does is raise or lower the bike depending on the weight etc. The rebound does all the work. At 13 1/2 stone even on high it drops a lot when I get on. Raising the rear will quicken the steering

 

[Schtum]

I'd have thought setting the rear preload to nearly its highest setting would make the ride v. harsh for the road.

You're right, it does. It also means that there's much less than the desirable amount of static sag on the rear. But....and it's a big one.....it quickens the steering significantly and also puts a fair bit more weight over the front of the bike. That means that the bike is, oddly, more stable in a straight line and there's more feel from the front end when you're cranked over in the corners. On balance, it's the best setting if you ride in a spirited fashion.