Touring Suspension Question

[thauma]

I'm off to France, me the bike (of course) and the Management.

So it'll be 2up plus luggage (Panniers topbox, tankbag and if she has her way the kitchen sink too).

Looking through the riders manual, there are settings for
Front preload
rear preload and
shock absorber.

and it suggests setting rear preload to HIGH for 2 up with Luggage / off-road. The bike is an 04 Adventure, and I'm not small - if that makes any difference.

Do I need to do anything with the front pre-load?

Do I need to do anything with the shock absorber settings.

I had (foolishly???) assumed that the obvious adjuster (rear preload) was all I'd need to fiddle with, but having read the riders manual I'm confused

Any suggestions are welcome


Thanks in advance

 

[Deleted account W]

Any suggestions are welcome


Thanks in advance

Never go swimming with bow legged women and You're gonna need a bigger boat.

 

[Manni]

When I travel 2 up with luggage, I only touch the rear preload. If your suspension is in good shape, don't go too far towards the "High" setting compared to your solo position, unless you plan to scratch pegs in twisties (I don't). I never touch the front preload, which is in the standard (road) position, as per the manual.

This doesn't mean I'm right, that's just what I do because it's easy and comfortable, and makes it easy to go back to my solo riding setting once the trip is over...

Would be happy to hear more from the others...

 

[Fanum]

Yep, same as Manni for me...rear up to max, don't touch the front.

 

[thauma]

Thanks for the replies guys, so in this case my assumption was OK - but still it's always better to ask for advice - you aren't forced to take it.


Whatton - sorry mate I can't get the boat on the bike, but the kitchen sink is probably big enough to be dual purpose. Maybe if I take a paddle along with the kitchen sink , I won't need the ferry . Now then if there's & Bow legged women - now there's a thought.....

Cheers

Dave#...

 

[cookiemonster]

Hi

When i first got the GS I did a run up to Scotland, with a pile of lugauge and pillion. I only upped the rear preload (and increased the damping a touch too). I did about 500 miles thinking i'd made a mistake buying the GS as the handling with load was rubbish.

Two (or three, i cant remember) clicks on the front transformed the handling, back to where it was without the load.

Anyway, its so easy to change perhaps you should just give it a go and see what suits you - try a couple of clicks on the front, if you like it then leave it, if not go back to how it was, etc.


jon

 

[James Bryan]

"GIVE IT A BASH !"

Dave -- Jon is spot on , increase the front preload by two steps and see if you like the change , if not then return to standard .That's why the adjustment is there , to assist you to tailor the bike to differing loads and tasks .
One word of warning however , if you are as hamfisted as me - cover the head of the C-spanner with your left hand whilst making the adjustment , if not you can find the spanner clouting the forks if it slips off !
All the best , Jim .

 

[JAY]

So does increasing the preload on the front raise the front end or just stiffen it up?

 

[James Bryan]

Both

Jay -- Jim .

 

[Strangelove]

I tried adjusting the front and found after only a few miles that the steering felt far too loose with pillion and luggage. Had to stop and adjust it back to standard. Only ever fiddle with the rear now.

 

[littleredrooster]

Increasing preload on anything does NOT increase the stiffness (unless you have zero static sag), only reduces the sag and raises the ride height. Stiffness is determined only by the spring rate.

Raising the front will only serve to increase understeer - i.e slow to turn-in and propensity to run wide in corners.

 

[beermonster]

With previous posters on this one. I would just bump up the rear preload to increase ground clearance. Does the job for me, two up, luggage including tent etc. Why complicate matters especially when BM have made it so accessible.

 

[littleredrooster]

With previous posters on this one. I would just bump up the rear preload to increase ground clearance. Does the job for me, two up, luggage including tent etc. Why complicate matters especially when BM have made it so accessible.

^^^Wot he says!!

 

[ag1s]

Re: "GIVE IT A BASH !"

Murder!!!

DECREASE the front preload to min (nose down) increase the rear and also increase significantly the rear damping.

Dave -- Jon is spot on , increase the front preload by two steps and see if you like the change , if not then return to standard .That's why the adjustment is there , to assist you to tailor the bike to differing loads and tasks .
One word of warning however , if you are as hamfisted as me - cover the head of the C-spanner with your left hand whilst making the adjustment , if not you can find the spanner clouting the forks if it slips off !
All the best , Jim .

 

[thauma]

Thanks guys, I guess that I'm going on a voyage of adventure (no pun intended).

I'll certainly start with the rear pre-load, as that is the most easily accessable.

I'll see how it goes, as for the front - it's still accessible, so I may have a play - depending on how it feels after adjusting the rear.

Thanks again. I know that suspension always raises lots of views & comments. I guess the answer is try it and see.