1100S Suspension setting starting guide?

[mbiker_101]

Just finished about 250 miles on my new 08 1100S and now it's time to start tuning the suspension because the front end is not as solid holding a line in corners. Understood since I haven't touched the suspension yet for my weight and riding style.

So searching the hyper forum and so many threads with suspension advice, my question is I haven't found a thread with everyone's individual settings posted. Most forums have a thread dedicated to showing their suspension setup.

Does this exist? Where, Haven't found it yet? I'm 220lb with gear and want to find a good starting guide with others recommendations.

Thanks for your help, search gave me way too many results that were all over the map.

[mbiker_101]

Nobody knows? I ready to start dialing this thing in.

[mypetmonster]

unfortunately you won't find something close to what you're looking for.. the same rider, weight, height, age, etc may have 2 totally different suspension settings according to various things but what it boils down to could be preference and more so type of riding they do.

you haven't given us any details as far as what sort of riding you are doing, or plan on doing so we can't really point you in the right direction.. suspension is more about how it feels rather than a numbers game in my opinion... set your sag and start turning the clickers accordingly.. the front should go down and settle right back without any sort of play at the top and the whole bike should be balanced when you push down on the rearsets as far as rebound and speed as well.

if you're really unsure your local bike shop should be able to do your suspension for you for probably 50 bucks or so and it's worth it..

what i do recommend though is having your owners manual handy that tells you what the factory settings are so if you muck it all up you can just reset it.

good luck

[mbiker_101]

Thanks monster, yes, I understand exactly what you are saying, but what I'm looking for is a good starting place like sportrider magazine gives out for the various bikes to get me hopefully in the ball park. I've also read numerous threads on replacing the stock oil with 5 wt. etc. etc. springs....

I've been riding sportbikes (R1/R6 track bike) for several years and been a forum members in those groups since early 2000, those forums have sections dedicated to suspension tuning and setups for individual riders. I've also heard that the local shop has a recommended suspension setup to start with and just thought this forum would have a thread (maybe a sticky) on suspension setup?

My riding style is 80% street 19% track, with 1%drag race hell why not right? I'm no squid, just looking for a good thread on recommended starting points.

Thanks, hope this helps.

[el tardo]

Originally Posted by mbiker_101

Thanks monster, yes, I understand exactly what you are saying, but what I'm looking for is a good starting place like sportrider magazine gives out for the various bikes to get me hopefully in the ball park. I've also read numerous threads on replacing the stock oil with 5 wt. etc. etc. springs....

I've been riding sportbikes (R1/R6 track bike) for several years and been a forum members in those groups since early 2000, those forums have sections dedicated to suspension tuning and setups for individual riders. I've also heard that the local shop has a recommended suspension setup to start with and just thought this forum would have a thread (maybe a sticky) on suspension setup?

My riding style is 80% street 19% track, with 1%drag race hell why not right? I'm no squid, just looking for a good thread on recommended starting points.

Thanks, hope this helps.

leave the front as per the manual and set rear sag to about 35mm and adjust your rear rdie height aduster rod to its max and im sure you will love the bike.

from what i see the biggest problem is guys coming off sport bikes and not use to the travel of a supermoto
the rear needs the most work to carve corners not the front

[08hyper]

Originally Posted by mbiker_101

Just finished about 250 miles on my new 08 1100S and now it's time to start tuning the suspension because the front end is not as solid holding a line in corners. Understood since I haven't touched the suspension yet for my weight and riding style.

So searching the hyper forum and so many threads with suspension advice, my question is I haven't found a thread with everyone's individual settings posted. Most forums have a thread dedicated to showing their suspension setup.

Does this exist? Where, Haven't found it yet? I'm 220lb with gear and want to find a good starting guide with others recommendations.

Thanks for your help, search gave me way too many results that were all over the map.

In a nutshell, for your weight you'll have to go with heavier springs, I weigh 230lbs+ and do track days in the "A" group, this is what I had to do with my 08 Hyper "S"....

1. went to 0.85 springs (stock is 0.65) & 7.5w Golden Spectrol fork oil with a air gap of 120mm, my front forks are working descent now.

2. I went to a heavier rear spring for the Ohlins shock also, I will have to look at it if you want the number off the spring, let me know.

3. Raise the rear with the adjustable link as long as it will go, this will give you the much needed ground clearance, and make the Hyper turn like it was meant to.

4. Get rear sets, you'll need them for the track

If you need more help, read some of my older posts. Remember this is just a guide, YMMV Hope this helps, Aloha Alex

[Decreasing Dave]

Originally Posted by el tardo

leave the front as per the manual and set rear sag to about 35mm and adjust your rear rdie height aduster rod to its max and im sure you will love the bike.

from what i see the biggest problem is guys coming off sport bikes and not use to the travel of a supermoto
the rear needs the most work to carve corners not the front

Seriously Mike??

Are you new here??

Dave

[el tardo]

not new,but for the most part the fork is fine.you as a ex racer should know if the rear isn't set up right you will always run wide,blow corners and the front wont matter. rear sag is the most important one to set first. if you have any skill you can ride around the front.
i see every suspension thread here blaming the front when i know thats not the root of the problem.same goes with my 796,people blame the front suspension and with little work its fine.i hall ass on mine.
most issues are not what people think they are,they are looking in the wrong place. i guess im the only one that knows how to ride?? im sure i get shit for that comment!!

btw yes the front on any bike can use some work but skill levels can over come that!!!
blast away

[mbiker_101]

Thanks guys, this is exactly what I'm looking for, tips from the guys that have sorted most of the major issues. Totaly dismissed the rear ride height setting because most sport bikes don't have that setting, we drop the front forks down in the tube. Did that on my R6 and it made the bike so much more stable in the turns.

Going to set the sag and adjust the forks back to 100 percent stock. Then raise the rear like tardo mentioned. See if that helps the turn in and holding a line. Ride and then see how the bike feels then I'll look up front.

Thanks, keep the tips coming.

[Decreasing Dave]

OK Mike....Hold on to your baby bonnet.....

First off, for the OP and our latest suspension guru, Mike, the front on these bikes are very vague. The fork springs are not what they need to be for the average sized rider and certainly not for the OP who claims to weigh 220 lbs. The Ducati/Marzocchi claim that the springs are .85 kg/mm when in fact they dyno at .66 kg/mm. You, being an ex racer knows that .66 springs are not going to be good for anyone weighing in at 220 lbs.

To compound the false spring weight issue, the forks are set up with 7.5w oil and in conjuction with the light springs, cause an on/off feeling with the dampning.

So now, to argue your point about riding around the fork issues, yes, you are correct, but only in the most generic way.

I rode around the fork issues because I had faith in the Pirelli front tire that was on the bike. The tire was not able to give me any feedback as to what it was doing, the front suspension would pitch and dive with EVERY throttle/brake input, thus changing the attitude of the bike throughout the whole corner. This is the only bike that I have ever ridden that I felt NEEDED a steering dampner just because of the lack of adjustability with the stock valving. Hell, Ducati/Marzocchi even jacked up the air gap by having a different measurement ON EACH AND EVERY FORK, including the two on the same bike!!

So, with the bike pitching and diving throughout the corner, how can a rider, with even a perfectly set up rear shock, ride around the fork issues. Quite honestly, the only thing that made this bike even ridable at fast speeds in the twisties was the stability/predictability of the rear suspension. It's not great, but far better than the front.

Mbiker, set your sag. With full gear, you should be somewhere around 30-35mm in the rear and 45-50mm in the front. For your weight, I would suggest different fork springs, as Alex said. With heavier springs, the 7.5w oil will work well, but I suggest changing oil brands as the Marzocchi oil that is in it seems to be crap. Folks have had good luck with Spectro and I personally just did mine with Maxima and I like it.

Suspension is very personal, setting the sag is the very first thing that needs to be done before you can even judge how the suspension is working.

Dave