Suspension settings - Ducati.ms

Alpinist · Jul 25th, 2008, 5:26 pm

This is like talking about "which helmet fits best" but I thought I would ask.

Has anyone set their suspension up on their bike yet? Say....anyone weighing 145lbs or so. I was heading home on the backroads today and as i get more comfortable with the bike, my speeds are slightly increasing in the corners (hehehehehheehehe.......good fun.)

Anyway, I noticed slight head shake in the corners. Not so much a shake as what i use to call a waggle. I know the suspension needs to be set up but I have not had a chance to set the rear sag, let alone touch the forks. Just looking for ball park numbers.

Thanks

Lumpy Idol · Jul 25th, 2008, 5:32 pm

for all it's worth, my suspension guy said the bike is way too soft all around for any performance riding.

We dialed in some extra preload and raised the rear a little bit to help it turn.

I'm taking it in next week for the Ohlins cartridges.....

GHEZZI · Jul 26th, 2008, 1:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traction event

for all it's worth, my suspension guy said the bike is way too soft all around for any performance riding.

TE, that's a dumb statement, "How heavy are you?" Alpinist is 145lbs (65kg) which is jockey size and weight, a minibike will probably be oversprung for him!

Alpinist, I have an 'S' model with Ohlins rear shock and I weigh 80kg dry, these are my current settings; Start with total (rider) sag both ends 40mm.

Rear compression damping -8 clicks from hard and rebound -17. It still feels a bit harsh sometimes but I'm convinced now the high speed compression damping needs softening via internal shim stack or lighter oil.

I have changed fork oil to 5w @ 550cc per leg. This single change has been most responsible for removing all trace of harshness in the front and represents the greatest improvement you can make for the cost. Current settings are +8 turns of preload from soft, you should need less. Compression damping is set at -1.5 turns from hard and rebound is -2.25.

Again I want to confirm, the compression damping adjusters at both ends only changes the low speed damping, high speed damping is via internal shims. Our fork cartridges have crimped ends which means their internals are not readily accessible. $25 of fork oil is cheap compared to $1200 of Race Tech cartridges although these would be superior.

Alpinist, have a suspension specialist help measure and set it up, softer springs for your fly weight is on the cards.

Let me know how you go.

PedroHM · Jul 26th, 2008, 2:15 am

hey ghezzi,

to change the oil is it a simple matter of leg off, cap off, turn upside down, drain and pump, fill back up pump a bit and just measure in 550ml? not done a cartridge fork before.

pete

jpgibson · Jul 26th, 2008, 5:03 am

interesting, ghezzi.
i've just taken my BRAND NEW!! S for a proper spin and I found the suspension very harsh.I've backed off ( by a couple of clicks/1 turn) all the settings. The book states rebound on the rear is 7 from hardest- mine was way more off than that-which suits me.Havent set the sag yet, but standard at least is equal f+r. I dont care what 'they' say I'm very happy i spent the extra on the S- although obviously still running/bedding in , i love the brakes ( even the rear now I've dialled out some of the 'slack'- it works well.
I think suspension settings will be pretty easily sorted with trial and error.
If you havent fiddled before( alpinist), best google motorcycle suspension settings-lots of good info on what the basics mean.
this is easily the best ( and most expensive) bike I've had. Mind you , even the sxv had a wheel adjuster for high speed compression damping ( recommended setting full soft).
wow, this bike even starts! ( unlike the slightly tempermental aprilia)

AXE · Jul 26th, 2008, 12:17 pm

Until you get your sag set properly, you are never going to get the suspension set via the compression and rebound adjusters. If you do all three, you are going to be pretty happy with the performance for everyday riding. The S and non-S model have the same front suspension, the rears are different.

I am probably going to follow Ghezzi and do the fork oil, as I too think the front is a little harsh, but certainly not bad.

Out!

Falappa · Jul 26th, 2008, 12:25 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpinist

This is like talking about "which helmet fits best" but I thought I would ask.

Has anyone set their suspension up on their bike yet? Say....anyone weighing 145lbs or so. I was heading home on the backroads today and as i get more comfortable with the bike, my speeds are slightly increasing in the corners (hehehehehheehehe.......good fun.)

Anyway, I noticed slight head shake in the corners. Not so much a shake as what i use to call a waggle. I know the suspension needs to be set up but I have not had a chance to set the rear sag, let alone touch the forks. Just looking for ball park numbers.

Thanks

My weight is 65kg and I'm driving an S model. This are my settings. Sag rear without rider 10mm, rebound standard, comp 10 or 11 click. At the rear I use all the way of the stroke.
Front sag 32mm without rider, rebound 2.5 and comp 1.5. I'm not using all the way in front so I think it's to much oil for my weight.

This settings is for road I have not test it on the track. I like a soft setting on my bikes. I'm not a hard braker, I breake early and get on the gas very fast. The head shake you talk about I think can be a personal feel. If I cant hold the bars and the pistons from the front brake gone all out, i'ts a shake. But a little shake is normal on this bike. One crusial thing about riding the HM is to let go of the bar. As soon as you hold the bar too tight and try too steer the bike you get a shake. Relaxe in your arms. keep your eyes on the exit and let the bike flow.

just mine 2 cent.

GHEZZI · Jul 26th, 2008, 4:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falappa

My weight is 65kg and I'm driving an S model. This are my settings. Sag rear without rider 10mm,

Why would you set sag without the riders weight? Does it not occur to you that the bike can't go for a ride on its own and it should be set to an optimum position within it's stroke, to support YOUR normal ride weight, = rider sag.

Caidly · Jul 26th, 2008, 7:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHEZZI

Why would you set sag without the riders weight? Does it not occur to you that the bike can't go for a ride on its own and it should be set to an optimum position within it's stroke, to support YOUR normal ride weight, = rider sag.

+1

GHEZZI · Jul 27th, 2008, 1:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PedroHM

hey ghezzi, to change the oil is it a simple matter of leg off, cap off, turn upside down, drain and pump, fill back up pump a bit and just measure in 550ml? not done a cartridge fork before. pete

To tell you the truth Pete, I cannot say as my Suspension Guru did it while investigating the internals. From memory, my old RVF400 race bike was pretty simple with USD forks, but the top cap was removable with a socket. The Marzocchis on the Hyper appear to need a special tool.