Suspension Help... Hyper S - Ducati.ms

Karna · Jan 12th, 2009, 1:58 am

Read most of the thread on the board regarding Suspension... Ive come to the conclusion Im still lost as to what to do... I jut test drove Monster 1100s this weekend and the suspension out the box felt way better then my hyper.. much more stable less gitty and the power didn't contort the bike... Considering how much Ive already dumped into the bike... I dont have any intentions of swapping bikes.. just wish I could get the bike spot on.. the rear seems to be ok... but I believe its coming down to the front forks ... I notice the monster had 43'' Ohlins... over 50''+ Mazzochi forks... I am a big guy 6' 220 pounds not including equipment... I understand there more travel in the hyper but my bike feels a bit squirmy when you tighten everything up there almost no dampening... I really dont get what to do... please note all the adjustment have been done either at dealers or suspension shops... what annoys me the most is the monster out of the box felt better then my hyper even after all the aftermarket crap and suspension being changed radically and minutely... I have to believe there got to be a solution that doesnt include dumping another grand into it... please advise... appreciate all the help...

breakdown · Jan 12th, 2009, 9:50 am

To get truly good forks, I think you're going to have to bite the bullet and buy a new cartridge kit for them.

Borracho · Jan 12th, 2009, 10:06 am

I haven't had a chance to try out Lindemann's adjustments yet but if you have the funds available for a new cartridge kit from Race Tech or others, that's probably your best bet.

As soon as I get my bike out of the shop; I'll give you all a suspension update.

08hyper · Jan 12th, 2009, 12:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borracho

I haven't had a chance to try out Lindemann's adjustments yet but if you have the funds available for a new cartridge kit from Race Tech or others, that's probably your best bet.

As soon as I get my bike out of the shop; I'll give you all a suspension update.

When is Brea supposed to be done with your bike? and are you going with us for track day on Jan 31st at Fontana? Aloha Alex

Borracho · Jan 12th, 2009, 12:12 pm

Hey Alex; I'm just waiting on the billet triple clamps. I was hoping to just use my old ones but not only are they damaged (cosmetic only) but the bushings are powdercoated in and can't be easily removed.

So I'm hoping the new triple clamps make it to the States today and I can have them shipped to So Cal by tomorrow and I can be riding by tomorrow night!

As for the track day; I'm on-call for work but was thinking of just watching if they allow spectators only?

stryder · Jan 12th, 2009, 1:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karna

Read most of the thread on the board regarding Suspension... Ive come to the conclusion Im still lost as to what to do... I jut test drove Monster 1100s this weekend and the suspension out the box felt way better then my hyper.. much more stable less gitty and the power didn't contort the bike... Considering how much Ive already dumped into the bike... I dont have any intentions of swapping bikes.. just wish I could get the bike spot on.. the rear seems to be ok... but I believe its coming down to the front forks ... I notice the monster had 43'' Ohlins... over 50''+ Mazzochi forks... I am a big guy 6' 220 pounds not including equipment... I understand there more travel in the hyper but my bike feels a bit squirmy when you tighten everything up there almost no dampening... I really dont get what to do... please note all the adjustment have been done either at dealers or suspension shops... what annoys me the most is the monster out of the box felt better then my hyper even after all the aftermarket crap and suspension being changed radically and minutely... I have to believe there got to be a solution that doesnt include dumping another grand into it... please advise... appreciate all the help...

It sounds like you need stiffer rated springs in your forks and maybe shock if you're dialing in so much preload that it feels like there's little damping, and the handling is "gitty." Assuming your damping is set up correctly, too much preload will override it. Check your sag again, with all your gear on. If you're not getting a laden sag of 30-33% of travel in the front and 25-30% of travel in the rear with a good deal of pre-load adjustability still available, you need stiffer springs IMHO.

Do you know what adjustments the dealer and pro-shop did? I guess it doesn't matter, as I'd start with all dampers and preload set back to the middle of the range, shock as well. Devise a "test track" of local roads that invloves a lot of different road surfaces, corners, speeds etc, and start twisting and turning, one adjustment at a time, keeping track of what works for you. If after a thousand miles you're still not happy, then consider new, stiffer springs and 5w fork oil before trying new dampers. If you weigh 220 sans gear, I suggest at least a .95 or a 1.00 rated fork springs. I don't know what the factory rated spring is, but I'd be surprised if it's stiff enough for a heavy weight such as yourself. (I mean that in a good way.

). Your rear shock spring can also be upgraded to a stiffer one. With stiffer rated springs that allow the proper degree of sag for your riding preference, without being compressed to the limits, the dampers can do their work. Have fun and good luck.

GHEZZI · Jan 12th, 2009, 7:36 pm

I'm more in the 190lb range dressed up but have full DP Tank Luggage system, which has a total capacity of 30litres, I can cram another 20lb in that.

1100S suffers from too much 'High Speed' compression damping at both ends, none of which can be adjusted by screws or clickers. Compression damping adjusters work on 'Low Speed' damping only.

Front end fix is easy, change from 10w fork oil to 5w fork oil, all the harshness dissappears and now it can be easily dialled in for compliance and control.

Rear end will require removal and dismantling of the shock, with a quick shim stack change all will be fixed, I have yet to have this done.

Mate, don't put too much emphasis on expensive mods at this point, even if you are heavier or lighter than the optimum for the supplied springs. Within the parameters of adjustment available to you, the bike should still handle exceptionally well when pushing fairly hard through your favourite mountain pass.

It is only when you start pushing the limits, on rough roads that any imperfections in set up should present themselves. Lets face it, none of us are entered in a World Championship, yet we seem to have some inner desire that drives us to seek perfection, "So I can beat Rossi".

My whole aim has been to dial in compliance, not Harley/Cruiser type bouncy wallow wobble, but the type that absorbs the bumps without popping vertebrae, rattling my fillings and ejecting my glass eye into oblivion.

If you can keep the tyres in FIRM contact with the ground, you've got traction and control. Too many people use 'race track' technology on the street with bad results. Two days ago I had to retrieve a brand new GSXR 1000, the rider claims that a bump coming into the corner had unsettled the bike causing it to stand up and go straight, ........................... over the edge. I know that road, I know that corner, .............................. what bump? A classic case of 'too hard'.

Karna · Jan 13th, 2009, 1:30 am

Ive had the bike for a little over a year ... I feel Ive gotten a bit fast since purchasing her... its been fun.. I just got in touch with Marzocchi there local & willing to help me with the problem I will heed your advice & try different oil as well.. I only recently started to notice the imperfections and been able to describe them. As I've had a bit of time on the saddle... and my confidence improves I feel there alot more to learn with my hyper... just trying to be smoother in my entrances and exits... I appreciate all the wise advice...

All the best....

thinking of removing the forks myself... is it easy ? do I need a front stand? any recommendations ?

Monstaman · Jan 13th, 2009, 3:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karna

thinking of removing the forks myself... is it easy ? do I need a front stand? any recommendations ?

Yes this is easy, if you have a front stem stand then easy, if not tie the bike with tiedowns etc to an overhead beam.

The factory oil is 7.5w, 480 mls per leg, the factory springs are 5mm wire progressive wound, accordingly they are variable pitch and tapered.

Marzocchi have set them for a 100 kg rider.

I have spent a lot of time on mine to find that the stiction is too much (too tight) from factory hence a mate of mine with a base model works better, looks like this will be repaired under warranty.

Both cartridges for the base model and Marz forks are identical as is the spring.

Abarth · Jan 13th, 2009, 5:08 am

New Youtube video about suspension on a Hypermotard:
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=w6n2pGjzmQI