Rear Spring Preload Questions

[HYPERR]

The bike is a 2008 Hypermotard Standard(Non-S)

The owner's manual states that the standard rear shock preload setting is 19mm. I assume the 19mm means how much thread is showing above the spring.

My first question is, where do you start measuring at the bottom?

From the top ring?

From the bottom ring?

From the actual spring?

My second question is, where would you recommend for a 185 pound(before gear) rider?

[Shazaam]

The problem with using preload to compensate for rider weight is that it uses up available suspension travel and you bottom out more often. This is OK if you're just temporarily carry a passenger. The proper solution is to replace the rear spring with a stiffer unit.

[HYPERR]

Originally Posted by Shazaam

The problem with using preload to compensate for rider weight is that it uses up available suspension travel and you bottom out more often. This is OK if you're just temporarily carry a passenger. The proper solution is to replace the rear spring with a stiffer unit.

I never said anything about carrying a passenger...

My question was when they say 19mm, from where to where are they exactly measuring?

[oalvarez]

i believe it to be from the beginning of the threads, at the top, and to the top of the first collar. i'll let the venerable Shazaam correct me if i'm wrong, as he's as well versed, if not more so, than most others around here.

learn how to measure static sag and sag with rider; it doesn't require much and teaches you something on the subject matter all at the same time.

regards

[HYPERR]

Originally Posted by oalvarez

i believe it to be from the beginning of the threads, at the top, and to the top of the first collar. i'll let the venerable Shazaam correct me if i'm wrong, as he's as well versed, if not more so, than most others around here.

learn how to measure static sag and sag with rider; it doesn't require much and teaches you something on the subject matter all at the same time.

regards

If I measure it that way, the preload measurement is only 12mm. If I measure it to the top of the 2nd ring, then it is right around the 19mm that the factory claims to have set it at.

[oalvarez]

excellent, and without doing any more reading or searching of my own, i'll consider that a lesson learned on the day

some threads worth reading when you have the time:

Shazaam's
http://www.ducatisuite.com/rearsuspension.html

Ducati Suite
http://www.ducatisuite.com/rearsuspension.html

[HYPERR]

When you say first collar you meant the one on the top, correct?

If so, is it possible for the factory default settingto be that much off(12mm instead of 19mm)? Every other setting was pretty much right on.

[GMP]

You can't go by positions on the shock as a general statement. Preload is the difference in spring length relative to a completely unloaded spring. You have to unload the rear of the bike and back off the adjuster ring until this is acheived, and then use this as your referance point. That said, just set your rear rider sag for approx 55mm. If your 185lbs (like me) it should feel a lot better. Stock preload (too little sag) was way too stiff.