Suspension Gurus Needed

[typhon]

First, let me apologize to all of the forum members that have gone over this many times. I searched and searched and cannot find specific measurements on sag. A lot of posts speak about how important it is to have it properly setup, but seem to be reluctant to divulge the actual numbers they are using to set their suspension.

Maybe I'm just an idiot. I don't know, but I could sure use some advice. I would really like to try a few track days and I'm just not sure that this bike is ready for that.

I visited the Ducshop website and followed their suspension setup procedure (L1 less average of L2 & L3) to see where my bike is currently set. Unfortunately, they don't give numbers for the Hyper either, just sport bikes. I thought that was kind of odd, because they sell the replacement Ohlins setup for the Hyper.

I am 185 lbs. +/- a few cheeseburgers on any given day, w/ all of my gear.

I have a 2008 Hyper S w/ the Marzo forks. I realize that not everyone has the same riding style or purpose, etc. However, I noticed that a lot of the members seemed to agree that there was a problem with the front being sprung too soft and over-damped.

My fork readings are as follows:
L1=181.00 mm
L2=123.80 mm
L3=146.30 mm
If my math is correct, that would be: 45.95 mm of sag. Is this acceptable? I ask, because this is with the spring preload loosened all the way out.

The rear was so stiff, that I could not get any measurable difference between my L1 and L3 measurement. After adjusting the preload, I now have the following:
L1=498.47 mm
L2=457.20 mm
L3=477.84 mm
Again, if the math is correct, that should be: 30.95 mm of sag.
Is this in the ballpark?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Decreasing Dave]

Yes, those numbers are in the ballpark.

I'm a bit suprised about the front sag being low and the preload all the way out but I'll attribute this inconsistency to air gap. That seems to be the variable for the stock suspension between bikes and even between fork legs!

I (205 lbs) was able to get 48mm sag on my bike only after I had the fork seals replaced and the oil level balanced and set at 122mm air gap, so says the dealer.....

The rear is like the typical sportbike and 30mm of sag is right around where you want to be.

Now you can go and start swearing at your compression dampning....

Dave

[typhon]

Originally Posted by Decreasing Dave

Yes, those numbers are in the ballpark.

I'm a bit suprised about the front sag being low and the preload all the way out but I'll attribute this inconsistency to air gap. That seems to be the variable for the stock suspension between bikes and even between fork legs!

I (205 lbs) was able to get 48mm sag on my bike only after I had the fork seals replaced and the oil level balanced and set at 122mm air gap, so says the dealer.....

The rear is like the typical sportbike and 30mm of sag is right around where you want to be.

Now you can go and start swearing at your compression dampning....

Dave

Hey Dave,

Thanks for the speedy reply!

I don't understand the air gap thing at all. Is this something that is adjustable? Should I?

Is it OK to be backed all of the way out on the fork preload, or should I be able to get the correct sag w/ some preload dialed in?

[Decreasing Dave]

The air gap is a term used to describe the space between the top of the fork tube and the oil level when fully compressed. It's not something that you can adjust with the forks on the bike so, no, you shouldn't worry about adjusting it.

It doesn't matter where the preload adjuster lands, just that the preload setting is as close to correct as possible for your weight. In case you didn't know, the preload should be adjusted to be about one third of the total travel when you are sitting on the bike with riding gear. This puts the suspension in the proper range.

Sounds like it's set up just fine.

Dave

[typhon]

Many thanks!!!

[HYPERR]

Typhon where is your front preload adjuster set at? Because of the airpocket, I get almost no sag with me sitting on the bike 185-190. We are similar weight so I want to use your settings as reference. Thanks!

[08hyper]

The track suspension guys say about 35-40mm of rider sag front & rear, is about right for a long travel street bike.
I have that in the rear, but I will need much heavier springs to get that in the front.
Aloha Alex

[Monstaman]

Both Doon and I have gone for 50 mm front and 40 rear however our roads have lots of steps and ledges etc thus we are on the motard side rather than the street bike side.

Lowering the oil level will certainly give you a plusher ride due to increasing the air gap, it will have very minimal if any impact on your sag.

typhon, I weight basically the same is you ready to race as well and I could not achieve static sag with the OEM springs, we had linear rate springs and this improved them out of sight and was smack bang in the middle of teh preload adjustment (these are of course now for sale cos I am on the dark side).

[typhon]

Originally Posted by HYPERR

Typhon where is your front preload adjuster set at? Because of the airpocket, I get almost no sag with me sitting on the bike 185-190. We are similar weight so I want to use your settings as reference. Thanks!

backed out all the way counter-clockwise.

[freezer16801]

I weigh 210 or so depending on the amount of sam adams I drink. I was able to achieve 50 mm.s with all of the preload dialed in with the OEM stuff. Now with racetech springs, I can only get 40 something. My air gap is not quite right yet, but the bike feels 10 times better now.