996 Setup according to Performance Bikes

[david.hicks]

I just came across this old Performance Bikes feature on setting up a 996. I have no idea how old it is, nor if it is any good :puzzled:

What do people think?

Page 1 is attached .....

[david.hicks]

but for some reason I can't post page 2 .... I'll keep trying

[david.hicks]

No, I just keep getting "The page cannot be displayed" - any suggestions? It is a 539Kb JPEG

[david.hicks]

In the meantime here's page 3 (the last page)

[david.hicks]

Well that one worked ... I wonder what's wrong with Page 2. I'll try one more time ...

[david.hicks]

No, still won't work :puzzled:

[david.hicks]

Let's try it in 2 halves - here's page 2a ....

[david.hicks]

hope this works ...

[david.hicks]

and finally page 2b .....

Phew!:)

[andyb]

Awful, for a start it is using the steep head angle.................

[david.hicks]

BTW - I do love my SPS but those faint stains you can see on the pages were not made by me ;)

[keefer]

Originally posted by andyb
Awful, for a start it is using the steep head angle................. yep I saw that and didn't even bother with the rest

[gasmanrus]

:puzzled:

whats wrong with the steeper head angle?

[ducv2]

Think the steeper head angle is better used with the longer swingarm and different shock linkages. If you do change the head angle, it will slap a bit, even with the steering damper. It will also feel like it is tucking in on slow corners on a neutral throttle :o

[skidlids]

it shorterns the trail to much

[GsxrAge]

yeah forget those settings go back to standard and adjust to suit you.

[david.hicks]

I assume the standard settings are detailed in the manual - unfortunately I haven't got one (its on order). I do have a Haynes however, does anyone know if the standard settings listed in there are correct?

[Shazaam!]

The Owner's Manual lists the stock suspension settings. You can download it here:

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/manuals.jhtml

[greenmachine]

For what it's worth i set up my R6 and ZX7R per the PB guides with wonderful results on road and track. I'd personally gice it a go and see how you get on if you fancy fettling one afternoon.

I'd have a ride on standard settings first though as a bench mark - you can always return it to standard again.

Things like wear&tear, rider weight, tyres etc will all make a difference to some extent. And a good set of tyres which you are confident with are worth a thousand times more than a fancy suspension set up IMHO.

Good luck and let us know how you get on mate!

[Webcore]

I tried the PB settings and didn't really like them - Wilf at Moto Rapido gave me a base setup that worked far better.

[GsxrAge]

Bring it over here mate when it's dry and we can have a play.

I did also et mine to standard settings taken from the Haynes book then adjusted to suit me from there. :cool:

[DC]

I have my bike set up with the steep head angle. I would say that I like it. But then my bike is set up with a high arse end but standard height front forks. I dont mind my bike getting a bit flappy when the going gets tough. It sure steers quick at warp drive.

When I sit on my mates 916 it feels like a chopper compared to mine but hey, each to their own.

I think that I will try the slower standard head angle again though as mine tends to feel a bit tucky when cornering on really slow bends. I quite fancey having my steering lock back as well.
Roll on the spring eh?

DC.

[david.hicks]

When I bought my 996SPS it handled like a complete pig. The whole thing felt very vague, the back would wallow through corners if there were any bumps at all, and the front would tuck-in on slow corners.

On investigation I found that it was set-up as follows:

Front Showa:
Spring pre-load: 20mm (as standard)
Rebound damping: 12 clicks anti-clockwise (2 softer than standard)
Compression damping: 10 clicks anti-clockwise (2 harder than standard)

Rear Ohlins:
Spring pre-load: 151mm (as standard)
Rebound damping: 14 clicks anti-clockwise (as standard)
Compression damping: 17 clicks anti-clockwise (3 softer than standard)

Ride height tie-rod: (261mm as standard)

I took it back to standard and it was so much better! So far I have left it there. I need to ride the bike a lot more before I begin to think about changing it, but I'd welcome any suggestions for improvements from any suspension experts out there. I weigh 14.5 stone without my leathers. I ride solely on the road - a typical mixture of motorways, A's and bumpy B's. I guess I would describe my riding ability as average.