Suspension set up help
 

I've got to get this sorted. At 16+ stone the thing pogo's everywhere. I've done the section 8 settings. Applied more rebound. Will compression help or do I need a suspention shop. Who in the North West (Chester) / North can anyone recommend
Thanks
G

Im probably over 18 Stone and 6ft 3, (a true Fat Ba###). On the standard settings I was losing the frount wheel even at my pedestrian progress.
I took the bike to Shox next to Ducati Glasgow and after an hours work the handling is transformed. Cant tell you exactly what hes done but he has dropped the front forks and a fitted a much heavier rear spring than the standard BP, if the settings on mine will help I can measure them if you want?
If you cant find anyone more local you could sample some of our scottish roads and pay him a visit?

setup
 

Go to the gym.

Wouldn't be my first choice, they've done a good work for me in the past on a couple of occasions, but their last attempt (revalve and respring, then 2 set up sessions left me very disillusioned. It was me that noticed they'd put the wrong spring on in the first place) It was really their attitude that ****ed me off.

You could try MAxton if you want a full revalve and respring (not sure if they do just set up) Alternatively Colin at 100% bikes suspension attends lots of tracks days at Oulton and he will set up standard stuff for you.

He's there in late August, and also Sept 6th and seems to know his stuff.

I can echo the comments BDG has made, especially about Colin from 100%. It's just about the best 40 quid you'll spend on your bike. For a full-on fettle, I always go with K-Tech in Coalville. Top service, top knowledge, and not as expensive as you might think. Their setup database is second to none.

If you can have a look at your settings for me inc comp and rebound I wouls appritiate it.
Thanks
G

Colin at 100% suspensions number is 07715 490888.

As has been said Colin @100% suspension (No Limits trackdays for sure) is a steal at £40 very knowledgeable guy, I dunno what he's like if you need say a heavier spring.... does he carry them?

I echo BDG's comments about KAIS no idea what's going on there these days as they had a great rep but seems to have slipped a bit, Maxton is your closest bet in Frodsham/Helsby I've never used them myself but I know plenty of people who have and keep going back.

K-Tech sorted my 999 out and I'm really happy with the results, bit further to travel but IMO worth it, I spent 1/2 day there while they kept swapping springs and then I'd go off for a spin to see if things improved, all it cost was the price of a set of springs no labour charge when I went in anyway and got a full list of all the changes made and a bit of an insight to what does what etc

I used him at Oulton best £40 ever spent he made a world or difference. Really nice guy too

I think the springs the thing. At 16+ stone you probably need a stiffer one (oooeeer missus)

I disagree with the spring thing. The reason being, and this was explained to me by the previously quoted guru when i suggested my delicate fighting weight required a new spring......

"Imagine the forces acting on the rear end of the bike when you crack the throttle open...........some 120-150bhp twisting the rear end down"....yours and mine ...ahem 16 stonnes, doesnt really make that much difference!

it's all in the compressin damping, I'm 17stone and I find for my S that the front needs +1 ie 1 harder than it says in the book and the rear is +2 harder,
The springs, the forks are round right up, the sag is out the window but it works for me if you want I could look for you,
The rear is a compromise for me, I go two up and dont want to take the rear shock off each time I ride it, so I have the spring wound up a bit to much for one up, theres no sag at all, it goes down about 5mm when I seat on it,
dont over do the rebound,
I hope this helps,
:flame: :burn: :burn:

Don't know who said that but that's utter ********. The spring is directly dependant on the load transfer under acceleration and the amount of static weight on the rear wheel. The only difference horsepower makes is the amount of load transferred to the rear. If the bike wheelies, for instance, the entire bike/rider weights is transferred to rear wheel.

The forces acting on the swingarm are actually a pulling force from the the front chainwheel to the rear sprocket, the pivot position influences what effect they have on the suspension. this technique is used on Full sus mountain bikes to stop pedal induced bob, the pull counter acting the downward pressure, thats bit over simplified because i can't really explain exactly what happens for each pivot option but what important is where the pivot is in relation to sprocket, on a motorbike it gives squat typically on an mtb it counteracts squat but i agree horsepower just alters the amount of load.

spring weight is critical, if you are heavy you need heavier springs, compression damping ( depending upon adjustor range) has hardly any impact ( less than 10% of spring) rebound has more effect. adding clicks of compression is a placebo, i doubt many riders can actually tell 4 - 5 clicks and if the spring is way out its pointless anyway. K tech can explain all of this and adjust your shocks damping to match the spring, you may need shim changes if the spring alters by a large amount, a stiffer spring needs more rebound damping to control it and you may go beyond the adjustors range.

I added a tech article to upnorth on this based upon stuff i'd found it is quite complex but worth a read
http://www.ducati-upnorth.com/tech/suspensionspring.php

Ill tell Mr H you said so...........

Yes, the pro or anti-squat forces do come into play, but on most sports bikes the are designed to cancel themselves out to a large extent by an appropriate swinging arm pivot location. The maximum contribution of additional load on the rear suspension due to squat forces are roughly 10%.

If you really want to confuse yourself, have a read of this book:Motorcycle Handling and Chassis Design. I've made extensive use of his design analysis software in my own bike project. Seems to work alright.;)

Been to see Colin todat at Oulton track day. Sorted suspension with taking settings away from Section 8 originaly used. Now better ride and no more pogoing. Great chap.
Thanks for the advice
G

so what ARE your settings . . .

Front

compression (clicks out from fully in)
rebound (clicks out from fully in)
preload (turns from fully anit-clockwise)

and the same from the rear

Khushy

Go pay yer £40 yer tight git! :lol: :lol: arnt you on a 749r?

settings . . .
 

my settings are fine - thank you very much - just thought it might help everyone else.

2005 999s actually!

Anyone ever used MD Services for any type of servicing including suspension set up?

AT very best that would only give you a baseline and could be completely wrong. Can't imagine a 10 stone flyweight wanting the same settings as a 17 stone monster. OK i know he has posted his weight but whats suits one person may not suit another rider even of the same weight.

One of the things Colin at 100% Suspension do is ask for feed back during the course of the day and adjust as required.

Sorry been away.
Settings Front
Sag- 22mm (5 rings showing) Colin says 20-25mm needed
Comp- 8 from fully in
Rebound- 5 from fully in

Rear
Sag- 10mm (lift using rear footrests)
Comp- 3/4 turns from in
Rebound- 1/2 turns from in

Front now using loads more travel up to 4/5 on heavy breaking. More supple ride over bumps and no pogoing.

Excellent job - now what are your settings?

weight
height
etc

Khushy

Weight 16 stone
Height 4' 6'' ( I'm sitting down)
G

LOL!

Cheers