Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 999 / 749 > Suspension set up help

[BIG-G]

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

Originally Posted by Rossman_999

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 droppeId 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?

[BDG]

Colin at 100% suspensions number is 07715 490888.

[JPM]

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

[Mr C]

Originally Posted by BDG

Colin at 100% suspensions number is 07715 490888.

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

[Jools]

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

[andyb]

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!

[bike mad]

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,

[Felix]

Originally Posted by andyb

"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!

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.

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by Felix

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

[andyb]

Originally Posted by Felix

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.

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