The bike has a fully adjustable suspension. Control adjustments are provided for front and rear suspension preload, rebound damping, and compression damping. Properly inflated tires are also an integral part of a properly adjusted suspension.

The primary job of a motorcycle's suspension is to separate the chassis from the effects of bumps and other surface irregularities while simultaneously keeping the tires in contact with the road. Suspension systems have two theoretical components, springing and damping. The spring controls how much force is required to compress the suspension and the damping controls how quickly the compression and subsequent decompression occurs. The Preload adjustment determines the spring force. More preload, more required force to compress the spring. Less preload, less required force to compress the spring. Compression damping controls the speed at which the spring is allowed to compress for a given force applied. More compression damping, the slower the spring can compress. Less compression damping, the faster it can respond. Rebound damping controls the speed at which the spring can rebound following compression. Again, more rebound damping means a slower spring decompression, less rebound damping means faster decompression. Determining the optimum suspension settings for your bike is as much art as science and has to do with your physical characteristics and riding style as well as the physics of the motorcycle's design.

Front Suspension:

The front suspension adjustment consists of settings for the shock absorber preload, rebound damping, and compression damping. Make sure the right and left forks have the same settings. When adjusting the rebound and compression damping, it is best to turn the screws all the way in first and then back out the desired number of clicks. The preload adjustment should also be done on a number of turns basis to make sure the right and left forks have the same setting.

Here are some recommended initial front suspension settings for the average rider:

PRELOAD: Set the adjustment such that suspension sag for your weight in a normal riding position takes up the first third of the suspension travel. That will be near the default factory standard setting (position 2).

COMPRESSION DAMPING: Try 8 clicks out to start, 2 clicks softer than standard (standard is 6 clicks out from fully turned in position).

REBOUND DAMPING: Try 9 clicks out to start, 2 clicks softer than standard (standard is 7 clicks out from fully turned in position).

For a heavier rider (240 lbs or so), the recommended settings are:

PRELOAD: Full in, Position 1

COMPRESSION DAMPING: 2 clicks out from fully turned in position.

REBOUND DAMPING: 3 clicks out from fully turned in position.

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Rear Suspension:

The rear suspension adjustment also consists of settings for the shock absorber preload, rebound damping, and compression damping. When adjusting the rebound damping, it is best to turn the knob all the way in first and then back out the desired number of clicks. Compression damping adjustments should be done by turning the screw all the way out first then turned in the number of clicks. The compression damping screw does not make an audible click, you have the feel the detents. The preload adjustment requires some force as you hold the adjustment tool in place with the other hand.

Here are some recommended initial rear suspension settings for the average rider:

PRELOAD: Set the adjustment such that suspension sag for your weight in a normal riding position takes up the first third of the suspension travel. That will be two positions out (position 9) from maximum (standard is position 6).

COMPRESSION DAMPING: Try standard to start (7 clicks in from fully turned out position).

REBOUND DAMPING: Try standard to start (10 clicks out from fully turned in position).

For a heavier rider (240 lbs or so), the recommended settings are:

PRELOAD: One position out from full.

COMPRESSION DAMPING: 8 clicks in from fully turned out position.

REBOUND DAMPING: 3 clicks out from fully turned in position.

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Tire Pressure:

Tire pressure recommendations are the factory settings:

Front - 36 psi

Rear - 39 psi (up to 198 lb load), 42 psi (more than 198 lb load)

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Last Updated: 02-19-2003

Copyright © 2001-03, Patrick Glenn, All Rights Reserved.
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The information presented here reflects solely my personal experience with my motorcycle and is presented for entertainment purposes only. No information presented here is to be relied upon for issues of rider safety nor to replace the services of a qualified service technician. Any attempts to follow or duplicate any of these procedures are done so completely at your own risk. By reading the information on this site, you agree to assume complete responsibility for any and all actual or consequential damages that may arise from any information presented herein.