Setting up your motorcycle suspension is an important step in ensuring a comfortable and safe ride. Whether it’s street or dirt You can’t just swing your leg over any bike and expect it to perform at its peak. Every bike you ride should be set specifically for your height weight experience terrain and riding style to get maximum performance. Most professionals even have specific settings for a certain place or track. Here are the steps to set up your motorcycle suspension:
1. Determine your sag: Sag is the amount your suspension compresses under the weight of the rider. To measure sag, have someone hold the bike upright while you sit on it in your normal riding position. Measure the distance between a fixed point on the bike (such as a bolt) and a point on the suspension (such as the axle). This is your static sag. Then, have someone push down on the bike to compress the suspension fully, and measure the distance again. This is your race sag. The difference between the two measurements is your sag. Most riders set this at 100mm to start as a baseline.
2. Adjust preload: Preload determines how much force is required to compress the suspension. If your sag measurement is not within the recommended range, you may need to adjust the preload. Most motorcycles have preload adjusters on the front forks and rear shock. Increase preload to reduce sag and decrease preload to increase sag. Refer to your motorcycle’s manual for specific instructions on adjusting preload.
3. Adjust compression damping: Compression damping controls how quickly the suspension compresses when hitting a bump. If your suspension feels too soft or bottoms out easily, you may need to increase compression damping. If it feels too harsh or doesn’t absorb bumps well, you may need to decrease compression damping. Most motorcycles have adjustable compression damping settings on the front forks and rear shock. Refer to your motorcycle’s manual for specific instructions on adjusting compression damping.
4. Adjust rebound damping: Rebound damping controls how quickly the suspension extends after compressing. If your suspension feels bouncy or doesn’t settle quickly after hitting a bump, you may need to increase rebound damping. If it feels too stiff or doesn’t extend fully, you may need to decrease rebound damping. Most motorcycles have adjustable rebound damping settings on the front forks and rear shock. Refer to your motorcycle’s manual for specific instructions on adjusting rebound damping.
5. Test and fine-tune: After making adjustments, take your motorcycle for a test ride on various road surfaces to evaluate the suspension’s performance. Pay attention to how the bike handles, how it absorbs bumps, and how it feels in corners. If necessary, make further adjustments to achieve the desired ride quality and handling.
Remember, suspension setup is a personal preference, and what works for one rider may not work for another. It’s important to experiment and find the settings that suit your riding style and preferences. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable making suspension adjustments yourself, consider consulting a professional