damping and preload adjustments for xb12Ss?

[thumpinhard]

i am about 160lb. and i checked the manual for adjustment settings..seems pretty light to me.
does anybody know if the settings in the manual are pretty close?
anyone around my weight have some suggested starting point besides the manual?
most stock settings on all my other bikes have been too soft.
tnx!

 

[Stevenc150]

They're a good base starting point. Sounds like you could give these a try: XB Race settings. Try changing each setting individually and riding, everyone's optimal settings are different.

 

[thumpinhard]

thanks for the link..i have been adjusting and riding today..seems to buck me over small bumps still..but it wallows if i get the compression less.
i am guessing the stock suspension wont do much better without revalving.
if it was a dirt bike i would be disgusted..but i guess i can expect much from stock suspension.
tnx.

 

[Shatrat]

I've got an Ss as well.
Here's my rough process for dialing in a fork.

Get a large zip tie, zip it around the fork tube and slide it up against the seal.

Sit on the bike, lean it off the kickstand and pick your feet off. Get off the bike and see how much the zip tie moved, that's your static sag.
I like an inch and quarter to an inch and a half.
Increase or decrease the preload until you get there.

Next, go for a ride.
See how far down the zip tie goes. Keep dialing the compression damping back until the zip tie is almost at the bottom after a few hours riding including bumps and hard braking.

Next, dial the rebound way back, and keep going for a ride and increasing the rebound until the front end no longer feels rubbery or kicks after bumps.
You just want enough rebound to keep it from pogo sticking, but not enough to pack the suspension down on progressive bumps.

My method wont put you on the podium, but it'll get you pretty close.

 

[TooFst]

Nice. That's the coolest info I've heard yet!!! Rep point

 

[thumpinhard]

thanks shatrat..that sounds like a good method to try..gonna write down my currnet settings and campare after that.

 

[Furr146]

another hint, drain that junk out the front forks and go get some 15 wt fork oil. you will think you are riding a cadilac

 

[GatorBuell]

Make sure your setting it up with the Ss chart not the S or Scg chart. I made that mistake the first time I set the bike up.

 

[thumpinhard]

yep..i did use the right chart..but i ended up going all the way soft in front and putting the rear damping to 3.5. now when i go into a turn hard it doest seem like i have to fight it anymore..but it does still bump me up a bit in the rear even with small bumps..but much better.
i will try changing the fork oil..thanks Furr146.[up]

 

[thumpinhard]

i talked to a guy yesterday who said he used very light oil in the forks and it was a big improvement..anybody think 7 wt or 10 wt. might be better than 15?
i got some 15 but am wondering if i should order a revalve kit or just change the oil?
tnx.