Skinny Guy Suspension Setting

[misternikko]

Fam,

Im wondering if anyone can give me some pointers on suspension settings for my bike. I am 5'-10" and weigh about 150lbs with my gear on. I have an Scg that I believe to be at factory settings as the previous owner said he never messed with them. I am looking for a well balanced all around setting since i am still a very green novice bike rider and can not lean and all that experienced stuff yet.

The reason I am asking is because the bike feels a little "light and unstable" at and above ~60mph.

I have no idea how to actually adjust things so a well rounded explanation would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Fam

nikko

 

[chrispudd]

Start with the basic settings described in the manual. You should be able to download one from this site. Then make small adjustments as you get more comfortable on the bike.
Part of my love for my bike is the adjustable suspension, even from really cool days to a hot day, i'll stiffen or soften it to suit my ride. Once you start doing adjustments it will only take seconds to make the changes you want. I've always wanted an Scg, so congrats and enjoy experimenting with those settings!

 

[BuellerPilot]

I'm the same height and weight, but I have a 2006, yours is an 09?

http://www.buell.com/om/99474-09Y_en/file-5.asp

Follow the suspension settings for your weight as a starting point. From there on ONLY adjust one thing at a time till you get the suspesnion where you like it.

For adding higher speed stability, tighten up the front preload and loosen the rear. Start off with tightening the front, if it feels better but you want more stability loosen the rear, alternate those adjustments till it's where you want it and are comfortable at speed. Try to avoid going to either extreme end (Full tight or loose), If you start approching a maxed situation add compression dampening to the front and or take some out the rear. If it's twitchy-ness under only decell add some rebound dampening to the rear or add compression to the front.

Tons of adjustments on these things!

~Mike......

 

[misternikko]

Great info guys, esp yours mike, thanks a lot!

how do you guys turn the adjusters? Pliers?

 

[freak2180]

Im Tall And Fat......sorry Im not much help.

 

[BuellerPilot]

NO PLIERS (it will hose up the anodized finish)! Use an open ended wrench the proper size or a socket and extention for the fork pre-load! The compression and rebound both for the forks and the rear shock will be a medium sized flat head screw driver. The rear preload is supposed to use a special spanner wrench, but I found if your lowering the preload you can just use a large flat screw driver and wrap the end/blade with a towel so it doesn't scratch anything and smack it with an open palm to back off the preload. Adding preload however this might not work (at your weight, I'm certain you'll be backing off the preload anyway). Adding preload can be done this way too, but will require more force, like a mallet.

~Mike.....

 

[misternikko]

ok thats what i figured after just taking a good look at them, just wanted to make sure. Thanks for the confirmation.

So far the only thing im a bit timid about is the rear preload. Can you explain that a little more? Like where to stick the screwdriver before open palm hitting it?

The rear damping on the Scg is done under the seat on that cylinder thing right? All other are just in the center of the adjuster nut right?

I read through that link you sent me and this is what ive learned so far, great link btw

nikko

 

[misternikko]

Read through it again and its clear as day, I cant thank you enough mike.

Quick question: When turning the adjuster nuts, will i hear "clicks" that I can count similar to the noise i hear on the adjustable coilovers I have on my car?

Lastly, if you can, please reiterate the while rear preload adjustment technique you use.

Thanks!

 

[BuellerPilot]

There is no No clicks on none of the compression or rebound adjusters that I know of. I'm not sure about the front fork preload, the newer forks have a different fork cap and different preload system and I havent messed with mine on my new forks, only my stock older 06 forks and those don't click, they have lines you count.

For your fork and rear shock compression and dampening adjustments, you'll be starting from full tight and loosening it up according to your weight.

EX: compression (on top of fork tubes for front, and on the remote resivour for rear shock) you'll turn it clockwise till it stops. DON'T TIGHTEN IT, just turn till it stops. Take a mental or paper note on where the little tick mark is on the adjuster were it stopped (EX: 1 o'clock, 3 O'clock position etc.). Now back the adjuster out counting full turns till you get to where the manual says for your weight.

Rebound is done in the same fasion, though the rebound adjusters will be at the bottom of the fork legs and on the bottom of the rear shock where it bolts to the swingarm.

For rear preload, use a flat blade screw driver with a paper towel folded over the end several times. Lay the wrapped blade on the preload adjuster and you'll be striking the screw driver with an open palm of your hand. You'll be hitting it perpendicular to the shock body to rotate the shock collar/preload adjuster. You see what to do once your in there, just try to keep the BIG flat blade as flat against the adjuster as possible to avoid denting or scratching it up. I'll try and take a picture when I get home.

BTW, it's probably not a bad idea to take notes on your current shock settings so you know where they were at before you did any dicking with them and it might help you out to realise how certain adjustments effect your ride and handling.

~Mike......

 

[misternikko]

great explanation, thanks again Mike. Also like the idea of writing down the settings as they are now, thanks for that as well.

I guess my only question now is if there are no clicks how do you know whether uve set the preload to 1,2,3...14? it says go all the way counter clockwise then turn clockwise to the number specified. There are no fraction increments for preload....just 1-14...so i figured there would be clicks...

 

[misternikko]

Btw, thanks for offering up the pics as well

 

[BuellerPilot]

Like I said, I don't know about the newer fork preload, perhaps there are clicks. The older forks had lines you counted that stick up out of the fork tops. The new ones are all internal and though I own both sets of forks havent messed with the newer style yet.

~Mike.......

 

[misternikko]

oki doki ill check em out when i get home, thanks again mike~

 

[misternikko]

well i adjusted it back to the recommended settings for my weight and its raining outside....of course it is -_____-

The rear preload was easy to adjust with the spanner tool in the kit, didnt need to do the screwdriver option.

Also, the preload adjusters up front do not click, they just have a mark on them that you use to get your bearings. I found it was easy to count off quarter turns.

Seems my bike was set up at the weight class over me, 150-170, and im actually prob a little less than 150 with my gear on so im curious to see how it rides...when I can ride it. It wasnt exactly set for the next weight class, some settings were off 0.5-0.25 of a turn and uneven from left to right...maybe thats why the bike felt a little odd. In any event i have it dialed in now for my weight class.

Will keep you posted, thanks for your time and help Mike~!

 

[anrkizm95]

[up] on taking notes and only one adjustment at a time.

 

[misternikko]

Thanks it was actually kind of fun [up]

 

[winnetka]

I keep a pen and paper under my seat to keep notes of where the suspension settings are at. After a while, you'll lose track of what you've tried. When you get it in the right range, you'll notice the difference in small adjustments like 1/8 or less of a turn. When the suspension is right for you, it feels like a different bike.

One tip if you want a more stable bike, try increasing the front preload clockwise one turn and see how that feels, or if you are inbetween two settings on the rear preload, use the lower one.

 

[misternikko]

I wrote it all down, as I got it settings and the less than 150lbs settings that I currently have it set at.

I haven't had a chance to ride it yet tho.

 

[Dancing Dogs]

I'm in the same weight classs as you are and i set mine suspension up to the "agressive setting" that were posted on here somewhere....this was a noticeable improvement for me. I'm actually considering getting the suspension customized for my weight since the suspension wasn't optimized for a 145 lb rider. Did this on another bike with excellent results.

 

[Stevenc150]

Two great threads: Suspension setup, Pt.1 and Suspension setup, Pt. 2

..and here's the Agressive settings I believe Dogs is talking about:Race Suspension settings