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Suspension Set up doc

Talk about issues and questions specific to the FJR here.
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silverback
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Suspension Set up doc

Post by silverback »

I used to have a suspension setup document from HaulinAshe. Is that still available somewhere around here? I have convinced a couple buddies to buy an FJR, and they don't have the nifty ES Gen 3, so I figured I would see if tyat doc is still available.
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Re: Suspension Set up doc

Post by Uncle Hud »

It can be found here.

I've gt a PM in to HaluinAshe to see about reposting it on this bulletin board.
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raYzerman
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Re: Suspension Set up doc

Post by raYzerman »

Suspension is set to the individual, so while Jeff did an admirable job of coming up with that, anybody else's is likely going to be different. One would still have to tweak to your weight, bike and preferences, the roads you ride, and using whatever riding experience you get along the way to tweak again. E.g, if you ride in the northeast, you have curves, frost heaves, and all kinds of stuff, whereas where you live is entirely different. In any case, you'd have to search in the other sandbox for his recommendations. As I recall, his is good for a starting point for others.

To help you understand what bike they have, see my suspension matrix. It outlines OEM springs, etc. If one has aftermarket springs, using different fork oil viscosity, aftermarket shock, anybody's valving change, heavyweight vs. light person, all going to be different.

For general starting point, assumptions all parts are OEM, rider is 160-190-ish, set all damping to 8 clicks out and start there. The OEM standard settings of 12 clicks is very little damping, better suited to showroom feel and non-aggressive riders. Fork preload depends on weight (sag) and what springs are in there. To tweak damping, do one at a time on a stretch of road you can repeat a few times as you make setting adjustments. So, to start, set rebound to 4, go ride the loop, you'll know what that feels like and know it's too much damping. Set it to 6, go do it again. Tweak to 7 or back to 8? Your butt tells you. Next, set compression the same way.... tweak back to 7 or 8? Next set rear shock rebound (which affects compression slightly on OEM, ya only got one knob), You're going to end up likely closer to 6. Preload you're stuck with.

Don't think it's rocket science, or there's one magic answer, there's not. Tell me what bike, how much you weigh and if you're an aggressive twisty rider, I'll help you get in the ballpark. If there's someone here who rides similarly to you, his/her settings may work, which you can verify by running together similar speed through some varied roads.

PS - I ain't no suspension expert despite my ramblings, but I have read a lot. There are some online resources for setting suspension, but some are geared more towards sport bike riders.

http://www.fjriders.com/forums/viewtopi ... =60&t=2373
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Re: Suspension Set up doc

Post by raYzerman »

Thanks Hud.... I'm chuckling already...... obviously an individual thing. But there was some good info in there too.
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Re: Suspension Set up doc

Post by bigjohnsd »

Preload 1 1/2 lines showing
Maxima Green 10 wt fork oil at factory levels
Front Compression 12 out
Rebound 5 out
Rear set to firm and 3 clicks out

260# Rider fully loaded for touring but not camping.
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