how to adjust preload?

[tristantumble]

Hi there,

I'm starting to take my GF on my bike, and the bike definitely takes a dip down when we're both on it. Should i be adjusting the springs before taking her on the bike (695)? and if so, how would i do that and how much should i be adjusting?  Is this something everyone does adjusting for passengers, and putting it back for alone rides?

thanks!
TT

[jdubbs32584]

Hi there,

I'm starting to take my GF on my bike, and the bike definitely takes a dip down when we're both on it. Should i be adjusting the springs before taking her on the bike (695)? and if so, how would i do that and how much should i be adjusting?  Is this something everyone does adjusting for passengers, and putting it back for alone rides?

thanks!
TT

Hey Tristan, you mistakenly posted this in the Tutorials section. You will probably get more responses in the Tech section. You can move your own thread by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking on "Move Topic".

[desmoworks]

The 695 does not have adjustable preload. To set the bike up for a greater weight you'll have to change springs and/or fork oil depending on the weight difference.

Also some people who only ride with a passenger on occasion that don't have adjustable preload raise the oil level of the fork which decrease the amount of air in the fork. Air is a progressive spring in the fork. This makes the last little bit of travel in the fork harder and the fork won't bottom out. It doesn't really effect the first 70-80% of the fork travel. This way you can maintain a proper spring for you and when you have a passenger you won't bottom out the front suspension.

The rear shock does have adjustable preload and rebound. I don't know your combined weight or the weight of the usual rider so it is hard to say if the limit of the stock shock will work, but it is designed to be able to support two people.

[tristantumble]

The rear shock does have adjustable preload and rebound. I don't know your combined weight or the weight of the usual rider so it is hard to say if the limit of the stock shock will work, but it is designed to be able to support two people.

thanks for the response. Where and how do i adjust the rear shock? Right now its set up for one person, when we're both on it the bike definitely dips down.

[desmoworks]

There is a ring you spin down to compress the spring more to increase pre-load. The rebound adjustment is done with a screw driver. I wouldn't suggest you doing these things yourself if you have no idea what you are doing. This is a safety item... if suspension is setup incorrectly the motorcycle will behave differently and could behave in a bad way! Could cause real problems.

[stopintime]

In my S2R 800 manual it says adjust the rear spring all the way down (harder) to allow for passenger/luggage.
As mentioned this must be a dangerously rough description - you+luggage could be 200 and you+luggage+passenger could be 400.  Rebound should be adjusted accordingly - again not something you'll be able to figure out by yourself, I would think.

Definitely have it done by professionals, learn by watching and writing down - then you can go back and forth on your own. It takes only a few minutes and that time is required and a safety must. Tools are simple and cheap  http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/ci-sachstool/Maintenance/ci-sachstool.html

Good luck and ride safe