Could you suggest a suspension setup pls?

[Cucciolo]

Hey guys... I've been reading that tuning the suspension according to weight and riding style improves the handling dramatically. I will take my bike to my local shop for the adjustment, but honestly I have no clue about what I should ask for to be done. I don't ride aggressively and most of my riding takes place in the city.  All I know is that if my monster can be an even more enjoyable ride, then I want it done. What am I looking for out of my suspension? As always, any suggestions will be MUCH appreciated!!!!!! 

[He Man]

Just tell him what your needs are, hell set it up approriately, and ask you to take it out for a spin. Dont be shy, take 10-15 minutes and ride it as hard as you normally would, go back to him and tell him what you feel.

Do you want the bike to be a pregnant dog more twitchy? Does it bounce up and down? does it absorb bumps well? does feel like it's diving under braking? etc. he will then re adjust accordingly. But if the springs arent set for your riding style to begin with, you wont see much imporvement, if they are then youll see a dramatic improvement.

[Cucciolo]

Just tell him what your needs are, hell set it up approriately, and ask you to take it out for a spin. Dont be shy, take 10-15 minutes and ride it as hard as you normally would, go back to him and tell him what you feel.

Do you want the bike to be a pregnant dog more twitchy? Does it bounce up and down? does it absorb bumps well? does feel like it's diving under braking? etc. he will then re adjust accordingly. But if the springs arent set for your riding style to begin with, you wont see much imporvement, if they are then youll see a dramatic improvement.

Thanks for the reply! The thing is that I have no way to know how a properly adjusted suspension feels like. I could be riding the worse setup and to me it would be the only one I know. Do I make any sense? Anyway.. what should the proper suspension feel like? Isn't it supposed to make the ride as smooth as possible?

[ducpainter]

In a perfect world...

the wheels would move...

and the bike wouldn't...

if you catch my meaning.

[He Man]

Thanks for the reply! The thing is that I have no way to know how a properly adjusted suspension feels like. I could be riding the worse setup and to me it would be the only one I know. Do I make any sense? Anyway.. what should the proper suspension feel like? Isn't it supposed to make the ride as smooth as possible?

cant explain it but, the bigger the smile, the better the tune

[Cucciolo]

In a perfect world...

the wheels would move...

and the bike wouldn't...

if you catch my meaning.

I hope My S4R's suspension is good enough to do that.. 

[bdub]

Interesting question, I've been wondering that myself. My monster is the first bike I've ridden for 30 years. The first being a dirt bike me being a kid. Anyway, I always thought mine was a little stiff up front then the ride height got raised 1/2 inch and it feel into corners better. The front still feels stiff until I've ridden about an hour then it feels just fine, like maybe the fork oil has gotten warmed up. The rear feels kinda harsh but both wheels feel like they take bumps about the same. Sharp bumps are mildly harsh and normal bumps are smooth and easy. Lots of small quick bumps are just weird like nothing has time to settle.

I'm thinking a new rear shock would help as I only have preload. Bike is a 2000 dark 900 so the stock suspension is not the best out there but I still think it's beyond my ability to out ride it.
S0---------I quess I'm wondering the same thing juilanista is wondering. But how do you put it into words?

[ducpainter]

Stock Monsters are undersprung and overdamped.

They're not stiff...

I'd describe it as "harsh"

Have the bike sprung for your weight, and revalved if you can afford it...

it will transform the bike.

[Speeddog]

Julianista, how much do you weigh?

[Armor]

You should adjust the sag.  This will make the biggest difference.  No guessing - set to spec.  Ohlins web site has good instructions.

[Cucciolo]

Julianista, how much do you weigh?

I'm light.. 135lb after eating my morning oatmeal  I was wondering what is revalved and how much are we talking about.

[ducpainter]

Revalving changes the rate the oil flows through the valve to accomplish damping. The damping controls the speed the wheel moves in either direction (up-compression/down-rebound)

What model is your bike?

[Cucciolo]

Revalving changes the rate the oil flows through the valve to accomplish damping. The damping controls the speed the wheel moves in either direction (up-compression/down-rebound)

What model is your bike?

that makes a lot of sense.. my bike is an 05 S4R

[ducpainter]

that makes a lot of sense.. my bike is an 05 S4R

There are better valves and springs available from race-tech for your bike.

The right suspension tech can set up the stack so you'll feel like you're riding a magic carpet.

Where are you located?

[Cucciolo]

There are better valves and springs available from race-tech for your bike.

The right suspension tech can set up the stack so you'll feel like you're riding a magic carpet.

Where are you located?

this is some great info...... would changing the valves and springs be too expensive? are the parts or the labor what's expensive ? if it is too much (I am saving for pipes)... maybe at least the tech can set up what I have to make it the best possible... I live in nashville.