S4RS Suspension adjustments

[blue tiger]

Hello All, I own a 2008 S4RS (Yummy !!!). I asked the shop (which has a certified Ohlins tech.) to set it up for my weight (215 in full gear)and I suppose it was done.

Let me go ahead and say this. I think the bike handles great. Coming from HD and old bmw stuff this should be no surprise. It has revealed no unpleasant tendencies. The only thing it does is have a little front end wobble if I'm really whipping it out of the turns. I've learned this is common and I think it is the fact that the front wheel is barely on the ground when I do that. I have read my manual but am a little in the dark as far as the suspension adjustments and what exactly they do. Hey at least I'm willing to learn. I'd hate to let those tasty Ohlins components go without a little adjusting.
I think the shop did a good job of setting it up and don't want to ruin a good thing. I would just like a little insight into what is available should I wish to adjust it.

[ducpainter]

I don't think suspension adjustments will help that.

Do you have a steering damper?

[Ash]

not necessarily nate... it could be his front-rear ride height settings.  can be cause by incorrect sag settings, or the forks are too high in the triples.

not saying this is the reason, but if it is a steering damper isn't the way to fix it...

[hypurone]

I don't think suspension adjustments will help that.

Do you have a steering damper?

That and/or you need to relax a bit on the bars. With a full handlebar (read: not clip-ons) and the riding position you are in on this bike, it is very easy to upset the bike with excited, hamfisted, unintentional imputs. Use your core grasshoppper, more weight on the pegs and hold her like she has twinkies for handgrips!  [moto]

PS Raising the rear 3/4" made a noticeable difference for me. 

PSS Get rid of the shitty Michelins! That's what really transformed my bike for me. Not to mention the BST's, but I digress...   

[DucNrun]

That and/or you need to relax a bit on the bars. With a full handlebar (read: not clip-ons) and the riding position you are in on this bike, it is very easy to upset the bike with excited, hamfisted, unintentional imputs. Use your core grasshoppper, more weight on the pegs and hold her like she has twinkies for handgrips!  [moto]

PS Raising the rear 3/4" made a noticeable difference for me. 

PSS Get rid of the shitty Michelins! That's what really transformed my bike for me. Not to mention the BST's, but I digress...   

What tires are you running, out of curiosity?

[hypurone]

What tires are you running, out of curiosity?

The bike transformed once I went to Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's. After my BST's finally came in (had to go with a 6.0" rear as BST seems to have changed their minds on making anything else, at least for awhile) I had to switch to a 190 rear so I went back to my all-time favs:

Metzeler Sportec M3's!!   

[ICON]

You might be to low in the rear and riding her like a HD. Lean your body forward almost kissing the mirrors and raise the back more. It may take some trips to the Canyons to finally get her right. Be patient.

I have my S4RS raised 5 threads on the rear height rod, on each end-----with clip-ons up front. She sticks like glue! I run Pilot Power 2ct's too.

[myleslong]

Did the certified Ohlins tech change the springs?
I agree with the other comments concerning involuntary inputs into the handlebars by being ham fisted on the bars. I also raised the rear ride height 1/2 inch. I am running Michelin 2cts without problem (although I run Pirelli Corsa 3s on my GSXR 1000) I also have no steering damper and no headshake or wobbling problems at all.
If your tech didn't change springs, It's my opinion that you're riding too low on the suspension. I weigh 200lbs and my bike was way too soft on the stock springs. I couldn't achieve loaded sag with me on the bike even with the fork spring preload cranked all the way up. I switched to a Ohlins rear spring #0192-41/51 L46 and my front springs tested to be .90 from the factory so I went with .95 Ohlins replacements. All sag numbers are now within my desired spec and I'm basically on the stock damping and rebound settings (maybe 1 click up on damping in the forks.)
Everyone will have a different opinion on suspension settings. What is comfortable for one rider will be completly uncomfortable for another guy. This is my 2c on what works for me, being basically the same weight as you. If your coming from a Harley and have no experience with sport bikes it truly takes a sport bike riding style to get the S4Rs to handle the way if should. Actually once the setup is right, the harder you push it the better it works.
Best regards,
Myles

[25KV]

Did the certified Ohlins tech change the springs?
I agree with the other comments concerning involuntary inputs into the handlebars by being ham fisted on the bars. I also raised the rear ride height 1/2 inch. I am running Michelin 2cts without problem (although I run Pirelli Corsa 3s on my GSXR 1000) I also have no steering damper and no headshake or wobbling problems at all.
If your tech didn't change springs, It's my opinion that you're riding too low on the suspension. I weigh 200lbs and my bike was way too soft on the stock springs. I couldn't achieve loaded sag with me on the bike even with the fork spring preload cranked all the way up. I switched to a Ohlins rear spring #0192-41/51 L46 and my front springs tested to be .90 from the factory so I went with .95 Ohlins replacements. All sag numbers are now within my desired spec and I'm basically on the stock damping and rebound settings (maybe 1 click up on damping in the forks.)
Everyone will have a different opinion on suspension settings. What is comfortable for one rider will be completly uncomfortable for another guy. This is my 2c on what works for me, being basically the same weight as you. If your coming from a Harley and have no experience with sport bikes it truly takes a sport bike riding style to get the S4Rs to handle the way if should. Actually once the setup is right, the harder you push it the better it works.
Best regards,
Myles

What should the suspension sag be at each end of the bike? mine is an S2R 1000, but sag #'s should be the same. I need to start messing with my suspension.

[He Man]

30mm of sag is good all around number.

Lee Parks suggests 25-30 for race application, and 30-35 for street.

[25KV]

30mm of sag is good all around number.

Lee Parks suggests 25-30 for race application, and 30-35 for street.

thank you,
next question in this thread jack : how do you adjust fork spring preload?

[He Man]

do a search and you will find out all the answers to suspension in 1 thread.

[LA]

Did the shop change your springs? The bikes come sprung for someone about 180 lbs. I think. To get it right you probably needed new springs.

I use a very light touch on the bars. When I first started riding the S4R/RS bikes I was a naysayer so far as the need for a steering damper. Just the opposite now. What the make the beast with two backs was I thinking? I think they are essential. I use a side mount Ohlins and it REALLY makes a difference coming out of turns, especially bumpy ones, with the front end light - which it always is.

I'm a little heavier than you (230#) and have standard springs still.
FWIW, Mine is:
Increase rear and front spring preload two full turns.
Increase front and rear compression damping two clicks.
Increase rear and front rebound 1 click.
Increase rear ride height 1 inch.
Drop front end 3/8".

I run it pretty hard in the mountains and the bike practically drives itself.
I mostly use Mich. 2 cts and they stick like glue.
Currently using a mid compound Mich. Pilot Power race front w/standard rear Pilot Power cause that's what was available at the time and the combo works very well once warm.

LA

[blue tiger]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be visiting the shop in a few weeks and might ask the tech a few questions. Regarding my riding style and the effect I get coming out of turns.

I am probably not low enough on the bike. I've been working on this and it helps a great deal esp. on the turn in.

What I am feeling when accelerating out of turns isn't a "wobble" or "head shake". I probably used a poor choice of words. It more is a feeling of lightness with a barely perceptable wiggle or floating feeling in the front. It doesn't cause any disruption in the line of the bike nor does it cause me to put in any unintentional steering inputs. I also am rarely ham fisted as far as the controls. I view the handle bars strictly as a medium for control inputs and not as something to hang onto. I often ride with the grips loosely grasped in my hands at about the same tension as a tennis racket or golf club. Maybe 5 to 7 on a scale of 10.

I feel kind of stupid asking about suspension set ups because of the fact this bike handles way better than any of the past bikes I've owned. Maybe I just need to loose 10 pounds. Then with full gear I'd be under 200. Thanks again.