Rear suspension sag setting
Has anyone else measured and set the rear suspension sag?
I weigh about 85Kg in my riding kit. The AT has approximately 220mm of rear wheel travel and I believe the sag should be about 1/3 which is approximately 73mm.
The handbook recommends 7 clicks of pre-load. Starting at 7 clicks I started to increase the pre-load to get 73mm sag. I ended up with it set at 28 clicks.
Anyone else fancy trying this and then pointing out my mistake?
The pre-load knob is quite small and tucked away so not the easiest to adjust.
I weigh about 85Kg in my riding kit. The AT has approximately 220mm of rear wheel travel and I believe the sag should be about 1/3 which is approximately 73mm.
The handbook recommends 7 clicks of pre-load. Starting at 7 clicks I started to increase the pre-load to get 73mm sag. I ended up with it set at 28 clicks.
Anyone else fancy trying this and then pointing out my mistake?
The pre-load knob is quite small and tucked away so not the easiest to adjust.
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
Sounds about right, I get a preload setting of 10 clicks from the zero position solo and 27 clicks with pillion to get approx 75mm. under sprung for us really but its ok for now.Has anyone else measured and set the rear suspension sag?
I weigh about 85Kg in my riding kit. The AT has approximately 220mm of rear wheel travel and I believe the sag should be about 1/3 which is approximately 73mm.
The handbook recommends 7 clicks of pre-load. Starting at 7 clicks I started to increase the pre-load to get 73mm sag. I ended up with it set at 28 clicks.
Anyone else fancy trying this and then pointing out my mistake?
The pre-load knob is quite small and tucked away so not the easiest to adjust.
Just digging around to see what people are doing in terms of suspension setting.Sounds about right, I get a preload setting of 10 clicks from the zero position solo and 27 clicks with pillion to get approx 75mm. under sprung for us really but its ok for now.Has anyone else measured and set the rear suspension sag?
I weigh about 85Kg in my riding kit. The AT has approximately 220mm of rear wheel travel and I believe the sag should be about 1/3 which is approximately 73mm.
The handbook recommends 7 clicks of pre-load. Starting at 7 clicks I started to increase the pre-load to get 73mm sag. I ended up with it set at 28 clicks.
Anyone else fancy trying this and then pointing out my mistake?
The pre-load knob is quite small and tucked away so not the easiest to adjust.
Bit confused by Drago's post.
Does it mean you are 70/80kgs in full gear?
Also, xsilvergs, the pre-load knob is on the left side with a big turn wheel, you said the pre-load knob is small and tucked away, you mean the rebound adjuster? That and the compression adjustment are tucked away good I know.
I'm probably 95kgs in full gear, got the Pre-load set on around 25 clicks, but seems I'm off comparing with xsilvergs' setting (?)
Yes I do think the pre-load knob is small compared with some, I wouldn't say it is easy to use, especially when you want to increase it by 20 clicks. I am aware of the rebound and compression adjusting screws, compression near the top and rebound at the bottom.Also, xsilvergs, the pre-load knob is on the left side with a big turn wheel, you said the pre-load knob is small and tucked away
The Nitron shock looks nice but I will try to get the damping sorted with the standard spring and if I get close I'll buy the Hyperpro spring. Bike has gone to get it's cold start problem sorted so unable to do any setup.
Yesterday was a day for turning some screws:
One complete turn in (from recommended) on the rear compression damping (yes it sounds a lot).
Two click in (from recommended) on rear rebound damping.
Front tyre pressure 2.2 bar
Rear tyre pressure 2.5 bar
This has given loads more feel with out any discomfort on tarmac roads. I also increased the damping on the front but there are no clicks so will report back when I've finished.
One complete turn in (from recommended) on the rear compression damping (yes it sounds a lot).
Two click in (from recommended) on rear rebound damping.
Front tyre pressure 2.2 bar
Rear tyre pressure 2.5 bar
This has given loads more feel with out any discomfort on tarmac roads. I also increased the damping on the front but there are no clicks so will report back when I've finished.
Excellent. Keep us posted.
I've fiddle with the preload in the rear, def much better, gone into 28 clicks from zero.
Front I'm not sure yet, but will do one setting at a time.
I've fiddle with the preload in the rear, def much better, gone into 28 clicks from zero.
Front I'm not sure yet, but will do one setting at a time.
I am using 24 clicks from minimum on the spring preload so far riding solo. I am 78kg without riding gear. I have left the front spring preload as set by the shop, what ever that is as it feels fine. I have made small adjustments to damping at both ends to maintain stability. They are a work in progress.
Just curious - what would you set it up for 102Kg?from Standard settings
Preload :-
Rear +15 clicks
Front + 1 revolution
Front rebound Screw
+1 revolution
feels much better to me so far at 95Kg
I fitted a hyper pro spring, miles better
I have settled on 26 clicks of preload on the shock riding solo. The rebound damping is set at 20 clicks off the bottom setting and the compression damping is set at 8 clicks off the bottom setting.
The forks are left at standard settings per the handbook with the exception of the compression damping which I have reduced to 2 clicks off the bottom setting.
I weigh about 175lbs undressed and one obviously can add weight of gear and a rucksack to that. With these settings I have achieved a good degree of comfort on really rough roads and that was my aim.
I suspect that a stronger spring would be required if I was to carry a lot of luggage and/or a pillion.
The forks are left at standard settings per the handbook with the exception of the compression damping which I have reduced to 2 clicks off the bottom setting.
I weigh about 175lbs undressed and one obviously can add weight of gear and a rucksack to that. With these settings I have achieved a good degree of comfort on really rough roads and that was my aim.
I suspect that a stronger spring would be required if I was to carry a lot of luggage and/or a pillion.
OK, here's one for the more "portly" of us. I am 6ft and 120Kg (260lbs) in full gear. When I first rode the bike with stock settings it was woeful, pulled over on the side of the road and added 7 clicks on the rear pre-load, big difference.
After a few hundred km I wasn't happy at low speed, it felt like I had square tyres. It looked like "amateur hour learner motorcycling" at slow speeds when cornering around town. I felt a complete tool!
Given full travel is listed as 221mm (8.7") rear and 231mm (9.1") front my goal was to achieve 66mm rear sag and 69mm front.
I had to go all the way. The front was fully in 15 turns but I achieved the 69mm sag. Rear was fully in 35 clicks (no click on the front adjustment) but I could only achieve 85mm rather than the desired 66mm.
This might at least give you an idea what 120kg does for the bike. For me taking the time to do this has transformed the bike, handling is considerably improved, I am relieved that the bike is now 100% useable, high speed and low speed (even with 85mm rear sag).
So I cant say the rear is too soft because I am 120kg! I will never go off-road on this bike (why would you, the weight!) my little air-cooled DR350 would be more enjoyable.
If I ever two up, long distance tour with luggage I suspect I may be in trouble at the rear, but for now it will suffice.
After a few hundred km I wasn't happy at low speed, it felt like I had square tyres. It looked like "amateur hour learner motorcycling" at slow speeds when cornering around town. I felt a complete tool!
Given full travel is listed as 221mm (8.7") rear and 231mm (9.1") front my goal was to achieve 66mm rear sag and 69mm front.
I had to go all the way. The front was fully in 15 turns but I achieved the 69mm sag. Rear was fully in 35 clicks (no click on the front adjustment) but I could only achieve 85mm rather than the desired 66mm.
This might at least give you an idea what 120kg does for the bike. For me taking the time to do this has transformed the bike, handling is considerably improved, I am relieved that the bike is now 100% useable, high speed and low speed (even with 85mm rear sag).
So I cant say the rear is too soft because I am 120kg! I will never go off-road on this bike (why would you, the weight!) my little air-cooled DR350 would be more enjoyable.
If I ever two up, long distance tour with luggage I suspect I may be in trouble at the rear, but for now it will suffice.
Adding to this, yep I'm in trouble. I took a ride up the Wicklow Gap this weekend with my daughter. The handling got pretty poor with the extra weight, not wanting to turn in well, I know the rear was sitting down far to low. I adjusted the front pre-load two turns off max which gave me a slight improvement but still not great. I think I am going to have to back off the front preload significantly when two up and live with a greater sag front/back than usual just to get the bike geometry right. Probably not a huge problem for road only use but given the Honda maximum weight rating for rider, pillion and luggage is 195Kg that is a pretty poor show. If I can't get a decent front/rear sag at 120Kg where is Honda getting the 195kg rating from? Maybe just the rear sub frame loading and nothing to do with the suspension?OK, here's one for the more "portly" of us. I am 6ft and 120Kg (260lbs) in full gear. When I first rode the bike with stock settings it was woeful, pulled over on the side of the road and added 7 clicks on the rear pre-load, big difference.
After a few hundred km I wasn't happy at low speed, it felt like I had square tyres. It looked like "amateur hour learner motorcycling" at slow speeds when cornering around town. I felt a complete tool!
Given full travel is listed as 221mm (8.7") rear and 231mm (9.1") front my goal was to achieve 66mm rear sag and 69mm front.
I had to go all the way. The front was fully in 15 turns but I achieved the 69mm sag. Rear was fully in 35 clicks (no click on the front adjustment) but I could only achieve 85mm rather than the desired 66mm.
This might at least give you an idea what 120kg does for the bike. For me taking the time to do this has transformed the bike, handling is considerably improved, I am relieved that the bike is now 100% useable, high speed and low speed (even with 85mm rear sag).
So I cant say the rear is too soft because I am 120kg! I will never go off-road on this bike (why would you, the weight!) my little air-cooled DR350 would be more enjoyable.
If I ever two up, long distance tour with luggage I suspect I may be in trouble at the rear, but for now it will suffice.
When two up with that weight the front definitely needs some more compression damping aswell, not bottoming out but a lot of dive. Just want to get pre-load sorted before delving into the murky world of effective damping adjustment.:surprise:
I was quoted €320 labour to fit the Touratech +20mm kit which is a new rear spring and new front springs.(01-402-5834-0). €255 for the kit on the Touratech website (a little dearer here in Ireland due to the VAT difference). I thought the kit was good value but a bit disappointed in the labour quote.
Still had a great day out though and love this bike for all of its suspension faults.
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Well the good news is that from the picture it looks as though your daughter enjoyed the ride regardless of the suspension.Adding to this, yep I'm in trouble. I took a ride up the Wicklow Gap this weekend with my daughter.
Had to add my findings to this thread. Just back from a 1500 mile trip. I weigh in bike gear 90kg and had a 10kg bag with me plus rucksack. So in total I probably had about 105kg on the bike. It handled like a dog to the point of actually making me scared a couple of times with really bad head shake. I started to induce some head shake in a straight line to see how it reacted and the bars would actually start shaking more violently. I've never had this on any other bike. This is at high speed obviously and with the standard Honda suspension settings. 7 clicks on the rear preload from 0.
Anyway, long story short it turned out that I had to go to the full 35 clicks of rear pre load to get the bike sitting correctly. In turn this also made the bike handle like a dream and almost stopped all head shake. It's still there at higher speeds especially when catching a cats eye and worse than other bikes but now not an issue at all. Maybe that's just inherent in the 21 inch front wheel and I have Continental TKC70's on the bike. But it did head shake on the standard rubber too.
So to conclude like others, this bike is very undersprung at the rear. If I wanted a pillion I would have to get an uprated spring. But for solo work it's fine as it is with the pre load turned to max. If I wanted panniers for a longer trip I still think it would just manage as I did try 32 clicks and it seemed okay handling wise so now on 35 with a bit more weight I don't think it would be an issue. Get that pre load whacked up if your handling feels a bit off and/or if you are having head shake! Best thing I ever did was find this forum & start fiddling so thanks people for helping me.
Anyway, long story short it turned out that I had to go to the full 35 clicks of rear pre load to get the bike sitting correctly. In turn this also made the bike handle like a dream and almost stopped all head shake. It's still there at higher speeds especially when catching a cats eye and worse than other bikes but now not an issue at all. Maybe that's just inherent in the 21 inch front wheel and I have Continental TKC70's on the bike. But it did head shake on the standard rubber too.
So to conclude like others, this bike is very undersprung at the rear. If I wanted a pillion I would have to get an uprated spring. But for solo work it's fine as it is with the pre load turned to max. If I wanted panniers for a longer trip I still think it would just manage as I did try 32 clicks and it seemed okay handling wise so now on 35 with a bit more weight I don't think it would be an issue. Get that pre load whacked up if your handling feels a bit off and/or if you are having head shake! Best thing I ever did was find this forum & start fiddling so thanks people for helping me.
Solo riding with 120kg onboard (as per previous) it has taken me 35 clicks on rear (max) and +2 off minimum on the forks to get a 38% even sag front and back. I mentioned before I could achieve the 69mm sag upfront (30%) with a full +15 but still suffered with an oversag at the back of 85mm (38%) on full pre-load. I don't find anything wrong with an even 38% sag for general road use, the bike geometry is more important and I have not managed to bottom out front or rear on very choppy tarmac but I still cant help feeling this suspension is really mismatched front and back. OR Honda expect the sag to be different % front and back and havn't told us OR I am just a fat *******!
PS my bike is a July bike, spokes seem OK at the moment and they have had plenty of time to get wet.
PS my bike is a July bike, spokes seem OK at the moment and they have had plenty of time to get wet.
Hi Guys,
Looking at setting up the sag on my bike this weekend. What sag value are you aiming for front and back, 38%? It's a manual model, mostly offroad riding and with 20kgs of luggage and a 90kg rider.
Thanks.
Looking at setting up the sag on my bike this weekend. What sag value are you aiming for front and back, 38%? It's a manual model, mostly offroad riding and with 20kgs of luggage and a 90kg rider.
Thanks.
Hi Guys,
Looking at setting up the sag on my bike this weekend. What sag value are you aiming for front and back, 38%? It's a manual model, mostly offroad riding and with 20kgs of luggage and a 90kg rider.
Thanks.
Including riding gear I weigh 88kg and normally I carry 8kg of luggage. With those weights I am using 30 clicks of preload out of a possible 36 to achieve the correct ride height on the rear. The forks remain more or less at handbook recommended, apart from backing off the compression damping slightly but I may increase spring preload on them shortly also.
Thanks,
Is that based on 38% sag?
Is that based on 38% sag?
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