| Modern sporting motorcycles can come with a near | | | | Adjusting rebound and compression damping is |
| dizzying array of suspension adjustability. Pre-load, | | | | considerably more complicated, and requires riding |
| compression damping, rebound, high-speed damping, | | | | your bike and trying different settings over time. |
| low-speed damping, etc. Where to start? | | | | More compression damping in front reduces the |
| Before you start looking over your bike to see what | | | | amount your bike will dive under braking. More in the |
| we're talking about, please note this article is primarily | | | | back will reduce how much the rear end squats under |
| intended for the sportbike rider. Most cruisers have | | | | power. Too much compression damping can cause |
| little or no suspension adjustability. You either live | | | | the bike to ride rough, transmitting every bump in |
| with what the factory gave you, you have your | | | | the road to you without absorbing much. If you're |
| suspension components upgraded with after market | | | | only riding on a smooth racetrack, more compression |
| units, or have the internal bits replaced by a | | | | damping might be a good thing. If you ride on gnarly |
| professional. | | | | back roads, you'll probably want to soften up your |
| The easiest and most important adjustment you can | | | | settings. |
| make is to set the static sag. Sag is just what it | | | | Rebound damping affects how much your wheels |
| sounds like - how much the bike sags when you're | | | | "bounce" off the brakes and wallow under power. |
| on it. | | | | Too much rebound damping and your suspension will |
| Ideally your sag should be from 25 to 30 mm, or 1 to | | | | not react fast enough to properly follow bumps in |
| 1 ½ inches, on most bikes. To find out where | | | | the road. Your forks or shock can get "packed |
| your sag is, you'll need a helper. Dress up in all your | | | | down" by repeated bumps, which reduces your |
| usual riding apparel, including helmet, leathers, boots, | | | | suspension travel and can lead to a very poor ride, or |
| etc. You want to set your sag using the same | | | | worse. Too little rebound damping in the front or rear |
| weight as when you ride. While standing next to the | | | | and your bike will be wallowing around like a '68 |
| bike, push down on the tail once or twice to make | | | | Cadillac, making it very unpleasant and hard to control. |
| sure the suspension is at its normal resting position. | | | | Your mission is to find the right balance for you and |
| Using a dowel rod, yard stick, or similar device, | | | | your riding style. Generally it's best to start out with |
| measure the distance from the ground to a particular | | | | the settings your bike came with from the factory. |
| point on the motorcycle. Turn signals or a point on | | | | There's a reason why they're set where they are. |
| the seat or frame will work fine. Just make sure the | | | | From there, spend a little time on the bike. Is it too |
| point you measure from is not covered up when | | | | stiff? Does it wallow? Pay attention to how the |
| you're on the bike. OK, got the measurement? Either | | | | different ends of the bike feel. Adjust accordingly, |
| write down the measurement (in inches or | | | | but not too much. We suggest adjusting in |
| millimeters) or simply mark the spot on your rod | | | | increments of one click at a time, until you find the |
| stick. | | | | sweet spot you're looking for. |
| Now get on the motorcycle, in full gear. This is where | | | | Once you get your favorite settings dialed in, you |
| your helper is needed. For the most accurate | | | | can start playing around with them a little at different |
| measurement, try to hold the bike fully vertical with | | | | times. For example, you might want to tighten things |
| both your feet on the pegs. In this position, take | | | | up a bit for a fast track day at California Speedway. |
| another measurement. See the difference? That is | | | | Or you might want to loosen them up a notch or 2 if |
| your sag. If it's smaller than 1 inch or greater than 1 | | | | you're planning to ride Carmel Valley Road (ask me |
| ½ inches, you'll need to adjust the pre-load on | | | | how I know!). Whether or not you choose to leave |
| your forks and/or shock to get the desired results. | | | | the settings alone or make occasional adjustments, |
| Increase pre-load (usually a clockwise turn of the | | | | making your motorcycle handle better for you and |
| adjusting screw or collar) a little at a time to reduce | | | | your riding style can lower lap times, and will definitely |
| your sag. Decreasing pre-load will increase the amount | | | | enhance your riding enjoyment. |
| your bike sags. | | | | |