Author Topic: Suspension  (Read 1852 times)

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Offline Mac1

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Suspension
« on: October 24, 2020, 15:35:26 »
Got my 2012 glee yesterday and it is a lovely bike. I suspect however that I am going to have to improve the suspension. It feels a little rough on poor road surfaces. Much more so than my gsa which soaked em up. What do the knowledgeable do about this please?

Offline Rusty Nuts

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2020, 15:56:31 »
What's the mileage on the glee?
Mine was a 2012, and I found it pretty good at ironing out lumps & bumps. Bear in mind the price difference between that and a gsa also, you may not be quite comparing like for like.

Offline Gert

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2020, 15:59:32 »
Have you set the suspension sag yet? Maybe suspension adjustment is all that is required for the time being. Have a look at https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=37133.0,

Offline oslin

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2020, 16:00:49 »
Hi Mac 1
I would give it a while to settle in with it, as is new to you and you can play around with the suspension settings to see if you can improve things before forking out a load of money on a new shock which you might not need. 

Offline Gert

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2020, 16:05:01 »
Another thread that may be of interest, https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=35979.0

Offline Bobmc

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2020, 17:57:06 »
Consider getting it set up by a suspension specialist Well worth the £100 or so If that doesn’t work then consider an upgrade

Offline Sage

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2020, 00:07:09 »
The 650's have old fashioned damper rod forks so the damping is not very sophisticated, especially compared to a GSA. Some find that changing the preload, springs and/or oil good enough. However, one can fit a valve to simulate a cartridge such as Gold Valve Emulators or Imitators. Another solution (but more expensive) is to replace the damper rods with set of cartridges either from a DL1k or after market item. There are threads on here somewhere about these.
I've just about finished doing a conversion with a set of Traxxion Dynamics cartridges I had from another bike of similar weight and style but have not had it on the road yet. After market cartridges often have the benefit of adjustable compression and rebound damping as well.   

Offline Mac1

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2020, 07:15:34 »
Thanks sage but its more the rear than the forks but I will experiment for now.

Offline Sage

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2020, 11:24:35 »
Your welcome. The good news is that the back is easier to sort. Have you set the sag ? if so then play with the rebound damping.
My apologies if you have already done this. Grandma.... eggs etc etc

Shortstraw

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2020, 19:30:05 »
Quote removed

What’s a GSA? :thumb:

Offline TLPower

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2020, 19:33:48 »
A form of BMW I think. :smirk:
To be happy, I don't need private helicopters,a Florida house or a yacht. I'm fine with my motorcycle,a trip to a forest in Bavaria and some lunch money.

Walter Rohrl.

Offline Dark-Strom

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #11 on: October 25, 2020, 19:49:09 »
Or very old citroen  lol
When life throws you a curve, lean into it!

Offline Sage

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #12 on: October 25, 2020, 23:11:10 »
It's a BMW GS Adventure.....the tall one

Offline Rusty Nuts

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2020, 06:03:46 »
I'd rather have an Ami huit.

Offline Gert

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Re: Suspension
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2020, 06:31:36 »
There are a few you-tube videos that explain suspension sag, if you have the time to search on google.
Examples are

and
.
You can read more on suspension setup on https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,7132.0.html