Author Topic: Suspension set up (Read 3321 times)

IanM · « **on:** August 26, 2018, 12:15:35 »

Hi, having only just got my new Vstrom it's come with all the factory settings, most of my riding will be with a pillion. First time out in the dark I noticed that I was dazzling other road users. I have been reading up on SAG and researching for our bikes. But need some help or confirmation please?
Rear suspension measured with no load at 538mm, bike only 497mm and loaded with two people 430mm. I adjusted the preload to the harder setting, but the best that I can get it to with us both on is 460mm, which is still a difference of 78mm (rider sag) whereas I have read it should be between 40 to 56mm.

Any ideas? Or where am I going wrong.
Cheers.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2018, 13:23:46 »

It may be possible your combined weight is slightly over for the stock suspension to get it perfect. Try going for a ride with the adjusted settings to see how you get on.

It also may be possible to have the headlight beam angles slightly downwards if needed.

(Am sure someone who knows more about suspension & Sag will be along to give you advice on adjustments shortly)

IanM · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2018, 13:58:49 »

You may be right, I have read elsewhere that the stock springs may not be up for it. I'll see how we get on and perhaps save up for an updated spring. If that still has the main beam issue I'll have to adjust.

porter · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2018, 21:18:11 »

Set the rear preload on max and the damping screw fully hard, then back 3/4 of a turn. that's all you can do with the rear for two up. Weak spring. I got fed up with it still bottoming out at speed and fitted a hyperpro rear spring. Much better and damping handles the spring OK, I guess because it's progressive.
I had to adjust the lights down a bit.

Asmith61 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2018, 09:26:28 »

Hi I had the same issue when I first got mine, I adjusted the standard shock to the max but still bottomed out and I was also blinding on coming traffic at night so I contacted hagon shocks and explained my situation and they made me a shock to suit and also I bought progressive front springs and heavier oil from them, it has made such a difference.

Webofdoom · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2018, 09:29:50 »

Having similar problems with the rear on mine, stock spring rate is too soft for me. Am having trouble finding an uprated one to fit other than the hyperpro one which I was advised by them is not what I need for my usage.
Hopefully someone else on here will know where to get one from as really don’t want to fork out all the £££ for a tourtech set up.

Asmith61 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2018, 09:35:11 »

As my above post these are the blokes to speak to really helpful excellent service

https://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/common/pagedetail.aspx?PageCode=contact

Webofdoom · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2018, 09:37:43 »

Was just writing my post at the same time as you. Thanks for the link.

porter · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2018, 19:07:59 »

Unfortunately there is no Hagon shock as yet for the 14 on strom. They are looking for a bike to prototype so if your live close by help them and us out.
Why did they say the hyperpro spring wasn't for you, Weebofdoom? I use one, works well for me. Yes a bit stiff for one up but I'm only 80kg but good two up. With a 70kg pillion I only use 18 clicks of preload off a max of 25, one up I use none where as with the oe spring I was running 15 clicks solo. Maxton of K-tec could sort out a spring for you I'm sure.

Griff2 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2018, 20:08:30 »

I am curious about this.

I recently purchased a leftover 2016 which is not too dissimilar to the OP's bike. With the spring preload ramped up to the max and the damping adjustment tweaked a little to cope with two up the shock is coping reasonably well with the Wife on the back and a heavy tank bag and two TT panniers fairly full. There is also a light top box with very little in it. Under these circumstances the bike is not bottoming unless I was to hit a dip in the road going like the clappers in which case any shock would probably bottom. Apart from sharp compression damping it is also adequate on a bumpy backroad with the same loads.
Have they softened the suspension further on the 2018 bike ?

IanM · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2018, 21:18:31 »

With my preload on full, our 150mile run with two up felt good, if the lights are still high I'll have to adjust, but it seem to have done the trick for now. 176kg combined weight plus full luggage set, chain and lock in top box.

Asmith61 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2018, 21:23:04 »

Sorry I didn't know the year of your bike Ian

bako · « **Reply #12 on:** August 27, 2018, 22:50:25 »

I noticed on my 2016 DL1000 that the rear pre load adjuster wasn't doing anything for the first 9 clicks. The little ring at the top wasn't changing. Then it suddenly started working again.
The front end on mine is very twitchy, judders like wheels not balanced, which it is. Tried every adjustment with no joy. Any tips?

Webofdoom · « **Reply #13 on:** August 28, 2018, 00:05:29 »

Quote from: porter on August 27, 2018, 19:07:59

Unfortunately there is no Hagon shock as yet for the 14 on strom. They are looking for a bike to prototype so if your live close by help them and us out.
Why did they say the hyperpro spring wasn't for you, Weebofdoom? I use one, works well for me. Yes a bit stiff for one up but I'm only 80kg but good two up. With a 70kg pillion I only use 18 clicks of preload off a max of 25, one up I use none where as with the oe spring I was running 15 clicks solo. Maxton of K-tec could sort out a spring for you I'm sure.

. With mine set to full preload I still have to much sag unloaded.
Whilst away earlier this year even the chaps I were riding with mentioned how soft/low my bike was at the the rear, to the point where we stopped and had a look thinking the shock had gone (I was fully loaded up).When I got home I went straight to the dealer I purchased the bike from to check it out and they agreed that the shock was fine but the spring is/had become soft. After speaking to hyperpro this is the response. "Hi -
Hyperpro don't rate this spring in the normal way, as it is a progressive spring.
Basically, the more it compresses, the stiffer it gets.
What the spring will give you is really good initial travel sensitivity, with a reduction in diving or wallowing, and enhanced grip.
The recommended rider weight range for this kit is 65kg -110kg. If your total weight ( with luggage etc) is in excess of 110kg, you may want to speak with Racetech - www.racetech.com with regards to a linear spring, rated to match your total weight carried."
I'm 6"3 and 105kg. Racetech don't list a spring either, have even spoken to Olin's who need me to send them all the measurements to get one made (am thinking that I'm better sending the whole unit to them). Am I correct in thinking that the Veek is set up progressive in the way the rear linkage works?

If anyone can tell me otherwise I'm more than happy to listen for an answer. Will give k-tec a shout.

old git · « **Reply #14 on:** August 28, 2018, 06:36:26 »

My 2016 bike rides great solo on 12 clicks of preload. I usually put it up to 21 with the wife on the back - making around 180kg. I max out the preload with panniers and top box fitted and while it's obviously never going to ride like solo, it's not bad. If I forget to turn preload back for solo riding it is too hard.

The quality of the standard suspension and the handling was the real surprise when I bought the bike.

porter · « **Reply #15 on:** August 28, 2018, 08:38:33 »

Well all I can say is I seen a good improvement two up with the hyperpro spring fitted. Been in there 3 years now. My shock is going now, lots of movement in the rear no matter what the settings but it has done 24k miles two up, try that on a yamaha r a triumph!
Yes the rear like does have a progressive nature like all bikes that are not sports bikes so a linear spring would be better still.
Nitron, Wilbers, Hyperpro and a few American company's do replacement shocks for the Veek. Good luck.

Asmith61 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 28, 2018, 09:13:41 »

Hi blokes when I got my bike the shock wasn't up to the job at the time I was 150 kilos and my wife was say 100 kilos so as you could imagine not good at all, I had already fitted a progressive shock and progressive front springs to my 1200 bandit, so I went straight to hagon and ordered the same for the v-strom and as I have said it has transformed the bike,incidentally I have lost quite a bit of weight iam now 124 kilos and the shock still feels fine good luck finding a replacement shock

Methusela · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2018, 16:45:23 »

Strange how we all have different feelings about the suspension. I have always felt the suspension was a little harsh and ride solo (I am 82 kilo) on either 10 or 11 clicks out from full soft. When two up (wife 69 kilos) I rarely put more than a three extra clicks harder on, and when really loaded, as when we recently went to Scotland, maybe another couple. I have never bottomed out ! A friend recently bought a new 1000 XT and his wife says it is the most comfortable bike she has ridden on. When I looked at the settings they were only just off fully soft. It was how the bike came from the dealer as well.

wurzel · « **Reply #18 on:** August 29, 2018, 19:21:27 »

I too find the rear shock not up to two up riding, it is too soft sprung even on max preload for me.
I'm 85 kg,partner 60kg.
The bike will wallow if pushed, so more spring and a touch more comp damping would sort it out.
Also, an easy to get to headlight adjuster would be a big bonus, I keep thinking to rig something up, but as yet have not got round to it.

jbaptista · « **Reply #19 on:** September 03, 2018, 20:14:38 »

During my touring I felt a bit bouncing a few times, got me scared. But most of the time it felt OK.
But my wife was complaining that her arse after a few miles got numb, she had to stretch legs while riding to get back to normal without me stop the bike. I have a gel seat. You think it could be because of the rear suspension?