Suspension question

16168 Views 22 Replies 10 Participants Last post by devill66, Apr 16, 2014

devill66

Discussion Starter · Jan 18, 2014

Hi,

I recently made a test drive on a white beauty

. There was nothing i did not like about this bike. Only thing is i noticed that the rearshock seemed a litle soft for me. I am 6.3 and 220LBS/100 kilo. Are there more riders in this weight category out there? I did not try to set it different because this was just a testride. I am just curious if others noticed the same and if they could set it so it is fine for their weight or if they are going for a harder rearspring. And how about the front?

Thanks.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

devill66

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jan 20, 2014

Wow, 80 views and so many responses my head spins

Reactions: 1

Jasber

· #3 · Jan 20, 2014

Wish I could help you out but I'm a squatty 5'7 and 155 lbs and my suspension is spot on!

Good luck getting some responses! 😃

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devill66

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 20, 2014

Jasber said:
Wish I could help you out but I'm a squatty 5'7 and 155 lbs and my suspension is spot on!

Good luck getting some responses! &#55357;&#56835;

Sent from Motorcycle.com App

Thanks

rjjr

· #5 · Jan 20, 2014

I went riding this weekend and paid a little more attention to the rear shock. I'm a big guy, + 220 lbs. It seemed like the farther forward I sat/leaned the harsher the rear shock was but when I sat further back and more upright it softened quite a bit. I think the 1199 progressive linkage will allow enough adjustability to get the ride just right.

devill66

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 20, 2014

Thanks for the response. Thats about the same weight as me. Did you turn the compression almost in or is there still room for stifness?

Doctor 650

· #7 · Jan 20, 2014

devill66 said:
Hi,

I recently made a test drive on a white beauty . There was nothing i did not like about this bike. Only thing is i noticed that the rearshock seemed a litle soft for me. I am 6.3 and 220LBS/100 kilo. Are there more riders in this weight category out there? I did not try to set it different because this was just a testride. I am just curious if others noticed the same and if they could set it so it is fine for their weight or if they are going for a harder rearspring. And how about the front?

Thanks.

I took mine out on Saturday for its first run, did 400 ks all up, I'm 6.0 ft and about 97 kg and I found the rear a little stiff, for the road I felt like it needed to be softened a little. I guess this shows there is plenty of adjustment. Can't wait to take this thing on the track.

devill66

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 20, 2014

Doctor 650 said:
I took mine out on Saturday for its first run, did 400 ks all up, I'm 6.0 ft and about 97 kg and I found the rear a little stiff, for the road I felt like it needed to be softened a little. I guess this shows there is plenty of adjustment. Can't wait to take this thing on the track.

Thanks. Did you try set it different? I noticed it was soft while testriding. Never checked settings but noticed that the spring preload (do not know how you call this in english) was way to high and the dealer told me he had not adjusted anything. So ya all might check that out.

rjjr

· #9 · Jan 20, 2014

devill66 said:
Thanks for the response. Thats about the same weight as me. Did you turn the compression almost in or is there still room for stifness?

I haven't changed a thing since I got the bike. Not really sure how it's set up.

adeyrob

· #10 · Jan 21, 2014

I'm around 200lbs and it's felt ok to me, but I've only got about 180 on the clock so far so not ridden it too much yet. Soon as it's run in Ill be taking it to Kais performance for a full suspension set up. Had my last few bikes done there and improved the feel of every one, suspensions not something I'm confident in messing with myself so I leave it to the experts, not too expensive and worth every penny.

Reactions: 1

Quo Vadas

· #11 · Jan 21, 2014

Like any new bike, the suspension settles/softens after 500klms or so.
You can either set your sag etc to see how the suspension works or put a new rear spring in to match your weight.
The above is pretty hard to do if you are test riding a bike but the stock spring/ratio should give you an indication of whether or not you can soften it to suit your weight or need to put in a new spring.
I weigh about 75kgs and the spring is great for me.

As said above, if you aren't confident with setting up your suspension then seek proffesional help as you will get the most out of the bike once it's setup properly.
FYI, check out Dave Moss suspension setup tips on Youtube. The guy is a suspension guru and breaks down the myth of suspension being a "dark art".

d

Reactions: 1

Infinwin

· #12 · Jan 23, 2014

Here is a helpful one that I'm going to try next the time I get the suspension hot.

Microgale

· #13 · Feb 1, 2014

Does anyone know what the rate of the standard rear spring is? I know the 1199 one is a 90 but not sure about the 899. There should be a number printed on the spring that will identify it's rate.

Microgale

· #14 · Feb 1, 2014

Obviously the spring rate required for a 70 kg rider will be very different than the proper rate for a 90kg rider. Adjusting pre-load/sag/ride height and rebound and compression damping can mitigate problems to some extent, but will is not the correct solution for the wrong spring rate.

If the linkage geometry is the same as a 1199 with the link in the F position, for mixed road and occasional track use you are going to want an 80 for an 80 kg rider and a 90 for a 100kg rider.

Why the dealer doesn't install the correct rate spring for the rider as part of the pre delivery is something I just can't fathom? The dealers probably only need to carry a few rate springs to cover 90% of riders and swapping them out as part of the pre-deliver is a very small cost to the dealer. It's a bit like a suit shop adjusting the lengths of the cuffs for you when you buy a suit off the rack.

I think we should all ask the dealers to supply the correct weight springs for our weight when we place our orders.

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Reactions: 5

Sydneydude

· #15 · Feb 1, 2014

+1 on above suggestion

andy899

· #16 · Mar 31, 2014

Hi devill66,

I'm 6'4 and its way out for me, booked it in at Maxton suspension for a new GP10 shock and ordered a new linkage then I can put the 899 in "FLAT" mode.

The reason being that the shock will then move through the full range rather than progressive in "Progressive" - thus being more in control.

Spring will be sized to suit my weight, 260kg, and I'm gonna have the re-valve done if it needs it.

PM me if you want their fact sheet on the 899 setup, I live in the UK near KAIS and Maxton (dead in the middle of them).

Andy

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devill66

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 31, 2014

andy899 said:
Hi devill66,

I'm 6'4 and its way out for me, booked it in at Maxton suspension for a new GP10 shock and ordered a new linkage then I can put the 899 in "FLAT" mode.

The reason being that the shock will then move through the full range rather than progressive in "Progressive" - thus being more in control.

Spring will be sized to suit my weight, 260kg, and I'm gonna have the re-valve done if it needs it.

PM me if you want their fact sheet on the 899 setup, I live in the UK near KAIS and Maxton (dead in the middle of them).

Andy

Hi Andy, did you mean 260 kilo or pounds?

I made an appointment with an ohlins specialist. He thinks the showa fork will be fine and will set another spring for the rear if necesary. With the springs change i will ride it first for a trackday and then we will see what needs to change.

Wich parts did you order for the linkage? 1199 can be set in two ways i heard, 899 just in one and progressive. Do you change the whole linkage from a 1199 or what?

Setup sheets are Always welcome, maybe the ohlins guy can refer to it...

andy899

· #18 · Mar 31, 2014

Sorry, yes, 260 pounds

You just need both the inner and outer linkages.

Here's an example of one of the them (outside linkage) - Ducati Panigale 1199 Bracket Holder Linkage Link Hold Left Rear Set D358 | eBay

You need the inside and outside linkage though

They are around £95 for each (inner and outer) from Ducati dealers.

I'll PM you with the latest factory setup, its only just been developed from feedback from various teams.

Andy

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devill66

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 31, 2014

Thanks.

I hoped you ment pounds....otherwise the 899 would have a tough job lol

rjjr

· #20 · Mar 31, 2014

devill66 said:
Hi Andy, did you mean 260 kilo or pounds?

I made an appointment with an ohlins specialist. He thinks the showa fork will be fine and will set another spring for the rear if necesary. With the springs change i will ride it first for a trackday and then we will see what needs to change.

Wich parts did you order for the linkage? 1199 can be set in two ways i heard, 899 just in one and progressive. Do you change the whole linkage from a 1199 or what?

Setup sheets are Always welcome, maybe the ohlins guy can refer to it...

You may need a different link bar. I don't know if either the 899 or 1199 is the correct length. I ordered the adjustable bar from SATO.

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