I posted this months ago but can't seem to find it now, so for all those that would like to tinker without paying a specialist here is what my Bike was set up like by KAIS Suspension. Bear in mind I weigh 15-16 st depending on which Supermarket the Wife's using that month, she shop's online and sticks with one for 4 weeks at a time and then rotates em to get the best deals! MY12-13 Showa Big Piston Forks Front Compression 7.5 Turns back from Full Clock (Hard) Front Rebound 3.0 Turns back from Full Clock (Hard) Front Preload 5.5 Turns in from Full Anticlock (Soft) Rear Compression 3 Turns back from Full Clock (Hard) Rear Rebound 2 Turns back from Full Clock (Hard) Rear Preload 6/10 (However I had to up this to 8/10 to stop me rear Hugger gettin' Twated all the time as it's an ABS model!)
Guess I asked for that one! OK, so I have had a look, and hope this may help others: Standard Settings Front Compression 5.5 Turns back from Full Clock (Hard) Front Rebound 4.75 Turns back from Full Clock (Hard) Front Preload 7.5 Turns in from Full Anticlock (Soft) Rear Compression 2.75 Turns back from Full Clock (Hard) Rear Rebound 2.5 Turns back from Full Clock (Hard) Rear Preload 4/10 The reason for my interest is that I have just replaced a set of Rosso Corsa's which I did not get on with once they were a bit worn, probably more the front as I ended up wearing out two rears to the one front. When I got my 04, it had Diablo Corsa H's on it, which felt great, and got good wear out of them, but looking back, after fitting a set of Corsa III's I now realise I got the same feeling on my 12 with the Rosso Corsa's. On the 04 tho, I happened to find an Ohlins rear shock, and at first Ohlins front springs and ended up with the great feeling back again, a set of Ohlins front forks helped even more. So when I took a 12 out on a demo, it felt as good as my 04, well better, on Bridgestone S20's, as did mine when it was new, but I was a bit disappointed with the mileage, so tried the Rosso Corsa's after the second rear S20. No problems with grip, the Rosso Corsa's did not seem stable, and seemed to want to turn in too quickly, and I am thinking the Ohlins on my 04 was set up in a way to be able to work better with the sharper profile of the Corsa III's. At the time, the 04 had done over 25k, so I just thought it was the suspension that needed a refresh, but getting the same feeling on my 12 so soon, has made me rethink stuff, and maybe its the tyre profile/standard suspension settings miss-match
Thanks for the settings Sinewave, dialled them into my anniversary blade today. Absolutely AWESOME totally transformed the handling for me, turned what was a good bike into a blinding bike!! Cheers Matey BTW (my missus obviously shops at same shops as I'm the same weight too)
That's a good base setup compared with stock Sinewave. Thanks mate. On those settings compared to stock, the bike turns quicker and is more settled in the turn, and the rear end felt a lot better for having more preload, takes some flatness/saginess out. I am seeing 82mm travel on the fork leg, it may just need a another 1/5 turn on the preload for me, but its no where near bottoming, so its OK but might just fine tune a little. Although I am running 2 stone lighter than you boys. But I have a set of bends I use as a test, and I carried 10mph more at the final apex compared to stock and the bike felt a lot more settled during the transisition side to side, so good setup there mate.
Using Motul factory line 10 weight oil is a good upgrade too. I have started using this oil now instead of Sikoline pro and the forks are so much smoother in progression.
Put the settings in as provided by sinewave....I was never a big believer in the dark art of twiddling, seemed alright as it cam...but what a difference, bike handles so much better, turns better, feels more planted Thanks Sinewave
yeah as above...thanks for those settings sinewave,never been one to mess to much with suspension....but made a world of difference, ta muchly
Kais have always done my set up, need to tweak the blades. Sent my 600rr in to them had front redone and wp rear shock fitted. Tyre life tripled after work done
Once more,big thanks for this. I'm weighing in about 15st with my kit on and set the bike up last year and what a difference it made,so much more feel and stability,especially coming into and thru corners,and it doesn't ping my fat arse off the seat going over bumps anymore either
Can't believe it I went out ta check mine and I've got it set exactly the same as KAIS how much did you pay to get it set up lol Jewiz I've set up loads of bikes for nothing ta ffs
Ralph.. @Mr OCD hasn't been on here since April. Try & pm him because if he's linked it to notify him by email he'll pick it up & be able to get back to you.
. . . and there's a whole new breed of OCDs on here now. I know plenty about cleaning but nothing about suspension.
Im Off to KAIS on Monday to get mine set up. I’ve fitted OhLins springs and oil, and lost nearly 2st, so my original settings by Dave a few years back are far too hard on the road now.
