hi, Recently picked up a 2008 blade, plan on tracking it next year. I set the suspension to the standard settings and went for blast on the roads and it’s just a horrible experience that I can’t seem to sort out. I weigh 88kg kitted up. Checked sag as follows: Front Static 30mm Rider 43mm Rear Static 13.5mm Rider 40mm The biggest issue I have is being bucked out the seat. It doesn’t feel like a harsh ride or too soft either, but some reason I’m gracefully ejected off the seat on bumpy roads. Any ideas?? Thanks
Seems to me to be way too hard, especially in the rear. I'm certainly no settings expert but 40 quid will generally give you a good setup at one of the many ride in-ride out suspension specialists. Don't know where you are, but if you're near Coventry RRP is good: http://www.roadandraceperformance.co.uk/suspension_handling.aspx otherwise just do a Google search for your area.
Sag measurements look ok, and if stock springs you'd expect that for your weight. As it's bucking it sounds like a rebound problem, watch some Dave Moss videos and learn how to bounce a bike to check rebound.
This is what a susp guy put in my old 08 and i put into my 09 this year.. im similar weight They do say every bike is different though but back sounds a bit too much Be interested to see the rear spring setting, i think 4 clicks up is standard and im on 6 which is pretty firm 2009 Fireblade susp Front Preload +2 turns from standard 40mm Rebound -2 (standard) Compression -2 (standard) Rear Preload +2 to 6 clicks 32mm Rebound -1 from standard Compression -1/2 from standard
Your gonna get hit with everyone’s favourite settings here matey These are very good as well for an 08-10 Front Preload. +4 Comp - 1.5 Rebound - 1.5 Rear Preload 7 clicks Comp. - 0.5 Rebound. -0.5
The other thing to consider is free movement of linkages. I had zx6r that felt stiff. I had pdq play with the settings. They backed the rebound off as it was so slow returning. 3weeks laters the dog bones snapped as the bearings had seized up. Left me stranded in the middle of the road .
Sounds like it's due a refresh. You would be better looking for a 2012+ unit and having it serviced and possibly valved/shimmed (depending how far you want to go) before swapping them over.
@tuktuk is quite correct in his application of grammar. He, I believe, is a man of wisdom and eloquence, and therefore has the necessary knowledge to differentiate between these four nouns. An item can be 'rebuilt' using exactly the same parts; i.e. one might wish to inspect a component and in doing so observe that all is in working order and then 'rebuild' with no new parts. To refresh, is to replenish worn or dated parts/components, and the learned Mr Tuk is specific to ensure that your component's performance is improved. Equally, a component might be modified that does not necessarily result in an upgrade.
Actually......refresh is a third person verb eg. She was refreshed by the show, a refreshing drink etc. It is a verb associated to people, to rebuild is to replace worn or damaged parts of objects eg. Vehicles computers bikes
I went with a standard 2012 (ish) balance free cushion rear shock on my old 09 and the difference was immediate. Good point about the linkages though.
Thanks for the replies, yes I picked up 2012 balance free shock, swapped it over and I’m still experiencing the exact same problem. I’ve tried setting it up myself, I’ve tried the various settings people post, I even back all the damping off completely, and it still bumps me off the seat. When I swapped out the shock I checked and greased the linkage bearings - all good. At a loss with it really. I don’t know if I’m expecting too much from the suspension maybe? I’m comparing the suspension to my ‘17 street triple RS which might be the problem. That bike soaks up the bumps on some of the worse roads I can find and is also absolutely fantastic and firm on track too. I’m debating getting the blades suspension serviced - I just don’t want to spend a couple Hundred £££’s for it come back and still bump me out the seat.
I don’t wanna take the piss but when you backed it all off was the rebound all the way off or all the way in. Did the settings make any change when you pushed it down? Also if you got a used shock are you sure it hasn’t been sprung for a lard arse? Is it standard?
Depending on roads they can kick but no diff to any bike. What do you have the spring preset set on, standard is 4 from lowest click.. depending on your weight, Im borderline 5-6 at 13st but if its above 6 it will kick harder than say 4 Your bodyweight is further forwards than sat up with a naked so may feel different, have you had a sports bike before? I have mine in 6 but i like a firm rear ..
Yes had a couple 600’s in the past, but haven’t used a sport bike on the road in nearly 3 years, as Ive had a dedicated track bike which was resprung & revalved and the triumph for the road which has its showa bpf and ohlins rear. So I don’t know wether it’s just a case of being a bit spoilt with a good setup previously. Everything I tend to read says the blade tends to be on the softer side of things tho, and I can’t find anything negative regarding how it handles, just positives - which is why I bought it Yes backed the damping off so it was as soft it could go. It was an improvement as It didn’t start bumping me off until around 65-70mph, I just can’t back it off anymore. I’ve got the rear shock set at 5.
