-
Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )
Suspension settings
- Thread starter Fat Bert
- Start date
F
frenchuk
Guest
I ride a lot in pothole-infested London, standard front suspension not up to the job (bottoming out etc...), rear suspension was worn through by the fellow I bought the bike from at 10,000 miles - he was a 6'6" 25 stone creature. Got rear fully adjustable Ohlins, front Ohlins which I just changed to K-Tech from Blackbird Spares (Ohlins spring stiffness rating was a tad too high for me and they only do one rating), very very happy with the settings now, and with the fork preload adjusters (also provided by Blackbird Spares) I can change from soft for London to harder for smooth roads, from spirited lone riding to two-up gentle riding with luggage (gentle because otherwise she kills me) - so all in all, suspension adjustment is one of the best things I've done to my bike.:yo:
Never tried on the Bbird
Tried many times on other bikes, sometimes fookin it up and other times not really seeing any difference. Find the Bbird ok as it is but appreciate if I spent the money it could be better but I have trouble using the handling I've got. I find it hard to believe the 8 who voted positively have actually done summat to their Bbird.
Tried many times on other bikes, sometimes fookin it up and other times not really seeing any difference. Find the Bbird ok as it is but appreciate if I spent the money it could be better but I have trouble using the handling I've got. I find it hard to believe the 8 who voted positively have actually done summat to their Bbird.
Allan
Registered User
Mr H knows best - maybe not?
Had my Bird for a few years now after upgrading from 2 x CBR 600's on which you could fiddle with everything, was never happy with the way it handled and the fact you could only adjust the rear (which I did).
Mr H's setting are factory standard for the average rider, average weight, average riding ability. Step outside of that and you need to adjust something.
So, in steps Mr 1200 Pete :bow: and fits uprated fork springs/oil and a new rear shock. Big difference.
Now the bike handles much better, feels more planted and inspires much more confidence.:yo:
Move over Hr H.
Buzz
Had my Bird for a few years now after upgrading from 2 x CBR 600's on which you could fiddle with everything, was never happy with the way it handled and the fact you could only adjust the rear (which I did).
Mr H's setting are factory standard for the average rider, average weight, average riding ability. Step outside of that and you need to adjust something.
So, in steps Mr 1200 Pete :bow: and fits uprated fork springs/oil and a new rear shock. Big difference.
Now the bike handles much better, feels more planted and inspires much more confidence.:yo:
Move over Hr H.
Buzz
S
Smoothandquick
Guest
Mr H
will have set the suspension up according to the feedback of their test rider....he will try and pick a set up that is fairly neutral with the characteristics of a sports tourer bike..i.e. compliant enough to make motorway and town riding painfree but firm enough to allow for twisty scratching when required, so the suspension is a real compromise in all departments......BUT it is an assumption as to what they believe is good enough to satisfy the majority of buyers.....i.e. their rider thinks the rates and preload he has picked will keep us lot happy....and I reckon most people would be happy with it if they could see what can be done in the hands of a test rider. They also have to select a set up that will cover different markets in terms of roads and type of riding.
But as with anything, it can always be improved to suit PERSONAL taste.....
Personally I think they ain't done a bad job......:bow:
will have set the suspension up according to the feedback of their test rider....he will try and pick a set up that is fairly neutral with the characteristics of a sports tourer bike..i.e. compliant enough to make motorway and town riding painfree but firm enough to allow for twisty scratching when required, so the suspension is a real compromise in all departments......BUT it is an assumption as to what they believe is good enough to satisfy the majority of buyers.....i.e. their rider thinks the rates and preload he has picked will keep us lot happy....and I reckon most people would be happy with it if they could see what can be done in the hands of a test rider. They also have to select a set up that will cover different markets in terms of roads and type of riding.
But as with anything, it can always be improved to suit PERSONAL taste.....
Personally I think they ain't done a bad job......:bow:
S
Smoothandquick
Guest
Hmmmmm
they won't have signed a bike suspension out on an 8 stone weedy guy knowing they were selling to our septic tank colleagues.... Surely not !!!!!!!! :dunno:
they won't have signed a bike suspension out on an 8 stone weedy guy knowing they were selling to our septic tank colleagues....
Surely not !!!!!!!! :dunno:
R
R2B2
Guest
Yes - fitted Ohlins rear and Steve Jordan fitted Ohlins springs and his choice of oil to the front. It made a big difference for me - but then I'm a bit of a heavyweight and haven't seen eight stone since I was about 10 years old!
(or was is 10 stone at eight years old :dunno: :} )
Damn those sausages :lick:
(or was is 10 stone at eight years old :dunno: :} )
Damn those sausages
:lick:
D
D.S.
Guest
R2B2 said:Yes - fitted Ohlins rear and Steve Jordan fitted Ohlins springs and his choice of oil to the front. It made a big difference for me - but then I'm a bit of a heavyweight and haven't seen eight stone since I was about 10 years old!
(or was is 10 stone at eight years old :dunno: :} )
Damn those sausages
Hey Rob, just so ya know, Steve is now Ohlins certified and having spent a few weeks at the Ohlins factory he's in high demand including BSB teams :bow:. So if ya need anymore work done, book well in advance mate :beer: .
R
R2B2
Guest
'kin 'ell - fair play to him I say :bow: :bow:
He did my set-up from scratch as I had, erm, played with it a bit and err, lost my way, shall we say!!
Was a revalation to ride after he tinkered with it though.........
He did my set-up from scratch as I had, erm, played with it a bit and err, lost my way, shall we say!!
Was a revalation to ride after he tinkered with it though.........
blumeeni
Registered User
Steve gave me some base settings on the silver bird that I'd fitted an ohlins rear and front springs to
from these I was able to tweek the settings very slightly to get it just right for me the guy was great and spent loads of time on the phone sorting it out for me :bow:
didn't stop me from binning it although I was able to bin it at a much faster speed than with the standard set up :}
from these I was able to tweek the settings very slightly to get it just right for me the guy was great and spent loads of time on the phone sorting it out for me :bow:
didn't stop me from binning it although I was able to bin it at a much faster speed than with the standard set up :}
D
D.S.
Guest
blumeeni said:
that's the spirit mate :bow: :bow: :}
C
CBRBillXX
Guest
Hi all :bow: :bow: :bow:
Given that the standard suspension doesn't allow front adjustment what can be done with the standard back (yes other than replacement!) suspension? I've adjusted the damping right up but is there any means whereby the spring preload can be modified?
Cheers in advance
Bill wivva Black one......erm.....bird that is.....ah...erm.....ummm...bike of course....:blush:
:}
Given that the standard suspension doesn't allow front adjustment what can be done with the standard back (yes other than replacement!) suspension? I've adjusted the damping right up but is there any means whereby the spring preload can be modified?
Cheers in advance
Bill wivva Black one......erm.....bird that is.....ah...erm.....ummm...bike of course....:blush:
:}
C
CbrDavE
Guest
After 3 years and over 36,000 miles the rear felt is was in need of a nip and tuck, took off rear shock and increase preload by 2 1/2 turns left the damping as standard. It has made a big differance to turn in and handleing.
At the same time I found that the shock lower bearing was in need of grease, thinks I just caught it in time!
At the same time I found that the shock lower bearing was in need of grease, thinks I just caught it in time!
M
marcella
Guest
whats the min/max weight the bird is meant to carry unadjusted:dunno: i dont ride her like some bug eyed mentalist beer monster and im 13 stone and wifes just over 12 stone and to be honest iv never really found any probs:dunno:
is that cos im a pussy rider then:B
is that cos im a pussy rider then:B
