[jcanrun]

So, took my sag measurements today. Front is 35 mm and rear is 40 mm. (Not sure if this is static sag or what, but it's the total sag from the suspension being fully extended with no weight on either end and with me on the bike in the riding position with my full gear on.)

I weigh 200lbs and would consider myself more of a conservative rider. (no track days or aggressive twisty riding.)

Should I increase the preload on the rear shock so the sag goes down to 35 to match the front? Do you have to match the front and rear sag. I'm pretty comfortable with the current settings on the suspension, but then again, I'm not a real aggressive rider so I'm not pushing it.

Also, I checked the preload settings on the fork and found that they are both set at 10 turns counterclockwise from fully clockwise position. I'm a little confused because the service manual says the fork spring preload setting is 5 turns from the fully counterclockwise position. (which matches what I found.) But the owners manual says the preload is 5 turns in from the fully seated position. (which seems opposite to what I have.) My understanding is the preload is the hardest when screwed in and softest with screwed out. (righty tighty, lefty loosey) So does this mean that I can turn the preload adjusters ten more times clockwise to make the preload stiffer?

 

[chappers]

Swap the figures round the other way and you won't be too far out.
I currently have mine set at 28 rear and 42 front but I like more weight than STD over the front end.
35r 40f is a good starting point on the STD road bike.

 

[Red_DevilZx6r]

sorry to thread jack but question: will changing the rebound and compression effect sag?

 

[jcanrun]

sorry to thread jack but question: will changing the rebound and compression effect sag?

no, rebound and compression won't change the sag.

 

[greddytc05]

from what the guy told me when i bought my bike, our bikes are set from the factory for someone that is around 175-185lbs. so those of us that are 200lbs plus need to reset the bikes anyway.

 

[rrzxter]

I weigh 160+gear. Should I soften the bike for street and interstate? Will that effect handling on the newly paved, curvy expressway? (at 55mph of course). The bike handles great but no give at all if it's a little bumpy. I was thinkin I'm a tad light for the factory settings.

 

[The_Ginger_Ninja]

I heard factory setting was for someone who weighs 150-155 lbs

 

[S3aturnR]

I heard factory setting was for someone who weighs 150-155 lbs

only way to know for sure is to measure it yourself and set it up right. chances are, most of us are heavier than what the bike is set up for from the factory. it may not even be set at all...


s3aturnr

 

[tecateman]

the rear is set more towards 175lb rider but frt is more towards 150 im told. dunno why but kawis are always like that. i can get away with the rear shock but i needed havier fork springs or i bottom out under braking.

 

[rrzxter]

So, if I want to soften up the rear-end just a bit, should I increase/decrease rebound/compression, up, down, back, forth, leave it the hell alone and just ride it?

 

[zx10rgod]

Just ride it. To the nearest suspension specialist who will likely set it up perfectly for you for a small fee. Least thats how it works in the UK and we have numerous people to go to. Worth every penny.

 

[rrzxter]

Just ride it. To the nearest suspension specialist who will likely set it up perfectly for you for a small fee. Least thats how it works in the UK and we have numerous people to go to. Worth every penny.

Like most of the riders on here I'm sure can appreciate, extra bursts of cash are far and few between so I try to reserve paying for mods that I absolutely cannot do myself. This seemed like something that, with a little research and input from other riders that know suspension, I could at least Know where to start. The bike handles fine, it's just that 80% of my riding so far is city. The roads in the city up here are pretty rough from the extreme annual temp changes and snow plow damage. I was just thinking it might save the bike a little wear&tear if I softened it up a bit. If and when I have the time, cash, and confidence to track the bike I will definately have a proffessional go through it. In the mean time, I want to learn the bike inside and out. I strongly believe that fully understanding what the bike is doing mechanically while you're on it helps you to be a better pilot. Even if I had a million bucks I would probably still want to know how to adjust everything myself. So on behalf of all the noobs that are mechanically inclined but just need a push in the right direction, we already know that taking it to an expert and having someone do it for us is an option. On that note, everyone had a 1st bike at some point and experts were'nt born that way. Unfortunately for me I don't have a circle of friends that have been doing this stuff for 20 years. so, any info I can grab on these forums is greatly appreciated.

 

[rrzxter]

Sorry jcanrun, I didn't mean to crash this thread but I'm not allowed to post new threads yet. Was hoping to squeeze some useful info out of the whole suspension subject.

 

[sharky nrk]

i need to setup my bike as well - its difficult to do it on my own and i can't recuit some help as of yet to set it right

 

[markchouinard]

the rear is set more towards 175lb rider but frt is more towards 150 im told.

The manual (and one of the other posters) says that the bike rolls off the production line pre-set for a 150 pound rider. The manual is also available for download on this forum.

I am 240 pounds, so I am going to take it to our local Suspension pros at Pro-tech Suspension. They charge $60.00 to dial the suspension in for your weight and riding style. Probably a good deal, since it's one of the best mods for your bike (Bang-for-buck).

There is a How-to that I read on this site which looks fairly straight-forward and simple, but I would rather ride than tinker!!

PS - If the link doesn't work, make an account; you will have free access to the link after logging in...

 

[rrzxter]

I will definitely look into it however, I'm not sure if there is an actual suspension specialist in my area. My biggest problem is that it's 23 out with snow on the ground, bike's been in the garage since Nov. and I'm probably looking at another 5 weeks before I can even consider riding. If didn't tinker with it all winter I would lose what little of mind I have left. Besides, I still like learning this stuff. I can't find my manual and I got an error when I clicked the link you put up. It's all good though, I searched some other threads and found some helpful youtube flicks.

holy s#!t!!! never mind youtube, check out this write-up by Hoser: http://www.kawiforums.com/showthread.php?t=108982&highlight=suspension+setup

 

[conesweeper]

Here's a pretty good how-to video on how to set up your suspension.

http://www.onthethrottle.tv/pages/page/pu_setting_sag/151_1600

 

[mac5726]

Here's a pretty good how-to video on how to set up your suspension.

Where???:dunno:

 

[conesweeper]

lol whoops forgot to add the link, fixed.

 

[runfromme]

the bikes come dialed in for a very light, not super agressive rider, kawi shocks are generally stiff relative to the front end. if any of you bigger guys want your suspension to work right you need to change the springs. you'll be able to get away with just fork springs unless you're like 200lbs+ and tracking the bike. i'm only 170lbs and my bike is SIGNIFIGANTLY stiffer than stock, granted it's a race bike but it's a whole lot stiffer and i can get 35-37mm race sag without setting the preload to either extreme.

if you're dialing in a ton of pre-load to get proper race sag then you need to change the springs.