Soft Suspension Settings

[ejy712]

I'm an older guy -- 62. I weigh 215 without gear. I am a computer programmer and have some sensitive wrists as a result. I got the S10 as a replacement for my Vee Strom. I wanted a cycle that I could cruise the country roads of Pennsylvania (bumpy) and an occasional long trip on super slab (the last one was from Delaware to Minnesota and back in a week to visit relatives). I do a dirt road now and then, easy dirt, no mud.

I was having problems being jolted through the handle bars when going over rough roads. To get around this I made the following adjustments (was at recommended settings):
- minimum preload on the rear spring
- minimum preload on the fork springs
- compression damping on the front forks to 12 out of 16 clicks toward soft.

The ride is very good now. It's like I'm floating over the road. The suspension is not bottoming. I'm getting no porpoising, and the rear is not loading up on continuous bumps. I do get some dive with hard braking, but I expect that, and it presents no control problems. I am able to comfortably ride back roads at 60 that seemed fast at 50 before these adjustments.

So here's my question: What is the downside to this setup? Is it likely to bite me under some conditions that I should be aware of for safety's sake?

 

[Kevhunts]

I'm an older guy -- 62. I weigh 215 without gear. I am a computer programmer and have some sensitive wrists as a result. I got the S10 as a replacement for my Vee Strom. I wanted a cycle that I could cruise the country roads of Pennsylvania (bumpy) and an occasional long trip on super slab (the last one was from Delaware to Minnesota and back in a week to visit relatives). I do a dirt road now and then, easy dirt, no mud.

I was having problems being jolted through the handle bars when going over rough roads. To get around this I made the following adjustments (was at recommended settings):
- minimum preload on the rear spring
- minimum preload on the fork springs
- compression damping on the front forks to 12 out of 16 clicks toward soft.

The ride is very good now. It's like I'm floating over the road. The suspension is not bottoming. I'm getting no porpoising, and the rear is not loading up on continuous bumps. I do get some dive with hard braking, but I expect that, and it presents no control problems. I am able to comfortably ride back roads at 60 that seemed fast at 50 before these adjustments.

So here's my question: What is the downside to this setup? Is it likely to bite me under some conditions that I should be aware of for safety's sake?

I've been running the same setup for over 2k and haven't noticed any down side yet.
I'm in northern Delaware and run the country roads of PA too!

 

[Firefight911]

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=3495.msg61981#msg61981

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=3172.msg55253#msg55253

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=2509.msg42458#msg42458

::001:: ::001:: ::001::

 

[mcbrien]

I to have gone full soft and handleing seems fine . ::021::

 

[3putt]

The downside, is very poor handling in high speed sweepers and twisties. Be sure and tighten up the compression and rebound before hitting that stuff.

 

[mcbrien]

I really wouldn't call it very poor . You want to ride my Harley ::025::

 

[troll]

I really wouldn't call it very poor . You want to ride my Harley ::025::

Ha, I agree... I came off a 2008 Dyna Super Glide with Ohlins rears. The SupaT sticks like glue and holds a line with any settings. It might not feel like that to some of these sport bike racers though. I guess it depends on how hard you want to push it ::26:: ::26::

 

[3putt]

My reply was in response to what will happen with the compression and rebound backed all the way soft. BTDT, fine offroad (well better) but almost dangerous at speed in sweepers.

 

[RMac]

At stock settings I encountered some mildly unsettling rear wallow when pushing the pace on curvy undulating roads. Since way back then I upped both front and rear rebound damping a couple of notches stiffer whilst dropping front compression one or two softer and have never changed since.

Never tried full soft, but know that would result in too plush and unstable ride for my liking. It all boils down to how you ride and what roads you ride on.

 

[Borghi]

I find the stock settings a bit harsh/stiff compared to my V Strom. Will try softening up and see what happens!

 

[RED CAT]

I find for myself that just off full soft on compression and a little more rebound works great and is comfy with no ill handling traits and I ride pretty aggresively especially on gravel. ::001::

 

[spasm]

this is an good thread keep the replies coming, suspension is a very important factor on every different bike so we all need some help here.
ive tried a few different setting on the s10, but i ended up back in the standard settings everything in the middle, i do find it a bit herd on the front when hitting rough tarmac/asphalt. so i might click it back a couple, although i find the present standard setting on the front perfect on hard cornering on the twisties ::26::

 

[~TABASCO~]

I just got back from 1200 miles in South Texas.. More than 200 off road. I have now my stock suspension at FULL stiff.. As tight as I can get it with the rebound in a matching performance value. I left it this way all the way home on the tarmac as well. I need it stiffer for my use off road. I'm not jumping, I think its more a speed issue off road and hitting big long rollers or bumps at speed.. I'm going to have to save up and get aftermarket goods. In a perfect world I need stiffer than stock will offer, but I don't want it so super stiff harsh on the highway... But for now im leaving it full stiff all the time, play with the rebound now that the bike is unloaded... This second im 'looking' at custom Traxxon AK20 full set up in the front and a full aftermarket with full adjustability for the rear... Opinions on brand?

 

[Firefight911]

Ohlin's will be on mine Friday!!

I've run Wilber's and they are fantastic. I've run Fox, Penske, Ohlin's, WP, etc., etc., etc. and they are all good stuff when compared to stock. Ohlin's and Wilber's are a close tie for first choice. The rest fall close behind.

 

[RMac]

Out of interest, do we know for sure that US and Euro S10 versions have the exact same suspension components?

 

[mcbrien]

I to have gone full soft and handleing seems fine . ::021::

For the record I was at stock settings and thought it was great then I went on my first off road
( rocks the size of base balls ) and my ride was like this ::014:: so I then went to full soft and
found I was ok with this on the street . I have now added a couple of clicks to rebound to the front .
Full soft did not fix off road but made it better . Need lighter fork springs .

 

[Megacat]

The only aftermarket springs (front and Rear) that I have found that are designed for the Super Tenere 1200 (without Mods I hope) is Hyperpro http://www.wilbersusa.com/price-lists/Springs%2002-12.pdf

Has anybody tried these ?

::022::

 

[Firefight911]

The only aftermarket springs (front and Rear) that I have found that are designed for the Super Tenere 1200 (without Mods I hope) is Hyperpro http://www.wilbersusa.com/price-lists/Springs%2002-12.pdf

Has anybody tried these ?

::022::

Traxxion Dynamics are currently residing in my Super Tenere so there went that one. There are at least three bikes here that I know of running them.