I don't know how, when I got the ST, I suddenly forgot everything I knew about suspension.... 30 years of riding and roadracing, using everything from Ohlins, Penske, and even White Power, out the window.
I'm about 220 lbs nekked. I left the suspension at stock settings. While I originally thought I'd be doing maybe 80/20, I'm closer to 50/50. Got bounced around quite abit in the off-road sections and bashed my plate good. Then I took the advice of someone, and turned down all my preload because they said it would soften the ride and it'd handle better in the rough stuff, which I did. I then quickly nailed a rock which has a huge long gash the length of my skid plate cause I bottomed.
After communicating with Jaxon and Stoltec, who reassured me what I did know about suspension was correct and following some recommendations on this site, like cranking the rear preload all the way down and leaving 2 lines on the front, and 6 turns from full stiff on all other adjustments, the bike is totally transformed! Took it out on a quick dirt road by the house and intentionally hit washaboards potholes, sand and gravel.... In the word of George Takai, "oh my".... Night and day from stock settings. Felt almost like a completely different motorcycle. I wasn't bounced around and jarred. Where on this particular dirt road I was comfortable only doing 40ish with the stock settings, 60 was now comfortable
While there is still not enough preload in the rear, it's way better.
So do yourself a favor and adjust that stock suspension!!!!! Of course YMMV....
I'm about 220 lbs nekked. I left the suspension at stock settings. While I originally thought I'd be doing maybe 80/20, I'm closer to 50/50. Got bounced around quite abit in the off-road sections and bashed my plate good. Then I took the advice of someone, and turned down all my preload because they said it would soften the ride and it'd handle better in the rough stuff, which I did. I then quickly nailed a rock which has a huge long gash the length of my skid plate cause I bottomed.
After communicating with Jaxon and Stoltec, who reassured me what I did know about suspension was correct and following some recommendations on this site, like cranking the rear preload all the way down and leaving 2 lines on the front, and 6 turns from full stiff on all other adjustments, the bike is totally transformed! Took it out on a quick dirt road by the house and intentionally hit washaboards potholes, sand and gravel.... In the word of George Takai, "oh my".... Night and day from stock settings. Felt almost like a completely different motorcycle. I wasn't bounced around and jarred. Where on this particular dirt road I was comfortable only doing 40ish with the stock settings, 60 was now comfortable
While there is still not enough preload in the rear, it's way better.
So do yourself a favor and adjust that stock suspension!!!!! Of course YMMV....