Suspension Set-up: stutter bump traction

[Mtbjay]

Hi Lads,


Fresh in from a weekend ride in the woods, I found myself contemplating suspension settings again. My tires were searching for traction a bit too often… even for worn-out Metzlers .

When climbing gravel roads and encountering "stutter bumps" I hear some metal clacking and the bike seems to lose and regain traction. The traction control light is not coming on though, yet I sense the power is being subtly moderated.


My thoughts:

A) The clacking could simply be the center-stand rattling about. Or…

B) The clacking is the rear shock is topping out - and I should increase rebound damping (and get real tires). Or….

C) The clacking is the center stand, and I should decrease the damping as the rear shock is packing down. (…and also soften the rear pre-load a little further?)


I've been experimenting a bit, and don't think I'm too far off from the ideal compromise in set-up. It just need a few goto tweaks when I know I'm headed out onto hilly forest roads. It would be interesting to read what others have tried.


Any dirt-oriented tuners out there care to give their 2 cents?

 

[trikepilot]

Pretty sure it is your TCS engaging and disengaging. Not sure why you are not seeing the TCS dash light, But one sure fire test is to run the bike through the same conditions with the TCS turned off and you will know.

What you describe is exactly what I hate when I hit rough terrain and have forgotten to disable the TCS.

 

[Mtbjay]

Come to think of it, I was in TC 2...

 

[Mark R.]

I had clacking and it was the swingarm having been machined too narrowly at the pivot by about 1.0-.5mm. I cured it with a thin big-hole washer. Put your bike on the center stand and grab the swingarm on the left side where the shaft runs, and see if you can move it side to side. If you can, that is the source of your clacking.

And yes, the TC is causing the stutter. Turn it completely off on dirt. Same with ABS. They can cause crashes on the dirt.