Suspension Settings for 06 Blade

[David Fireblade]

I have an 06 Blade and was wondering what would the suspension setting for the road you recommend would be.

I found the old suspension listing in the old mag very useful

I am 12 1/2 stone (quiet Doc John) and use the bike on road ONLY

Any help appreciated

Thanks

[DocJohn]

I have an 06 Blade and was wondering what would the suspension setting for the road you recommend would be.

I found the old suspension listing in the old mag very useful

I am 12 1/2 stone (quiet Doc John) and use the bike on road ONLY

Any help appreciated

Thanks

Sincere and heartfelt commiserations about the 12 1/2 stone Davy, I had no idea your arms and legs had fallen off.

-John

[roadracer]

How heavy is 12 1/2 stone in KG?(google says not that heavy really at all...about 80kg)

In which case, stock will be fine for road use, no? What's wrong with it that you want it different? too sloppy or you just want it "racier"?

[MonkeyJim]

Sincere and heartfelt commiserations about the 12 1/2 stone Davy, I had no idea your arms and legs had fallen off.

-John

Gotta be quote of the mother-funking month, Shirley?

[David Fireblade]

Gotta be quote of the mother-funking month, Shirley?

Well seen he knows me TOO well

Re why I want the suspension adjusted---- just feels very hard in the back end

[roadracer]

Well seen he knows me TOO well

Re why I want the suspension adjusted---- just feels very hard in the back end

At 80kg the rear end feels very hard, hmm on stock settings it could be fairly sweet-especially during road riding.

Put the preload on position 3, then turn the rebound 1/4 turn anti-clockwise from current, and the compression anti-clockwise another 3 clicks from current.

Should make the bike a touch nicer "just riding along", more stable, and should be just a bit more supple just riding along. Some people actually prefer a softer setting even when going at fast pace so don't think the bike will only go slow with a softish setting

Tyre pressures should be 34Fr 39R for solo riding. Try that lot and see, should be alright I reckon

[sparx55]

I m always very dubious of set ups based on 3 clicks here and 2 there, stock shocks ( and even ohlins r&t )can vary quite a bit in terms of damping on the so called same settings.

The secret is preloads, or sags if you prefere. I would set them (with you on the bike) at 40mm front and 35 on the back loaded for the road and about 35front and 30 rear on track.

Next is rebound, basically you want the fastest CONTROLLED return, so bounce it slowly increasing rebound untill you see its not just springing back but being slowed a little. (if done in the winter, you may need an extra click in the summers heat )

Next is compression, much the same plan as rebound, push down and increasing the comp until you can just feel the extra resistance of the damping.

This won t be far off, then go for a 3/4 speed ride and feel for what the bike is doing, basic rule, if the bike does something you don t like when you give it an input, its comp that wants loking at, if it misbehaves a second later then the rebound wants looking at.

Just one other thing to look for, if the bike holds a line off the power then the springing is ok, if it holds a line on the power, then the comp damping is ok.

Now tyres, Honda say about 36 and 42, this is safe for fully loaded, two up luggage etc, but far too hard for solo, views vary from 32 f -28r on track to 32f -36 rear. on the road. Personally I tend to set mine about 32f 34r and then go for a ride, then when the tyres are warm set them at 33f 36r, next day when they re cold check them and thats your pressures. On track I tend to like 32-33 front and 33 rear when hot. ( Thats about 36 in warmers)

Hope this helps

[David Fireblade]

Thanks folk for the info

I will try a few settings After noting where I am now and see how it goes

Doc John will be in contact

David