Ok so I'm dialing in my new YSS rear shock.

I'll admit suspension settings aren't my strongest point.

I'm noticing if I go at speed bumps at speed the rear is coming upwards a bit sharp while the suspension unloads. will this be more spring preload or damping?

Bit like coming on here and asking advice on finding a wife!!! What works for you doesn't mean it will work for me!!.

There's only one way and that is to learn what ajustments do what.

Most important piece of kit you will need is pen and paper so you can note ajustments down and if you don't like it go back to where you started and it's easy to get lost if you haven't made notes.

Under normal circumstances you'll be looking at around 30mm of sag on the shock,rather than me explain just google it.

But I have a bike that doesn't have any at all and I know other guys who don't on theirs either.

Where it will get even more complex your shock has a combined compression and rebound the ajuster at the bottom of the shock,you may not like the speed of which the shock compress's but chase that setting too much and it will effect the rebound hence why you pay top dollar to have a shock that has separate ajustments.

Bottom line make big ajustments,don't go 1 or 2 clicks make it 5 or 6 so you can feel the difference and what the shock is doing and the same when you ajust the preload ajuster on the shock and as you get closer to what you like go into smaller ajustments.

It's only complicated if you think it is!!! It's just a learning process that so few bother with and yet they should because it makes for a much better bike.

Cheers Way,

most of that I'd already looked into, I was hoping for a pointer where to begin. As you said and I've seen countless times suspension set up is a very personal thing.

unloads... that sounds like the damping is to fast in the return stroke..


when i set my XTR up with the Ohlins shock & USD front end i had them
set at full enduro set up.. magic off road totaly complyant to small sharp bumps... but wollowed around in the corners on the road...
Had to stiffen both ends... great on the road now but nowhere as good offroad..
guess yer can't have the best of both worlds...


..

__________________
Harley Davidson..
The easyest way to turn gasoline into noise with out the side efect of horse power...

Cheers Pete,

That gives me a nice starting point.

I'll admit I was a surprised going from a stuffed factory shock to a nice new one.

If that's the case I'd do absolutely nothing untill you really understand what is going on.

When I've put a rear shock in we I say we because although my other half doesn't ride a bike she knows her compression from her rebound!!! In your case you'll just have to talk to yourself!!

So the way it works, go out ride 20 miles let the sus warm up and stop on the side of the road have a chat do an ajustment ride 10 miles assuming you have selected a decent road and do another.

As Petenz pointed out you can't have both but I assumed you had work that out already.

I've two bikes with Ohlins and another with Wilbers there's nothing between them but where Wilbers have cornered the market you order a shock from them thats Revs Racing in the UK it will come within a click it'll be good to go because they'll ask for your weight and riding style.

It's forced other sus suppliers to up their game,Ohlins for instance have completely changed their supply chain in recent years and Nitron have also come on in leaps and bounds as a supplier to be reckoned with.

To even understand the bare basics,stand at the back of the bike and grab the rear with both hands and press down,how does it feel?? Do an ajustment 5 clicks either way on the ajuster at the bottom of the shock and do the same again and see how that feels.

Cheers guys all noted.

Usually I'll ride a week or so on one setting to really get used to it before adjusting anything.

The conundrum I face is the shock doesn't appear to be the exact size of the OE item so I'm also considering tyre sizes (currently run 120/90/17) and lowering links as it is a little high for my short arse.

Oh blimey I wouldn't be doing that introducing two more complications you won't know to stick or twist.

I'd talk to YSS or the supplier and get the length sorted it's a hassle but I've had a few c**k ups over the year just view it as a learning process.

I've contacted the supplier on Monday and still awaiting a response. But they've had my money and seemingly gone quiet now.

Hi Simon,
on Ohlins web site (and maybe from the other manufacturers) you can find useful tips for setting your bike. Also, I have found good description of understanding suspension and tips for adjusting from someone on R1, years ago. If you want, I can send it to you. On the net, there is a lot more, but it is up to you whom to beleive .
However, lots of reading, be patient and systematic and you will sort it out.
Petre