Rear Shock Adjustment

[wantahertzdonut]

Can anyone tell me if there is a rule of thumb on where to set the preload on the rear shock?  My manual only discusses how to set it, not what setting to put it on for a certain weight on the bike.  I have no idea if I'm sitting too high or too low, and what to change it to when my girlfriend rides with me (other than stiffening it up a little).

[txbanditrydr]

I suggest you start here....  SUSPENSION THREAD POST... with the understanding that the stock shock offers little in the way of adjustment.

Pre-load determines sag... sag determines point of travel throughout the range of the piston... ideal sag varies depending on rider preferences.  Two up riding with the stock shock almost demands the stiffest setting.

[wantahertzdonut]

Thanks for the link. 

Sag is all I'm trying to figure out, I have no idea how much is too much since I don't want to bottom out!  (it's easy to do around here since our roads are garbage)

[txbanditrydr]

My contact at Cogent Dynamics (Rick) told me that sag should be somewhere in the 30 - 35 mm range.  It's not critical - that is, 38 - 40 mm is not that bad... but the idea is to get the piston into the best working range of motion.  I started out at 38mm (custom shock) and lately have gone to 34mm - I prefer the more planted feel at the expense of a slightly harsher ride... which is moderated by the damping adjustment.  That's the other tricky part of the equation and the stock shock only has 4 positions to choose from.

Remember that you're shooting for an overall setting - road conditions and speed will compromise that setting.  It's a constant trade-off of comfort vs. handling.  When it all works it'll feel like a new bike.

[pmackie]

Sag is all I'm trying to figure out

tx has it right here. 30-40mm is a good starting point. Remember, this is the distance between the rear axle and the seat bolt with the rear shock unloaded on the centre stand, and when you're sitting on the bike, with all weight on the wheels.