Australia Motorcycle Licence
(coming soon)
Australia Motorcycle Licence
(coming soon)
There are a few things you really do not want to feel when riding a motorcycle, here are some common side effects of a suspension setup that needs some adjustment.
1. Motorcycle handlebar shakes or vibrates in strong side winds.
2. Motorcycle feels “crashy” or “jarring” over little bumps on rider hands, the handlebar appears “twitchy” to rider input.
3. Motorcycle seems to be bouncing out of corners straying from your intended path of direction.
4. Vague response from the front wheel entering any corner, questioning yourself constantly.
5. Trust in your tyres erodes quickly when road conditions are damp.
An adequately setup motorcycle through any corner is an amazing feeling when it works as expected, most road imperfections are soaked up and you develop trust so that where ever you want to position the motorcycle is where it goes!
A motorcycle should glide and move naturally over road imperfections, your hands should never need to forcefully withhold the handlebar from moving every time a small road bumps occurs.
a. Wet weather conditions do not remove motorcycle control/feel
b. Increased speed should feel similar and predicable and not feel like a completely different motorcycle
Yes adjustments can be made provided you have some mechanical attributes, most motorcycles only have basic preload adjustability at one end of the motorcycle’s suspension and this is typically at the rear suspension. More expensive motorcycles have additional adjustment features but the fundamentals remain the same!
The primary goal when adjusting suspension preload,
You need to have the front and rear suspension drop at the same rate.
Examples pictured show a 80KG weight but replace that weight with yourself (the rider!), sit on the bike in the rider position, side stand up and then literally lift your weight off the seat and land back in the seat putting all your weight into the bike suspension on the downward motion to test your preload.
The reality for most motorcycles is suspension components differ so Moto Agent Helper prefers the drop weight method for testing suspension preload as it is easier to observe and easy to fix before hitting any roads.
You will notice one of the three effects as shown >>
The motorcycle that handles the best is the one where front and rear suspension takes your weight evenly, when suspension drops faster at one end of the motorcycle while stationary then you will immediately know the motorcycle needs preload adjustment.
Remember, the front and rear tyres work together to turn a motorcycle so if one end of the motorcycle’s suspension is not doing its job correctly, you can be sure corner control and stability is affected and this has a direct effect on rider confidence and smooth control of the motorcycle.
Tools?
Your motorcycle should come with a C-Spanner or similar tool to change suspension preload settings.
If you are still unsure, visit a motorcycle store and ask for assistance. You may need to book a time with them to assist further.
Notes
Most motorcycles only have rear preload adjustability, some only have front preload or dual front and rear preload adjustability.
Once suspension preload settings of the motorcycle drop the motorcycle evenly at the front and rear under weight loading and if you still appear to be having issues gaining confidence on the motorcycle then you can now work forward resolving any confidence issues with the knowledge your suspension is most likely not the issue.
There are more areas of suspension adjustment but this technical aspect is not suitable for absolute beginner riders. Start with the basics.
If you are unsure, stop, ask for help… better to be happy, alive and learning than to be un-trusting and wondering what’s wrong.
Rear suspension dives lower or faster than the front suspension when rider weight is applied in a downward motion on the seat.
Increase preload to the rear suspension until suspension drop is even between front and rear suspension.
When rider weight is applied in a downward motion on the seat and finds the suspension already drops evenly across the front and rear.
No preload setting to be changed or adjusted.
Front suspension dives lower or faster than the rear suspension when rider weight is applied in a downward motion on the seat.
Reduce preload to rear suspension until even between front and rear suspension.
Contact Moto Agent Helper
EMAIL: assist@motoagenthelper.com
FACEBOOK https://facebook.com/motoagenthelper
“Ride better every day” - Moto Agent Helper
