rear suspension setup

[bobbobtar]

Greetings,I have a '06 lt that I've ridden for the last two years and Im still not sure how to setup the rear shock.Most of my driving is.

1.25% solo
2.25% two up
3.50% two up ,fully loaded

Is there one setting that I could make and just leave it at that?

Thanks, Bob

[jackd]

I attended a riding class and they talked about suspension and getting it set into the 'optimal' range.. I don't quite understand the travel part optimal adjustment but there is a measurement associated with the condition of the rear shock called 'stiction'... . This takes a few people to do because you need to 'lift' the bike.

So here it goes.. I'm sure this will generate some discussion.. :D

Rear Suspension measurement:
Measure the suspension fully extended.. from the bottom of the bag at a measurable place to a place on the rear end.. You can put it on the centerstand.. (Record the measurement in mm as L1)
Measure from the same point on the bag or the same measurable place you measured the full travel to the rear end.. With the rider on board push down on the back and let the suspension raise the bike to it's normal position. (Record the measurement in mm as L2)
Measure from the same point on the bag or the same measurable place you measured the full travel to the rear end.. With the rider on board Lift up and let the bike sag to it's normal position. (Record the measurement in mm as L3)
Static spring sag is half was between L2 and L3 minus L1. You ca use this formula Static Spring Sag = L1 - [(L2+L3)/2]


This is the fuzzy optimal that I don't quite understand..

Knowing that measurement for a street bike you should have 30-35mm travel and your total travel should be 28 - 33 % of that to be considered optimal.. (i.e. adjust your preload setting to this window to get you on the sweet spot of the bikes suspension).

This seems pretty easy to understand..

Now stiction (or mechanical condition) = L3-L2

Rear suspension evaluation

Good Condition = 3mm
Poor Condition = 10mm

OK my bike

L1 = 22mm
L2 = 16.5mm
L3 = 16.5mm

My evaluation is that I have less than 3mm between sag and support so my rear shock is good.... and it is in the right range.

So..... If you measure your LT at all your three varible 'needs', 1 up, 2 up, and 2 up loaded and then mark the RPA adjustment then you can just dial in what level of load you are riding today.

[K1200LT-TH]

Hi Guys

I love to been new on the forum and i have tons of questions special when i dint got my owners or service manual,, have to say this forum has been more than helpful,, it's like on going manual it self's....

so my question regarding rear suspension, as you Jack mentioned,, need's 2 other person's,, is there any other way to do it?

and what is if you guys know factory set up for it,, meaning by how much weight it has been fitted for..

im 6'1 and 275lb, can i drive it with out been too soft? :wow:

[jackd]

The object is to get the suspension to both ends as much as possible and you have to get 'all' your weight off and back on. I guess you can come close with one other person measuring the distance. It doesn't have to be perfect only close to make a difference. The rear is the only adjustment you can make. I do not think the BMW stock front shock has an adjustment.

If you think it is too soft I would imagine that this type of adjustment will not change that. This should help bottoming out of the shock. The adjustment you are doing only effectively changes the length of the shock. What you are trying to do is place the shock into its normal operating position instead of at the low end (too much weight) or high end end (no weight) of its travel.