Suspension; RT vs LT questions

[yechave]

We used a 99RT for a month, did one four day ride, and thought the suspension and brakes were fantastic. Bike looked awesome too!

But, did not like much else, and we traded for the 99LT. The suspension was terrible, stock shocks with 43k, so I just installed the Ohlins. The shocks were ordered and supposedly set up for two up riding, estimated weight at 375, 410 with luggage. It has a very abrupt, sharp snap when going over all the pot holes, not bad on the highway. My back is killing me after an hour ride this evening, and the weather does not get any better than this!

It seems to me with what little I know, that possibly the spring seems to be set too tight. I did not measure it before closing up the bike, but I assumed being experts in the field, there was not much I need to do but install them and expect a great ride.

Am I expecting to much comparing the two bikes?

From all I have read about these new Ohlin shocks, something about this can't be right. I've made a few adjustments to the pre-load, but I can't seem to get it to feel right, anywhere near where I think it should be. I do not recall seeing markings on their adjuster.

More curious to hear from anyone that either owns both, has ridden both bikes, or can see what I should have any complaint with a new set of shocks.

Thanks in advance!

[ArthurKnowles]

I have not had a chance to ride my RT with the rebuilt Wilbers shocks on them yet as I have been too busy make changes (upgrades and maintenance), but at 61K the stock shocks were dead. Stiff is an understatement. Evey bump any where on the road was directly transmitted to the rider. My LT's stock shocks at 18K are so much better its unbelivable. For two-up riding I have the preload set to maximum. Anything else and my passenger feels like they are going to get bounced off. She doen't like the shocks too soft. When I ride one-up I set the preload to mid-way.

Usually there is a manual with new shcoks that describes how to performt he intial setup. If you are going to make changes, I would suggest making one change at a time. Start with the preload. Then fine tune the way the shock responds to the bumbs with the rebound damping adjustments (if you have any).

I would also highly suggest the Back-A-Line backrest from CycleGadgets.Com. I bought one recently for $50 and it helps me out tremendously on any of my motorcycles.

[yechave]

Interesting you replied to this. I read your post on the backrest, and wondered how that was working for you.

I will contact Ohlins tomorrow. This just seems to far out of adjustment to be something corrected with the pre-load.

Definite improvement with the front.

Like just about every other issue I've needed to address, just need to continue to ask the question, until you get the answer your looking for. There are few that have not been answered. Someone somewhere knows exactly what needs to be done.

I spent hours on the phone and internet trying to solve my Autoswitch issue. Even after talking with the man that invented it, someone else that I first tried to reach a week prior, was the man that worked it out, over the phone.

I expect to solve this problem as well.

Thanks!

[ArthurKnowles]

I will contact Ohlins tomorrow. This just seems to far out of adjustment to be something corrected with the pre-load.

I'm not suggesting you can correct the problem just by adjusting the preload. I'm saying that is where you start. That will adjust the sag and give you a basic soft/firm setting. From there, you have to adjust the rebound damping assuming yours has seperate settings for that. My Wilbers do and if I'm going to buy Olins for my LT in teh future I guarentee they will have the opion or I'll go elsewhere.

The rebound damping gives you a method to fine tune the spring action (if you want to look at it that way). It adjusts the speed in which the shocks operates. It can smooth out bumps or make it firmer. But you have to start with the right preload setting first or adjusting your rebound damoing will not help.

My Wilbers installation manual discusses this in brief detail. I also have some downloaded articles on suspension tuning. If you are interested in them I can e-mail them to you or post them as attachments.

FWIW, the Back-A-Line is working very well. Sometimes I wear it around the house. On a day I do so, my back never bothers m and I sleep better. But I really don't wear it every, mostly because I forget to do so. :o On the motorcycle I try to wear it every time. Not only does it help me maintain correct posture, but I feel better at the end of a ride.

[yechave]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had no idea there were other adjustments on the shock. It did take a call to Ohlin, to find out the rebound dampening adjustment knob was located at the bottom of the shock, a black knurled knob. I backed it off 6 clicks. Nice thing was Olhins had a copy of my original invoice and was able to tell me where they had set it at, which was 16 clicks.

Rather not make any comments on wish I had rather done this or that, until I get some miles on there with both of us on the bike, as intended when we placed the order. I also backed the pre-load to near nothing, which was suggested by Ohlin's (for a starting point), as I mainly ride solo most of the time at this point.

They installed their heaviest spring, so even adjustments made with the spanner would not otherwise solve the problem.

And, there is a significant difference in expectations between the RT & LT suspension, just because of the additional weight of the LT, to start with. He mentioned seating position as being another major factor, in how you perceive the shock to be working. I have not ridden any other LT, so I have no idea how a perfectly set up shock should feel.

I hope a few more adjustments here and there will soften the ride and make everyone happy.

FYI, there are 27 clicks of adjustment on the rebound dampener.

Be nice if there were incrementally marked, or noticeably click adjustable increments on the pre-load, but there aren't. Will give an update when I sort it all out.

;^/

[KMC1]

Just my 2c worth real quick like - don't forget that it will take about 1k miles for the shocks to settle down, so they will be a little stiffer until then. (or so I've been told :) )