3-22
SUSPENSION BALANCE
Balancing the front to rear sus-
pension properly is the most criti-
cal adjustment for suspension
performance. If the front forks are
adjusted harder than the rear sus-
pension, such as changing to
heavier front fork oil, stiffer com-
pression and rebound setting, air
pressure build up in the forks and
so on, the front forks will collapse
less on bumps. This transfers
more of the motorcycle and rider
weight rearward, possibly causing
the rear suspension to bottom,
where as it felt fine before the
front fork adjustment was made.
BALANCE TEST
Stand next to the motorcycle on
level ground. Place one foot on
the foot rest closest to you.
Sharply push down. The front and
rear suspensions should both col-
lapse equally.
BALANCING TIPS
• Check for air pressure build-up
in front forks. Heat and altitude
will increase air pressure in the
front forks.
• Always stay within sag mea-
surement limits, 105 mm (4.1
in), when using spring pre-set
to stiffen or soften rear sus-
pension. If this is not possible,
the next stiffer or softer acces-
sory spring is needed.
• The rear shock compression
damping can be used to fine
tune suspension balance and
is easy to access.
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