So, I was participating in a 3 hr cornering clinic yesterday. Big parking lot for drills, ~30 mph max speed - 20-25 more typical in the larger radius drills.
My Set-up: '08 1300ABS, factory front end - nothing ever done to it. 24k miles. Previous owner to 21k was a big guy - guessing 250+. I properly refilled the rear preload adjuster (I'm surprised the tire wasn't rubbing the fender when he rode it - he had never touched it since new, and the damping was way too light). I set it up for about 32-34 mm rider sag (about 1 turn past the "standard" position - 7 turns I think). I usually add 1 turn preload to stiffen the rear a bit for these clinics. PR3s frt & rr inflated to 42 psi for class (normally run 40). My weight with full gear is about 203 lb. Top box was off, and cases had maybe 3# worth of pant liner and jacket liner, and a water bottle.
With neutral seating position, I was routinely dragging the peg buttons during the drills. If I got off on the inside some, I could gain a little clearance, but usually end up touching the buttons but with a little more roll-on.
After the class was done, I looked at the chicken strips and was seeing about 3/8" front and rear. Yet, peg buttons are no doubt dragging.
I didn't feel like I was running a bunch of lean angle, a la road racers, but I don't really sense that any more - level eyes out at turn exit or beyond and the sense of lean sort of goes away - my experience anyway.
This 3/8" chicken strips and peg buttons dragging does not seem to add up...but this is new to me with the ST. The only unknown is front sag which I have not yet tried to measure.
Any guidance on a good number for rider sag - I've seen 35-38 mm suggested in other posts. I'm wondering if the factory front springs have taken some set and I have excess sag on the front right off the bat (or possibly spring rate has softened). I'm not opposed to a new set of springs, but no need for my normal riding if the suspension height is good. If I recall from the FOM, I think you can shim the factory springs to set the preload - if it needs help, that could be a start. If the spring rate is a bit low, adding a bit extra fork oil can help that.
Any guidance some of you experts on ST suspension can provide - appreciated in advance.
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Also, I hear it is likely helpful to go with lower viscosity oil to reduce what is claimed to be over-damped front end. It does feel a little harsh on rougher surfaces in normal riding. I'll have to try the zip-ties around the fork tubes to check max compression and see where that is I guess.
Thanks. Also, check my post concerning windshield selection to reduce rider & passenger turbulence. It is horribly noisy in my Shoei RF-1100 unless I duck behind the OEM windscreen (set at any height) and look through it. Need help there to make wife (and me) happy so she will take some road trips with me.
My Set-up: '08 1300ABS, factory front end - nothing ever done to it. 24k miles. Previous owner to 21k was a big guy - guessing 250+. I properly refilled the rear preload adjuster (I'm surprised the tire wasn't rubbing the fender when he rode it - he had never touched it since new, and the damping was way too light). I set it up for about 32-34 mm rider sag (about 1 turn past the "standard" position - 7 turns I think). I usually add 1 turn preload to stiffen the rear a bit for these clinics. PR3s frt & rr inflated to 42 psi for class (normally run 40). My weight with full gear is about 203 lb. Top box was off, and cases had maybe 3# worth of pant liner and jacket liner, and a water bottle.
With neutral seating position, I was routinely dragging the peg buttons during the drills. If I got off on the inside some, I could gain a little clearance, but usually end up touching the buttons but with a little more roll-on.
After the class was done, I looked at the chicken strips and was seeing about 3/8" front and rear. Yet, peg buttons are no doubt dragging.
I didn't feel like I was running a bunch of lean angle, a la road racers, but I don't really sense that any more - level eyes out at turn exit or beyond and the sense of lean sort of goes away - my experience anyway.
This 3/8" chicken strips and peg buttons dragging does not seem to add up...but this is new to me with the ST. The only unknown is front sag which I have not yet tried to measure.
Any guidance on a good number for rider sag - I've seen 35-38 mm suggested in other posts. I'm wondering if the factory front springs have taken some set and I have excess sag on the front right off the bat (or possibly spring rate has softened). I'm not opposed to a new set of springs, but no need for my normal riding if the suspension height is good. If I recall from the FOM, I think you can shim the factory springs to set the preload - if it needs help, that could be a start. If the spring rate is a bit low, adding a bit extra fork oil can help that.
Any guidance some of you experts on ST suspension can provide - appreciated in advance.
~~~~
Also, I hear it is likely helpful to go with lower viscosity oil to reduce what is claimed to be over-damped front end. It does feel a little harsh on rougher surfaces in normal riding. I'll have to try the zip-ties around the fork tubes to check max compression and see where that is I guess.
Thanks. Also, check my post concerning windshield selection to reduce rider & passenger turbulence. It is horribly noisy in my Shoei RF-1100 unless I duck behind the OEM windscreen (set at any height) and look through it. Need help there to make wife (and me) happy so she will take some road trips with me.