suspension help needed
 

Well after living with the hawk for about a 2 1/2 years I have had a multitude of experiences and changes.

When I purchased the hawk I was 200lbs. The suspension was fine then. I tweaked for about a week and a half and found the settings that worked for me. When I was really turning it up it would overheat but most of the time it worked fine.

A couple years later I am 165-170lbs. This has changed the whole suspension feeling a bit. I have been able to adapt to this.

Now with the temps in the high 90's I have opted to ride without my leather jacket (when I am commuting) So dropping another 20-30lbs - the jacket has totaly changed the feeling.

Now with the weight change its time to tune in the suspension again. I am 6'3 165-170lbs. I ride at a relaxed pace most of the time - but I do turn it up in the corners from time to time.

Just curious what riders your suspension set up is? Is there a way to keep the front forks from being so harsh, and give me more feedback? What about the rear suspension, is there a setting that makes it bearable, but not harsh?

Suspension it seems is still one of the mysteries of the universe. I still dont understand how to properly tune it is. :oops:

"When I was really turning it up it would overheat but most of the time it worked fine. "

You saying the shock would overheat and the damping would go away?

I went with aftermarket shock for that , Fox in my case.
RaceTech measured the stock fork springs @ .58
I think they'd recommend .85 for your weight.
As you can see, that's quite a difference, and you will feel quite a difference too. At $100 , springs for you would be a lot of 'bang for the buck'.
Use Mobil 1 ATF with the springs, more 'bang for the buck' and you'll have about as good as it gets without valving.

~Jeffers

Re: suspension help needed
 

20-30lb jacket? WTH? :lol: Umm, closer to 10 for a heavy leather jacket.

Front suspension cure: RACETECH.COM
if nothing else, get the proper rate springs and fresh fluid (stock wt, their recommendation is when used with their valving)

2nd vote for mobil 1 atf. Unfortunately, you will need 2 bottles as one isn't quite enough.

"20-30lb jacket? WTH? Umm, closer to 10 for a heavy leather jacket."

Yeah, I was thinking that too.

What caliber handgun does this guy carry?
And how many extra magazines?

~Jeffers

The suspension is designed for roughly your current weight. Set the adjustments to stock and go from there.

Re: suspension help needed
 

Race Tech Springs are the way to go!! You won't believe the difference they make in consistent fornt in feel. I would think you could get by with the stock shock even for aggressive street use. A cheaper alternative is to send it off to a suspension specialist to fit it with the proper spring and freshen it up. As far as trying to balance comfort with performance, that's a tough one. It depends on what you really want to do. If you want to tear it up on the track, you're going to have to sacrifice some comfort.

Good luck, I've been playing with suspension for 5 years and still can't figure it out!!

Kurt.

i didnt know that they had any turns down in FLA.

Re: suspension help needed
 

No turns here! :lol: Thats why I just spent about $600 on front end conversion. :roll: :lol:

Re: suspension help needed
 

So the answer from the board is "I dont know"

Why didnt you all just say that, let me guess you didnt have the balls to say it.

I give kurt a lot of respect for saying " I've been playing with suspension for 5 years and still can't figure it out!! "

I found a good setting for the rear end, but I still need to find one for the front end. It still feels vague and reluctant to turn in.

Re: suspension help needed
 

No, it's just the answer is it comes down to personal taste. I opted to totally revamp my front end with much improved hardware, others use springs, valves and braces. It all depends on how much your willing to spend and/or do to your bike.

Personally I think Honda went a litlle too conservative on the steering angles, which makes it reluctant. The triples and fork tubes are puny which cause them to flex and be vauge. Also the larger components of USD forks seem to take out some of the vibration in the bars. Plus as an added bonus you have more settings to confuse yourself with. :lol:

Re: suspension help needed
 

The bike's not a race replica so its got mediocre suspension.

Everyone gave you the right answer and I didn't see "I don't know" anywhere.

If the suspension was "fine" when you were 200lbs, just change the springs to your weight. If its still harsh, you need to redo the valving.

Also now you say the steering feels vague. Try changing the geometry, forkbrace or put a proper front end on it.

Re: suspension help needed
 

It may be as simple as setting your sag properly. Most racers start out with 35mm of rider sag, 20mm of free sag. For the rear it is 30mm of rider sag and 5-10 mm of free sag. If you adjust your rider sag and the free sag isn't close, you have the wrong springs.

Also, the simple solution to the front end not turning in quick enough is droping the front end or raising the rear. If you drop the front, I don't recommend going more than 5mm at a time. You will also sacrifice stability. The feel part of it is hard to say.

Also, how old is your fork oil? That stuff breaks down like any other oil.

Play with it until your happy.

Good luck