Need help setting up suspension for lightweight rider
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
From: St.Louis,MO
Need help setting up suspension for lightweight rider
I need advice on how to set up my suspension for my weight. I weigh 135lbs ready to ride. What wght is my stock suspension set for? I have a Bone stock '98 VTR 1000f. I'm planning to do trackdays this Summer with the Midwest Cafe Racers Association at Gateway International Raceway near St louis,MO. Any input on tire selection would be helpful too.I currently have Pirelli Diablo Corses on the bike now.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,864
From: Fort Wayne, IN
More accurately, the stock VTR suspension is ideal for the following:
Forks - negative 15lb
Shock - 160lb
That's right, the stock springs aren't even good enough to handle the bike alone! Getting proper springs on the bike would be an excellent place to start. If you plan to do much more track time with the bike then making some upgrades to the damping would be suggested.
Gateway is neat, just watch out for that banking! The infield section is fun.
Forks - negative 15lb
Shock - 160lb
That's right, the stock springs aren't even good enough to handle the bike alone! Getting proper springs on the bike would be an excellent place to start. If you plan to do much more track time with the bike then making some upgrades to the damping would be suggested.
Gateway is neat, just watch out for that banking! The infield section is fun.
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
Actually the forks in the VTR are old tech... They work very well with progressive springs on the street... Just not the stock springs... 
A progressive spring will soak up small bumps better than straight springs that have no wiggle before they start to compress...
But yeah, progressive = comfort, straight = performance... I just don't think it's quite as clear cut and polar as you expressed it...
A progressive spring will soak up small bumps better than straight springs that have no wiggle before they start to compress...
But yeah, progressive = comfort, straight = performance... I just don't think it's quite as clear cut and polar as you expressed it...
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,864
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Although the stock springs are wound with two different coil pitches, they are not progressive. If you investigate them closely you'll find that the two piches actually reach solid height at the same load. That means there is no progression of rate.
Progressive springs are too soft over smal bumps and too stiff over larger ones - the worst of both worlds. Straight rate springs out perform them in all applications including cruisers!
Progressive springs are too soft over smal bumps and too stiff over larger ones - the worst of both worlds. Straight rate springs out perform them in all applications including cruisers!
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 317
From: St.Louis Mo
I need advice on how to set up my suspension for my weight. I weigh 135lbs ready to ride. What wght is my stock suspension set for? I have a Bone stock '98 VTR 1000f. I'm planning to do trackdays this Summer with the Midwest Cafe Racers Association at Gateway International Raceway near St louis,MO. Any input on tire selection would be helpful too.I currently have Pirelli Diablo Corses on the bike now.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,864
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
From: St.Louis,MO
At the time I wrote that post I wasn't aware that Gateway was closed.At our last club meeting the rumor was that it might be open again in july under new ownership.If it does,The MCRA will do everything in our power to put on track days again.
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