chemomche

Hi, i tried to set my sag as recommended in youtube tutorials - 30-35mm
but when i measured my rear shock sag it was 25mm.
Ok, i thought, i will adjust it, but when i looked my rear shock i found that it is on the softest(or lower) position of the spring?
Yes, i am under 80kg with full gear, and the bike is on a diet, but can it be that much so the sag is out of range?

Front sag is 32-33mm, i got gsxr750 srad forks.

Hawkrider

Actually, on the Superhawk, 25mm is right in the middle of the recommended range for the rear. The newer stuff like 2004 and later, especially on the forks, have a different setting because they work better when run deeper into the stroke. For the forks, it's based on long top-out springs. For shocks, some of the newer linkages are pretty progressive.

chemomche

So i am ok with 25mm rear shock sag?

And is it ok with 32-33mm frorks sag?
Well front and rear to have different sag?

Hawkrider

Yes, Yes, and Yes!

comedo

Hawkrider, is there anything you'd like to add about setting sag on rising rate and straight rate rear suspensions? Does changing ride height by adding shims or by lengthening the shock affect the amount of sag that's desirable? I haven't been able to find an answer and I don't think it's covered in Andrew Trevitt's book. And, chemomche, sorry for the thread jack.

Hawkrider

Adding shims and lengthening the shock only affects the geometry of the bike, making the fork rake angle smaller. It will not affect how the rear suspension performs other than the very slight difference in weight distribution that occurs from the change in geometry. This will significantly change the way the bike steers though, to the point of instability. That's why we generally only recommend raising the rear 10mm or so. Combined with raising the forks in the clamps (lowering the front), she sure does steer quick, but on the throttle in bumpy sections can get you in trouble quick!.

Now spring rates and preload is entirely different, but that information is widely available on the interweb.