Shock Absorber Setup

From AirheadsWiki

One of the big advantages to a stock suspension, or Progressive or Ikon shocks with a simple preload adjustment, is that the shocks require no setup. If you have no patience for fiddling with special wrenches, and compression and rebound settings, these are the shocks for you.

However, if you want a silky-smooth ride, without the shocks bottoming out, without pogo-ing, without teeth-jarring harshness, and you have the more adjustable shocks (Ikon 7614, Wilburs, Hagon, Ohlins, etc.), read on:

The general procedure for shock setup is:

1. Adjust the compression and rebound damping to their minimum levels. (Many aftermarket shocks only offer rebound damping adjustment, which is just fine. More adjustability does not necessarily mean you have a better shock absorber!)

2. Set the preload so that the bike sags 1 to 1-1/2 inches when you sit on it. This will require the help of a friend and a yardstick or measuring tape. Measure the sag at the top mounting bolt of the shock, or at a place on the frame that is nearby or right above the shock. Take a measurement with the bike off the center stand, while you are holding it upright, without anything loaded on the bike, then take another measurement with you (and your load and/or passenger) on the bike, just barely keeping the bike balanced with your feet so that your full weight is on the bike. The difference should be 1 to 1-1/2 inches.

3. Ride the bike, and gradually increase the compression and rebound damping so that the bike does not 'pogo', or bounce more than once, when you hit a bump. If the compression damping is too high, then the ride will be harsh. If the rebound damping is too high, then when you hit several quick bumps in succession, the suspension will compress and lose it's full effectiveness.

Many riders set the damping too high. Only add enough damping to keep the bike from bouncing after it hits a bump. In general, you may need to add more rebound damping than compression damping, but you may not need much of either to get a good, supple ride.

Of course, you will need to make adjustments when you have a passenger or loaded saddle bags. Keep notes -- it's the only way I've ever found to set the suspension up when I go on a trip with a load on the bike. Over time, you will get to know how many clicks are appropriate different loads. - Tom Childers