Front Suspension

[Irish in Oz]

I was in the company of a guy I know who changes his bikes often. He arrives  on a 1400 about 08 model absolutely mint condition. I asked him what he thought, he said OK except for front end he didnt like preloadwas up to max.
He had a Super Duke before.

[grog]

Irish, is there more to this story.

[Macon]

Couple more beers me thinks 

[Speedy1959]

Must admit I am awaiting the punch line..

[gsxbarmy]

I think what Irish s saying is that the front forks are not really up to the job for the weight of a 14 under full braking - and i'd agree as no matter how well you set them up, even to changing the springs, there is only so much adjustment.

Much of this I believe is down to Suzuki building the 14 to a low budget. Had they fitted front fork# which could be re-valved (or had fitted better valves as standard) then the forks would work a lot better. Without going to a specialist suspension tuner (who can manufacture valves for the forks - like Maxton in the UK) you can't get this done, but 8nstead have to live with "diving" forks.

[Irish in Oz]

I don't have my preload wound full up, a point that Buddy noticed the weekend he thrashed it. I did it deliberately so he couldn't keep up with me on the Oxley when I was on the inferior FJR . This guy would only be 80 kilo wet. I have never riden a Super Duke but assume they would be quite ridged.
So what do others have theirs set at, I weigh about 115 kilo as I have a very heavy bone structure.

[Hooli]

I don't think they dive too badly, it's never given me any hassle anyway. But then I might* be used to it by now.

[Andre]

Weight is 105 kg at 190 cm.
Preload 3 rings visible. Rider sag is 42 mm. Cable tie method shows I have 11 mm left before bottoming out, which is enough for a radical emergency brake action.
Rebound 6 clicks out.
Compression 3 clicks out. I use Motorex 4W fork oil which has a viscosity at 40 degree C of 16, which is about the same as the original Suzuki oil. Next oil change I will change to Motorex 5W with a viscosity of 22 as it is easier to get. Grabbed the last 4W they had and they won't get more. Only other source is in Bulgaria. No worry since I got plenty of clicks to spare.

So far I am quite happy with the settings.

[Starion VR4]

Gentlemen let me ask you this..... Have anyone ever herd of the perfect suspension setup.. that handles everything... from gentile riding to trashing it around a circuit? The answer is a resounding NO. Reason being is there are to many variables, why do the top racers turn up at a circuit & spend the sessions tweaking their suspensions?.... because they are tuning the bike specifically for that circuit & road conditions.

I am a reasonable rider by most standards & set me bike up for Australian Road conditions, to take the different surface changes, the uneven tar, the pot holes, the different grades of bitumen & then I also ride 2 up, & again make adjustments.. What I trying to point out is there are toooooo many variations to setup suspension perfectly for everything ( hence why Suzuki made it so easy to adjust) set the bike up for what is comfortable for 95% of your riding & live with the 5% you can't set it for. The most inportant factor I have found is changing the fluid every ear in my forks ( I use ATF Fluid) & shock  fluid every 2 years ( Again ATF)

 

[Tony Nitrous]

Depends what your used to and what your comparing it with.

After my old 1100ET or Bandit its fine most of the time.
It gives a nice comfortable ride and although not great when pushed hard
it is fairly predictable and copes with minor stupidity.

Personally I like the shorter travel and firmer ride from many USD front ends.
If I don't ride my 14 for a while but put plenty of K's in on the B-King the 1400
has a strange feeling initially, more dive, more travel.

Not always bad, it is what it is.

[Irish in Oz]

Maybe he needs this.

[Tony Nitrous]

Ron Willams at Maxton gave me the spec'd to remove / blank / mod the internals on my anti-dive unit. The bike was better with his spec front end. Did the same to my GSXR1100G, similar to this.....

http://www.theflyingbanana.com/antidive.htm

[GSXKING]

Ba hahahahahah heavy bone structure my arse you lardy bastard Irish 

[Irish in Oz]

Ba hahahahahah heavy bone structure my arse you lardy bastard Irish 

Pot calling the kettle black. And change your avatar it's got t be at least 25 years old. 

[grog]

i took mine to local suspension bloke. set it up to my weight. new springs, oil etc. i never think about adjusting now. did my head in trying those mcn settings, following others advice. work perfectly for me, two up just another ring on rear. 45kg wife. doesnt dive anymore, great over bumps. ,  rode a mt09, felt like a pogo stick only other ive really tried for a while. best 400 bucks ive spent. race tech make re valving kit. gold valves is name from memory.