MCN Suspension Settings

[gsxbarmy]

[seth]

more top work barmy 

[Buddynq]

I had this printed out a couple of years ago as it is a great article. Just changed my suspension to Kevs settings and worked a treat

[Ste]

Hi
I have used both these settings in the past however it still felt quite soft, it may be wear and tear on the suspension not helping.
I have a question please.
I am due to take my first trip, with lugage and pillion.
I did a test run with all the suspensions set to the max, is this a bad idea?
Bike went ok however steering was a bit light.
All help appreciated.

Ps I have recently filled the rear shocks with oil and they appear to now be working a treat

[gsxbarmy]

No not a bad idea, however, you may not be getting the optimum even so. I would suggest that getting the bike setup for you by a suspension specialist would be a top move, a number of us have had this done in the past and it transforms how the mighty 14 handles. Cost generally is around the £80 mark, but its money well spent. Maxton's is always a good shout for getting it setup up your way, not sure how far a trip it may be , but would be a worthwhile trip.

If not then I would suggest in the first instance to change the front fork oil (if not done already), and then setup again using MCN settings and then make one change at a time to find out if better or worse, noting the changes as you go. It may take a while, but in the end you too find the optimum setting for how you ride.

[Tony Nitrous]

I was playing with different size rear tyres and a jack-up kits, I'm 80kg with no pillion, mostly mountain roads etc.

I used the softer MCN  setting on the rear, and the firmer one on the front.
I did a few more adjustments afterwards but it was a good starting point for me.

[owen426]

How did you find the jack up kit Tony?

[Tony Nitrous]

How did you find the jack up kit Tony?

It suits me personally. Some do it for the look, I did it to change the steering and turn in.

I understand a lot of folk don't like them, that's their opinion. To me the 14 has pretty lazy geometry, it's slow steering and drags its pegs too easy. No, I don't want a sports bike, I like the 14's size, grunt and mechanics, so lifting the rear was an improvement for me. 

I'll probably upset a few folk by fitting a steering damper in the future as I have noticed a change in stability at speed. My Busa, B-King, GSXR all have dampers, they let you run sportier geometry and have top end stability.

I do think the jack up kits are on the high side though. I think longer shocks would be ideal, a middle ground between a taller tyre and a jack up kit.

It's narrow minded to say they are great or crap.
They just suit some folk and not others.

[gsxbarmy]

I don't necessarily think they are crap, but I do think too many fit them without making the necessary adjustments for the changed steering geometry which leads them to think they are crap.

[Kiwifruit]

If as Barmy suggested getting it set up is not your thing. I'd say start as you are with it set to max and just have a play with it as you go. As has been said already one adjustment at a time.
Enjoy your trip.
Look forward to reading a trip report when you get back 

[grog]

my opinion only, not a suspension expert at all. yrs back i tried the mcn settings, up and down. basically didnt know what was better or worse.spent many hours. i gave up. took it to local suspension guru. he uprated forks, shocks, set to my weight, 90kgs, have never touched adjusters again. might go up a ring on rear if mrs and load on, spring pre load that is. best bucks ive spent. much better bike, no big dollars spent on replacement shockies. wilbers oil n springs in front. rears just re built. 800 all up. handles perfectly, again, my opinion only. some will say a cheap way to do it, must have ohlins etc. i dont think so, it works.

[Tony Nitrous]

I like Ohlins, i dont doubt they are a quality product.

The question I ask myself is does everything else on my bike justify them?
It's an old heavy and dated design, and am I a good enough rider to benefit from
them over other cheaper alternatives?

Having said that, if it was my only bike, and I had a fat wallet I probably would,
certainly before I'd buy the same-old useless bling options.

Compared to some of the dinosaurs I've owned or ridden, I don't actually think
the 14's forks or shocks are that bad. Yes, they can be improved on, but set up
in good condition they work pretty well.

[Steve]

Compared to some of the dinosaurs I've owned or ridden, I don't actually think
the 14's forks or shocks are that bad. Yes, they can be improved on, but set up
in good condition they work pretty well.

I agree with you on that mostly, but at 105 kg the forks are not good. was using the mcn settings in the front and tryed them all but nothing could stop the diving under brakes. this affected the handling immensely. Having to brake, wait for the dive then get into hard braking was a real rhythm breaker.

Anyhow $$ spent on linear springs and revalve was without a doubt the best upgrade I have done on the old girl

[Tony Nitrous]

Compared to some of the dinosaurs I've owned or ridden, I don't actually think
the 14's forks or shocks are that bad. Yes, they can be improved on, but set up
in good condition they work pretty well.

I agree with you on that mostly, but at 105 kg the forks are not good. was using the mcn settings in the front and tryed them all but nothing could stop the diving under brakes. this affected the handling immensely. Having to brake, wait for the dive then get into hard braking was a real rhythm breaker.

Anyhow $$ spent on linear springs and revalve was without a doubt the best upgrade I have done on the old girl

Absolutely.   I don't doubt that better springs / oil / valves will improve things.
I was thinking more of the actual overall design and build, and meaning they don't need to be changed to another more modern type such as "upside downs".

(I do fancy a different front end but that's just personal taste and liking the feel
of shorter travel USD's and radial brakes)

[grog]

Steve, i forgot that bit. the dive under brakes and between gear changes. all gone. just smooth sailing. biggest part i found. a different bike. sorry Tony, i know stuff all about better forks. as said before, i tested a few new bikes, theirs were just terrible. mt09, mv brutale. if they are good, mine are better, sometimes old skool is ok.