Continuing - So what did you do to your bike today...?

[GSXKING]

Having owned my GSX for only a couple of weeks, I've only managed a couple of short rides and a couple of 300km ones. As I've taken some leave before the festive madness, of course the weather has turned to custard and I've been reduced to largely staring fawningly at the bike in the shed. However, while sheltering in the shed from the latest deluge, I thought I'd check how the previous owner had the suspension set up. For your delectation, here's what I found.

Front preload - stock.
Front compression - 10 clicks from hard.
Front rebound - 1 click from hard.
Rear preload and rebound - stock.
Rear rebound - 3 on one side and 3.5 on the other.

I came to the GSX from an 02 R1, so on the longer rides I thought that the handling at times on some very twisty/hilly roads was perhaps a GSX quirk...seeing the suspension settings, perhaps not!

Suspension settings are a very personal thing, and I'm far from expert. To those of you with more knowledge, and with my tongue firmly in my cheek, what size/style of rider do you think the previous settings would suit?

Coming from an R1 I'd suggest you wind everything in all the way. It'll feel stiff. Find a track you use regularly and keep notes of adjustments and the feel. It takes some time.
Everyone is different don't forget.
It's another can of worms like tyres, oil, etc. etc.

[grog]

Agree with above except id start standard settings and oil change in forks, set sag to you. I fitted Wilbers progressive springs and got it set up for me by suspension shop, maybe the best mod i ever did.No more brake dive and lot more compliant over bumps. All personal preferences.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

I've run the MCN settings and find them too stiff for my liking. I'm 187cm and 98kg with full gear on

I've set it to stock, then soften front rebound 2 clicks, and compression damping in 2 clicks.  Rear I leave std,  preload perhaps 4 rings instead of 1.5 if I'm taking a pillion.  As Grog says, front fork oil and fill level help, and stanchions are fully rebuildable and easy to do. Rear shocks you can clean and regrease the preload adjuster. If you're keen you can get the nitrogen cannisters recharged, but by then some decent aftermarket units become affordable. My rear shocks are 22yo originals. Ive only done the preload adjuster, dampers are still great.  Remember its a ~20yo naked sport tourer bike, it won't handle like a late model sports focussed Gixxer or 'Blade if that's what you compare it to.

[grog]

No, wont handle like the best but you need to have it trustworthy,something you can appreciate.I dont know how good others are but i do know what my 14 can do.Thats all i need.

[Kiwifruit]

I'm happy perched on mine, all standard suspension. No idea what the settings are but it handles nicely and is predictable loaded and solo.
Fresh fork oil is well worth the effort. Run good rubber. 

[Hooli]

Fresh fork oil as others have said is well worth it. My 14 is near enough to MCN settings & I'm happy with it, so are friends bikes I've set up roughly following the MCN numbers. I tend to stick to the damper settings & fiddle with pre-load depending on their weight to get the sag about right.

[Roo]

took the beast into VTNZ here for a Warrant of stiffness  haha.

The tester said I see you're using the rear tyre to the edge  !!!

I said I'm just an old fella !!!   lol.    Farrrk $80 bucks for a wof and thats with pensioner discount of $5......

ps  I'm running MCN settings and quite happy with them.

[Kiwifruit]

That's coz VTNZ are a bunch of rip off merchants Roo.

[Roo]

That's coz VTNZ are a bunch of rip off merchants Roo.

yip , they sure are Fruity !  They took me straight in though, the cars were lined up out to the road   !!!
But there were 5 mechs or testers all with one foot in the grave and sooooo slow  !

Its a rip off but handy for me just around the corner...legal for another year  !!!!

[KiwiCol]

But there were 5 mechs or testers all with one foot in the grave and sooooo slow  !

 

[Hooli]

one foot in the grave

I DON'T BELIEVE IT!

/UK joke

[Hooli]

As it's my flexi friday so not working, I plan to try & find why my 14 is playing dead later today. First thing to do though is fit the bluetooth module to the car as I've had it since about October. It plugs into the CD changer & hi-jacks that connection when in use so the original headunit stays in place. The CD changer still works when not using bluetooth too.
Says it's a simple plug & play... we'll see but as it's US made there's more chance of that being true than if it was chinese junk.

I'll update you on both jobs later.

[KiwiCol]

Today, (unofficially) I took the R3GT for a local run, part way along I changed to sport mode (which is where the Penner Tune Map resides) took it gentle for a while then, on a straight bit of rural road with no traffic or intersections, I gave her full throttle. Very impressive indeed, absolutely bonkers torque. It wasn't just revving close to the red line, it was pulling massively still & accelerating hard. (the red line on this one is now 7500) It's like it really comes alive 5500 - 6000+ revs I began to wonder why?  Wasn't it fast enough before this?
Changed maps back to standard, which is no slouch, and carried on. Got sore cheeks from the stupid gin that was plastered inside my helmet.

The Penner Tune really has made it a monster naked power cruiser.

[grog]

Sounds unreal Col, all that extra from a free? Tune download. Such a pity 14 was a bit early for similar.

[GSXKING]

What gear were you in Col?
Was it a rolling start?
I'm full of questions.
We saw a guy today going over Mt.Mee on R3GT and he was boogeying along. Long wheel base would take some manoeuvring at speeds on tighter turns.