Suspension...?

[clanger]

Just wondered if you guys could offer me some advice. I've had my sv for oodles of years now, and have noticed that when I have her loaded up for shows, rallies etc. the extra weight on the bike actually makes it a better ride for me. Makes the bike feel more grounded....not so light...I was wondering if there are specialised places I can go, or just to a garage and get this sorted out...?

And more importantly, if I have it altered to suit me without a load, will it be worse or okay with load afterwards? Cheers

[dirtydog]

is your preload set to high on the rear shock?

[clanger]

Probably. I've just been reading through the other posts, and it seems everyone has the opposite problem to me. I don't have the tool kit so don't have the tool to alter it...I think I'll take the bike down to a mate's shop and get him to check it out for me.

[dirtydog]

i had my pre load set to max a little while ago and it felt very skittish if that makes sense? handled better when i turned it back down again

[Ceri JC]

Yes, I found the same thing: having a tailpack on the back (although not a pillion) made my bike feel nicer and more planted. Initally, I put this down to the knackered stock rear shock. I've since replaced this with a Nitron shock (the most basic one without a remote resevoir). This has significantly improved the handling and after a bit of tweaking of the combined compression/rebound damping dial almost completely eliminated the wallowing I was previously suffering. I haven't bothered to alter the ride height and nitron assured me that the spring/preload were shipped at their recommended setting to suit my weight.

Now, the effect is certainly less pronounced with the new shock, but with the new shock, I still find it seems a bit more planted with a tailpack on. Any ideas as to why this might be? Do I just prefer "heavier" more planted bikes (I do like cornering on bigger bikes than SVs)?
Is there more tweaking of the suspension (preload) that I should do to sort it?

TIA.

Clanger, what rear shock have you got on your bike and what's the mileage of it?

[sinbad]

Tyre pressure too high?

[Ceri JC]

Tyre pressure too high?

Not on mine, I usually run it 1-2PSI down from the recommended 32:36 front:rear amounts.

[clanger]

Clanger, what rear shock have you got on your bike and what's the mileage of it?

Standard rear shock, hmmm mileage...almost 22k

[clanger]

It was a bit skittish in the early days, so I had the fronk fork springs changed...that did the trick...and the tyre pressures are usually 32 front and 34 rear.

[Viney]

I find the SV handle better two up. It seems to like wieght.

[Bear]

I find the SV handle better two up. It seems to like wieght.

What, you mean it IS the right bike for me?

Personally, I find taking a pillion makes it feel heavy and sluggish. But then, as I weigh approximately an average rider plus pillion, it probably would...