Preload adjustment for pillion? - SV650.org

13-03-11, 05:21 PM

How critical is it to adjust the preload on the rear shock when carrying a pillion?

I don't have the toolkit that came with the bike (S K

, and I can't for the life of me rotate the cuff on top of the shock with any other tool i can find...

So would it be safe to ride with a pillion with the shock still set at the stock '4'?

Cheers,
Redders.

rictus01 · 13-03-11, 05:35 PM

the suspension on the SV isn't the most sophisticated it's true, but adding pillion preload does help a little as it'll reduce* the amount of bottoming out you'll experience, which obviously will effect control, but take things easy and it shouldn't be unsafe at all.

* note I said reduce, the standard shock is fairly soft anyway, so it'll probably happen a bit anyway.

Cheers Mark.

13-03-11, 06:08 PM

cheers for the advice!

Just had a quick spin around the block with the girlfriend on the back and it seemed fine. I rode like a granny as it was my first ever pillion carrying experience, but she was suprisingly unnoticable!

14-03-11, 03:03 PM

find chunk of steel.

copy tool below.

never have this problem again.

14-03-11, 06:26 PM

Hello, Just to give you some reassurance I took a mate riding on a trip in Andorra with totally standard bike and settings with no problems at all. I did put a few PSI (cant remember how much) more in the rear though.

The only slight issue I had is being tall and bigfooted it was difficult to get my feet back on the pegs with a pillion in the way and i went through a set of toe sliders in an Afternoon. This may also have been due to my lazy/crap riding style.

I did the same trip a year later on an SV1000 solo and thought the 650 handled much better even two up!

Vid here to give you an idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeOlrYkj6q8

Jon

13-03-11, 05:21 PM	#1
redders Guest Posts: n/a	Preload adjustment for pillion? How critical is it to adjust the preload on the rear shock when carrying a pillion? I don't have the toolkit that came with the bike (S K, and I can't for the life of me rotate the cuff on top of the shock with any other tool i can find... So would it be safe to ride with a pillion with the shock still set at the stock '4'? Cheers, Redders.

13-03-11, 05:35 PM	#2
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	Re: Preload adjustment for pillion the suspension on the SV isn't the most sophisticated it's true, but adding pillion preload does help a little as it'll reduce* the amount of bottoming out you'll experience, which obviously will effect control, but take things easy and it shouldn't be unsafe at all. * note I said reduce, the standard shock is fairly soft anyway, so it'll probably happen a bit anyway. Cheers Mark. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

13-03-11, 06:08 PM	#3
redders Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Preload adjustment for pillion cheers for the advice! Just had a quick spin around the block with the girlfriend on the back and it seemed fine. I rode like a granny as it was my first ever pillion carrying experience, but she was suprisingly unnoticable!

14-03-11, 03:03 PM	#4
novocaine Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Preload adjustment for pillion find chunk of steel. copy tool below. never have this problem again.

14-03-11, 06:26 PM	#5
Apache664 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Preload adjustment for pillion Hello, Just to give you some reassurance I took a mate riding on a trip in Andorra with totally standard bike and settings with no problems at all. I did put a few PSI (cant remember how much) more in the rear though. The only slight issue I had is being tall and bigfooted it was difficult to get my feet back on the pegs with a pillion in the way and i went through a set of toe sliders in an Afternoon. This may also have been due to my lazy/crap riding style. I did the same trip a year later on an SV1000 solo and thought the 650 handled much better even two up! Vid here to give you an idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeOlrYkj6q8 Jon Last edited by Apache664; 14-03-11 at 06:53 PM.

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