Rear Pre Load setting question.

I'm a noob too and really have very little idea about suspension beyond the basics, but I've been told that the heavier the load, the tighter the back suspension ought to be. I'm 9 & 1/2 stone and have found the most comfortable setting on my SV to be 1 - 2 clicks from the loosest setting (standard shock).

Some videos which explain suspension / sag (incl adjusting for different weights)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEwX8TOn1YY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2agFfQC3wo

Jo

Im 17 stone and I've never adjusted the suspension on my SV (and this is stock suspension from new)

Great post Jo. That should help people understand a bit more about the different suspension elements.

Garry

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by doogs

Lets say the top box was mounted on a rack behind the rear wheel and loaded to the max (10kg). Wouldn't this make the front of the bike lighter? If so, does adjusting the rear suspension help at all?

Yes it can help, but it can't cure the effects completely.

to cure the afects further you would need a stiffer spring and i dont think you can change the sv rear shock spring

im running 5mm static sag and 32rider [gsxr 1k shock]

Originally Posted by barwel1992

to cure the afects further you would need a stiffer spring and i dont think you can change the sv rear shock spring

im running 5mm static sag and 32rider [gsxr 1k shock]

Changed mine to a Gixer 1000 as well (Thanks to Barwell for helping). its worth doing, however i've not got the pre-load spot on just yet. Doesn't feel quite right. (Dam site better that the original) i'll try the 5mm as we're about the same weight.

not sure how nmuch good it would do asmy bike is raised so linkage ratio and all that will be diferent to stock

SV suspension http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUwtuRF4iXk

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by doogs

Lets say the top box was mounted on a rack behind the rear wheel and loaded to the max (10kg). Wouldn't this make the front of the bike lighter? If so, does adjusting the rear suspension help at all?

Yes, the overall load is higher, so to get you back to your previous point in the travel you'll need to raise the preload.
But that's not the problem, the problem with putting a large load into a topbox is that it shifts the centre of gravity backwards and upwards, so, even ifthe overall load is within the capabilities of the suspension to support, putting it there will result in lower load on the front tyre 'cos the weight is in a bad place.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by darkdreamsgal

SV suspension http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUwtuRF4iXk

Preload =/= softer or harder

And 240lbs on stock shock? Er....