Suspension question

I know this will have been done to death but having recently got a 2011 Speed Triple I have noticed the suspension is a lot harder than I am used too and being my first naked bike as well I am still getting used to it. I have checked the suspension against the manual and it is all set to standard (with the exception of the rear preload which I haven't checked and doesn't seem to have a setting in the manual?). I have noticed the front seems to be bouncing around a bit on bumpy B roads and wonder if this is normal?

Now being 6ft and a little over 15 stone I am used to firming up the suspension but I wonder if I should consider softening it at the front a bit? I have read up all about sag etc. But at the moment just interested to know what settings people seem to have?

Btw I am a relatively new biker so not pushing the limits of the bike at all (by a long way)!

Cheers

Lee

 

It depends on your definition of bouncing, is it skipping over the surface when it hits a bump, symptomatic of the rebound being set to high.
Or is it pogoing over bumps (as if only the springs are working) and taking a while to settle, in which case it could be to little rebound and little compression
Try the following YouTube vid, may help - Dave Moss suspension Tune Up

 

these bikes are superbly set up, Im learning to steer gently and keep a light touch and as little weight on the clip-ons as possible and (I think) I really see a big difference in my handling.

 

You could also reference this - from the Nitron motorcycle Shock manual - Nitron

 

Just an update, I took it to a suspension specialist and he straight away diagnosed the rebound damper set wrong so it wasn't allowing the forks to spring back quick enough hence what I was experiencing. He did the sag, and wound the rear preload right down and tweaked all the compression damping as well. It is like a different bike and I am now loving it! Not cheap at £50 but in my case definitely worth it.

 

Who did you use Lee, I've been trying to find the post for the guy up Leeds way, was it him?

 

No, it was Reactive Suspension at Sutton on the Forest near York.

 

Do you mean John at Alpha?
www.alphasuspensionset-up.co.uk

I've had my 2015 Speed Triple R about a month & find the Ohlins very firm even on the comfort settings in the manual.
I'm planning on paying John a visit in a few weeks time.

 

Just to rub it in the Showa on the "S" is perfect

 

£50 !!!! Sounds like a bargain to me in view of the improvement.

 

) On the contrary, for someone 5'10", weighing 72kgs and coming from a Ducati Panigale 899 with the Showa suspension, I find the standard settings on the Ohlins comfortable with the right balance of handling. Tried and tested over a series of bad surfaces and potholes, corners etc. on known roads where the duke use to suffer and remind my tender regions not so affectionately. The 2016'R is much more caring and I don't need a massage after every ride.

Suspension is a relative thing and a lot depends on riding style, road surface, weight and comfort compromise toleration margins. Best thing is if you are not finding the bike enjoyable to ride, check if the rebound and compression front and back are set to standard comfort settings as per manual and tweak one parameter at a time and assess before tweaking further. Alternatively, take it to a suspension specialist who can do it all by virtue of experience for your personal requirements. The Dave Moss youtube video give a good insight into the relative dynamics of suspensions even if you don't plan on doing any yourselves.

 

This should be done at point of sale by Triumph!