Adjusted preload

[ChevyFazer]

Well after about well over 15,000 miles owning my fz6 I finally decided to look and see what my preload on the rear shock was set at....come to find out it was at 1. So after destroying my tag and fe from one wheel Shinanagins. I tried every spanner wrench I owned until I found one that would work. I bumped it all the way up to 6. Now I weight about 210 (put on my winter coat) and with ear and back pack probably close to 225, first thing I noticed was the ride height and my seating position, I dont feel as cramped anymore and sitting still the bike sits a tad taller. As far as riding goes the first thing I noticed in a straight line is how much easier it is to wheelie, even not meaning too so I immediately had to adjust how much throttle I have been giving it. Also I actually rides a lot smoother, it doesn't travel as much and when it does it seems to rebound smoother, as well as no more bottoming out. In the turns it feels almost like a new bike, so much more stable and confident. I can't believe I'm just now doing this!!! But to be honest I attributed my bikes sagging suspension and bottoming out to my size, but apparently I was wrong!!! I also can't believe that I had been pushing it this hard with the suspension the way it was, I can't wait to get into the mountains and really see how she feels properly set up!!! I would like to think motogiro for putting the idea in my head from another post too, because like I said I always assumed it was because of my size and the guy I got the bike from was about the same size, and again assumed that it was already set to where it needed to be and didn't think twice about it until he mentioned something in a wheelie post of mine. So again thanks motogiro!!! Also any other guys or gals about my size, take a look and see what yours is set at, if it's at 3 or below bump it up a little and see what kind of difference it makes!!!

 

[lomax]

Have a friend watch while you stand over the bike and then sit down in riding position. What you want is the rear and front end to compress equally.

Do this several time to get it right. Adjust the rear preload so that the bike compresses equally front and back when you unload it, then sit down on it.

Marc

 

[ChevyFazer]

I did something similar, I had my buddy take pictures so I could see it my self

 

[06fiz600]

My old bike had a weight-to-preload chart in the manual.
I'm not sure, but I think someone on here has figured an accurate formula for the fz6.

 

[iSteve]

Get yourself some decent springs in the front and then you'll see a ever bigger increase in handling performance.

 

[massaudio]

Is that weight to preload diagram available somewhere ? I am going to have to do this with my bike, as the guy I bought it from was heavier than myself. Would be allot easier to have a chart to go off of rather than trying to have my wife help. Thanks all.

 

[Marthy]

I read somewhere a while back about 20mm rear suspension sag... Not sure if it's a "rule of thumb" thing just to get you started or what... There's a few Youtube video on "how to" do an initial set up on your suspension...

 

[YZF73]

Would highly recommend watching Dave Moss' videos on suspension setup (along with other things), seems very experienced and knows what he's talking about, theres loads of videos on youtube and ustream of him setting up various road, track and race machines.


Link to the specific show about sag measurement/adjustment;

Motorcycle Suspension - Setting Sag - YouTube



Channel where you can find his live shows (20 or so minutes of theory, followed by 40-50 minutes of Q&A);

Archived LIVE Videos of OnTheThrottleLive on USTREAM, page 1 of 5 - Captured live broadcasts and Streaming Video re-airings



Youtube Channels containing his other videos;


MotoFeeder,

OnTheThrottleTV,

SportbikeWrench.



Yamahaboyz

 

[chomorro]

I still need to do this. I went outside real quick and i cant see and numbers on mine. Need to bust out the manual

 

[bryanwny]

Just a thought -- Did your used bike come with the little toolkit under the seat? Don't know if the 2004 has all the same tools as the 2009 anyways? But, there should be a tool in there to set the rear suspension. Slip the little "extension" over the handle and it's even easier

 

[ChevyFazer]

No it didn't have the tool kit...

 

[Nelly]

When I sit on my bike my stock front springs hardly move at all. I don't really see the need to up rate them or am I wrong?
My rear is set at #5, I usually have it between #5 and #6. The trade off for me being a short ar5e is increased seat height and more difficult to maneuver at parking speeds.

Nelly

 

[yamihoe]

i believe mine is set on 6....being 120lbs with gear, I think I should lower that a tad....just a thought

 

[motojoe122]

I leave mine at 3 for around town, 4 with the topcase loaded and/or spirited rides, 7 with my gf on the back.

EDIT: Im at 190 at this point in time....Prob 200 w agatt.

 

[Spider 007]

That is good info, thanks for sharing! :thumbup:

 

[04fizzer]

No it didn't have the tool kit...

You should really get one. It makes life a lot easier. They're only about $30 from ronayers.com.

 

[ChevyFazer]

I made my own tool kit, all the common size t-handles for the bike, some fuses, lights, and some other stuff. It's come in handy a few times. But most of the work I do on the bike is in my shop with a lot better tools then Yamaha provides

 

[04fizzer]

I made my own tool kit, all the common size t-handles for the bike, some fuses, lights, and some other stuff. It's come in handy a few times. But most of the work I do on the bike is in my shop with a lot better tools then Yamaha provides

Except the preload wrench. :BLAA:

 

[ChevyFazer]

Well I did lol, just buried under all kinds of other stuff, just had to find it first