Bumpy as f**k

AndyE · Post by **AndyE** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:14 pm

Hi all

Where I live, most of the local roads are very bumpy, especially the minor white roads.

Admittedly my other bike is an enduro bike so the bumps get ironed out by the soft suspension.

Tonight I went out for a little 20-mile bimble around the local roads - around Santa Pod, Bozeat, Wellingborough etc.

On the VTR the bumps on the roads are sometimes so bad I can't even stay on the seat - riding roughshod instead by standing on the pegs, even at fairly low (30mph-ish) speeds.

Is this because the standard suspension is a bit basic (and 28,000 miles old)
Or is it likely to be adjusted too hard?

Anyone live in East Northamptonshire, West Cambs or North Beds fancy a ride of mine to see how it compares to yours?

Cheers!!
Andy

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:10 pm

Hi Andy, I live about 25 mile away from you, could meet you tomorrow night around Northampton way if the weather stays fine

My Storm is still on the factory settings on the suspension, so you can compare it with that too. Cheers Andyh.

AndyE · Post by **AndyE** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:25 am

Hi Andy

Much appreciated - I am in London today and will probably get back too late - but I will definitely take you up on your kind offer for another night!

I'll drop you a PM to suggest some days.

Cheers!
Andy

storminateacup · Post by **storminateacup** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:02 pm

I've got mine on softest settings and it's still bloody hard

AndyE · Post by **AndyE** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:17 pm

Hi Teacup

Interesting. I will probably turn it down to the softest setting on the shock and turn the damping down on the front and do a comparison.

I weigh about 13 stone - what do people have theirs set to?

Does a failed VTR shock usually go springy, too soft or too hard?

Cheers!
Andy

Stormin Ben · Post by **Stormin Ben** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:36 am

Andy,

My usual roads are the same type as you describe
I therefore had my storm setup to cope
Penske shock on the rear
Blade forks at the front
It was brilliant!!

Went to Spain earlier in teh year and one stretch of road had the rest of the group going massively into reverse (Tuono, RSVR factory (Ohlins etc) and 07 R1)
My Storm just got on with dealing with it

As standard the rear shock is far too hard (not helped by ungreased linkages) and the front collapses onto the bump stops
Fit Ohlins springs and grease the linkages for a huge improvement in ride quality

Post by **sirch345** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:37 am

What setting is your rear shock spring set at Andy

To get anywhere close to the required static sag on the rear it will need to be on the softest setting

Chris.

Stratman · Post by **Stratman** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:43 am

I don't think it will make much difference how he adjusts the shock, because at 28,000 miles it will be shagged anyway IMHO.

As many know I fitted a Hagon shock several years ago and it has done all I need it to do at a fraction of the cost of more exotic stuff. If I was a dedicated track goer then it may be lacking, but I'm not and it isn't! They will also rebuild them at reasonable cost.

You can fiddle all day with the standard shock, but the spring is too hard. Full stop. Fit a Hagon or other quality aftermarket shock and experience the joys of suspension again!

I have mine set fairly soft because I like it that way. On bumpy B roads I too watch the hardened sprots bike mates disappear backwards as they are set far too hard for the road.

Post by **sirch345** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:52 pm

Stratman wrote:I don't think it will make much difference how he adjusts the shock, because at 28,000 miles it will be shagged anyway IMHO.

I would be inclined to agree with you on that Paul, that the damping could have seen it's best days by now

Chris.

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:20 pm

Buying the blade showed me what the VTR should have been. It is soft but does not get thrown out of shape on the bumpy stuff and...........the blade has 35K miles on it so the shock is probably buggered

storm warning · Post by **storm warning** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:34 pm

Hi mate, i live in this area as well and don't have too many problems, but then might just ride like a girl, would like to be able to compare storms on some local roads my favourite being around Chelveston/ Kimbolton etc. I'm sure you know them. Let me know when you can make it.

AndyE · Post by **AndyE** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:09 pm

Mr. Warning,

I've just got the bike up on blocks at the moment - inspecting the rear linkage and some of the bearings were siezed. Replacing them will hopefully make a nice difference to how it feels - I should have the bits in the post tomorrow.

I'll send you a message when I'm around for a ride over the next couple of weeks.

Cheers!
Andy

AndyE · Post by **AndyE** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 1:12 pm

Update:

Serviced the rear linkage. One of the bearings in the lower dogbone linkage was totally siezed, and I had to hammer the bolt out with a drift.

New bearings and greased the others, it's much better. I'm stunned at the difference fixing one siezed bearing has made.

If you haven't looked at your various linkages, do it now!

Cheers
Andy

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