Recently had the suspension set up on my 848. Bike definitely feels different, but I'm having to relearn my technique quite a bit. Was out yesterday and had some issues, running wide, reluctance to turn, vegue at the rear. I'm not sure this is the suspension or me because it was pretty damp out and I wasn't too confident. Anyway, everything was adjusted except the rear shock rebound due to lack of ball end allen key. Checked it yesterday and it seems very slow. Its also got a strange juddery motion on the way back up - not smooth and continuous. Is this normal, does it suggest the rebound is on an extreme setting? Can't even check what its set to until the long 3mm allen key arrives I'm sure all will become clear once I start to fiddle with it but just wanted to get some info.
Are you sure that all your linkages are lubricated and are free to move? i would suggest you check these first before condeming the shock as a culprit. If however all is ok then yes by almeans have a twiddle with the rebound screw which you need the 3mm key for.
Nope not sure at all. Bike has done ~1000miles by me since it came from a dealer fully serviced (with 1500 miles on it). Do these need regular lubrication then? Not come across this before. The shock does have a huge amount of free play around its axis. It looks odd but I've been told this is completely normal.
yep, showa. For lubrication, is it just a case of applying while the shock is in situ? What can I use, engine oil?
I'd be very surprised if a shock with 2500 miles of use is seized, unless you rode through winter's salted roads and never cleaned it. I have the impression that the bike felt a lot better before you had it adjusted? I once had a bike's suspension adjusted by a guy I thought was expert (trade), he set the rebound far too tight which stops the suspension reacting quickly enough. I've just reread your post, did your rear shock do this before you had the suspension adjusted? It does sound as though the rebound is set too high. When you get the allen key, set it to standard settings and start from there. Hope that helps.
Thanks. We didn't change the rebound, only softened the compression and preload. It might be out of ballance (quick to compress slow to rebound), assuming that they should be equal? Got a suspension book on order so hoping to learn more about setup myself. Its still wet here so can't go out and compare to the previous setup in the dry. I didn't really check the movement before but I didn't notice any shudder (admitedly its only slight but is there). Possibly because I can push the rear down much more easily now.
The suspension should move smoothly, could be the shock, could be the link/pivot. I'd look at the rose joints first. Also check there's the correct amount of slack in the chain.
Just a small update: long allen key arrived and softened the rear rebound, all good. Could also have been due to the front being in a wheel chock causing some front/rear interaction? Is that a no no? Anyway all good now.
