Shock Adjustments

[dmk]

Just wondering if there is a science to adjusting your shocks - I bought my 04 1150r used a few years ago and have never touched the adjusters. I know how to do it and I'm guessing that its a trial and error process - adjust, see if its better, adjust a little more. Just not sure what I'm looking for. What would be the sign of a need for adjustment or if I adjusted too much? Thanks in advance.

[boxermania]

You didn't mention how many miles you have on the bike, if more than 30K miles there isn't much to do at this stage as they are probably on the way out. If not let us know so we can give you a hand.

[dmk]

Sorry. I've got 11K on the bike. Thanks for the help.

[dmk]

One more item that may be relevant. I purchased new tires at ~9K miles - the front was pretty badly cupped. So far the new tires don't seem to show any wear or cupping.

[Sunbeemer]

A cupped front tire would not be unusual for that mileage (if original), and some brands seem to do that more than others, especially if underinflated. As to shock adjustments, it is trial and error; not so soft you feel like your wallowing in a Caddy, and not so hard your airborn over bumps. And you might prefer different settings depending on whether you're riding solo, two-up, packed for camping, etc, and you'll find the pre-load adjuster is also useful to compensate for more load. That being said, I set mine by the manual and have been happy with that for all uses, but I'm not picky...

[sweatmark]

These bikes can destroy front tires - which in turn destroys handling. I've had similar problems with front tire cupping using several brands of tires. Not sure what it is about the Telelever and/or the bike's geometry... same for the R850R, R1100R, and two R1150Rs. Note that our R1200C was very easy on tires - quite different bike setup there.

Tire condition and load play a bigger role in handling for my Rockster than suspension tweaks. Putting on a fresh (non-cupped) front tiremakes a huge diffeence of course. But then so did the removal of my iABS and replacement of OE muffler - both heavy masses carried somewhat high on the bike - resulting in far faster response to steering inputs.

Need to try the shorter Paralever strut also.

[markg]

Start with the settings advised in the owners manual. If the bike is wallowing in corners you probably need more damping.

Try searching the web on how to set sag, although it's a bit tricky on the front, but less critical too. Probably setting rear sag and damping is most critical. I replaced my stock shocks with Ohlins on both ends at 18k miles. The stockers were definitely fading.

The Ohlins were a major improvement in ride and handling, but pricey. The height adjuster in front helps too.

[boxermania]

Good advice.....but note that on the stock shocks there is no preload adjustment on the front shock so sag can't be adjusted. There is a preload adjustment on the rear and if interested search for posts on how to set sag, CycleRob, yours truly amongst others have dwelled on the subject.

The shorter paralever link (the one from the GS which is 20 mm shorter than the one fitted to the R's) as suggested by sweatmark is a common update as it will raise the rear of the bike by about 1/2 inch and increase the turn in at the front end.

Best of luck

[dmk]

Thanks everyone!