With no disrespect I watch Dave Moss video's over and over and cant fully understand anything, This video blew me away I totally understand so much better now Excellent, Thank you
Dave Moss can't fully explain anything to me either, I think it gives him a feeling of superiority, it's not that hard if someone explains it fully and properly, as here. (I have a maths degree)
That's because DM's videos are basically trailers for his website, they omit a lot of info and tbh he does say they are snippets. This video right here is great, explains well and shows!
When you explain it then everything makes sense and everything is understandable. Thank you very much for the effort you invest for us all. Greetings from Croatia!
So glad I came across your videos......I'm thinking of buying a ninja 650 2020...and I am 44 yrs old and have never owned a bike..and I thank you for the way you value life enough to teach people what is important and the keys to staying alive while riding......honesty and truth rarely go hand in hand...but you my friend ..bring them together...flawlessly 👍👍👍❤❤❤❤
Great video Eddie, have watched alot of vids on suspension set up ,2 click's out bennetts, etc but this is by far the best on rebound damping, plain English. and explaining it should return quickly and settle, thanks mate
I have watched so many videos on how to set up motorbike suspension and none if them made much sense and then I watched your video, I now understand how suspension works...FANTASTIC....thank you!;)
Great tutorial! Suspension setup is so important, especially rebound. I'd like to add that just looking at that rear tire you can tell the rebound was too fast. When the leading edge of the tread is lower than the trailing edge, you need to slow down the rebound. If the trailing edge is lower than the leading edge you need to speed it up (decrease rebound damping) . You'll notice the trailing edge of the tread is curled up and higher than the leading edge. Classic sign of rebound being too fast. Tires always tell a story.
At last, the penny has dropped for me! I have watched other very informative material on YT but you're style of step by step communication in simple terms nailed it!! Cheers dude. 👍
Dude I thought I knew the basics of motorcycle suspension..Im from London England but now live in Thailand SE Asia..and I bought a2017 Ducati Multistrada.. After seeing your sinmple knowledgeable video .I backed off my front rebound as forks were not returning fast enough. The bike is transformed!!!!! Thank you mate! .
So freakin' cool. Embarrassed that I started riding when I was 25? and have had 3 bikes during that time and never knew anything about suspension. It's awesome to have TH-cam & knowledgable, willing content makers to share info. Between this vid & one by Alberto Naska, I have a good grasp of compression & rebound.
Jitsu, Man I've been riding "only" 50 years and recently learned that I've never have known what I've been doing on a Moto. Wish I could be back to Dego. Stationed there while in the USN in the 70s and 80s. Learning mucho from your vids. You are the best. Wish I could ride like you. Lou
I read Lee Park's book and understood the theory but looking at the demonstration really makes me understand all the things that Lee was explaining, it's unfortunate that my fz6 does not have adjustable suspension as the R6, it just bounces forever hehehe. Great work as usual! Thanks for your efforts
Man, that was an amazing information! So interesting to see the bike behave differently with such small adjustments..very vital knowledge there! Thanks a lot!!! Never knew it before..
This is a good video to explain the mechanics - thanks for putting this out there. It may be worthwhile to note that rider sag (preload) needs to be set to spec BEFORE compression and rebound is adjusted. It may be a bummer for new riders since setting sag generally requires help from another person, but it is the basis of suspension setting. Ask MOM (Motorcycle Owner's Manual) for the sag settings, and then dive into the compression and rebound. BTW, the TEN setting is not really a Japanese term. It's "Tension" (vs. Compression). It's just that the word "rebound" is more widely used in the US. Also of note is that there is no ONE perfect setting for suspension. Setting requirements will change from all sorts of aspects - road surfaces, rider weight, cargo, riding style, tyres, etc.
In cheap stock street suspension TEN is tension because there is cross flow between compression and rebound flow. So, when you adjust tension, you mainly adjust rebound, but you adjust also a bit of compression, because there is no backpressure valves which would create totally separate compression and rebound flow circuits. A common solution in track/race suspension front fork setup is that you have compression in one tube, and rebound on the other tube. Then you have completely separate compression and rebound flows. And in a track/race rear shock you have backpressure valves, which creates totally separate compression and rebound flows. It does not matter if you adjust sag before or after you have adjusted damping settings, because damping settings will not affect to you sag.
So I'm confused. In the video you said anyone can adjust and now your saying you should consult a pro? Do you recommend getting a pro only to adjust? Thanks
Finally a video showing me exactly what I’m looking for. I just got a bike that I’m rebuilding and the dampening screws are at different settings. Now I can set them properly.
Was it so simple?? Can't believe it how simple you have made it for a person like me who has no to little knowledge of bike's inner mechanics. Thanks a ton buddy. Keep growing.
Great video. I respectfully disagree with your verdict on the 1st bike you checked out. A bouncy rebound on a non-adjustable fork can often be cured with a higher viscosity fork oil. You can go, for example, from 5W to 10W or even to 15W and see a marked improvement. I work on a lot of '80s vintage sports bikes and this method works quite well.
watched many videos about suspenssion adjustment, I just had to guess what was that about and try to copy and from there to understand the feeling on the road. Your simple comparison and examples let anyone figure out what to do to set their comfort. I heard a lot of people saying: don't play with ur suspenssion cause it's dangerous. Basicly they install a myth cause it's just for racing purpouse. Now I know for sure they have BO IDEEA WHAT THE ADJUSTMENTS ARE FOR. Thank you verry much!!! Your lessons are great!
Reading chapter 2 on suspension, a lot of terminology I wasn't familiar with, but watching this and your analogy of the air bed helps, also seeing it physically demonstrated👍 thank you.
Well unlike preload and rebound that has a somewhat given correct setting compression is different. The "correct" setting can depend on rider ability, how much feedback a rider wants to feel and how much compression travel of the suspension they are using. If the the rider is skilled and on a track they want enough compression to not bottom out the suspension. On the street the compression will be more relaxed for more bump absorption and compliance. If the rider wants more feedback their setting will be on the slightly stiffer side of things. If they want less feedback they will be on the slightly softer side. There is no set "correct" setting like there is for preload and rebound.
Finally a video that explains it easy, might be a good idea to change the video title, something like "full suspension adjustment quick and easy" , I adjusted my CBR600 while watching it thank you
From watching Dave Moss videos, the damping should be similar between front and rear as well. In this example, the rear damping is too fast and should be turned in 2-3 clicks more.
For riding street that damping looked good. But for track it’s still to fast. Should come back a little slower. Agree 1-2 more clicks. But great video! And def got this guy closer to a SAFE setup over what he started with. Good job man. Awesome how u take the time to educate people.
Again, clear, concise and makes complete sense. People interpret content differently and you have a knack for explaining things in its simplest form. Thank you :)
Thank you from Australia Eddy. I have found your site extremely educational as a new rider. Your advice has been invaluable. I am now practicing my basics in a car park and looking forward to learning more from you as I go. I will also be enrolling in courses in the near future to help improve my riding skills as I continue to enjoy learning and hopefully improving my abilities with my bike. Thank you again
Short, simple to understand, great explanation of everything you NEED to know but not too detailed where it gets boring! Perfect video for understanding suspension basics! Thank you sir!
Been searching for ages and finally come across real world explanations and practical examples. I had an inkling that you are supposed to be planted while the suspension absorbs in and out without you moving, but no one has ever backed up my belief in all the hours of videos I've watched. I have a mono shock with no adjustment that hardly sags when I get on it, and each bump kicks me up like a buckaroo, and coming to a halt I'm sometimes thinking I'm on a pogo stick. Looking to upgrade but it's so confusing with the options. One suspension has length, preload, rebound, with internal Nitrogen chamber which I think would be adequate but it's expensive. Another has high/low speed compression damping which I haven't figured out yet, with an external gas chamber and is cheaper. Another looks similar, but is written in Chinese and gives no details, but has the option to customize each part of the shock with different colours which is really cool. Honestly I'm lost on what to spend my money on.
I would recommend getting Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators...possibly new springs too. Go to racetech.com and call them up and ask to speak to Sydney, the service manager who works there. Tell them Greg from MotoJitsu told you to call to get more information.
@@ArcanePath360 A piece you slip into the front forks to provide high and low-speed damping...and I'm probably saying that wrong but that's the general idea.
I worked a bicycle shop and had to setup mtn bike suspensions for rentals, and I had to privilege of getting discounts on nice MTBs through Trek, so I had to learn about suspensions. The suspensions on bicycles are typically air and oil. The air is the spring and sets the sag or high of the bike given the riders weight and riding style. We could add remove tokens that take up room in the air chamber to adjust the spring rate to make it more progressive or regressive and some of them were designed to be more or less one way or the other, but we didn't mess with that. The biggest thing was adjusting rebound and compression. I usually adjusted the compression soft and got the rebound right so it wouldn't pack after consecutive bumps or pogo. I adjusted my air so it wouldn't bottom out the suspension when I started bouncing hard on the bike. But that is with a lightweight bike on rough trails. The biggest thing is the suspension should give the rider confidence and take some of the work out of it. But still you got to ride actively and work the suspension over the line you chose, which is easy on a light bike since you weigh more than the bike anyways. One tool they made that anyone could buy was a Shock Wiz that would read air pressures during a session and bluetooth to your phone to give suggestions and that was a big deal. The only problem with air suspensions on motorcycles will probably be the maintenance of the seals and oil due to the weight. MTB suspension technology is ahead of automotive due to the lower weight thus lower cost of the systems. Trek and other companies spend big bucks at events like Redbull to figure out what's best then scale it down to shorter travel bikes and trickle the technology down. Every year the lower end bikes would get better for their price points.
I do most of the stuff replacing/modifying on my 150cc bike. This adds more information. I dont really have full adjustability on my forks except my rear preload, still better knowing it than spending $100 for something basic if learned right. Good Job bro! Ride Safe always. 👌👌👌👌
Thanks Eddie! I hadn’t taken time to learn how to adjust my 07 FJR but knew it wasn’t set correctly. Much appreciate the easy to understand explanation!
Most informative suspension video I've seen, I ordered Racetechs suspension Bible and Lee parks total control, can't wait to be confident fine-tuning suspensions
This is a fine video! I would like to add a detail though; Back in the '70s and '80s bikes usually did not have any damping adjustments and most bikes came with crap (very soft damping) shock absorbers, One common upgrade was to Install Koni rear shocks which had a 3 position knob for rebound-but even on the softest setting they had more damping than most OEM shocks. I used to explain why good rear shocks were imortant this way: BTW those Konis were SUPER popular on BMW bikes which came with quite lame shocks. Think of the rear end bouncing as it goes over a succession of bumps! not good! Now think of those bumps in a turn, as the bike's rear bounces the frame moves the fork at an angle-that in turn moves the contact patch of the leaned over tire back and forth! and that leads to the WAH WAHS! Getting the rear under control actually will make the front feel more stable! TRUTH! Back in those days front suspension was largely tuned only by changing the fork oil viscosity; today's actual adjustments are so much better! Enjoy! Let me add another detail, many riders will raise the spring preload to carry a passenger or major luggage; stronger springing is likely to work best with more damping! Greg is focused here on a sporty bike with a solo rider but if you do mixed riding with a passenger keep that in mind.
I had lots of non adjustable Japanese bikes in the ‘70s and ‘80’s. I toured on a ‘72 cb 750. Handling was ok but better with Konis on the rear for sure. Mine didn’t have damping adjustment but we’re still an improvement. Changing fork oil helped a bit too. 450-550 miles a day was quite bearable.
Wow such a thorough masterpiece ! Just received that book and has a wealth of information and ur book has a couple drills to master (turns & handling) Can't wait to start wrenching on my suspension!
@@MotoJitsu don't suppose you have any plans to do a video explaining how to set up sag? Lots of videos out there but the likes of Dave Moss are all chopped up in to little segments, videos from others contradict eachother. I'm confident if you made one we'd all understand it clearly. 👌🏻
wow what a video, full of information and pure experience. before that video i was wondering why there are screw on the top of shock now i know what it does. great video worth every second. although its a year back video but i want re alive this with commenting. well done bro. love from pakistan.
Eddie, Your videos have been a tremendous help to me with both gaining confidence and knowledge about riding. The way you teach is very easy to comprehend and this video especially has helped my understanding of suspension. Do you have any videos about measuring/ setting sag or adjusting rear preload on the shock utilizing a spanner wrench?
great to hear! Nothing about that...read Total Control 2nd Edition by Lee Parks...he has 2 chapters on suspension and the second one tells you how to do it all
I'm a bit late to the game for this one, but thankyou, thankyou for explaining this in laymans terms and without the BS of opinion. I have recently taken on a second hand bike which has given me one 'big time' head shake/tank slapper followed by a couple slightly more manageable. Suspension set up has always seemed to be such a grey area that you feel the 'supposed vlog experts' in this area are actually guessing their opinions. I think this will now give me a better understanding that if I take it to a professional to set up I can decide whether he is blagging to take the buck or does actually know his stuff. (from a 35 year experience rider still learning every day)
Get the tires balanced, or replaced if they are older. Very common reason for head shake, especially on a used bike that you don't know the history. It could be other things like head bearings, but you check the easy and more common thing of out of balance tires first
@@adjbob56 I took the advice of Fast Eddie and set the bike up as he explained and had to change it a fair bit. When I bought the bike all suspension was set to OEM settings. I have a few goes on track so thought I would get these settings checked out by a pro that I know (he's good and he did it with me fully geared up). He told me that within a click or two all the settings were all good. Since changing them I've never felt the bike twitch as it did before
Fast Eddie, you don't use the term "dank nooners" in EVERY video, that says you actually want us to be safer and not cooler! I just got home from an hour in the windy roads here in the Australian mountains did some slow stuff at the half way point ( turn around come home mark) committing your riding tips to muscle memory bit by bit and I am going faster and smoother on the corners! Been on dirt bike for years until one month ago the CBR is a different creature for sure! I'm loving every second of it! Thank you :)
@@MotoJitsu the same people who say a 300 is to small, and that a learner should start with a 600 or bigger, And I'll get sick of my 300 in a month, I have had it a month its just had its first service, got its first 1000km up and I'm still getting used to it not even thinking I'll ever get sick of it!
Race Tech emulators really helped plant my old SV. The new Street Triple I just got is my first bike with adjustable suspension. Game changer. This is such an excellent vid. Thanks again so much. Just ordered your book!!
Was watching a video last night on TH-cam with someone saying he is an expert on motorcycle suspensions and everyone should listen to him and no one else. He was saying factory setting is perfect and you would never need anything else for the road. Now I am not an expert but even I know everyone that rides a motorcycle don't weight the same weight so how can the factory suspension be a one size fits all. I just stopped watching the video after he said that. This video gives a way better explanation than the one size fits all. So everyone should adjust their suspension to their weight.
@@BendApparatus True, but unless it's electronic suspension that automatically adjust when a 200lb person goes and buy the bike it's different compared to a 130lb person that buys the same bike then it won't be perfect for everyone from the factory.
@@JamesBrown-vt9kr according to a guy who tunes suspension for moto GP (I'll link you the vid if you like) most performance bikes come with the suspension set from the factory as he put it "set for the mythical weight of 85 kilograms...which is for a 155lb guy with 30lb of gear...lol So yeah...gotta adjust for 200lb guy...he literally says that...
@@BendApparatus exactly and that would be common knowledge because not every one riding weighs the same. Plus the mere fact that the forks can be adjusted suggest that they should when needed. .
Thanks for being so passionate for motorcycles I guess I want to say thanks for sharing your knowledge every video is very appreciated you can read some things in a manual and still not wrap your brain around but the visual seems to always lets ot sink in
I came to watch this after reading the "Suspension" setup chapter in Total Control by Lee Parks. Great job demonstrating this; I feel somewhat crazy learning all this without yet owning a bike but at the same time, it only increases my enthusiasm for learning more. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and as well, demonstrating.
Not yet, unfortunately, but I appreciate the inquiry. Will most definitely acquire one, as I hope to make motorcycling a hobby and enjoy the liberation it gives when forcing one to be present at the moment. Thank you again for what you do.
your welcome for watching and thanks for the time seem like a cool guy iv been tweeking with mine for days waiting on spanner wrench so i can adjust preload on rear shock for 2up riding on my cbr and special thanxs to honda for putting it on the bottom in the dirtyest craped spot possible but hey very nice vid next time mention if you ride a passenger you need to adjust preload for those conditions then back when riding alone
That is what I like on youtube. You watch videos talking about suspension, you find sometime a good one (like Dave Moss who can explain clearly how work suspension in 26000 words, but clearly) and suddenly out of the blue, you find a video like this one where a miracle happens. Thank you, simple and clear with wayyyyy less word!
Awesome brother, very useful for me. Do you’ve some video about the compression setting? i already did the sag, now i’ll try with rebound damping. Thanks for your time i also was working in Pendleton for two years as P.E.P and did the BRC on base with my Fz1. Greetings from Chile!
Loved this video! I do have one question? How do you adjust the rear suspension for a person's weight? Doesn't the rider have to sit on the bike and take a measurement? I'm confused about this. thank you again
Did you ever figure it out?? It seems fairly complicated and needing of more than a single person... This is a pretty technical video I found on it. SafeLink th-cam.com/video/FjGgq1z9zbo/w-d-xo.html
NOICE! 2 o'clock in the morning, laying in my bad, just a little sad the video ended. Is there an explanation for the rest of suspension, coach. Thanks 😊
I think you should also mention that it's best to adjust these settings just after riding, so that the oil is at the temperature it would be when riding. The oil gets thinner when hotter. All the settings will change based on the riders ability, the surface he rides on, and the outside temperature. Also, rebound needs to be checked every few thousand miles as the characteristics of the oil will change with age as well. I once made the mistake of thinking that the settings I had set for a 100 degree track day with fresh fork oil were right for my commute in single digit temps, 20,000 miles later.
Knowledge gold. Just set up my bike this week. Expected it to ride more smooth over bumps, did not expect it to turn in so easily. Its a completely different feeling bike. Huge confidence boost, also no more back pain. If you have an adjustable bike and have never set it up, you plain wasted money. Pay for it, or better yet get to know your bike and do it yourself, but get it done.
Awesome man, thank you. I've heard the terms used before but have never understood them, even when googling them. Your practical demonstrations are fantastic. I knew I had limited options on my bike, but at least now I know :) Thank you :)
you are the man. gone through so many clips you are the only one speaking "english". impressed by your previous video about knee conering and this one is even more awesome. can u also go through "compression" setting as well?
Hello mr zitsu! Best regards from GR! Big fan here! If it is no problem pls make another video explaining that crap about compression dumping and sag! Let us know the behaviour of the bike and how a soften or stiffer suspension behaves in the corner entry! R6 06 here and the bike feels really stiff in the entry or in the hard braking point before entry..front suspension feels like no absortion even on weight transfer trough hard brakes! Should it sink in or not? Thanks for all the info! Keep it up! You help a lot! No question here!
For non adjustable fork you can still tune the fork oil viscosity that will affect both damping and rebound, air gap volume gap ( also called oil height ) and also tune the correct sag with spring spacers inside the fork. And always leave a bit static sag so te bike does not quick back like a wild worse.
Recently picked up a 02 CBR954. Bike felt terrible on certain sections of white top on the freeway super bumpy pretty unnerving even below 65. Just checked the compression settings and the previous owner had them at nearly full hard! Excited to see how much of an improvement I can make.
With no disrespect I watch
Dave Moss video's over and over and cant fully understand anything, This video blew me away I totally understand so much better now Excellent, Thank you
❤️👍🏼
Dave Moss can't fully explain anything to me either, I think it gives him a feeling of superiority, it's not that hard if someone explains it fully and properly, as here. (I have a maths degree)
That's because DM's videos are basically trailers for his website, they omit a lot of info and tbh he does say they are snippets. This video right here is great, explains well and shows!
Useful Tip for anyone: use your phone to take a slow motion video so you can see the moment more clearly of your motorcycle.
Thank you for the video!!
One of the best suspension videos out there! Totally worth watching all 26 minutes! You make rebound completely easy to understand.
Finally an explaination that makes sense. Great video.
Thanks!
Yup. As usual, you have simplified a topic which is quite confusing to most of us. Thanks.
When you explain it then everything makes sense and everything is understandable. Thank you very much for the effort you invest for us all. Greetings from Croatia!
You’re welcome!
What a simple straightforward beginners explanation to suspension . No bs..just solid information. You can tell this guy's ex marine corps. 🇬🇧👍
Yup. Best explanation of setting dampening and explaining preload that I’ve come across. Thanks Greg.
You’re welcome 😊
So glad I came across your videos......I'm thinking of buying a ninja 650 2020...and I am 44 yrs old and have never owned a bike..and I thank you for the way you value life enough to teach people what is important and the keys to staying alive while riding......honesty and truth rarely go hand in hand...but you my friend ..bring them together...flawlessly 👍👍👍❤❤❤❤
Welcome aboard!
Great video Eddie, have watched alot of vids on suspension set up ,2 click's out bennetts, etc but this is by far the best on rebound damping, plain English. and explaining it should return quickly and settle, thanks mate
You’re welcome!
I have watched so many videos on how to set up motorbike suspension and none if them made much sense and then I watched your video, I now understand how suspension works...FANTASTIC....thank you!;)
Great tutorial! Suspension setup is so important, especially rebound. I'd like to add that just looking at that rear tire you can tell the rebound was too fast. When the leading edge of the tread is lower than the trailing edge, you need to slow down the rebound. If the trailing edge is lower than the leading edge you need to speed it up (decrease rebound damping) . You'll notice the trailing edge of the tread is curled up and higher than the leading edge. Classic sign of rebound being too fast. Tires always tell a story.
I understood more about the suspensions in this video than the other 6 videos i have watched.
At last, the penny has dropped for me! I have watched other very informative material on YT but you're style of step by step communication in simple terms nailed it!! Cheers dude. 👍
Awesome!
Dude I thought I knew the basics of motorcycle suspension..Im from London England but now live in Thailand SE Asia..and I bought a2017 Ducati Multistrada..
After seeing your sinmple knowledgeable video .I backed off my front rebound as forks were not returning fast enough.
The bike is transformed!!!!!
Thank you mate!
.
Besides you can beat the hell out of anybody you've explained suspension 100 times better than all I've seen here in utube lol.
Thanks a million!
Thanks!
So freakin' cool. Embarrassed that I started riding when I was 25? and have had 3 bikes during that time and never knew anything about suspension. It's awesome to have TH-cam & knowledgable, willing content makers to share info. Between this vid & one by Alberto Naska, I have a good grasp of compression & rebound.
👌🏼
Jitsu, Man I've been riding "only" 50 years and recently learned that I've never have known what I've been doing on a Moto. Wish I could be back to Dego. Stationed there while in the USN in the 70s and 80s. Learning mucho from your vids. You are the best. Wish I could ride like you. Lou
thanks!!!!! Don't wish, practice!
this is the "clearest" explanation i have seen.Bravo
thanks!
I read Lee Park's book and understood the theory but looking at the demonstration really makes me understand all the things that Lee was explaining, it's unfortunate that my fz6 does not have adjustable suspension as the R6, it just bounces forever hehehe. Great work as usual! Thanks for your efforts
You’re welcome 😊
Man, that was an amazing information! So interesting to see the bike behave differently with such small adjustments..very vital knowledge there! Thanks a lot!!! Never knew it before..
You’re welcome!
English is my first langu. But his metaphors and speaking are so easy to understand! I see a natural teacher right here!
This is a good video to explain the mechanics - thanks for putting this out there.
It may be worthwhile to note that rider sag (preload) needs to be set to spec BEFORE compression and rebound is adjusted. It may be a bummer for new riders since setting sag generally requires help from another person, but it is the basis of suspension setting. Ask MOM (Motorcycle Owner's Manual) for the sag settings, and then dive into the compression and rebound.
BTW, the TEN setting is not really a Japanese term. It's "Tension" (vs. Compression). It's just that the word "rebound" is more widely used in the US.
Also of note is that there is no ONE perfect setting for suspension. Setting requirements will change from all sorts of aspects - road surfaces, rider weight, cargo, riding style, tyres, etc.
Thanks and in Total Control we do Rebound 1st...then sag. Either way, have a professional set it up who actually know what they’re doing
In cheap stock street suspension TEN is tension because there is cross flow between compression and rebound flow. So, when you adjust tension, you mainly adjust rebound, but you adjust also a bit of compression, because there is no backpressure valves which would create totally separate compression and rebound flow circuits.
A common solution in track/race suspension front fork setup is that you have compression in one tube, and rebound on the other tube. Then you have completely separate compression and rebound flows.
And in a track/race rear shock you have backpressure valves, which creates totally separate compression and rebound flows.
It does not matter if you adjust sag before or after you have adjusted damping settings, because damping settings will not affect to you sag.
Yep, preload needs to be set first.
So I'm confused. In the video you said anyone can adjust and now your saying you should consult a pro? Do you recommend getting a pro only to adjust?
Thanks
This is hands down the best explanation I've seen to date. This bloke is an excellent communicator. Thank you.
You’re welcome :)
Now I understand motorcycle suspension. Great explanation, as always! Thank you very much, Fast Eddie.
Happy to help!
Finally a video showing me exactly what I’m looking for. I just got a bike that I’m rebuilding and the dampening screws are at different settings. Now I can set them properly.
read Total Control, 2nd Edition by Lee Parks
instagram.com/motojitsuclub/
Perfect explanation.... best 26 min video
thanks!
OMG, ur explanation of the preload finally helps me. I had no idea after 10 years what that is.
Glad to hear, but read more books and take more courses!
MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, affiliate links, courses, discounts, etc.
BEST EXPLANATION I'VE SEEN!!!
THANK YOU!!!!
🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍
thanks
Was it so simple?? Can't believe it how simple you have made it for a person like me who has no to little knowledge of bike's inner mechanics. Thanks a ton buddy. Keep growing.
:)
MotoJitsu.com for my App, books, merch, affiliate links, etc.
Great video. I respectfully disagree with your verdict on the 1st bike you checked out. A bouncy rebound on a non-adjustable fork can often be cured with a higher viscosity fork oil. You can go, for example, from 5W to 10W or even to 15W and see a marked improvement. I work on a lot of '80s vintage sports bikes and this method works quite well.
Thanks!! Share it with fellow riders! MotoJitsu.com
watched many videos about suspenssion adjustment, I just had to guess what was that about and try to copy and from there to understand the feeling on the road. Your simple comparison and examples let anyone figure out what to do to set their comfort. I heard a lot of people saying: don't play with ur suspenssion cause it's dangerous. Basicly they install a myth cause it's just for racing purpouse. Now I know for sure they have BO IDEEA WHAT THE ADJUSTMENTS ARE FOR.
Thank you verry much!!! Your lessons are great!
Thanks!
That air mattress analogy is the best one I've ever heard for preload. Thank you!!
Lmao!
"It's a fast bike bro, you should get it."
lol!
That's why I bought my scoot, great salesman. Not.
1 of the best vids i've seen so far! Talked to my brother and he said this had no impact if you changed it. I learned now it actually does. Thanks!
Ik this is immature but that air mattress gesture cracked me up 😂
2 years later… after that kept sticking his finger in and out of the hole 😂😂😂
@@ColoradoKid32 bro i forgot abt this comment. it still kills me till this day lmfao
Reading chapter 2 on suspension, a lot of terminology I wasn't familiar with, but watching this and your analogy of the air bed helps, also seeing it physically demonstrated👍 thank you.
awesome!
You're the man. Thanks for the detailed explanation and hands on. Love following your videos. Keep it up my man. Thanks
Thanks!
Waiting for a compression video! Even Dave Moss doesn't explain 100% clearly. Especially for the rear.
Thanks for the content. Much appreciated!
Read Total Control, it’ll help :)
Well unlike preload and rebound that has a somewhat given correct setting compression is different. The "correct" setting can depend on rider ability, how much feedback a rider wants to feel and how much compression travel of the suspension they are using. If the the rider is skilled and on a track they want enough compression to not bottom out the suspension. On the street the compression will be more relaxed for more bump absorption and compliance. If the rider wants more feedback their setting will be on the slightly stiffer side of things. If they want less feedback they will be on the slightly softer side. There is no set "correct" setting like there is for preload and rebound.
Fast Eddie you make a great 👍🏼 motorcycle 🏍 salesman
You explain everything!
Thanks! Maybe that's my future, to sell bikes! lol
Finally a video that explains it easy, might be a good idea to change the video title, something like "full suspension adjustment quick and easy" , I adjusted my CBR600 while watching it thank you
It's not full adjustment...just rebound. I only explain sag. :)
From watching Dave Moss videos, the damping should be similar between front and rear as well. In this example, the rear damping is too fast and should be turned in 2-3 clicks more.
it's a setting to where it's supposed to be and the test on how is what I'm talking about.
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For riding street that damping looked good. But for track it’s still to fast. Should come back a little slower. Agree 1-2 more clicks. But great video! And def got this guy closer to a SAFE setup over what he started with. Good job man. Awesome how u take the time to educate people.
Wow, fully understood, thankyou from Northeast England, over the pond 🤩
Glad it was helpful!
Preload = air in the mattress was a perfect analogy for me.
Thanks 🙏🏼
Again, clear, concise and makes complete sense. People interpret content differently and you have a knack for explaining things in its simplest form. Thank you :)
thanks;)
MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, etc.
Love how you explain. Thanks
Thanks!
Thank you from Australia Eddy. I have found your site extremely educational as a new rider. Your advice has been invaluable.
I am now practicing my basics in a car park and looking forward to learning more from you as I go.
I will also be enrolling in courses in the near future to help improve my riding skills as I continue to enjoy learning and hopefully improving my abilities with my bike.
Thank you again
Very informative video, but you should always adjust static sag front and rear before you do anything concerning suspension settings.
I’m going to stick to how Lee Parks does it and how we teach it based off his book.
Short, simple to understand, great explanation of everything you NEED to know but not too detailed where it gets boring! Perfect video for understanding suspension basics! Thank you sir!
thanks
Great to se Tom Cruise exlaining how it all works. Just kidding. Thank for good explanation. Greetings from Denmark! :-)
Hahahha Thanks
This guy really has passion to teach
easy and simple.
Thanks.
You’re great biker
I appreciate that!
instagram.com/motojitsuclub
Been searching for ages and finally come across real world explanations and practical examples. I had an inkling that you are supposed to be planted while the suspension absorbs in and out without you moving, but no one has ever backed up my belief in all the hours of videos I've watched. I have a mono shock with no adjustment that hardly sags when I get on it, and each bump kicks me up like a buckaroo, and coming to a halt I'm sometimes thinking I'm on a pogo stick. Looking to upgrade but it's so confusing with the options. One suspension has length, preload, rebound, with internal Nitrogen chamber which I think would be adequate but it's expensive. Another has high/low speed compression damping which I haven't figured out yet, with an external gas chamber and is cheaper. Another looks similar, but is written in Chinese and gives no details, but has the option to customize each part of the shock with different colours which is really cool.
Honestly I'm lost on what to spend my money on.
I would recommend getting Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators...possibly new springs too. Go to racetech.com and call them up and ask to speak to Sydney, the service manager who works there. Tell them Greg from MotoJitsu told you to call to get more information.
@@MotoJitsu Thanks for the info, but I actually live in the UK. Calling long distance would kill my phone bill. What is a cartridge emulator?
@@ArcanePath360 A piece you slip into the front forks to provide high and low-speed damping...and I'm probably saying that wrong but that's the general idea.
@@MotoJitsu Ah, I see. Thanks
:)
I worked a bicycle shop and had to setup mtn bike suspensions for rentals, and I had to privilege of getting discounts on nice MTBs through Trek, so I had to learn about suspensions. The suspensions on bicycles are typically air and oil. The air is the spring and sets the sag or high of the bike given the riders weight and riding style. We could add remove tokens that take up room in the air chamber to adjust the spring rate to make it more progressive or regressive and some of them were designed to be more or less one way or the other, but we didn't mess with that. The biggest thing was adjusting rebound and compression. I usually adjusted the compression soft and got the rebound right so it wouldn't pack after consecutive bumps or pogo. I adjusted my air so it wouldn't bottom out the suspension when I started bouncing hard on the bike. But that is with a lightweight bike on rough trails. The biggest thing is the suspension should give the rider confidence and take some of the work out of it. But still you got to ride actively and work the suspension over the line you chose, which is easy on a light bike since you weigh more than the bike anyways. One tool they made that anyone could buy was a Shock Wiz that would read air pressures during a session and bluetooth to your phone to give suggestions and that was a big deal. The only problem with air suspensions on motorcycles will probably be the maintenance of the seals and oil due to the weight. MTB suspension technology is ahead of automotive due to the lower weight thus lower cost of the systems. Trek and other companies spend big bucks at events like Redbull to figure out what's best then scale it down to shorter travel bikes and trickle the technology down. Every year the lower end bikes would get better for their price points.
I do most of the stuff replacing/modifying on my 150cc bike. This adds more information. I dont really have full adjustability on my forks except my rear preload, still better knowing it than spending $100 for something basic if learned right. Good Job bro! Ride Safe always.
👌👌👌👌
thanks!
I watched this video like I was physically standing there with the bike meet. Great lesson!
Thanks!
Best explanation I've ever seen. U r the best teacher... theory + practical 😊👍
Just saved 171 178 bikers with adjustable suspension $100 each.
You have my sub brother 😎
❤️👍🏼
Thanks Eddie! I hadn’t taken time to learn how to adjust my 07 FJR but knew it wasn’t set correctly. Much appreciate the easy to understand explanation!
Most informative suspension video I've seen, I ordered Racetechs suspension Bible and Lee parks total control, can't wait to be confident fine-tuning suspensions
Sweet!! :)
This is a fine video! I would like to add a detail though; Back in the '70s and '80s bikes usually did not have any damping adjustments and most bikes came with crap (very soft damping) shock absorbers, One common upgrade was to Install Koni rear shocks which had a 3 position knob for rebound-but even on the softest setting they had more damping than most OEM shocks. I used to explain why good rear shocks were imortant this way: BTW those Konis were SUPER popular on BMW bikes which came with quite lame shocks.
Think of the rear end bouncing as it goes over a succession of bumps! not good! Now think of those bumps in a turn, as the bike's rear bounces the frame moves the fork at an angle-that in turn moves the contact patch of the leaned over tire back and forth! and that leads to the WAH WAHS! Getting the rear under control actually will make the front feel more stable! TRUTH!
Back in those days front suspension was largely tuned only by changing the fork oil viscosity; today's actual adjustments are so much better! Enjoy!
Let me add another detail, many riders will raise the spring preload to carry a passenger or major luggage; stronger springing is likely to work best with more damping! Greg is focused here on a sporty bike with a solo rider but if you do mixed riding with a passenger keep that in mind.
I had lots of non adjustable Japanese bikes in the ‘70s and ‘80’s. I toured on a ‘72 cb 750. Handling was ok but better with Konis on the rear for sure. Mine didn’t have damping adjustment but we’re still an improvement. Changing fork oil helped a bit too. 450-550 miles a day was quite bearable.
Wow such a thorough masterpiece ! Just received that book and has a wealth of information and ur book has a couple drills to master (turns & handling)
Can't wait to start wrenching on my suspension!
I've just recently started to mess with the suspension after 3 years with my R6. I'm so late lol. This was very helpful
Glad it was!! Join my Discord! www.motojitsu.com/discord
Probably the easiest to follow tutorial on TH-cam, thank you 👏🏻👌🏼
Thanks!
@@MotoJitsu don't suppose you have any plans to do a video explaining how to set up sag? Lots of videos out there but the likes of Dave Moss are all chopped up in to little segments, videos from others contradict eachother.
I'm confident if you made one we'd all understand it clearly. 👌🏻
@@Shrekeo It's all outlined in Total Control, 2nd Edition by Lee Parks better than I could ever say
@@MotoJitsu thanks, I'll take a look.
wow what a video, full of information and pure experience. before that video i was wondering why there are screw on the top of shock now i know what it does. great video worth every second. although its a year back video but i want re alive this with commenting. well done bro. love from pakistan.
thanks!
Eddie,
Your videos have been a tremendous help to me with both gaining confidence and knowledge about riding. The way you teach is very easy to comprehend and this video especially has helped my understanding of suspension. Do you have any videos about measuring/ setting sag or adjusting rear preload on the shock utilizing a spanner wrench?
great to hear! Nothing about that...read Total Control 2nd Edition by Lee Parks...he has 2 chapters on suspension and the second one tells you how to do it all
I'm a bit late to the game for this one, but thankyou, thankyou for explaining this in laymans terms and without the BS of opinion. I have recently taken on a second hand bike which has given me one 'big time' head shake/tank slapper followed by a couple slightly more manageable. Suspension set up has always seemed to be such a grey area that you feel the 'supposed vlog experts' in this area are actually guessing their opinions. I think this will now give me a better understanding that if I take it to a professional to set up I can decide whether he is blagging to take the buck or does actually know his stuff.
(from a 35 year experience rider still learning every day)
Get the tires balanced, or replaced if they are older. Very common reason for head shake, especially on a used bike that you don't know the history. It could be other things like head bearings, but you check the easy and more common thing of out of balance tires first
@@adjbob56 I took the advice of Fast Eddie and set the bike up as he explained and had to change it a fair bit. When I bought the bike all suspension was set to OEM settings. I have a few goes on track so thought I would get these settings checked out by a pro that I know (he's good and he did it with me fully geared up). He told me that within a click or two all the settings were all good. Since changing them I've never felt the bike twitch as it did before
Thanks for the great explanation!! I know my bike is way to soft but I wasn't how to set it right and O didn't want to worsen it even more.
Read Total Control 2nd Edition by Lee Parks :)
Fast Eddie, you don't use the term "dank nooners" in EVERY video, that says you actually want us to be safer and not cooler! I just got home from an hour in the windy roads here in the Australian mountains did some slow stuff at the half way point ( turn around come home mark) committing your riding tips to muscle memory bit by bit and I am going faster and smoother on the corners! Been on dirt bike for years until one month ago the CBR is a different creature for sure! I'm loving every second of it!
Thank you :)
Who the hell says that? A bunch of people who can’t ride I imagine.
@@MotoJitsu the same people who say a 300 is to small, and that a learner should start with a 600 or bigger,
And I'll get sick of my 300 in a month, I have had it a month its just had its first service, got its first 1000km up and I'm still getting used to it not even thinking I'll ever get sick of it!
Race Tech emulators really helped plant my old SV. The new Street Triple I just got is my first bike with adjustable suspension. Game changer. This is such an excellent vid. Thanks again so much. Just ordered your book!!
I had them too!! thank you so much!
Someone who knows left from right 🙌🏻🙌🏻Best video
thanks Max:)
Good job thanks aloy man you are by far the clearest teacher on TH-cam that explains suspension
thanks!
Was watching a video last night on TH-cam with someone saying he is an expert on motorcycle suspensions and everyone should listen to him and no one else. He was saying factory setting is perfect and you would never need anything else for the road. Now I am not an expert but even I know everyone that rides a motorcycle don't weight the same weight so how can the factory suspension be a one size fits all. I just stopped watching the video after he said that.
This video gives a way better explanation than the one size fits all. So everyone should adjust their suspension to their weight.
True... But you saw that R1... It was pretty much adjusted perfectly from the factory... That's why you pay the big bucks...lol
@@BendApparatus True, but unless it's electronic suspension that automatically adjust when a 200lb person goes and buy the bike it's different compared to a 130lb person that buys the same bike then it won't be perfect for everyone from the factory.
@@JamesBrown-vt9kr according to a guy who tunes suspension for moto GP (I'll link you the vid if you like) most performance bikes come with the suspension set from the factory as he put it "set for the mythical weight of 85 kilograms...which is for a 155lb guy with 30lb of gear...lol
So yeah...gotta adjust for 200lb guy...he literally says that...
@@BendApparatus exactly and that would be common knowledge because not every one riding weighs the same. Plus the mere fact that the forks can be adjusted suggest that they should when needed. .
Thanks for being so passionate for motorcycles I guess I want to say thanks for sharing your knowledge every video is very appreciated you can read some things in a manual and still not wrap your brain around but the visual seems to always lets ot sink in
Owners manual has very little information and something misleading. Read Total Control, 2nd Edition by Lee Parks
Excellent video - thanks
I came to watch this after reading the "Suspension" setup chapter in Total Control by Lee Parks. Great job demonstrating this; I feel somewhat crazy learning all this without yet owning a bike but at the same time, it only increases my enthusiasm for learning more. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and as well, demonstrating.
You’re welcome!
Did you ever end up getting a bike?? 🏍🏍🏍
Not yet, unfortunately, but I appreciate the inquiry. Will most definitely acquire one, as I hope to make motorcycling a hobby and enjoy the liberation it gives when forcing one to be present at the moment. Thank you again for what you do.
your welcome for watching and thanks for the time seem like a cool guy iv been tweeking with mine for days waiting on spanner wrench so i can adjust preload on rear shock for 2up riding on my cbr and special thanxs to honda for putting it on the bottom in the dirtyest craped spot possible but hey very nice vid next time mention if you ride a passenger you need to adjust preload for those conditions then back when riding alone
I did.
I've watched 2 hours of Dave Moss (which is good), but this video made the most sense and actually made it understandable. So good, thank you again!!
You're welcome!
The best explanation of suspension set up I've ever seen. Thanks a lot!
thanks :)
I bought the lee parks book Total Control after this video. Absolutely brilliant book. 🇬🇧👍
That is what I like on youtube. You watch videos talking about suspension, you find sometime a good one (like Dave Moss who can explain clearly how work suspension in 26000 words, but clearly) and suddenly out of the blue, you find a video like this one where a miracle happens. Thank you, simple and clear with wayyyyy less word!
Amazing Eddie, just ordered the book as well. Setting up rebound right now. God bless you and the family.
You have just blew DaveMoss away. Most excellent Sensei. Great lessons. You are very good.
Gman in Colorado
:)
MotoJitsu.com for my App, books, merch, affiliate links, etc.
Awesome brother, very useful for me. Do you’ve some video about the compression setting? i already did the sag, now i’ll try with rebound damping. Thanks for your time i also was working in Pendleton for two years as P.E.P and did the BRC on base with my Fz1. Greetings from Chile!
Loved this video! I do have one question? How do you adjust the rear suspension for a person's weight? Doesn't the rider have to sit on the bike and take a measurement? I'm confused about this. thank you again
Did you ever figure it out??
It seems fairly complicated and needing of more than a single person...
This is a pretty technical video I found on it. SafeLink
th-cam.com/video/FjGgq1z9zbo/w-d-xo.html
Perfect explanation . Mr 2 clicks out is great - if he showed you ANYTHING
Thanks Eddie, the Internet appreciates your time. Clear vid and explanation
Glad to help:)
NOICE! 2 o'clock in the morning, laying in my bad, just a little sad the video ended. Is there an explanation for the rest of suspension, coach. Thanks 😊
Yes, Total Control, 2nd Edition by Lee Parks
I think you should also mention that it's best to adjust these settings just after riding, so that the oil is at the temperature it would be when riding. The oil gets thinner when hotter. All the settings will change based on the riders ability, the surface he rides on, and the outside temperature. Also, rebound needs to be checked every few thousand miles as the characteristics of the oil will change with age as well. I once made the mistake of thinking that the settings I had set for a 100 degree track day with fresh fork oil were right for my commute in single digit temps, 20,000 miles later.
We teach this and do it just as shown....I trust Lee Parks :)
Yes, that is a good point!
Just read Lee Parks book and the suspension parts, then I see you posted this video. The combo is great. THANKS!!!
You’re welcome! I’m glad it makes sense :)
Finally I fully understand these adjustments. Thank you!
Happy to help!
Excellent.. most simple to understand video I have seen on this topic. I will have a wrestle with my rebound now .
Thanks!
Super helpful! Thank you. Am now going to adjust the suspension on my Niken GT.
Knowledge gold. Just set up my bike this week. Expected it to ride more smooth over bumps, did not expect it to turn in so easily. Its a completely different feeling bike. Huge confidence boost, also no more back pain. If you have an adjustable bike and have never set it up, you plain wasted money. Pay for it, or better yet get to know your bike and do it yourself, but get it done.
thanks!
As always with MotoJitsu, the best video in youtube on the subject. Thanks!
Wow, by far the best explanation of damping and preload!
Glad you think so!
So young, so smart and informative. You're good. My favorite M/C vids.
thanks :)
Awesome man, thank you. I've heard the terms used before but have never understood them, even when googling them. Your practical demonstrations are fantastic. I knew I had limited options on my bike, but at least now I know :) Thank you :)
You're welcome! Share with others :)
you are the man. gone through so many clips you are the only one speaking "english". impressed by your previous video about knee conering and this one is even more awesome. can u also go through "compression" setting as well?
thanks. Read Total Control, 2nd Edition by Lee Parks.
Hello mr zitsu! Best regards from GR! Big fan here! If it is no problem pls make another video explaining that crap about compression dumping and sag! Let us know the behaviour of the bike and how a soften or stiffer suspension behaves in the corner entry! R6 06 here and the bike feels really stiff in the entry or in the hard braking point before entry..front suspension feels like no absortion even on weight transfer trough hard brakes! Should it sink in or not? Thanks for all the info! Keep it up! You help a lot! No question here!
Get it adjusted by someone who knows what they're doing....set the sag to your weight and do the rebound.
MotoJitsu.com for my app, books, merch, etc.
For non adjustable fork you can still tune the fork oil viscosity that will affect both damping and rebound, air gap volume gap ( also called oil height ) and also tune the correct sag with spring spacers inside the fork. And always leave a bit static sag so te bike does not quick back like a wild worse.
Recently picked up a 02 CBR954. Bike felt terrible on certain sections of white top on the freeway super bumpy pretty unnerving even below 65. Just checked the compression settings and the previous owner had them at nearly full hard! Excited to see how much of an improvement I can make.