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Posted:  24 Aug 2008 00:19	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
This is not the first time this has been posted, but just in case some missed it, its really worth a look. I had been riding with the recommended suspension settings for my XBS.  You know, the ones in the manual that tell people of equal portliness's how to set up the suspension.  Well today I changed my suspension settings to the AGGRESSIVE settings recommended by Shaun Higbee on this link.  After all, that is how I ride most of the time.  It's not for commuting, or regular transportation...its a playtime thing.  Shaun's settings also break it down in groups by weight.  I'm in the 195 - 210 group with all my gear on.  I should be in the 180-195 range...but that's a whole other story.  So anyway...I changed it today.  Holy Crap.  Holy crap...are really the only words that do it justice.  What a HUGE difference it made.  I can def feel whats going one with the front now.  As opposed to before where I was just....I guess sort of feeling what was happening....I don't even know.  I don't know what I was thinking.  It feels like I'm riding a new bike.  It's amazing.  I'm the first to admit that my knowledge of suspension it rudimentary at best.  It's something I'm really trying to learn well at this point.  I haven't really measured sag and stiction at this point...I'm just cracking into this funny little world of suspension changes, but I plan on being an expert at some point.  All I've done is change to Shaun's recommendations for rebound, compression, and dampening.  And again....holy crap.  I should have been slapped for riding my bike the way I was.  She's a mover in the corners now let me tell you.  If it wasn't for the fog in my head from last nights libation fest, I'd be on it right now.  As it stands at this point, I'm waiting for tomorrow afternoon, and a good nights rest with no alcohol to really ring its neck.  Really...holy crap....I should have been slapped........hard. If you haven't changed your settings, I would give this a try.  You can always change it back.  And if you're not like me and you already know what the hell you're doing, and you've found your set up...goodonya .  Enjoy        http://www.steveturnbull.co.uk/buell/thexbpag ...

Posted:  24 Aug 2008 04:00	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  204 Reputation:  3 [?] User Rank: Major
hrm I'll have to tRy

Posted:  24 Aug 2008 04:32	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  170 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Captain
Yeah, I may have to try tweaking my suspension. I have mine set to the factory specs for my weight and it feels pretty good. How does this make it better?    How does it do on rough roads?

Posted:  24 Aug 2008 04:38	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  204 Reputation:  3 [?] User Rank: Major
I set mine up to the next weight class last week and it helped mine a lot Im 175 with gear and set mine at the 190 and up weight, but I'll have to try this

Posted:  24 Aug 2008 14:45	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
I havent really tried it on rough roads.  But I bet its pretty similar to what you are running now.  A little bumpyness is just fine.  It's hard to describe.  You'll be able to feel the front tire, and it feels much more precise.  Give it a try.  It cant hurt.  Takes two min.

Posted:  25 Aug 2008 00:01	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  170 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Captain
I'm sure I won't mind stiffer suspension over bumps but I'm wandering if the front tire may try to bounce off the road in turns that are not so smooth? Just a thought... I'll give this a try anyway and test it first in turns that I know well(of course)

Posted:  25 Aug 2008 01:18	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
It wont bounce off.  I rode today on all kinds of surfaces and it was fine.

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 18:28	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Does anyone have a simlar link for a Buell X1 lightning?  I have a friend I ride with that isn't sure his X1 is set up properly for his riding style.  I've been looking everywhere but can't find anything.

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 18:37	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  665 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Brigadier General
So those settings are for the '05 XB12s? Im guessing those same settings are not going to work for my 12R. Im Still working with stock susp settings and have wanted to refine them a bit.

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 19:14	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
I would think they would be similar, if not the same.  Check the factory recomendations for the R and compare them to factory S settings.  If they are the same, I would feel safe using the sport suspension settings for R as well.

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 19:59	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  665 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Brigadier General
Oh, good idea! Thanks

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 20:14	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2008	Posts:  366 Reputation:  1 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Yes I actually printed that out last week to bring it home. I am definitely going to change the set up as well to see how it helps.

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 21:25	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jul 2008	Posts:  12 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
Looks like his recomendations stiffen the front and soften the rear. ( or vice versa? )Think I'll give it a try soon. Out of curiosity, did you notice any difference in your wheelies with the new suspension setup? I just put the D&D on mine, and my wheelie-point "feel" changed, obviously because I'd shifted the torque band. My normal 1st-2nd gear aggressive-shift-and-ride-it-out wheelie changed from a 1.5 foot lift to a stand straight up, definitely got my attention. I just need to get comfortable with the balance point and maybe get up on my pegs a little more. I reckon a softer rear setup will change how she stands up a little also....

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 21:28	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  665 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Brigadier General
Quote: I reckon a softer rear setup will change how she stands up a little also.... Ya, id imagine the harder your back preload is the easier it is to 12o'clock Her.

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 21:37	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Ha...I'm def not the wheelie expert.  Most of mine are power wheelies that dont get more than a foot off the ground.  I'll drag my knee and slide both tires through a corner, but I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to finding the balance point of a wheelie.  I can only pull what you guys would prob call practice wheelies...nothing huge.  In that respect, for me, nothing has changed.

Posted:  27 Aug 2008 22:37	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jul 2008	Posts:  12 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
Cool, I am no expert either by any means I only wheelie in 1st or second gear and never in traffic ( leaving a stoplight withstanding of course ) lol. Much respect for you guys with wornout knee pucks. I ride in jeans so my knee ain't hitting the ground on purpose.....comes pretty close sometimes though.    Kind of funny, this weekend I came down out of the mountains in W.Va. and stopped at a crossroads. Lot's of bikes there it is a common place to unwind. One dude on a Yamaha, with Yoshimira pipe etc....wearing a matching full leather suit including knee-pucks. Back tire had large chicken strips and he had lots of bugs on his suit but pristine knee-pucks.

Posted:  08 Sep 2008 16:13	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  665 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Brigadier General
Wow!!! Those settings turned my bike into fuckin MotoGP! I suggest anyone who hasn't fine tuned yours to do so cuzz...WOW On a side note, if anyone was as dumb as me and hasnt done this since they bought their bike new from a dealer I would at least check your settings. The dealer had each one of my forks comp. and rebound set different, my rear pre load set for a fuckin 300lbs fat chick, Jeebus.....

Posted:  08 Sep 2008 20:37	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Glad you saw an improvement.  These settings are def a lot better.  Little changes make big differences on these things.  Yeah, dealer settings are just plain dangerous.  NEVER ride a bike purchased from....well anywhere, without checking the suspension settings.

Posted:  08 Sep 2008 20:45	[?]
Registered User Currently Online Join Date: Aug 2008	Posts:  73 Reputation:  2 [?] User Rank: First Lieutenant
dam i wish i could change my suspension settings

Posted:  08 Sep 2008 21:01	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
why cant you?

Posted:  08 Sep 2008 21:12	[?]
Registered User Currently Online Join Date: Aug 2008	Posts:  73 Reputation:  2 [?] User Rank: First Lieutenant
i dont have the tool kit

Posted:  08 Sep 2008 21:18	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  665 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Brigadier General
You can change your front and rear comp/rebound with just a flathead screwdriver. Also I think you could get somewhat creative with a small claw hammer to change it if for whatever reason you couldn't get ahold of a spanner.

Posted:  08 Sep 2008 21:24   Last Edited By: NOMORE4s4ME	[?]
Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007	Posts:  310 Reputation:  4 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Just go to an auto parts store and buy a spanner.  Everything else can be donw with a flat head screwdriver and an adjustable cresent wrench.  Or buy a Buell tool kit.  Cant be that much $.

Posted:  08 Sep 2008 21:38	[?]
Registered User Currently Online Join Date: Aug 2008	Posts:  73 Reputation:  2 [?] User Rank: First Lieutenant
will do

Posted:  09 Sep 2008 10:09   Last Edited By: sinpieces	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Dec 2006	Posts:  191 Reputation:  2 [?] User Rank: Captain
Ok,.. if you liked that, but still look for more road feedback + a smoother "floating" rear end with better grip/traction. Try the Penske 8987 shock and the Hyper Pro progressive spring kit on the forks (to match the Penske). Then you'll notice significant change in the bikes behaviour! As for R and S model settings. The R is (by the book) slightly stiffer on adjustments. It's always ½ a turn stiffer than the XB/s settings (forks). The Hyper Pro also use an oil with higher viscosity, so the forks feels stiffer and sporty. I think the Ohlins (rear and front) offer slightly different approach than above. More smooth and floating + comfort and still the best traction and road contact. I would gladly try Ohlins also, but it's too much money.

Posted:  09 Sep 2008 21:00	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  665 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Brigadier General
And wow... my front tire jumps when I shift into 2nd everytime now.

Posted:  09 Sep 2008 21:04	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Apr 2008	Posts:  935 Reputation:  27 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant General
So I'm thinking that this is going to happen to my bike tomorrow while I'm on recovery from Staff Duty, Wifey has to work so that means at least 6 hours to just play and play with my bike...

Posted:  09 Sep 2008 21:10	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  665 Reputation:  6 [?] User Rank: Brigadier General
Mans its really worth it. Like a brand new bike.

Posted:  09 Sep 2008 21:14	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Apr 2008	Posts:  935 Reputation:  27 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant General
I figure this hardens up the rear end somewhat correct? Will make it easier to wheelie.

Posted:  10 Sep 2008 06:15	[?]
Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2008	Posts:  296 Reputation:  5 [?] User Rank: Major
Ok,I'm reading the posts,has anyone done the set-up change to a xb9r?If so,how did you like it?Just checked my settings,and they were way out of wack.Am going to set them back to factory settings for my weight(182)and go from there.Anyone doing this to a xb9r,feedback please.

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