Got My Suspension Dialed In
As part of my preparation for the track day event on October, I had my suspension dialed in today. Well, not for the track but for the street. But I also got the settings for the track so I can do it myself later. I had it done at Evolution Suspension in San Jose. Rob, the shop owner is a knowledgeable person when it comes to motorcycle. He is a nice British guy too. He gives you free advises while he fixes your bike. So anyway, I’m pretty happy with the setting right now. He adjusted the front and rear preloads, rebounds and compressions. This is done base on my weight and the type of riding that I do. Normally, the adjustments done for suspension are just the starting point and should not be considered as the ultimate setting unless you are satisfied with how the bike rides. Actually, the tires, the condition of the suspension components, the place where you ride, the layout of the track, the rider’s skill play a big part in finding the optimum suspension setting. When setting up suspension, make sure that you are familiar with how the preload, compression and rebound works. A poorly setup suspension will not only feel horrid but can also put you in danger. If you are not comfortable doing it, just take it to a qualified bike mechanic to get it done.
So here are the suggested settings on my bike:
Bike: 2003 Kawasaki ZX-6R 636
Street:
| Front | Rear | |
| Pre-load | 4 1/2 rings | 36mm sag |
| Rebound | minimum | 5 1/2 turns |
| Compression | 10 clicks out | 5 turns |
Track:
| Front | Rear | |
| Pre-load | 3 rings | 36mm sag |
| Rebound | 7 clicks out | 4 1/2 turns |
| compression | 7 clicks out | 4 turns |
