suspension

Has anybody made any adjustments to their suspension? Riding yesterday I started noticing that the front end feels very twitchy (for want of a better word), and could be thrown off line pretty easily. I run the front tyre at 35psi and the rear about 40

You really need to get the tyre pressures right and then start with the suspension.

Front should be 36 and rear 42psi.

I have added preload at the front (about 3 full turns) and one notch harder preload on the rear. Have not yet touched to rear rebound.

Make sure you write down every adjustment so you can go backwards if something does not full good.

Also check your tyre wear.

tyre pressure too low on teh front will feel like it's pushing thru the corner.
add to that too soft preload on the forks and it will bounce all over the shop making for a twitchy feel.

too soft preload + right tyre pressure will cause bounce at the front but quite subtle i've found and will wear your tyre funny.

me i have the front at 1.5 turns out from home, rear at 4 and +1/2 turn on the rebound. tyre pressures are 36F/40R

I weigh a ton tho (106 kegs) and stand 6'3" and a bit

thanks for that. It's good to have a starting point.

Your tire pressures are close enough to not effect handling. The next thing to look at is tire scolloping (Dunlops are known for this) also if the center is flatter it will follow undulations/grooves in the road.
I have the front stock but will have it resprung one day and the rear is +1 on preload. Works for my lard except for dive under brakes.
Suspension is a black art.

I'm also thinking about making a few adjustments but I need to do some more research on what changes to make.

I only weigh about 58kg's so I think that maybe the bike is a bit stiff in the rear on the standard settings. I guess it's mostly just trial and error though...

This is a good little write-up for DIY suspension tuning:

http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/Guides/motorcycleSuspensionSetup.htm

Personally, I would suggest binning the stock set up and upgrading to either Busa or GSX-R suspenders.

Cruisecontrol wrote:This is a good little write-up for DIY suspension tuning:

http://www.moto-racing.co.uk/Guides/motorcycleSuspensionSetup.htm

Personally, I would suggest binning the stock set up and upgrading to either Busa or GSX-R suspenders.

Or buy a FZ1 in the first place....

from what i know busa doesn't fit the 1250 bandit (at the back anyways)
forks might be a hard one also, but not sure.

re setting suspension
first of all set your static sag for your weight.
my suggestion is to do this with you fully geared up and ready to ride and
1. bike loaded as you do normally through the week
2. loaded up with luggage if you tour on the bike
3. if you carry a passenger, do one for this also
that way you will have a base setting for each way you ride the bike.

once set, adjsut and play from there

Sloth_27 wrote:I'm also thinking about making a few adjustments but I need to do some more research on what changes to make.

I only weigh about 58kg's so I think that maybe the bike is a bit stiff in the rear on the standard settings. I guess it's mostly just trial and error though...

Stock settings for pre-load on the 1250 is step 5 of 7, try backing the rear pre-load down a step or two as a starting point.
Setting static sag is vital to suspension setup, static sag should be approx 30mm difference between unladen and you on the bike in full gear, you can then vary that 5mm either way to suit preferences for a softer or firmer ride.

Dink

Stock fork setup has too much high speed compression damping which makes it feel harsh and deflects the front-end off-line off bumps, you can help this a bit by using 5 wt fork oil,

Cheers Peter