Rear shock preload

[thork86]

One of my only complaints with the Valkyrie is the stuff suspension from the factory.

I read on another board the factory setting is 18 clicks to the Hard side.

So I clicked it back 9 clicks to a Softer setting. It was a little bit too spongey for me, but I could see it being a good setting on nice smooth pavement. With all the rough surfaces, I just felt like my 245lbs body weight was a little much.

I set it 4 clicks harder, so that's 5 clicks softer than factory, and it is perfect for my riding style, body weight, and mediocre road surface quality on the east coast.

If you think the suspension is a bit rough, pop off that left side cover and tinker with the preload!

I'm no tuner/racer, but it feels much better for me!

Question: Is is a total of 18 click adjustability? That is, is it set to the hardest setting from the factory?

Thanks!

[st2sam]

You are right on about the rock hard factory setting.
I rode it for 400mi. on that setting, my frak'in back was killing me! I live in N.E. PA., we have the worst roads in the Country.

I backed it down four clicks, much better but still stiff. I might try another two or three clicks toward soft, (I'm about 180lb. with gear) but I don't want to go to soft and have the handling suffer.
I already have the peg feelers ground down.

I don't think 18 clicks is full hard, but I'll check...

[thork86]

You are right on about the rock hard factory setting.
I rode it for 400mi. on that setting, my frak'in back was killing me! I live in N.E. PA., we have the worst roads in the Country.

I backed it down four clicks, much better but still stiff. I might try another two or three clicks toward soft, (I'm about 180lb. with gear) but I don't want to go to soft and have the handling suffer.
I already have the peg feelers ground down.

I don't think 18 clicks is full hard, but I'll check...

That'd be great, thanks for checking! I don't know why Honda didn't give a full explanation in the owners manual. Recommended settings, factory settings, etc.

Anywho... I feel ya about the roads! But like you said, too soft and handling gets a little too mushy for my tastes.

[six2go #152]

I don't know if you guys have the same shock/settings as the F6B, but the "6" has 36 clicks of adjustment. Mine was delivered at the softest setting, I tried 18 clicks(half way) and thought it was a bit hard so I backed it off half way from there, so I'm now at 1/4 of the range above full soft. Haven't ridden since the last adjustment so no info yet.

[thork86]

I don't know if you guys have the same shock/settings as the F6B, but the "6" has 36 clicks of adjustment. Mine was delivered at the softest setting, I tried 18 clicks(half way) and thought it was a bit hard so I backed it off half way from there, so I'm now at 1/4 of the range above full soft. Haven't ridden since the last adjustment so no info yet.

Cool, so I was riding at half-way (apparently, factory setting is 18) and now I'm at 13.

I wonder if when you hit the softest or hardest setting, does it stop? Like you've hit the limit. Otherwise who knows when you spin back to the other direction, you know?

[maddoggie501]

The adjustment knob does stop at full hard and full soft.  I have mine backed down around 8 clicks from the recommended standard setting.  Does not seem to hurt my back and still handles good and not to mushy.

[thork86]

The adjustment knob does stop at full hard and full soft.  I have mine backed down around 8 clicks from the recommended standard setting.  Does not seem to hurt my back and still handles good and not to mushy.

Thanks very much for confirming this!

 

[dans2014]

  Thanks for the info. I backed mine off 4 clicks and will try it if the rain ever quits!!!

[thork86]

Here's a question... As long as you remain under the max load, will the rear fender rub the tire under normal riding conditions? (mild potholes, bumps, etc)

That is, is it possible to have the preload set TOO low or would the lowest setting be designed to not allow that to happen?

[maddoggie501]

Good question. I don't have an accurate answer for it.  However, i would assume if one weighs 250 and puts the pre load at the lowest, it might bottom out in potholes, etc.  Since most bikes are designed around a 180lb rider, i would expect it not to bottom out.  I will let you know since I weigh around 170 and I will set the pre load all the way soft and run the piss out of it over crappy roads.

[maddoggie501]

Today I turned the rear pre load all the way to soft.  I was already at 8 turns from total soft.  I really didn't notice much difference.  The shock is still hard on my back when I went over speed bumps.  The bike seemed to handle the same when I took it on a curvy low speed road.  I figure with full gear on I might have hit 180lbs.  I'll leave the pre load on full soft for now unless Im going on a trip with fully loaded saddle bags and a tail bag and I'll turn it up 8 clicks. 

[thork86]

Today I turned the rear pre load all the way to soft.  I was already at 8 turns from total soft.  I really didn't notice much difference.  The shock is still hard on my back when I went over speed bumps.  The bike seemed to handle the same when I took it on a curvy low speed road.  I figure with full gear on I might have hit 180lbs.  I'll leave the pre load on full soft for now unless Im going on a trip with fully loaded saddle bags and a tail bag and I'll turn it up 8 clicks. 

You sir, are the man! Thanks for testing it out.

I'll be doing lots of riding this weekend and I'll be sure to experiment with full-soft setting. I can say that 9-clicks softer than factory setting felt pretty mushy for me. To the point where I was a little concerned I was going to rub the tire if I hit the right bump or dip in the road.

Currently sitting at 5 clicks softer-than-stock, and it's the right blend of soft/firm for me.

But thanks again for testing! I was thinking if I can go full-soft for my Florida trip next week, I might safe some (literal) pain in the butt 

[dans2014]

 :DBacked mine off 4 clicks and seems just right!!! I'm 6-4 and 215lbs. Thanks for the tip