OK you guys were right about the suspension!

[Robert]

So Monday this week I thought about all the suspension complaints that some with corner experience were saying about the suspension. So I took off the side cover and unloosened the suspension knob. I guess it has about 20 clicks and mine was on about 18 so I took it down to 9 and I must admit it made a much favorable difference in the ride and cornering of the bike. I am going to continue on the experimentation but now when I sit on the bike it goes down about 1/2 inch which is the correct deflection in the suspension when you sit on it. My 1500 rides pretty hard and honestly this bike rides softer than that on the original setting so I thought it was ok.

Today I had a chance to ride a bit and the difference is not mind blowing but it is a noticeable difference in that there is no more jarring, the cornering ability of the bike and just the general handling is much better.


So you guys were right.

[bscrive]

Robert,

I have mine on the second click.  Works best for me.  Otherwise, the suspension is too hard.

[Robert]

Robert,

I have mine on the second click.  Works best for me.  Otherwise, the suspension is too hard.

So you backed it all the way off and then turned it 2 clicks?

I was wondering thanks,

I may try that to see, like I said I'm at 9 right now and that is pretty good.

[dans2014]

I'm on 5 clicks. seems nice

[ledany]

From day one I turned it down as hard as possible and never touched it since 2014 

[allhans4]

Bottom too soft for me. I'm at 5 clicks from bottom. Perfect for me, especially after riding at 15 for a while.   

[Dragunslayer]

I will have to double check but I am pretty sure that I am at 8 clicks and if memory serves me there are 25-30 clicks available on the adjustment.

[rudymsmith]

When you guys list your suspension setting you should list you body weight - would help others to consider where to start at.
thanks.
I weigh @ 200lbs and i am at the factory setting - seems hard but not harsh. i don't notice any sag when i sit on the bike.
?

[ledany]

Right ! I'm 64 kg = 141 lbs  
Thus the OEM seat is comfortable for me  and the suspension as hard as possible suits me fine 

[Robert]

I'm 225 and thought the factory setting was ok till I played with it. At 9 seems much better but will experiment a bit though. I would urge all to do the same and see if the factory setting is the best for you. It can always be set back to oem just remember the clicks you turned one way or the other and if you dont like the new setting just set it back.

Lednay you like your BMW's if you soften the suspension I thinking you may like this bike more than the BMW's since they dont ride hard.

I have some washboard roads that I do down on a regular basis the change is the difference between feeling each bump or just knowing they are there. It moves better in the corners and just feels more sure footed seems like the tire stays planted on the road better.   

[bscrive]

I am 240 lbs and setting 2 is best for me.

[AdrianR]

I am near the bottom of it's adjustment, maybe two or three up...The bike is far more comfortable...made a noticeable difference...  I'm about a buck 95 fully clothed, boots, leather jacket and all...  The biggest improvement I saw was the elimination of rear wheel hop...  I remember when I first got the bike...man, at high speed I would hit bumps and the rear wheel would bounce of the pavement!   I have noticed no loss of cornering too at the lower settings.

[rudymsmith]

I am near the bottom of it's adjustment, maybe two or three up...The bike is far more comfortable...made a noticeable difference...  I'm about a buck 95 fully clothed, boots, leather jacket and all...  The biggest improvement I saw was the elimination of rear wheel hop...  I remember when I first got the bike...man, at high speed I would hit bumps and the rear wheel would bounce of the pavement!   I have noticed no loss of cornering too at the lower settings.

AdrianR - that's a good way to put the setting in words - if it's so hard the wheel hops before the suspension does it's thing then it needs to be backed off. Thanks.

[Dragunslayer]

I am near the bottom of it's adjustment, maybe two or three up...The bike is far more comfortable...made a noticeable difference...  I'm about a buck 95 fully clothed, boots, leather jacket and all...  The biggest improvement I saw was the elimination of rear wheel hop...  I remember when I first got the bike...man, at high speed I would hit bumps and the rear wheel would bounce of the pavement!   I have noticed no loss of cornering too at the lower settings.

Not to be an ass, but I would love to see a video of this wheel hop you speak of. I have been known to push this bike fairly fast compared to some I am sure and have NEVER experience wheel hop.

Now if you are saying it feels like wheel hop that's another story. The stock suspension on this bike and the Goldwing is fairly good compared to a lot of bikes out there. Dampening is on the stiff side for sure but not crazy.