Motorcycle Suspension Tuning & Setup

Motorcycle Suspension Tuning

Sport Rider’s Motorcycle Suspension section showcases articles about how to setup and tune your motorcycle suspension. Learn the correct settings for motorcycle shocks, damping rod and cartridge forks, fork spring rate and preload, high speed vs. low speed rebound damping and more.

Sport Bike Suspension Setup

Suggested Suspension Settings Suggested Suspension Settings
Sport Rider's setup recommendations for every bike tested from 1997 more
Technicalities: Suspension Damping Technicalities: Suspension Damping
Damping, damping and more damping. Whenever the subject is suspension theory, damping is always a major topic of discussion. The terms... more
Technicalities: Compression Damping Technicalities: Compression Damping
In the March issue's "Technicalities," we started to delve into the "Witches' Brew" of suspension systems with damping. Specifically, we... more
Technicalities: Rebound Damping Technicalities: Rebound Damping
Onward and inward. The February '96 Technicalities article gave an overview of suspension forces and the different types of energy... more
Technicalities: Suspension Overview: Back to Basics Technicalities: Suspension Overview: Back to Basics
Rocket Science, voodoo, black art...suspension in general, and damping specifically, have been shrouded in mystery for years. Enhanced... more
Technicalities: Suspension Hardware Terms Technicalities: Suspension Hardware Terms
People often ask about the definitions of terms regarding suspension. We decided to compile a glossary of suspension terms to help clear... more
Technicalities: Cartridge Forks Technicalities: Cartridge Forks
I am often asked the question, "Why cartridge forks? What's so great about them?" Riders know they're better but don't know why. Let's... more
Technicalities: Spring Rate and Preload Technicalities: Spring Rate and Preload
Commonly asked questions like, "What's the difference between spring rate and preload?" and "Can't I make the spring stiffer by cranking in... more
Technicalities: Damping rod forks and the Race Tech Gold Valve Emulator Technicalities: Damping rod forks and the Race Tech Gold Valve Emulator
In the August '94 "Technicalities" we discussed the question, "Why cartridge forks?" We answered that question, but in doing so we... more

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