Adjustable suspension - When Bikes are reviewed

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N1ckR
17/08/2004 at 10:14
I was reading Bike mag with the 600's group test and I noticed minor complaints about suspension, but they don't try and adjust the suspension to improve things... surely thats the point of adjustable suspension is that it can (attempt to) set it up to the riders needs.

eg If the GSXR is too stiff for the reviewer, why not soften it up a little, make the comparisions a bit fairer ?

I was also reading that the Thundercat (still the bike I want to get when I get my DAS done) is a little soft, yet ive read its easy to stiffen up a little and improve things vastly.
Nick

Dark Angel / Jen's other half.

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Tazzie
17/08/2004 at 10:17
See, it didn't hurt did it

The main aim for a bike review is to review a bike in it's standard form, majority of people I guess will never ever play around with changing the standard settings of their bikes, it took me 3 years to have a go!

The overall aim has to be a rounded view, a well set up CBR6 will probably perform in a more similar way to a well set up GSXR6 let's say if they've been modified for your weight, riding style etc

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moth
17/08/2004 at 10:22
Not a lot of adjustment on standard suspension IMHO

Sure, you can turn the screws in and out, but if it left the factory with a solid back end then a solid back end it`ll have until YOU change the shock

If the Thundercat`s done more than 9k the shock will be dead anyway, change it for a WP or, if you`re flush, an Ohlins if you think it`ll make a difference

At the end of the day (Brian) it`s down to how you ride, innit?

Yawn! It's wearing a little thin now, don't you think?


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N1ckR
17/08/2004 at 10:23
Tazzie]See, it didn't hurt did it wrote


Haha, ta

Quote

The main aim for a bike review is to review a bike in it's standard form, majority of people I guess will never ever play around with changing the standard settings of their bikes, it took me 3 years to have a go!


People should, I know how much improved my car was from having specific suspensions setup (not just generic off the shelf max power crap).

[QUOTE]
The overall aim has to be a rounded view, a well set up CBR6 will probably perform in a more similar way to a well set up GSXR6 let's say if they've been modified for your weight, riding style etc


Yes thats true, but the R6 was marked down on its handling for having dodgy tyres, for example, just makes the review a little unfair.

IMHO, I dont trust journo reviews as 100% gospal, useful guides, long term reviews are more useful, speaking to existing owners and testing yourself seems to be best way to get true insight.
Nick

Dark Angel / Jen's other half.

My website | Money Traffic Blog | Give Blood | Kill Spills
Eff Bee
17/08/2004 at 10:39
quite right. When we get bikes out of the crate each one of the same model can come with different suspension settings. I have run in both GSXR1000 demo bikes on the suspension settings from the crate and both were very different. You get alot of difference by adjusting the suspension on new bikes these days. See what happens when you wind in the rebound fully and you will see what i mean.

We always setup our demo bikes before they go on test rides as this can make or break someone liking the bike. BUT everyone likes different things and this is the same with suspension. Some people prefer softer settings whilst others prefer firm and more precise settings.

I would never ever go out and buy or not buy a bike just because some jurno rates or hates a bike. Most jurnos slag off the SV1000...i rode it and loved it. I know one editor who has a long term bike and hates it but cant say that in the write ups.

Reviews should always be done in a balanced way. Quote what the bike is all about but not neccesarily slag off particular bits but just make people aware of them.

Suspension is very very important and to be honest i cant understand why people buy tons of go faster bits for their bikes, like cans etc and never even look at getting their suspension setup. It DOES make a difference.
Tazzie
17/08/2004 at 10:40
nickr wrote
People should, I know how much improved my car was from having specific suspensions setup (not just generic off the shelf max power crap).

Yes thats true, but the R6 was marked down on its handling for having dodgy tyres, for example, just makes the review a little unfair.

IMHO, I dont trust journo reviews as 100% gospal, useful guides, long term reviews are more useful, speaking to existing owners and testing yourself seems to be best way to get true insight.


Why should they? Some people use their bike just to commute, or ride on a sunday or just for fun, not everyone cares about suspension etc

I agree marking a bike down for shit tyres is a little harsh, however again if that's how they come as standard then the journo has to give an honest review of that bike as standard

www.feistyracing.co.uk
Born to be wild, hemmed in by the system...
Proud recipient of (VDCR 27.5) TiT #52AA IANAN #80085 Hon. Mem. Ard n Fast #21 VDA #80085 SSC2 #80085 LMJ Biatch #2 SNSG #80085 FNEN #80085 SSAD #80085

Latest addition VDDC#2FM Bloooooop blooop bloooooop
Owned and controlled by Jif... it's all his fault... stroppy fek
Eff Bee
17/08/2004 at 10:48
yes but standard settings are different to standard shock and forks. Settings as standard can be seriously poo. The GSXR1000 i am riding at the moment (dont quote me on these) had 2 turns of rebound on the front where as the other had 6. This made the bike prone to sitting up in corners when you hit a bump and very twitchy. No bike comes new with the same amount of preload, rebound etc etc as another of the same make. They are supposed to but it doesnt happen.

This is why it can make a big difference even if your only commuting on the bike. I have seen quite a few bikes come into the workshop with handling problems...past owners have had a fiddle and not put each fork to the same settings..and so on.

Always worth having a look...whats £40 compared to £300 for a race can...better suspension will have more of a positive effect on your riding than the race can ever will.
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