Help Me Better Understand My Suspension And When It Needs Work.

I have stock front and rear suspension on my 5th Gen. Could someone help me better understand my suspension?

Basically, how do I know my suspension is working correctly. How do I know it is setup properly? And how do I know when it needs work and/or an upgrade?

Thanks.

All good questions. Sorry I cannot contribute anything but I will be watching the answers from some of the wizards on this site.
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I have stock front and rear suspension on my 5th Gen. Could someone help me better understand my suspension?

Basically, how do I know my suspension is working correctly. How do I know it is setup properly? And how do I know when it needs work and/or an upgrade?

Thanks.

Go here, download and read it... http://www.vfrdiscus...spension-bible/

 

Go here, download and read it... http://www.vfrdiscus...spension-bible/

Oh boy! :wacko:

I can't say I didn't ask for it. 

Thanks.

As they say, the best suspension you've ridden is the best you know. It is one of those things that is hard to describe. You have to ride it, try different stuff, and ride it again so you know what feels good and what you did to get there along with what doesn't feel good and what you did to get there.
Start with setting sag correctly and then systematically play with the dampening to determine what those screws do and how it affects the bike.

Having had my suspension tuned for my weight over the winter, my $.02 is that getting it set up properly is a night and day improvement when leaned over.  On the other hand, the ride will be less plush.  For riders that are used to mostly just sitting on the seat, best learn to grip the tank, as a sharp bump can cause the "family package" to take a beating!  :ph34r:    None the less, having suspension professionally set up is definitely worth it. 

Start with setting sag correctly and then systematically play with the dampening to determine what those screws do and how it affects the bike.

Not much to adjust on the stock suspension, however if there are screws and knobs on the forks/shock, that's the way to do it.

If I mostly ride the twisty back roads, would it be worth it to buy a rear shock (929 conversion or stock re-valve) or a fork cartridge Kit or spring/re-valve from DMr?

If I mostly ride the twisty back roads, would it be worth it to buy a rear shock (929 conversion or stock re-valve) or a fork cartridge Kit or spring/re-valve from DMr?

IMO, yes. I had JD revalue and spring an ABS OEM shock for my 09 and also provide the valves, shims and springs for the front forks. It made a big difference and my 09 is my commuter/tourer, so I do sometimes get to up the pace on some of those twisty back roads.

If I mostly ride the twisty back roads, would it be worth it to buy a rear shock (929 conversion or stock re-valve) or a fork cartridge Kit or spring/re-valve from DMr?

I would do the forks first.