How to Adjust Your Motorcycle’s Suspension for a Two-Up Riding Experience?

Riding a motorcycle is a thrilling experience, even more so when you share the ride with a passenger. However, adding a passenger to your motorcycle significantly alters the weight distribution, leading to changes in the bike’s handling, performance, and comfort. One crucial factor that you must be aware of when riding two-up is the suspension of your bike.

This is not just about comfort or smooth riding, but safety. When the suspension is not adjusted appropriately for a two-up ride, it can lead to poor handling and instability, heightened risk of bottoming out on bumps, and increased tyre wear. But, fear not, understanding how your motorcycle’s suspension works and making the necessary adjustments for two-up rides is easier than you might think.

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Understanding Your Motorcycle’s Suspension Basics

At first glance, motorcycle suspensions can seem complex, but they’re actually quite straightforward. Essentially, the suspension system of your bike includes the pair of front forks and the rear shock or shocks. These components absorb impacts and maintain your tires’ contact with the road, ensuring a smooth ride and good handling.

The main elements that form your motorcycle’s suspension system are the spring and the damping unit. The spring is responsible for absorbing the shocks from the road and supporting the motorcycle’s weight. The damping, on the other hand, controls the speed at which the spring compresses and decompresses, preventing it from bouncing uncontrollably.

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There are three key terms you need to know when it comes to motorcycle suspension: preload, sag, and damping.

Preload refers to the initial pressure applied to the spring before the weight of the motorcycle or rider is applied. Adjusting the preload does not make your suspension harder or softer, but it affects the height of the motorcycle and how it handles the additional weight.

Sag is the amount your motorcycle’s suspension compresses with the weight of the rider and passenger. The correct amount of sag ensures that your tires maintain continuous contact with the road, providing optimum grip and handling.

Damping refers to the control over the spring’s movements. It is divided into two types: rebound damping (control over the spring’s extension) and compression damping (control over the spring’s compression).

Adjusting the Preload for Two-Up Rides

When you add a passenger to your bike, you’re adding additional weight, and the bike’s suspension needs to accommodate this. The first step in doing this is by adjusting the preload.

Increasing the preload will help your motorcycle handle the extra weight. For many motorcycles, particularly modern ones like the popular Honda models, adjusting the preload is a straightforward process. Usually, there’s an adjuster on the top or bottom of the rear shock absorber that you can turn to increase or decrease the preload.

Turn the adjuster clockwise to increase the preload and lift the rear of the motorcycle, or counter-clockwise to decrease the preload and lower the rear of the bike. While doing so, you need to monitor the sag of your bike.

Checking and Adjusting the Sag

When you’ve adjusted the preload, it’s time to check the sag of your motorcycle. The sag determines how well your bike will handle under different riding conditions and with varying weights.

To measure the sag, you’ll need the help of a friend. With the bike off its stand and upright, measure the distance from the rear axle to a fixed point directly above it on the rear of the bike. This is your unloaded or static sag.

Next, sit on the motorcycle in your usual riding position, with your feet on the footrests and ask your friend to take the same measurement again. This is your rider sag. The difference between the static sag and the rider sag is the amount of suspension sag.

For most bikes, the optimum sag for a two-up ride is around 30-35% of the total travel of the rear suspension.

Fine-Tuning the Damping

After setting up the preload and sag, the final step is to fine-tune the damping. The damping controls the spring’s movement, and it’s crucial for a smooth ride and good handling.

When adjusting the damping for a two-up ride, remember that the extra weight will compress the spring more than usual. This means that the spring will rebound faster, and you’ll need to increase the damping to control this.

On most motorcycles, you can adjust the damping with a screwdriver on the rear shock. Turning the adjuster clockwise increases the damping, while turning it anti-clockwise decreases it.

However, remember that damping adjustments are very sensitive, and even a small change can have a noticeable effect on your bike’s handling. Therefore, make small adjustments at a time and test ride your bike after each change.

The key to a successful two-up ride is preparation. By understanding and properly adjusting your motorcycle’s suspension, you can ensure a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable ride for both you and your passenger. So, the next time you plan to take someone for a ride, don’t just hop on the bike and go. Take the time to adjust your suspension, and you will notice a considerable difference in your riding experience.

The news is good, folks: with a little knowledge and some basic tools, you can make the necessary adjustments to your suspension system. So, get out there and enjoy the open road with your riding partner.

Harley Davidson Specific Adjustments

For all you Harley Davidson lovers out there, the process of adjusting your bike’s suspension for two-up riding is similar, but there are a few model-specific features that you need to be aware of. The first thing to note is that many Harley models come with a single rear shock absorber, unlike the twin shocks found on most other bikes. This doesn’t change the overall process, but it does mean you’ll need to pay extra attention to setting the sag.

Adjusting the preload on a Harley is usually done with a spanner wrench. Again, turn the adjuster clockwise to increase your preload and handle the extra weight of your passenger. Remember, increasing the preload will lift the rear of your bike, improving its overall stability.

Checking your sag is equally critical on a Harley Davidson. As with other bikes, aim for a sag of around 30-35% of the total travel of the rear suspension when you and your passenger are seated on the bike.

Finally, the damping on most Harley models can be adjusted with a small screwdriver. An important reminder: small changes can have a significant impact. So, make adjustments gradually and test your bike after each change.

Concluding Thoughts and Tips

Riding pillion, or two-up, can be a wonderful experience, but it’s important to take the time to adjust your motorcycle’s suspension to handle the extra weight. This is not just about keeping your passenger comfortable, but ensuring the safety and performance of your bike as well.

Remember the three key terms: preload, sag, and damping. Ensuring that these are correctly adjusted for your weight, as well as the weight of your passenger, will significantly enhance the performance and safety of your bike.

Don’t forget, the process varies slightly for different bike models. For example, bikes like the popular Honda models and Harley Davidson’s will have specific adjustment features. Be sure to consult your bike’s manual or forum members for model-specific advice.

As with many things in life, practice makes perfect. It’s encouraged to take the time to understand your bike, and how it handles under different weights. Make adjustments gradually, and always test your bike after each one. This is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable two-up riding experience.

So, next time you plan to take someone for a ride, remember to adjust your suspension. With this newfound knowledge and some basic tools, you’re all set to hit the road and enjoy the thrill of two-up riding. Happy trails!