Handling

[ianbullsey]

.........after you 'think' you've set it up, how should it actually feel? Mine works brilliantly in some sections, fast and reasonably level surface, and then bumps me out of the seat on others (obviously the not so smooth bits!) is there a happy medium?

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[fast_ryan]

Suspension Setup

Despite what anyone tells you there is absolutely no such thing as a perfect setup. Suspension setup is a hugely personal thing and what works for you may not work for someone else. It is an evolving process which changes the faster you go as the bike will behave differently as the pace increases. If you have a DDC equipped bike the process is even easier, and if you go wrong, simply change back to the default setting of '0' and start again. The best advice is to simply get out on the bike and experiment.

 

[Oli]

What damping settings are you using? I.e. What DDC mode are you in and what Reb/Comp bias settings are you on?

 

[ianbullsey]

Thanks for the advice, I'm pretty sure that's what I would have said to anyone else!

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[ianbullsey]

I've got front compression +3
Ride height set up for both front and rear
Rebound - 2
Compression - 2
I'm going to reset the ride height, I've just remembered I've lost some weight.

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[Oli]

As Ryan says, it's all personal preference, but to me it seems like you've got quite a lot of support at the front end so you might wish to decrease this a bit).

It's very important what DDC mode you are in? Slick, Race, Sport?
These are adjusted independently in the "User Mode", or if you are in a default mode all settings are fixed.

For me personally, I run User Mode exclusively and have the DDC in Sport with -4 Compression, -2 rebound at rear and -2 DMP at the front.
I have very rough roads in my area, but regardless, I think DDC in sport makes a lot of sense on the road.

Good luck with finding your ideal all round setting

 

[fast_ryan]

Suspension Setup

I would caution against using other people's suspension settings as I can almost guarantee they will be irrelevant. For example if you have a different preload setting any changes you make to compression and rebound will be different. That and your riding style, ability, pace and a whole host of other variables will all be different. The key to suspension setup is to understand what the bike is preventing you from doing and making changes accordingly. A basic understanding of compression, rebound and preload will also help significantly. As mentioned above just remember that the DDC response will be different in each riding mode and they must be adjusted independently of one another.

 

[ianbullsey]

Hi, I'm currently in sport mode. I'll do my ride height and take it from there. I'll definitely take your settings advice (which is much appreciated) I'm around 80kg unkitted.

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[ianbullsey]

Hi, thanks for the advice. I completely understand that setting up will vary rider to rider. I suppose what I'm trying to do is understand the entire suspension mine field (as it appears to be)
I'm going to start be resetting the ride height. Is true to say that the front fork setting impact on the rear suspension?

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[fast_ryan]

Suspension Setup

You generally make front and rear suspension changes independently of one other but depending on what change you make can affect either end of the bike; positively or negatively. It will also depend hugely on what symptoms the bike is presenting which will impact upon what changes need to be made. Your starting point should always be setting front and rear preload. Do not forget to recalibrate the system once you have made any changes to preload; however minor. Once that's done you can then make meaningful changes to front and rear compression and rebound.

 

[alex]

^^ That's worth repeating - Make sure you do the DDC CALIB in the menu if you change any physical setting.

 

[fast_ryan]

Preload

Any changes to Preload = DDC Calibration.

 

[ianbullsey]

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

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[ianbullsey]

Hi, I reset the sag (ride height) flicking into the recommended User Mode, interestingly I made a couple of adjustments both by increasing and decreasing preload before I arrived at the recommended tolerance? I also re-calibrated. Any thoughts? Does that make sense?

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[Oli]

Sounds good to me, you only need to re calibrate after making a preload adjustment.

User Mode is fully customisable, for example you can specify exactly what throttle response, ABS setting, Wheelie/DTC control and DDC response you like best.
BMW use the Slick, Race, Sport, Rain names for all sub settings. So for example, if in the default race mode you liked the throttle and ABS, but found the suspension too harsh, you can specify the softer sport DDC response within the User Mode Settings menu.

You can then go further with DDC by adjusting the damping settings, as you've already been experimenting with.
Most important is to get ride height aka preload set first and then go from there

 

[ianbullsey]

Thank you for your reply. I'll continue to experiment.

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[ianbullsey]

May I ask you this? I've reset ride height, re-calibrated and moved into User Mode. I've noticed the slow speed turning is different? Could you explain why?

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[alex]

Ride height changes trail and rake, thus steering angle. Sounds like you've made a step in the right direction. I couldn't believe how easy it was to take a small roundabout on my '17 compared to my '12 plate gen2.

 

[ianbullsey]

Thanks for the reply. I'm determined not to fiddle too much, but also determined to get it spot on.

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[cobo]

I have also just recently noticed this change in steering when adjusting the DDC. Quite noticeable but have been able to improve the suspension markedly and almost have a fantastically behaved bike...hope this means I'm getting it near spot on for me as Alex eludes to...the last ride where I made the changes was very inspriring as the bike stopped bouncing around and rode the bumps like I expect a 'magic carpet ride' to. Exciting times ahead...