The goal of tuning is to narrow the intended operating window for a specific weight, speed, and bike. OEM manufacturers are looking for a big operating window to make it as safe as possible for any potential buyer. Tuning suspension is intentionally giving up some of that spread to make your operating window as good as it can be.

• Tuning is a give and take. Suspension gets objectively better the more you can minimize changing variables (speed, weight, terrain, line choice, etc).

  • This is why OEM tuning is usually decent, but leaves a lot to be desired. The variables they are tuning for come from a range (20-30lb spread and a 10 second lap time difference in test riders) rather than a specific set of data points from one person

Also referred to as clickers, these circuits fine tune your damping curve.

*Counted from the closed position (clockwise until it stops)

• LSC (low speed compression)

  • Controls the timing of the compression damping curve

  • Metered by a needle, this circuit controls the amount of oil that is able to bypass the base valve shim stack (fork) and compression adjuster (shock) at low shaft velocities.

• HSC (high speed compression)

  • This circuit regulates the oil volume transferring from the main body into the reservoir at high shaft velocities

  • Typically a small shim stack preloaded against a piston

• Rebound

  • Controls the timing of the rebound damping curve.

  • Metered by a needle, this circuit allows oil to bypass the mid valve shim stacks (forks) and through the main piston shim stacks (shocks)

  • Rebound circuits are a two way street. Increasing/ decreasing rebound will have the same effect on the compression circuit. It is recommended to compensate for rebound adjustments at a 3:1 ratio with the lsc

• Shims are what control the majority of the forces acting on your suspension. Around 20-30 of these shims are used in any one stack. The varying thickness and diameter of the individual shims is used to change the damping curve of the stack.

• The art of valving is in translating rider feel to numbers on a piece of paper. It is a delicate balance of resisting forces enough to control the motion, but not so much that unwanted energy is expended into the chassis or wheels.

• Shim stacks are unique to each rider/bike combo because the forces experienced along the wheel path are of infinite possibility. Why?

  • Technique and line choice are subjective.

  • Dirt is a living, changing variable. The “same” bump across two laps results in two (slightly) different acting forces.

  • Every frame/suspension design varies in its ability to absorb and dissipate forces

Springs are responsible for providing upward forces to the sprung mass of the motorcycle, absorbing and releasing energy.

Spring Rates

• The amount of force (kilograms or newton meters) required to compress the spring a given distance (1 millimeter)

• Determines the overall force required to compress suspension

• If springs are too soft for the application, the rider will experience harshness/pitching from the suspension riding too low in the stroke

• If springs are too high of a rate, the rider will experience harshness/deflection from the suspension riding too high in the stroke

Spring Preload

• The amount of compression applied to a spring before the sprung mass is applied.

• Preload changes the amount of force required to begin compressing suspension

• Used to fine tune ride height

We recommend servicing your suspension every 20-40 hours

Suspension oil consists of a base oil with additives and modifiers; while new, these additives reduce foam, lower friction between moving parts, and swell seals. As the oil ages with use, these additives break down, leading to poor damping and increased wear.

Wear items include fragile seals and teflon coated bushings. As the oil degrades, these bushings and seals face harsher conditions.

Too long between services will drastically increase wear on more expensive components that can be harder to source. Extended down time + huge bill = sad customer. We don’t want that.

Info coming soon…

Info coming soon…