Did anyone else read how MCN just simply panned how the Ducati Streetfighter suspension was so horribly set up (such that it came in last in the 4 bikes tested)?
Some of the criticisms I felt I've also noticed on my Showa-equipped M1100. ALthough totally stable and such, it's almost as if you forgot how to ride, very "wooden" feeling into a lean, totally unable to tolerate any bumps in corners, etc. I've added preload to the already ricululous high and hard rear spring settings with some improvement, but I'm just not that satisfied with the "un-inuitiveness" of the handling.
Anyone else make the same observations, and what then can be done. Not so sure I trust my dealer.
Thanks
Buy this:
http://traxxion.com/detail-63.aspx (http://traxxion.com/detail-63.aspx)
My $.02
Don't expect your suspension to be setup properly from the dealer... it's not your fault, it's not the dealers fault, it's not ducati's fault, there are just too many people of too many different styles, weights, and shapes to make it right for everyone.
It's your job to either (1) try to tune your bike properly or (2) pay a third party to tune your bikes suspension properly. The dealer may get pretty close (if they're extremely experienced and extremely friendly), but I wouldn't count on it.
"high and hard" rear spring and you added preload? was that to set static sag appropriately? stable but it's hard over bumps in corners? where is compression set at the rear? some slight opposites going on. can you describe "wooden" and "unintuitive" more?
This isn't something anyone can easily do over the net.
I'm also going to bump this into tech.
from one of your other posts.... sometimes the bars on a monster lend themselves to the rider fighting him or herself. Make sure you're not actually stiff arming the opposite bar and fighting your own countersteering. This is sometimes why a bigger heavier bike feels more nimble to someone transitioning to a monster. I hated the stock bars and went lower. some go higher and closer. the stock for me was wrong reach and wrong height.
some monsters do like a little more ride height in back (not more preload) to both turn slightly quicker and not run wide under throttle on exit....but that's personal taste too.
if you want the suspension anywhere close, you have to do a couple of things first.
One, take the suspension OFF the bike
TWO, Have it revalved and resprung
Three, go ride.
The stock suspension is really pretty bad, but if you just buy an off the rack set of forks or shock, they are typically equally bad. Its not so easy as to set the "sag" and ride, because for the most part, the sag doesnt matter.
To get the proper springs on the bike you want no more than 7mm of initial preload, and no more than about 15mm of total preload. If you need to add more spring to it, the rate is too soft, and you need to change springs again (notice that you dont really see teams changing springs unless they are way off base and are changinig geometry as well)
Once the ride height is set, and the geometry is set, and the spring rate is set, then you can work on setting the clickers (assuming that the suspension has been redone) to set the bike with balance. You want both ends of the bike to go up and down together, smoothly, and evenly. The idea is to control the energy in the springs and regulate both the rate of compression and extension, smoothly.
Suspension is expensive, and it is one way mfg's save a lot of money on each bike they roll out the door. Start fresh, and you wont believe its the same bike, and I have YET to meet one person who says his reworked suspension wasnt worth the investment!
Will
On Monsters the forks tend to be pretty soft, especially the non-adjustable forks. Just getting some springs suited to your weight and setting the preload correctly make a huge difference. You might want to swap the stock oil for something of a different weight too. Yes, swapping them out entirely or getting them re-sprung and re-valved is much better but can run $500-1000 or more. Springs and oil are cheap, about $150 for parts, and make a huge difference.
Scott
There are lot's of good suspension shops out there, I would put Ohlins at the top of my list and Traxxion at the bottom.
Even after you get good components and the proper base settings, it'll be up to you to make adjustments to suit your riding style. It can be both fun and frustrating at the same time.
First thing, you have fully adjustable suspension, you need to adjust it. The Ohlins web site has some good information on adjusting the sag.